[rmihai0]

I will mention just the option within a reasonable budget:

First Stereophile, second Stereoplay:

Speakers: Paradigm Reference Studio 60 or 100  vs.    Canton Karat M 90 DC

Subwofer:  Martin Logan Depth, Paradigm Reference Servo VS. B&W ASW 750, Dynaudio Sub 500

Integrated: Creek 5350SE, Pathos Acoustics Classic 1  VS.  Lua 4040 C Last Edition, Unison Simply Two L.A.E.

Pre-amp:    Musical Fidelity X-10v3, Placette VS. Vincent SA T 1, AVM V 2,  Rotel RC 1090,  Meridian 562/517/516

Power amp: PS Audio HCA-2 VS.  SAC La Forza (pair)

Digital player: Arcam DV79, Marantz DV 8400, Marantz SA-8260 VS. Arcam DV 88, Arcam DV 27,  Marantz SA 8400, Arcam CD-23T

Turnatables: VPI Aries Scoutmaster VS. Acoustic Signature Samba

Cartridge:      Lyra Helikon, Shelter 901 VS. Transfiguration Spirit 3
                     

Phono stage:  Acoustech PH-1P, Linn Linto, Conrad Johnson EV-1, GSP Audio Era Gold MkV, Hagerman Trumpet VS.  Linn Linto
                                                 
                     
                     
                     

That is it. I won't enter in further details (cables, room accoustic).

As I first conclusion: it seems that in digital era Arcam and Marantz are leading the market in what might be called affordable solutions.

Any comments wellcomed. I didn;t had time to compare these lists with the UK, Japanese and French ones (that I have them also).

[jermmd]

Could you edit your post and put slashes or something between components?    It's hard for me to read as is.

Thanks,

Joe M.

[mca]

Is Stereoplay a Canadian mag?

[rmihai0]

Stereoplay is, arguablly, the MOST important Audiophile magazine from Europe (Germany). And you know Germans - you cannot "buy" them with advertising or else.

[orthobiz]

Add the REL B2 subwoofer to your list if you can.
2500 list.

biz

[Music Maven]

Interesting comparison, rmihai0!

I suppose Stereoplay is written in German, no English language version?

I just glanced at the list so far, but in most categories the two magazine's recommendations didn't seem to overlap. Curious.

I know that, whether rightly or wrongly, Stereophile has been accused of "playing favorites" with huge coverage for the products of Musical Fidelity, for example.

For whatever reason, I trust the most reviews of such magazines as Hi-Fi+ from England and The Inner Ear Report and UHF from Canada.

I do subscribe to Stereophile and I sure wish they thought enough of their subscribers to WRAP the damn magazine! Every other issue arrives damaged! Are any of you having trouble with mutilated copies through the mail???

Jerry

[orthobiz]

No mutilated Stereophile in Michigan. Maybe it's a regional Southern USA problem, like crop circles in the Midwest...

I still enjoy Stereophile. The ABsolute Sound has better paper stock but without any actual measurements (even though I can't comprehend some of the graphs) I don't know whether the manufacturer's claims about power, etc. are genuine or not.

I grew up with the old Hirsch-Houck lab mentality and Stereophile still fits the bill. When you get to know each individual well enough, you get an idea about who is who and what is what when it comes to their recommendations. It's not such a bad thing in my mind.

For instance, I live on pitchforkmedia.com and check their music reviews and articles all the time. They definitely go ga-ga over certain groups and if you don't like the Fiery Furnaces or the Decemberists you're either:going to feel left out,
feel like the editorial staff is shoving the music down you throat or
realize that this is the stuff these guys live for, it's their opinion and you can take it with a grain of salt.

I'm entertained by all of it. It's still all in the listening...

biz