That's why their recommendations should be just a starting point for a shopping list. Many times they give high ratings to a middle of the line product from a particular manuf. and don't even have some of the higher models rated at all. When my friend worked at the high end shop, I'd get a kick out of someone coming in and only being interested in auditioning stuff on Stereophile's list. No consideration to even hearing something else and deciding for themselves or even if the product is right for their room or a match for their system. I used to get a kick out of seeing my friend's face when he would put on something and let them listen in the room by themselves. I can understand why a manuf. would want a rating and for them to review their stuff.
