Did you see this in Stereophile?

jcoat007 · « **on:** 29 Mar 2003, 10:19 pm »

On the cover of the April 2003 Stereophile, it says "$20 HIGH-END INTERCONNECT".

Go to page 31 and see that Sam Tellig is basically saying that this $20 Acoustic Research Pro Series Directional Balanced-Line Audio Cable model HT-130 is about all anyone will ever need. I'm not sure what it means, but I intend on finding out.

There aren't many dealers selling it, but BB is a major AR dealer, so I am going there first.

Anyone see the article? Anyone tried this cable?

cjr888 · « **Reply #1 on:** 29 Mar 2003, 11:04 pm »

Quote from: jcoat007

On the cover of the April 2003 Stereophile, it says "$20 HIGH-END INTERCONNECT".

Go to page 31 and see that Sam Tellig is basically saying that this $20 Acoustic Research Pro Series Directional Balanced-Line Audio Cable model HT-130 is about all anyone will ever need. I'm not sure what it means, but I intend on finding out.

There aren't many dealers selling it, but BB is a major AR dealer, so I am going there first.

Anyone see the article? Anyone tried this cable?

Saw the article, didn't try the cable.
Anything for $20, whether off the shelf, or DIY, is always worth a try.
Heck, especially if you can return it.

My only thought, and the thing that kept me from running out to BB immediately and giving them a try in a search for hidden treasure, is that every Sam Tellig article seems to claim a product as the greatest thing since sliced bread, that its the value of the century, that it can compete with live sound for pennies on the dollar.....with a 5 paragraph preface about he and the manufacturer are the greatest of friends.

Obviously haven't heard everything he's reviewed, but I always take caution with the manufacturer's friend type reviews, when every review provides so much praise in the way that many AudioReview one paragraph reviews sound...

Its pretty much the opposite of the rest of Stereophile -- no testing, minimal comparison, tried with few combinations, not used in a system that could necessarily provide the best scenario to truly evaluate a single component, etc....

So I usually read his articles, read with even further hesitance that most audio reviews for most of the component mentions. But when you have something this cheap -- heck, why not give them a shot?

If anyone else takes the plunge and buys a set of the interconnects instead of an extra CD, please post comments...

I'd love to hear that they are wonderful. I also wouldn't mind hearing that Sam's deaf.

Sorry for not providing a thoughful review and testing -- just have to wonder though....

jcoat007 · « **Reply #2 on:** 30 Mar 2003, 01:33 am »

Do you think that Stereophile would recommend something that was not all that they claim (even if the claim is so vague as to not really be a claim) because of being so close to the manufacturer and his advertising dollars?

Say it isn't so.

nathanm · « **Reply #3 on:** 30 Mar 2003, 02:16 am »

I've only had my Stereophile subscription for about 5 issues or so, and I've decided that I am not even close to their demographic. It's basically a magazine for old rich white guys and their toys. I enjoy some of the articles, namely if there's pics of exotic turntables but half the time you read a review and two pages later there's a full page ad for the same thing.

Every issue features another god-like component that maybe a dozen people in the world will be able to afford. I was so used to this it took me a few views before I realized it said a $20 power cord, not $20K! Heh!

cjr888 · « **Reply #4 on:** 30 Mar 2003, 02:22 am »

Straying from the original topic, so I think maybe I'll go suck it up and try and grab a pair of the AR interconnects tomorrow for the heck of it...

As for Stereophile, or any magazine for that matter, if they are going to be reviewing an item, I would certainly expect a manufacturer to heavily advertise during that issue -- that doesn't strike me as wrong, simply good marketing.

As for the debate of supporting your advertisers, that's a whole other story.

The thing that drives me nuts about Sam is that the reviews aren't good -- there's little comparison, no technical testing, no quality reference, and then the exagerated praise... Really doesn't give you _anything_ to work from...

John Casler · « **Reply #5 on:** 30 Mar 2003, 02:28 am »

Until recently I used their interconnect just one step down from that model and it was "very" good for the price.

I recently switched to some Cardas Golden Section and I have to say there definatly is a difference.

That said, I have had any number of "semi-snobby" audiophile types (whoever that is) in to hear my system with the ARs, and not one left saying that their system still sounded better to their ears and more than half, ended up changing their systems (but I don't think they changed out their interconnects).

Take home message is, if the AR you heard about is better than the one I was using, then it is very good interconnect, and at $20 a pop, unless you already have better, it could be worth it.

Regards,

John Casler

VMPS LA CA USA
SUMMIT Audio Video
800-320-6884
bioforce.inc@gte.net
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=systems;system=72
http://my.register.com/summitaudiovideo.com/index.html

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #6 on:** 30 Mar 2003, 03:21 am »

Ol' Sam seems to love everything he hears. Maybe he's too old to hear at all!

Seriously, I don't think advertising has a lot of effect on their reviews. I consider them suspect anyway, but I haven't noticed that advertisers get an more/better reviews that the guys that don't advertise.

I don't know about those AR ICs, but I've used some AR cables that were very good. And Parts Express usually has some really good prices on them.

duff138 · « **Reply #7 on:** 30 Mar 2003, 06:51 pm »

Quote from: nathanm

I've only had my Stereophile subscription for about 5 issues or so, and I've decided that I am not even close to their demographic. It's basically a magazine for old rich white guys and their toys. I enjoy some of the articles, namely if there's pics of exotic turntables but half the time you read a review and two pages later there's a full page ad for the same thing.
Every issue features another god-like component that maybe a dozen people in the world will be able to afford. I was so used to this it took me a few views before I realized it said a $20 power cord, not $20K! Heh!

I agree totally. It's hardly a useful magazine if you're looking for stuff you can actually afford.

The last few review on turntables have been useless. One issue reviewed the differerent Sumiko tables, then the next issue compared the Rega, the Nottingham, and one other. Basically both reviews stated the more expensive ones were better then the entry-level ones. Big surprise. It would be more helpful if they review similarly priced tables, wouldn't it?

JoshK · « **Reply #8 on:** 30 Mar 2003, 08:26 pm »

Who ever said an magazine was suppose to appeal to the level of their demographic? I think stereophile is nothing more than a playboy for the audio fanatic. 99.9% of readers of Playboy won't ever attain that either but they are the demographic. How is it any different?

jesserparker · « **Reply #9 on:** 30 Mar 2003, 10:36 pm »

EXCELLENT point, JoshK

jcoat007 · « **Reply #10 on:** 31 Mar 2003, 04:53 pm »

Went to BB over the weekend looking for this cable. They don't stock this level of AR product.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #11 on:** 1 Apr 2003, 06:19 pm »

Quote from: jcoat007

Went to BB over the weekend looking for this cable. They don't stock this level of AR product.

>>> Read somewhere that B & H photo stocks this IC.