[Kimo]

Culled from the last 4 reviews posted online from some chap at PF. Obviously it is not hard to own the "best."  Simply buy what he reviews.

"The [products] are the best yet to be in my system besting all other, I've ever tried."

"This is the best use of advanced materials used as constrained damping designed into an isolation foot yet achieved. The [products] are a must, must, must own!

"The [products] are a serious contender for the best of class of under $1000 per meter. The [product] is the least colored, most truly neutral [in a musical sense] and linear interconnect from $20-20k I’ve encountered to date at this price point."

"Best of class, they are actually in a category all by themselves. They are so very much better, overall, than their similarly priced competitors"

"I have spent a great amount of listening time trying to identify the [amplifier's] shortcomings. It's hard to do and harder than any other amp I've ever auditioned."

"State of the art and most highly recommended!"

[Alwayswantmore]

Culled from the last 4 reviews posted online from some chap at PF. Obviously it is not hard to own the "best."  Simply buy what he reviews.


"The [products] are the best yet to be in my system besting all other, I've ever tried."

"This is the best use of advanced materials used as constrained damping designed into an isolation foot yet achieved. The [products] are a must, must, must own!

"The [products] are a serious contender for the best of class of under $1000 per meter. The [product] is the least colored, most truly neutral [in a musical sense] and linear interconnect from $20-20k I’ve encountered to date at this price point."

"Best of class, they are actually in a category all by themselves. They are so very much better, overall, than their similarly priced competitors"

"I have spent a great amount of listening time trying to identify the [amplifier's] shortcomings. It's hard to do and harder than any other amp I've ever auditioned."

"State of the art and most highly recommended!"

What is PF?

Personally now that I've discovered sites like AC, I put more weight in readers comments than from reviewers. I also like the idea of direct from the manufacture pricing, coupled with a money back guarantee. Only in your system and your room can you really determine how a given product sounds. Kent

[Kimo]

PF is Positive Feedback.  I guess they really aim to be positive.

[ZLS]

The most truthful statement I ever read from a reviewer was in the magazine Blue Suede News (The Official Organ Of The Church Of Rock and Roll)  The reviewer who happened to be the owner of the magazine started out the review of a CD by stating, "I really don't like this kind of music so I am giving this CD to (so and so) to review.  He really likes this kind of stuff"  Imagine that, a reviewer who was aware of his prejudices, acknowledged them and did not subject the reader to them!  I think the word is integrity! 
    Besides the sound, besides the pride of craftsmanship, besides the sheer beauty, besides the customer service that is provided, what I like about Omega Speakers is that Louis Chochos does not depend on reviews to sell his speakers.  I could put it more bluntly, but you get the point. 
    I urge Louis to continue this policy.

[zybar]

Check out what an AC member thinks about my Omega setup:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=62157.0

Here is a teaser pic:




George

[TONEPUB]

What you aren't grasping, is that a review should really only point you in a direction.

A successful review should give you enough information about a particular component
to raise your interest in it enough to go to a dealer, friends house, whatever and investigate
for yourself.

It's always going to sound different at your place and meet your ultimate approval.

[Kimo]

Tone pub, sorry, but your definition of a review sounds like the definition of good advertisement.   

I can't tell you how many times I have read reviews of cars, movies, music, restaurants, etc. and read that it was the "best" movie or "best" car ever made.  You know why I cannot tell you this, because it almost never happens.

Note, those fantastic reviews cover 1 tube amp, 1 set of feet, and 2 sets of ICs.  Even more ridiculous.

[Marbles]

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=45769.0

[jsaliga]

Well I think I agree with Tonepub.  I won't even buy a record or CD based on a review, regardless of how well I know and trust the reviewer (there are a few).  So there is no way in hell that I am going to shell out thousands of dollars on gear based on a reviewer's good word.

I won't even buy gear based on owner comments.  Before I bought my Max Hemps I auditioned them at Louis' shop.  Of course, Louis offers a customer satisfaction guarantee and that takes the risk out of buying.

But truth be told, I am generally not trying to buy the best sounding stuff on the planet.  But if anyone finds out what that is then let me know. .  I am looking to forge a relationship and partnership with a vendor that stands behind their products -- and is willing to offer me good advice even if that means suggesting a competing product if they don't believe their solution is a good fit for my needs.

I trust Louis for speakers and I trust Jack Wu at Woo Audio for tube amps, and I don't see myself buying either of those type of products from anyone else.

--Jerome

[Kimo]

"Well I think I agree with Tonepub.  I won't even buy a record or CD based on a review, regardless of how well I know and trust the reviewer (there are a few).  So there is no way in hell that I am going to shell out thousands of dollars on gear based on a reviewer's good word."

Actually, I think this comment indicates that you agree with the subject title.

Buying based on a review seems a little silly.  Trying based on a review, not so much.  However, if everything is the "best," what am I supposed to try, everything?

Reviewers should help filter the good, the bad, and ugly.  I have heard plenty of all 3, and I have read positive reviews of all 3.

[Mariusz]

There is not ONE component in my stable that was bought based on review.

[jsaliga]

Actually, I think this comment indicates that you agree with the subject title.

No, if I agreed completely with you then I wouldn't bother reading reviews at all.  And I do read reviews.

I merely use reviews as one source of information, and I weigh it accordingly based on the biases of the reviewer and the track record of the publication.  The problem I have with most equipment reviews in audiophile publications is that the manufacturers have the magazines over a barrel because the publisher depends on advertising revenue and review samples from them to keep the presses rolling.  So rags like Stereophile and The Absolute Sound are far from independent.  That is why most reviews of gear are positive, because the publisher doesn't want to risk any backlash from advertisers.  With that said, some reviewers do seem to make some extra effort to write meaningful reviews despite the apparent conflict of interest that their publisher might have between their subscribers and the equipment manufacturers.

You have to apply the same logic when reading owner comments.  How many times have you read the phrase "it just blows away...whatever" on this and other forums?  I am fairly certain you don't take that as the gospel truth and make buying decisions based on owner hyperbole.

Where I agree with you is that buying based merely on reviews, be they professional or owner written, is risky.

Good and bad are a matter of subjective opinion, and that is the rub.  You are trying to treat them as absolutes, and in that respect revews are bound to disappoint you.

Also, keep in mind that truly crappy gear usually won't get reviewed because its pedigree is so low that it is not on the radar of most audiophiles, and the rags generally believe that it therefore is not of particular interest to their readers.

--Jerome

[satfrat]

Reviews and owners opinions weight greatly for me and I use them as tools mainly due to my lack of actual access to high end components here in Vermont. When the internet is all you have to go by, then it's just common sense to take your time, do the research and get as many opinions as possible before making a decision. My whole system was bought from the internet unheard. Unlike Mariusz, I don't live around the mecca of high end audio (NYC) like he does so I relied heavily on both reviews and more importantly for me, user opinions.

You work with what you have and for me today, even tho my system is pretty much set in stone, driving 4-5 hours to other AC members homes for system auditions is the only alternative I have to what I used in the past. And as Zybar's post will attest to, it's a damn good alternative.

Cheers,
Robin

[Mariusz]

Reviews and owners opinions weight greatly for me and I use them as tools mainly due to my lack of actual access to high end components here in Vermont. When the internet is all you have to go by, then it's just common sense to take your time, do the research and get as many opinions as possible before making a decision. My whole system was bought from the internet unheard. Unlike Mariusz, I don't live around the mecca of high end audio (NYC) like he does so I relied heavily on both reviews and more importantly for me, user opinions.

You work with what you have and for me today, even tho my system is pretty much set in stone, driving 4-5 hours to other AC members homes for system auditions is the only alternative I have to what I used in the past. And as Zybar's post will attest to, it's a damn good alternative.

Cheers,
Robin

100% right on Robin.
Nothing.......and I mean nothing can replace the hands on experience.

As far as the reviews go....... this source and as well as this one are my favorites but still are only the form of entertainment and gleams on what's new in the industry.

[rodge827]

100% right on Robin.
Nothing.......and I mean nothing can replace the hands on experience.

Yes this is true!!!
 For years I would read many of the review rags, and every month there was the newest, latest, and greatest, piece of "gear" that was going to be the end. Well all my review reading changed about two years ago when I bought a piece of used gear from a guy here in NJ. To show me the piece worked we sat down in front of his system and BAMM!!!, in an instant ,all that I knew about audio flew out the window.
From that point on it was all about networking with equipment owners to get their feedback on an item, and if possible a listening session was arranged.
That was how I ended up with the Omegas that are in the system now, as well as other components, cables, etc. 

Chris

[FB101]

A review will never be more than the reflection of the opinion of one individual of a piece of gear inserted into one system (maybe up to 2 or 3 if the reviewer has many set-ups) in one room (maybe 2 or 3 again if the reviewer has many set-ups).

So one review on its own will never be the end of the story. Reviewers with a lot of experience, who've heard a lot of gear in their set-up and others can probably paint a broader picture of how a piece of gear would fit in a system than a newbie reviewer who's reviewing a category for the first time. So from that standpoint their reviews will be more universally useful than those of a beginner yet it does not make them the last word on anything.

The key with reviews is to find reviewers you are in tune with; what they listen for is what you listen for (musical styles and attributes) and hopefully you've heard some of the gear they've reviewed and you've found yourself agreeing with their comments. At that point, you may risk buying a piece on review only - but it will always be better to listen first for yourself.

There will always be differences. Srajan and I for example share a lot of likes and dislikes on gear yet there are a few pieces he raves about that I do not like and Iwould bet the opposite is true too.

Now about negative reviews; a good year I write 6 reviews, a year when my work is keeping me away from music I may write 3 or 4. You can and should believe that I pick the gear I want to review based on what I believe I will enjoy. Yet I still end up giving not so positive ones - the Acoustic Arts CD player I reviewed recently is a prime example; and God knows I took a lot of grief from satisfied owners and retailers from around the world for writing the player was significantly over-priced for its performance. Not the conclusion I expected to get to when I arranged for the review.
For those satisfied owners, they should now know that they can avoid my reviews like the plague - we just listen differently and expect different things from a CD player.
On the other hand, people who love their Esoteric X03SE do have a better chance to share the same biases I have and what I review may be of more value to them.

Once you know where to put the various reviewers, write-ups become far more valuable; till then their akin to trying and describing colours to a colour-blind man...

[bummrush]

well i don't want to give you too big of a pat on the back ,but as far as I'm concerned yours have been some of the more detailed and through that i read.

[Mariusz]

Hello Mr.Frederic

I somewhat agree with you that relating to particular reviewer is very important for the reasons you mentioned in your previous post.
However, the reviewing business (yes business) took an ugly turn about 10 years ago and it got worst since then.
These days, reviewers on behave of their publications are desperate and seek readers approval and try to regain our trust.
It is true , you and I know that........

I for one enjoy your publication and especially Srajan's reviews which taste resembles my own.

Best
Mariusz Stark

[satfrat]

I for one enjoy your publication and especially Srajan's reviews which taste resembles my own.

Best
Mariusz Stark

Yep,,, Srajan usually goes thru an amp an month just like you.

Cheers,
robin

[Mariusz]

I for one enjoy your publication and especially Srajan's reviews which taste resembles my own.

Best
Mariusz Stark

Yep,,, Srajan usually goes thru an amp an month just like you.

Cheers,
robin

Robin
I am not a huge amp junky.
My Consonance is almost 2yo and Melody M300b monos about 2months old. aa
Preamps on the other hand - 5 this year alone. 
But Isabella is here to stay............unlessssssssss. there is a sleeper ......somewhere that kills it.......maybe not.








AND NOW





Mariusz