[pjg66]

Elizabeth:
You did not hesitate to identify that component by name on another site.  So why the secrecy here?

I have no quarrel with you naming it or not - that's your call.  But am curious as to why you made different decisions for different sites.

Happy listening.

[konut]

There are a few threads related to this topic.
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=60017.msg534871;topicseen#msg534871
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=73091.0

I look at a review as one of many data points when making a purchase decision. A single glowing review will not compel me to purchase.

[Wind Chaser]

I'm a little ambivalent about user reviews.  The first thing I want to do when I see the way most people have their system set up is move their speakers.  Quite often it seems like most people haphazardly position them where they look good.  This kind of cluelessness suggests they have no idea of what they are doing or where to even begin.  Reviews coming from that angle are of nominal value at best.  One review written by someone with a history that you are familiar with carries much more weight than a consensus of unknown dribble.

[Construct]

If some audio rag guy wets his pants over something...I have expectations that my experience should be on that level.  Sadly, I have leaned that hype and bias taint a review and almost neutralizes it.

[Wind Chaser]

If some audio rag guy wets his pants over something...I have expectations that my experience should be on that level.  Sadly, I have leaned that hype and bias taint a review and almost neutralizes it.

Audio rag guys are a dime a dozen, I'm not talking about Joe the unknown reviewer, but someone you've come to trust over time, knowing you share common ground.

[Construct]

Audio rag guys are a dime a dozen, I'm not talking about Joe the unknown reviewer, but someone you've come to trust over time, knowing you share common ground.

In that case, I'd say it would be a great influence.  There are old timers out there that really know what they like, they don't change gear like someone changes socks.  If one of them tells me about a component, they will back it with reason.  "We both like x...you'll like this---here is why..." 

[JerryM]

From my perspective, a lot.

A great review means great things. Most importantly, it means 'I will enjoy every part of how this sounds!!!'

I over expect, or somebody's BS-ing me most of the time.

It's like reading "This movie is soooo damned funny; you'll piss your pants!!!"  So, you consider what that means, dress appropriately, and the movie sucks.

Maybe if the lead-in wasn't so big it would have been enjoyable, but instead was anti-climactic.   

I rely on real people to say real things about real experinces. That's why I frequesnt this Place. 

Have fun,
Jerry

[TONEPUB]

Audio rag guys are a dime a dozen, I'm not talking about Joe the unknown reviewer, but someone you've come to trust over time, knowing you share common ground.

And forum guys that rave about the piece of gear that they got a deal on at a hifi show are ten times as plentiful.  There's only a handful of reviewers that actually do this for a living, and even a smaller number of them that actually own a meaningful reference system that doesn't change every four-six months (usually the length a mfr. will grant a long term loan).

A good review should describe the product and its performance well enough that it piques your interest to investigate for yourself.  Even the best review will only help you so much if the reviewer does not have the same room, system and software that you do, and that's not even taking musical taste or hearing acuity into account.

The forums are great because it often reveals long term data that you can't get from a three month review period.  Forum guys are great for ferreting out the stuff that shows up after a year or two, and how the used products hold up on the secondary market.

So, a combination of research and a great demo hopefully can lead you to the gear that is right for you.

[Elizabeth]

The question about why I do not mention the product is because each time it is named, it is a cumulative damage thing. I was angy and frustrated at the earlier point. The damage I caused was enough. Besides, I love the rest of the stuff I bought then.
So I HAD a bad experience. I complained. I am over it. Now it was just the review that was the issue IN THIS SET OF POSTS, and personally not the product. ANYONE can find those other complaints if  it is important to them.
For me, it is a non issue anymore.
(sort of: why beat a deadhorse.)

[lonewolfny42]

CSI....

A great review should influence the reader to go for an audition but most people know to trust their ears. If the gear just doesn't do it for you in spite of the raves, most of us will move on.

+1 .....

[cujobob]

I trust reputable user reviews whose opinions of other speakers mirror my own.

Paid reviewers I don't trust.  They don't often give me the drawbacks or comparisons to other speakers that I want to know about.  Some will post a shortage of measurements....and others will show useless measurements and act as though they mean something (moreso with amps, probably).  There's more to be found in the negative opinions of speaker reviews than the positive often-times...and this is lacking in many pro reviews.

Fanboy reviews aren't useless...they help validate my purchase.  In a hobby where we spend so much...that means an awful lot.

Overall, a great review from someone I'm familiar with and whose opinion I've often shared could sway my opinion.  We don't always have the means or time to audition every piece of gear out there.  We all don't also have a bunch of extra gear to make comparisons with.  I rarely audition gear.  Shipping costs and a lack of local hifi shops play a big part in that.

Excuse the poor post...it's 4:30 a.m. and I've had a few drinks...   

[Letitroll98]

I wouldn't trust any one review, be it professional or not.  Reviews of all types are information.  No one believes any scientific paper published until peer review duplicates the results elsewhere.  No one should either entirely believe or disbelieve any opinion read anywhere about an audio component or piece of music.  But if the first review is validated by the same opinion from other sources, it hold more credibility. 

When you get a body of evidence, several professional reviews from the rags, maybe a e-zine review, and some comments on forums, and they are all or mostly positive, I will buy something without an audition.  Examples are numerous phono cartridges including Denon DL160, Empire EDR, tons of Grados although they don't really count as I've heard a zillion other Grados before purchase.   B&K ST202 amp, PS Audio 4.6 preamp, VPI HW19 and Rega P2 turntables, and about a zillion different cables.  However I've yet to buy any speaker before listening to it myself, or a CDP without listening first.

[david12]

I do buy second hand, without audition. sometimes you have to. I wo'nt go to a dealer to dem something I intend to buy elswhere, ie second hand. Purchases are based on the mags, forums like this and audiogon and friends opinions. Buy and large, I have been right to follow the opinions and satisfied with the results.
  Some items like cartridges are impossible to dem, which would need to be on your table, in your system