[dspgolf]

Hi all,

Is Stereophile or absolute sound going to review the new 4B SST square amp any time in the near future?  Would love to know what their impression of this great amp is now with the added improvements in the treble range as well as the bass?

Dave   

[James Tanner]

Hi Dave,

Nothing in the works at this time.

james

[Construct]

I'd not worry about media glorification of a product, I'd leave it to my ears and system or a dealer demo.  I don't need a magazine to tell me what I should be hearing.  There is no need for validity through primacy of print.  Otherwise, I'd simply have to throw out half my stuff because it wasn't deemed worthy of a monthly review.  I suspect the quickest way to a review is to buy at least a half-page ad from the publication in question.

[James Tanner]

Hi Folks,

I think reviewers (at least the ones I know) have opinions based on their own experiences and exposures. They have specific biases and likes and dislikes as we all do. 

So although a reviewers thumbs up or thumbs down should not be the one and only reason to purchase a product their exposure to many many products over time can assist you in at least getting a sense for where and how a product fits into the grand scheme of things.

The main problem I perceive is that there is so much “subjectivity” that comes across as “objectivity”.

james

[JRace]

Speaking as a reviewer I find it discouraging to think my readers expect me to tell them what to buy.
Don't read reviews as recommendations, rather as experience of products in use.

A good review should get one interested in the product.

[Construct]

Speaking as a reviewer I find it discouraging to think my readers expect me to tell them what to buy.
Don't read reviews as recommendations, rather as experience of products in use.

A good review should get one interested in the product.

Fortunately, I find e-zine reviews to be more on the level these days than the print rags.  S'phile lost me years ago during the incredibly disingenuous debacle involving an "A"  rating for an ALON that didn't deserve a "C".  I have posted elsewhere what it takes for reviewers to crush my trust.  So far, I have enjoyed Affordable audio, HT, 6 moons and Enjoy the music.  I have not purchased a TAS, STEREOPHILE or UHF magazine in years.  There is something about the combination of hype+snobbishness+bias+ad revenue= crappy, tainted review that turns me off.  Not to mention, the stance of relentlessly condescending for gear under a certain price point. 
S'phile (out of one side of their mouth) tries to downplay what they say as "guidelines"  and yet they really get hyper subjective over some products.  the idea is..."Primacy of print"  fallacy and "assumed authority."  It's printed, and written buy a guy who claims to know what he's doing so the implication is:  buy this superior product in a thinly disguised catalog kind of way.
The e-zines have been more accurate and fair IMO. 

[BobRex]

Fortunately, I find e-zine reviews to be more on the level these days than the print rags.  S'phile lost me years ago during the incredibly disingenuous debacle involving an "A"  rating for an ALON that didn't deserve a "C".  I have posted elsewhere what it takes for reviewers to crush my trust.  So far, I have enjoyed Affordable audio, HT, 6 moons and Enjoy the music.  I have not purchased a TAS, STEREOPHILE or UHF magazine in years.  There is something about the combination of hype+snobbishness+bias+ad revenue= crappy, tainted review that turns me off.  Not to mention, the stance of relentlessly condescending for gear under a certain price point. 
S'phile (out of one side of their mouth) tries to downplay what they say as "guidelines"  and yet they really get hyper subjective over some products.  the idea is..."Primacy of print"  fallacy and "assumed authority."  It's printed, and written buy a guy who claims to know what he's doing so the implication is:  buy this superior product in a thinly disguised catalog kind of way.
The e-zines have been more accurate and fair IMO.

Can we please put this "ad revenue" crap to rest.  Numerous people have made mention of this, and both Stereophile and TAS have argued that the marketing department and the review department are separate independent entities with no correlation or collusion between them.  Yet no matter how often the principles of the magazines state this, it isn't accepted by some small minority.  The Earth isn't flat and Obama IS a citizen. 

Condescending?  Do you mean because most reviewers don't want to touch a Technics HT receiver?  They review what interests them and what manufacturers are willing to send them.  They aren't Consumer Reports.  BTW, both Stereophile and TAS have reviewed what they consider "entry level" products and both magazines have positively reviewed items from Denon, Onkyo, and Pioneer.  So where's the condescention?

Regarding bias, are you telling me that the e-zine reviewers aren't biased?  Seriously??  What makes them any different from any other reviewer or hobbyist?

You've got a hard on for print magazines, yeah, that's pretty obvious.  But if you think that other review formats are any less snobbish, or biased, or noble, or mistake free - well that's your delusion.

[95Dyna]

Wow, you guys are making me feel really lucky.  All my stuff, including all five Bryston products sound marvelous to me AND all were reviewed very positively by one or more of the aforementioned publications/websites .

[Construct]

author=BobRex link=topic=84913.msg824937#msg824937 date=1282246687] Can we please put this "ad revenue" crap to rest.  Numerous people have made mention of this, and both Stereophile and TAS have argued that the marketing department and the review department are separate independent entities with no correlation or collusion between them.  Yet no matter how often the principles of the magazines state this, it isn't accepted by some small minority.  The Earth isn't flat and Obama IS a citizen.

    There,there . Dry your tears. No need to have a tantrum and personally attack me because I slaughtered a snobs sacred cow. I posted knowing full well only snobs would cry about it. Deal. Can we put this snobbish conspiracy crap to rest?

  Condescending?  Do you mean because most reviewers don't want to touch a Technics HT receiver?  They review what interests them and what manufacturers are willing to send them.  They aren't Consumer Reports.  BTW, both Stereophile and TAS have reviewed what they consider "entry level" products and both magazines have positively reviewed items from Denon, Onkyo, and Pioneer.  So where's the condescention?  Regarding bias, are you telling me that the e-zine reviewers aren't biased?  Seriously??  What makes them any different from any other reviewer or hobbyist?  You've got a hard on for print magazines, yeah, that's pretty obvious.  But if you think that other review formats are any less snobbish, or biased, or noble, or mistake free - well that's your delusion.

Textbook snob reply.  "You hurt my feelings by DARING to IMPLY Stereophile and TAS weren't the word of God!"  The typical outrage.  First, you put words and implications into my mouth.  Second, you resort to extreme exaggeration and a tangential argument of conspiracies.  Never did I mention conspiracies, never did I imply they should worship Best Buy level components.  But your extreme exaggeration and adept straw man building is indicative of the typical  waaah-mbulance chaser reply when your hifi religion is questioned.  Call me what you will (I have been called worse)  it doesn't make stereophile any more on the level. And before I forget:  I never said e-zines were perfect, they are simply less snobbish.
It is no conspiracy that snottiofool reviewed a pair of $13K  alons.  I heard the same speakers---inept and they measured poorly.  They deserved a "D"  if they cost over $500 a pair.  they got a hyper generous "B"  and later snottiofool upgraded them to an "A".  This still makes me LMAO at the level of disingenuous corruption here.  There was clearly no justification for this and the many other times this garbage has been pulled.  No, just the facts ma'am.

[Elizabeth]

BACK to 4B-SST2... After the crazy review of the 7B-SST2... ???
And anyone can go on and on about the problems with THAT review. At least the dude doing the testing was honest.

[doorman]

Reviews? Years ago I read reviews, before I discovered what "I" liked.
I pretty much view all, e-zine, print or? with a jaundiced eye.
Mostly, one can keep looking till on finds the review they like---
Don

[1oldguy]

I read reviews out of novelty.For some it's gospel and I can respect that.

My attempt to calm the waters that be.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQMfN0UFqms
 

[Construct]

I read reviews out of novelty.For some it's gospel and I can respect that.

My attempt to calm the waters that be.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQMfN0UFqms

Same here, although I enjoyed review rags much more before 1988.  I miss Audio magazine and even yes, Julian Hirsch.

[werd]

    There,there . Dry your tears. No need to have a tantrum and personally attack me because I slaughtered a snobs sacred cow. I posted knowing full well only snobs would cry about it. Deal. Can we put this snobbish conspiracy crap to rest?Textbook snob reply.  "You hurt my feelings by DARING to IMPLY Stereophile and TAS weren't the word of God!"  The typical outrage.  First, you put words and implications into my mouth.  Second, you resort to extreme exaggeration and a tangential argument of conspiracies.  Never did I mention conspiracies, never did I imply they should worship Best Buy level components.  But your extreme exaggeration and adept straw man building is indicative of the typical  waaah-mbulance chaser reply when your hifi religion is questioned.  Call me what you will (I have been called worse)  it doesn't make stereophile any more on the level. And before I forget:  I never said e-zines were perfect, they are simply less snobbish.
It is no conspiracy that snottiofool reviewed a pair of $13K  alons.  I heard the same speakers---inept and they measured poorly.  They deserved a "D"  if they cost over $500 a pair.  they got a hyper generous "B"  and later snottiofool upgraded them to an "A".  This still makes me LMAO at the level of disingenuous corruption here.  There was clearly no justification for this and the many other times this garbage has been pulled.  No, just the facts ma'am.

 

This is very boring stuff here.... Yawwwnn...... yah. tired.

[Construct]

This is very boring stuff here.... Yawwwnn...... yah. tired.

Then we agree...I feel the same when you post anything.  You are very good at printed anesthetics.      I dozed off just now when I saw your name.  I felt immediately tranquilized.

[werd]

Then we agree...I feel the same when you post anything.  You are very good at printed anesthetics.      I dozed off just now when I saw your name.  I felt immediately tranquilized.

Huh, what was that.? I just woke from that a post i read earlier....oh yah your post. Hold on whats this?... back to sleep 

[95Dyna]

    There,there . Dry your tears. No need to have a tantrum and personally attack me because I slaughtered a snobs sacred cow. I posted knowing full well only snobs would cry about it. Deal. Can we put this snobbish conspiracy crap to rest?Textbook snob reply.  "You hurt my feelings by DARING to IMPLY Stereophile and TAS weren't the word of God!"  The typical outrage.  First, you put words and implications into my mouth.  Second, you resort to extreme exaggeration and a tangential argument of conspiracies.  Never did I mention conspiracies, never did I imply they should worship Best Buy level components.  But your extreme exaggeration and adept straw man building is indicative of the typical  waaah-mbulance chaser reply when your hifi religion is questioned.  Call me what you will (I have been called worse)  it doesn't make stereophile any more on the level. And before I forget:  I never said e-zines were perfect, they are simply less snobbish.
It is no conspiracy that snottiofool reviewed a pair of $13K  alons.  I heard the same speakers---inept and they measured poorly.  They deserved a "D"  if they cost over $500 a pair.  they got a hyper generous "B"  and later snottiofool upgraded them to an "A".  This still makes me LMAO at the level of disingenuous corruption here.  There was clearly no justification for this and the many other times this garbage has been pulled.  No, just the facts ma'am.

Can somebody help me out?  I can't figure out who the snob is here. 

[BobRex]

Can somebody help me out?  I can't figure out who the snob is here. 

Yeah, I really set Construct off, didn't I?  Still trying to figure out why though.  He makes spurious claims which I refute and off he goes!

I don't recall denigrating any level of equipment, so I'm not quite sure how I'm a snob.  He on the other hand has had many posts decrying the exhorbitant costs of some equipment and saying how he is too "smart" for that.  I'm not the one crying over a review of the Alon Circes, which BTW, recieved good reviews from a number of sources both print and electronic.

[Laundrew]

I only look at the pretty pictures in the reviews 

Be well...

[1oldguy]

I only look at the pretty pictures in the reviews 

Be well...

Me too..But I try to not let anyone catch me.