The ads in the magazines are limited in information. so are many of the manufacturer's web sites. and how do you find the MSRP or the average resale price of an item? That brings us to reviews- a much more complete breakdown of data about a component, perhaps some helpful photos showing the back where the connections go, and some inside photos of the parts as well. Did the component work without any glitches? as far as how the reviewer's liked the sound, this is obviously very controversial. and even in 2013, $5000 is A LOT OF MONEY for an amplifier, and should put out plenty of power for most speakers, AND sound pretty darn good. heck, $2000 might be more than enough money to shell out for that matter. then there's cosmetics- it's dumb to read that the equipment looks amazing/elegant/sophisticated in person. i just want to know if it's well built certainly the top panel shouldn't rattle when you tap it...
i subscribe to both Stereophile and the AB Sound just to see what's out there.
having gone to some shows and demonstrations i like to see and hear what others that are going to them have to say. i must say i am partial to reviews of expensive gear as long as it's not so far out on the bell curve that common sense tells me to skip over "opinions" about how, in some sense, that stuff really is worth it... sure, like a car that goes 240mph that you drive to work in the city every day. it's big, it's beautiful, and it's...time to move on.
i subscribe to both Stereophile and the AB Sound just to see what's out there.
having gone to some shows and demonstrations i like to see and hear what others that are going to them have to say. i must say i am partial to reviews of expensive gear as long as it's not so far out on the bell curve that common sense tells me to skip over "opinions" about how, in some sense, that stuff really is worth it... sure, like a car that goes 240mph that you drive to work in the city every day. it's big, it's beautiful, and it's...time to move on.