Howard, Someone has already mentioned Bound For Sound, an excellent subscription only magazine, with no adverts, in the same vein as HiFi Critic. It is much less glossy, so much cheaper. The contributors are quite rigorous in their reviews and critical where necessary.
Interestingly, Marty at B for S, has said he has difficulty getting items for review. The implication being, that manufacturers take the view that a large advertising spend gives them immunity from a bad review, in the main stream magazines.
He has being carrying out a series of reviews of Vintage kit. More interestingly, he starts from the position that they will be impaired because of old components. One has been able to follow him on a learning curve of how to replace worn out Caps and wiring on both amplifiers and speakers. Many of them produced smoke, not sound on first turning them on.
I live in the UK, so if you would like to borrow a few copies to read, send me a PM. I wo'nt copy them, as that is'nt fair to the magazine.
Interestingly, Marty at B for S, has said he has difficulty getting items for review. The implication being, that manufacturers take the view that a large advertising spend gives them immunity from a bad review, in the main stream magazines.
He has being carrying out a series of reviews of Vintage kit. More interestingly, he starts from the position that they will be impaired because of old components. One has been able to follow him on a learning curve of how to replace worn out Caps and wiring on both amplifiers and speakers. Many of them produced smoke, not sound on first turning them on.
I live in the UK, so if you would like to borrow a few copies to read, send me a PM. I wo'nt copy them, as that is'nt fair to the magazine.