What I would like to see is a list of NOT Recommended components. Too many times reviewers mention they're listening to something but the review never appears. In a few cases it got out the component was a dog but there was no official "bad" review. I too would also like to see comparisons back to last months last years, and even ten years ago "best" to see how they really compare. There's way too much hyperbole over minute differences. While I have detected differences in component upgrades I always expect more than I get based on proffesional and non-professional (e.g. Audiogon) reviewers comments. The only time I have been "blown away" by the difference was on a couple of speaker upgrades. No electronic upgrade has ever warranted "blown away", "lifted a thousand veils", etc. Oh dear, excuse me for ranting. I'll shut up now!
Recommendations to "Professional" Reviewers?
What would recommend to the reviewers at Stereophile, TAs and the likes? Not in terms of equip to review, but what they need to include in their review write up more consistently? Also not about ind discounts etc....what should they do more to make the reviews more helpful to us consumers? Lets start this thread as quite a few reviewers are Audiogon members and hopefully take this feedback.
From my perspective,
Need to consistently contrast & compare against equipment in similiar price range: frequently done but not consistently...comparing to the mfr's old model is not helpful enough without the added info on competitors. Not asking to name what is "best" but what are the rel individual strengths and weakness within the group?
Try to link technology used to listening results: a lot of times, we see write ups dealing with this as separate issues: though at times it would be pure conjecture, but at least make an attempt
Don't tweak excessively: the review is about the equip, not what tweaks u can do to your system
Try to suggest other equip in the chain that would seem a good match
When reviewing Hi-rez digital, always always first comment on redbook CD capability (I have seen quite a few exceptions to this obvious rule!)
From my perspective,
Need to consistently contrast & compare against equipment in similiar price range: frequently done but not consistently...comparing to the mfr's old model is not helpful enough without the added info on competitors. Not asking to name what is "best" but what are the rel individual strengths and weakness within the group?
Try to link technology used to listening results: a lot of times, we see write ups dealing with this as separate issues: though at times it would be pure conjecture, but at least make an attempt
Don't tweak excessively: the review is about the equip, not what tweaks u can do to your system
Try to suggest other equip in the chain that would seem a good match
When reviewing Hi-rez digital, always always first comment on redbook CD capability (I have seen quite a few exceptions to this obvious rule!)