Sterophile's not so nice review of Bryston

Audiophile Consumer Reports? Take the subscription cost for CR and multiply that by the ratio of their subscriber base to that of Stereophile or TAS. Think it will fly?

Kal

Mitch2 hit it on the head. Want a bad reveiw? Just look at what pieces of gear from well-known manufacturer's don't ever get reveiwed by any of the big magazines. Probably a reason that they don't, since most reviewers attend the big electronics shows and smaller events around the country where they listen to gear and, by their own admission, screen what they're going to look at in more detail.

So, the Bryston amp must have peaked somebody's interest, and then it didn't pan out under closer scrutiny. Interesting, because other Bryston gear has been receiving rave reviews lately, especially their small integrated, CD player and DAC. In any case, I read the original review and Manufacturer's rebuttle with some interest, thinking this must be have been a real dilema for the editors.

I usually think that if you want to know what reveiwers really think, look at what they end up buying for themselves. I don't always agree with their choices, but at least you know where they stand on that particular piece.

>>04-04-10: Knownothing
I usually think that if you want to know what reveiwers really think, look at what they end up buying for themselves<<

That's an excellent point but please keep in mind what they buy is usually at a highly discounted price. The real question is would they buy the component at full retail? We will never know that.

It is also quite common, more than most folks realize, for reviewers to pay absolutely nothing for a given component. I represented a company some years ago who made it a practice to give the reviewer each component reviewed gratis. Count me out of that game.

FWIW, I have work in the wine industry for over 15 years now and I can tell you that the wine rags, especially Wine Spectator, are notoriously pay-for-play. Advertise and you get a lot of your products reviewed.

The problem with reviews is that they are just not very accurate in that they paint a product with a very small brush, their room, a few amps or preamps... rarely do they use a preamp from the same mauufacturer, their favorite cables may not work with everything, even if you need a wall street bonus to pay for them. Thus, the MF review of Bryston did not impress me in a negative way. I just think MF failed to examine the amp more thoroughly and give the readership a more complete review. Before a negative review occurs, the magazine needs to realize the consequences of the review, and try to find other speakers, preamps, cables, etc. to optimize the product. The manufacturer should give a list of speakers which will or known to work well, and provide a preamp with the amp. This is just good service to the readers. I think they (reviewers)just get lazy, and use what is on hand,whether it be good or bad in synergy. As far as Bryston is concerned, I like their sound. I have had the 4BSST, have listened to the 14BSST, which did get a good review in stereophile, as did the CD player and DAC, and their warranty is first rate. I bought them because they were very musical. Try the 4BSST with the Aerial 10T, a quicksilver preamp or Bryston preamp, and the 7BST is also good with this speaker and there is magic. I also have used the 4BSST on top and 14BSST or 7BST on bottom with the MAggie 3.6, and this was also sheer magic with dynamics to spare. The bottom line, Bryston may not work with all other speakers, preamps, etc., like everyting else. Matching is what keeps us searching...One bad review, I don't think Bryston will slow down. I tend to find reviews like one brief snapshot, nothing more, nothing less. Always trust your ears. I think MF would agree. He heard what he heard. If I get 7BSST2 monos, I won't be getting his speakers.....