High End Audio......Sucking the Romance out of the Music?

The foundation of "Stereophile" rests on the "validity" of those ratings. Income comes from advertising. People advertise so that they can sell equipment. Consumers all over the world check Stereophile ratings before they purchase. If consumers discovered those ratings were invalid, Stereophile would be worthless; no longer would advertisers pay big bucks. (no income for the magazine)

Don’t follow leaders, watch the parking meters. 

Life is too short to buy some one else's favorite stereo system.  (C) 2020

I agree Erik, that's why my speakers are custom made.

Baskin Robins makes ice cream in 31 flavors, all extremely high quality, the highest I've ever tasted.

Class "A" comes in just as many flavors, so does class "B"; therefore in no way is one restricted in regard to flavor; however, one might be restricted in regard to price.