Stereophiles 2021 Recommended Components is now on line.

Are the reviews completed independent and unbiased, or have they become a byproduct of paid advertising and industry pressure?  Personally, I find them interesting from an entertainment standpoint, but no longer consider them as a trusted source.  I do however, find their measurements part of the review quite valid and informative.  

Is it still?
As much (or little) as ever. Only "your" attitudes may have changed. We have no way of determining that.

Relevant if you're a paid advertiser. Yes

Unless I missed one somewhere, not a single thing in my system is on that list. This pleases me no end. 

@testpilot 

Same, I find their measurements interesting as well simply because so many companies can not be trusted to publish the truth.  In fairness they also pick up info on new companies that I find interesting. One example being Okto  Research out of Prague.  I would have never even heard of these folks had I not read the list.  Like any review or opinion, its all grain of salt to me.  I'm still more interested in negative opinions and why.