TAS. The Absolute Sound?

And I think that Stereophile has even less cred. than TAS. Point is that TAS doesnt even claim, really, to be an untainted source. Stereophile does. The only issues I read from either of these sources and the ones I get for free at the various shows, but last time I looked TAS seemed much more apt to review products outside of the the small circle. The business model is flawed and so are the magazines. 

@jomace. Thanks for info. I agree about the Guide and always used to buy it. Will again now. I was shocked- and put off-  at the cost of the dac; therefore questioned relevance. Having gone through the full presentation of the room development I appreciate what I learned; and respect the accumulated expertise and effort that went into it. I respect attention to detail. The speakers just happened to be those under review. Knowledge is power and I expect to gain some by reading about stereo/ hi-fi again. 

@ bdp24.I too feel pricing is extreme. But, there are people with the money & desire to create and buy " the ultimate". I think now more than ever. My buddy drives a Brabus Mercedes G Wagon. Spent big bucks. It's the least comfortable vehicle I've been in. Also, you rarely see them poke their nose out of downtown and a comfy garage. But his chest size went up significantly once he turned the key; and it still does-- so there is a measure of happiness... Can't argue that; can we?

At least Stereophile has John Atkinson's measurements while TAS is just "my golden ears" tell me it is so. I called out Michael Fremer on Facebook for touting a $6K power cord.

Remember in the Matrix how the operators could visualize the scene by watching green symbols raining down the computer screen?  Apparently, Jason doesn’t need to listen to the music, he watches a graph of the music.  A $300 bluetooth amp should generate some great looking charts for you.

I still laugh at how we were all caught up in amplifier specs in the late 70s/early 80s.  % THD and power output seemed so important.  Then one day I heard a good amp without negative feedback which is how they got such great looking specs.  The lesson is measurements are a tool for the designer.  How it sounds is for the listener.