Rules on Review...

I'll exchange my views freely in a thread especially if someone has posted a question. I've posted reviews on AudioReview.com in the past, but I've stopped because overall I feel I don't have enough experience with different gear. The only review I think that was helpful to others was the one I posted for Boltz racks when there wasn't a single one on AudioReview. When I first got bit by "the bug" I was excited to share my impressions of my toys, but now I realize that those reviews may not have been the most helpful to other people.

I think an objective mind and being able to list a lot of gear in the "similar products used" catagory goes a long way. Kind of tough sometimes in this very unobjective hobby.

I must add that I did enjoy Twl's review of the David Berning Co MicroZOTL Tube amp and the follow up discussion. Very good!

Thats for sure,there are no bad reviews ,just various degrees of good reviews.
Occasionally you can read between the lines and pick up little bits of info..good or bad ..about a particular product.I continue to read reviews on anything that I buy and still find them very valuable.

How can you rely on your 2 ears when everything now has the
frequently mentioned and also used by dealers/manufacturers as an excuse."BURN IN PERIOD"
I have auditioned many pieces of equipment,in my own home,only to bring it back stating my dislike for it.
The excuse I get..but there is a " BURN IN PERIOD" it will only get better.My answer is and what if it doesn't?
So thats one scenerio that your 2 ears would let you down.
Thats when discussions,like this one, and reviews help.
Also I want to know about,reliability,service,compatibility,
etc before I make any decision.
One piece of equipment I have auditioned ,sounded absolutely fabulous..when it worked.
Because I am very isolated,I depend on reviews and discussions ,for direction as to what equipment is worth auditioning.
Don't get me wrong,your 2 ears are very important in making a decision but whats between those ears is just as important.

I hope as this review formatt roles out we will see some less flattering reviews.<<<<

Funny you wrote that.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr_memb.pl?0&1&listrevs&zzJadem6

Ohlala, I'm not sure what your saying. I'm assuming it has to do with the reviews I've written so far are very favorable of the equipment I own. I have tried to be clear regarding equipment I've used that was not as good in my system.

In the future I and others (hopefully all of us) will be reviewing other equipment that is not part of "our" reference systems. I am in the process of evaluating a Cary 300B amp right now. I would be further along except one of the tubes needs replacing. That will be the first of a few less than flattering things I've found when compared to my system.

The intent I had was to first write a review of all my equipment. This is background for future reviews. Audiogon is trying to promote others to do the same so that equipment can be reviewed with no strings attached. I believe we at Audiogon have the oprutunity to be the first "honest" review site using the increadable depth of knowledge we have here. I incourage everyone to particapate.

Some reviews are fairly straight forward and provide great insight. If a reviewer is writing about a new CD player and all other components used in the evaluation are the same then I can reference other reviews and begin to form an opinion. So much of the performance of other components has to do with synergy. Power cords and interconnects all have a huge impact on ones impression with the product they are reviewing. This must be difficult to control. Therein lies the problem. At least a retailer has the opportunity to mix and match components from the display models to form their own opinions. Those of us with a single system are at a disadvantage to really compare.

I agree that the rags cater to the big advertisers. I also agree that the Audiogon review format needs improvement but I don't consider myself qualified to make suggestions. I read the Audiogon reviews and glean a few nuggets along the way. I'm writing a review that won't be all compliments and it's taking way more time than I thought it would because I'm being careful to make comparisons of three combinations.

If you are fortunate enough to live in an area with retailers that allow prolonged listening in their stores and encourage in-home auditions with pieces that are burned in then the job is made much easier. You can rely on your ears and focus your research on product reliability, etc. For us in the boondocks the reviews are very helpful even if not perfect.