Interesting stuff, this dialogue, both here, and the archived one on AudioAsylum which Sean points out. Personally I've never been that fond of Stereophile nor TAS for many of the reasons Trelja cites in his later Asylum post. They've been a resource for keeping abreast of what's going on in the 'popular' high-end market, and sometimes have pointed me to some good music. But ironically, till Art Dudley came on board, I did not enjoy reading many reviews or viewpoints of the editorial staff at Stereophile. Unlike so many others who would sooner see Dudley fired, he is the reason I actually read and actually enjoy any of that magazine. His December 03 Listener colum was spot-on, and one of the best pieces I've read in that rag. I've been looking through the March 04' issue to find out what the hell he wrote that has got so many spitting mad, but could only find a review of an ASL amp....what am I missing, can someone point it out? As far as the size of the magazine getting smaller, I went back to a few of last two years issues. They seem to vary from around 138 pages to 178 pages depending on the month. The past two months have been both 138 pages. So certainly not much as changed over the past few years. I have little doubt that the fluctuation must have something to do with the economy in general and how that has been affecting all trade and industries. I can tell you for sure that the advertising industry has taken a huge hit since 9/11, and editorial rags like Stereophile survive mostly on their advertising. Subsriptions do NOT keep mainstream rags alive. Is that an excuse for alot of the valid complaints brought up by Sean and others? I don't know, it just is what it is. If you understand it, you can put the input that is offered there in perspective. I do wonder why Atkinson chose not to respond in detail. His lack of response to some very valid discussion on his publication does not make him look very good in my eyes. I don't know his history with Sean, nor with anyone else for that matter as I have not paid close attention to criticism or editorial writing by Mr. Atkinson for reasons I've already suggested. I suspect he could provide an engaging and revealing response to some of the assertions, complaints, observations and speculations made by others, and can only assume by his silence that he feels the need to keep his business and editorial practices private, or has some personal issues with the individuals involved and cannot see beyond that, or that it simply not worth his time (which is sad indeed). I for one, would like to hear a response as I'm sure a truthful response would be enlightening in some ways, and would certainly garner more respect from the likes of me (not that Atkinson does or should necessarily give a rat's hairy hiny). I ain't him, and am not a publisher of a national magazine, so have no clue what he is up against, nor how he has to budget his time and energies, nor how a person in his position might weigh the value of contributing to a dominantly hostile thread on an audio-chat site on the Internet. Regardless, I have to say, I agree, his silence does not earn any respect from me. His choice to hire Art Dudley, and keep him on amidst all the controversy he's stirred up, however, does earn my respect. I still wish Dudley was able to keep Listener magazine alive.
There was an interesting thread a while back by a gentleman who was thinking of starting his own publication and he had some very interesting comments on the compromises inherent in such an endeavor. I'll see if I can find the thread and post the link here.
Marco
