what really happened to j. skul

Has anyone read an issue of Stereophile and actually missed Jonathan Scull(not Skull)???

I was one of the more vocal opponents to the power J10 was wielding at Stereophile. I found Fine Tunes enjoyable, and was a worthwhile column without question(moreso in its early days). However, his reviews were subpar. Barring lower priced components, every review came off the same way to me. I found the most informative section his describing the physical layout of the component - which he normally did very, very well. However, praise was so lavish when it got to the sonics that I found it hard to ever finish a review and have a serious grip on what a component sounded like.

It would have been preferable to me to really have a handle on the differences between a BAT, Jadis, Krell, Mark Levinson, etc. Which systems they would work well in, and where they would falter. Instead, it was almost as if what many accuse Stereophile was at work; reviews bought via advertising revenue.

My biggest problem with Scull was whenever someone had the temerity to have him review something at a non-stratospheric price point. Then, a bad review would be written. As if to say, "Hey, you asked for it..." Was he christened to live a life of only multikilobuck equipment?

I don't understand why Stereophile sometimes has a reviewer only handle certain things. All reviewers should write about the entire audio spectrum. Scull, and now Paul Bolin, were akin to audio royalty. A component could not come to them unless they were the finest in the kingdom.

However, I have been a loyal Stereophile subscriber for a long time. And, I am paid up until perhaps 2005. My opinions are not a result of a blind rant, but stem from my absolute love of this hobby. Stereophile is the most important journal of high - end audio. They must be held to the highest standard. Otherwise, we all(listeners, enthusiasts, dealers, manufacturers, and the reviewers) suffer the effects of not trying to be the best - mediocrity.

If I sound dour, maybe that's in the past. The magazine seems to be on the upswing over the past months. Maybe I am mistaken, but I sense a definite improvement. Despite the economy, there is more energy and life in the magazine.

Personally, I have found that the inclusion of Art Dudley has been a breath of fresh air. Art is in the unique position of going after a wider range of equipment than most in the past few years. I also think a direct result of the inclusion of Dudley is that Fremer and Tellig will have to keep themselves on their toes because of the territory Art travels in. Fremer is no longer the only person who can throw down analog opinion. As to Sam Tellig, there are now two people who can write entertainingly, maybe Sam will have to throw in some detail to his reviews. Sam will have to provide more than a long story about a drive through the countryside with a line or two about "With the Brand X, I heard great resolution."

Uhmm has anybody looked at the line up over at TAS, including the venerable JG Holt.

Maybe that line up tells more of the story. It used to be a magazine about audio, not about making money.

When it has to be profitable it's a business. Business tends to have it's own mind and usually cares nothing about art and convictions. Money is the only objective.

jeff

hey dekay, lighten up man, i was curious about the sudden departure of a major player in the industry who wrote in a magazine that i have read for a long time. regardless of what you thought of scull, and my opinion lines up more or less with trelija, you cannot deny his impact on all things audio. and dekay even if i had j10 address which i do not, i wouldn't call him and ask him about something that may be painful for him to discuss with anyone lest of all a stranger. of all the responses to my question, yours was the only one to flame my motive, and since you don't know me,im suprised by the response.this is a hobby, not life or death.

Without mentioning any names I heard the gentleman was some what of a problem for Stereophile. He did not get along with manufacturers and did not like to return equipment loaned for review. I can't imagine why this would be an issue!
The 'budget cuts' doesn't withstand scrutiny with the hiring of Art Dudley so hot on Scull's heels. Art Dudley is an improvement though.
Fine Tunes was helpful initially but ceased it's usefulness before it ran it course.
Or maybe I'm wrong.

Capeguy:

"this is a hobby, not life or death."

So, your hobby is gossiping about individuals and their personal/professional lives in public forums?

"even if i had j10 address which i do not, i wouldn't call him and ask him about something that may be painful for him to discuss with anyone lest of all a stranger."

and... instead, you decided to discuss the incident in a public forum (JS has posted @ AA and I assume reads these forums as well). Whether I lighten up, or not, I still find this thread to be of poor taste/judgement.

Granted that certain people in the industry have cried out (by their actions) for public scrutiny, I do not consider JS to be in this group.