New Stereophile recommended list

Ramstl, if this makes no sense, don't ever read Stereophile's Guide to Home Theater! I've read Stereophile for 15 years and picked up my first copy of SGHT with recommende components. Oh my God! Top class is AAA then AA then A then B !!! What the hell is this???? I really don't pay much attention to these ratings, although I do notice on the used market they carry major weight in resale value. I listen and judge for myself, and sometimes even think a Class B better than a Class A product. (gasp). It's only one person's opinion, I don't know his bias' or what his agenda is. I more read these magazines for information on what is out there and what features new interesting products have. If interested I go form my own opinion. My money always gets spent on my opinion, not someone else's.

So what do I do if I am trying to sell something that WAS on the list? Do I say this thing used to be a stereophile recommended component, but no longer is? Can I say it is still a recommended component and stereophile cannot change their minds on me? OR is the proper way to plug the list in your ad, this thing is/was a recommended component? Talk about uncertanty in the market place. Seriously, which is proper? Once its gone its gone???????????????????????????

Well judging by my ratings on this thread there are either some reviewer(sell outs) or friends of reviewers(sell outs!). I guess some of you can't think for your self and like to be told what sounds good, for you people that is what Stereopile(not a typo) is for. I have perused the page from time to time, I would never believe what they say as they do recieve payment(sometimes in the form of free equipment) to let the world know how great a product is. I am a salesmen(fairly successfull I might add) and am always asked my opinion and do I recommend product "A" because they pay me or do I recommend product "B" because it will do a better job? I think it comes down to a matter of ethics and morals both of which most reviewer's have NO concept of. Good Day Gentleman and untill that day comes keep your ear to the grind stone.

I think having a list at all is problematic. It divides components in to four or five categories of quality that a lot of people feel they need to adhere to when assembling thier system. The list elimates potentially good alternatives to buying a system with all class 'a' or 'b' components just so the consumer can feel good about what they bought. It creates bias and pissing contests for people who are too lazy or too busy to read, ask questions or audition. But people like lists. They like thier answers short and simple. Too bad those kinds of answers are usually wrong.

I have several problems with the Stereophile list. Let's start with the basic premise of the ratings. The descriptions say that Class A should be best attainable sound. Class C seems to infer that the majority of components belong in that category. However these days, Class A is huge, and Class C barren. Maybe I am mistaken, but I guess most of what is reviewed by the magazine these days falls under the category of "best". Now, allow me to turn my focus to the companies. Some products should just be permanently on the list. Their reviews being updated every couple of years. They are benchmark products in the industry. Example, the Vandersteen 3A speaker. The fact that it does not appear on the list is an abomination. Maybe it's just me, but keeping a current review of that speaker seems more relevant than a soundcard or computer speaker. Then there are overrated products that are perpetually on the top of the list. Like just about anything from Audio Research(do they actually get reviewed, or just automatically get put in Class A?). Next are the companies that get the Stereophile shaft. Coincident being a great example. Three products reviewed by Stereophile(Troubador, Eclipse, and CST phono cable). All pretty much written off as nothing. Curiously, the Eclipse seems to be one of the only products I can recall being reviewed and not appearing on the list. Not even Class D or E? Come on, there are a legion of us out here who can attest that Coincident products are first rate. Certainly, the equal of B&W, Paradigm, PSB, Thiel, Vandersteen, etc. One could argue better in many cases. And what about a Legacy review? We've only been waiting for 10 long years. How about Sunfire, Jadis, Antique Sound Labs, Silver Audio, Quicksilver, Jolida, etc.? Then there are the reviewers. Would it kill them to review a cross section of components? I mean would Scull drop dead if, God for bid, he had to review something without a 4 or 5 digit pricetag? The one time he did(Richard Gray's Power Station), he launched into his only negative review. Guess that'll teach them to have him review something below $1000. If Richard just made the price $5 higher... Michael Fremer's opinions are less informed than so many people on Audiogon that someone like you is probably more adept at reviewing a component than he. How about the fact that he didn't know that AudioResearch sounded more neutral than tubelike? That's like an auto reviewer being suprised that a V8 engine seemed to deliver poor gas mileage. Or the fact that he didn't have a balanced interconnect. And just take a look at his cable inventory. As sparse as his knowledge. A great moment was when he reviewed the KR amps. He needed a new pair of pants when he saw the amps' measurements. At least have the guts to stand by what you heard, without first turning white as a sheet. Stereophile, not what it used to be. But, far too necessary for me to cancel my subscription.