New Stereophile recommended list

I find the list interesting as a starting point. But I've said before, it's distressing how hard it is to sell something that isn't on the list and ridiculous how fast things sell, unheard, when they are recommended. The difference between Class B and C is . . . what? Anybody know? Don't guess or offer an opinon here because nobody at Stereophile knows. One of the real problems in my mind is that they refuse to review/rate products that are not widely available in the US or sold by Audio Advisor. I would appreciate reviews and ratings of products that I can buy over the internet from abroad. The other is, as has been noted by many observers, grade inflation. Class C of anything ought to be more populous than Class A.

In response to Trejla's last comment. I've never paid for an issue of Stereophile. My subscriptions have always been Christmas presents. Frankly, I miss High Fidelity.

Paulwp if you don't mind, I would like to give you my definition of the difference between Class B and C. Price.

Way to air it all out Trelja. I am starting to look at steroephile as an advertising racket and nothing more. Ever noticed how little they say about anything they review? I have never seen so much writing say nothing. I wonder what the actual correlation is between advertising and reviews? In any other situation I can think of, the legitimacy of the endorsement would be closely scrutinized because of apparent conflicts of interest.

The comment by Chstob above "hit the nail" on the head that Stereophile is a marketing and advertising business and has little to do with quality audio product review any more. I do not trust their ears or their recommended product list. I scan the magazine for interesting companys and products but may little attention to any of their product reviews.

Those Triangle Antals rated a B - Full Range and at the beginning of the Speaker Recomendations the editor says they have to go below 40hz, I think. I'm sure they're good speakers but to go against your own criteria is dishonest. No explanation was ever forthcoming even though a letter to the editor was published. I thought it was an anomoly and then they did it in April! Those Cary monoblocks? The explanation given a couple of issues later didn't make any sense to me and seemed to fly in the face of what I had read there and on Audiogon. I agree with Trelja on the difference between B and C and always look at the C recomendations. I enjoy reading about this stuff but those listings raise some serious credibility issues for the publication.