Latest Absolute Sound

I still say we (common) audiophiles need the SOTA gear strictly for its trickle down effect(s) for the rest of us. Personally, I would never need nor require a system more than $100K.

Though I am sure that there are rich audiophiles that can purchase the ultra expensive components and get the most out of them , I can’t help but think many of the rich buying much of same are doing so more because they can, than due to knowing what they are looking for in a system and know how to get there.

I believe much of this hobby is in the knowing of ones preferences, and understanding how to achieve the most toward them within any budget. 

Mesch,
That was very well said. 
J. :)

As you can see by my paltry number of posts I am a noob. I have always loved high-end sound since I wandered into my local hi-fi shop 30 years ago, however, I never had the means to afford it until recently. I hadn’t kept up on the latest gear so I picked up a copy of TAS about a year ago and subscribed and have been reading each issue cover to cover. I was amazed at all the brands I had never heard of like Magico, Constellation and so on. The magazine gave me a chance to educate myself on what is available (brands, new technologies, etc.). More importantly it was another source to read reviews. I began to realize that they did seem to review much of the same gear that is advertised, but hey, that is what it probably takes to keep a print magazine going in the online world we live in. The point is they are just one of many sources I have used during the past year to learn and make decisions.

Now, a number of people have complained about the ridiculously expensive equipment they review? Why, that stuff is cool. Is it worth it? It is to the guy that buys it. If you cannot afford something and think someone is a fool for buying it, that is your right, however, it does not make you RIGHT. One of the things I like about looking at magazines and seeing all this cool schiit is it inspires me to work hard in hopes of having some of this gear. It worked when I was a teenager in the 1980s and I read about the new Porsche 959. I thought, wow, what an incredible car. Guess what, that fueled my love for Porsche and their engineering. Do I own a 959, no, however, I do own a few 911s. So, what is my point? Well, I think all this uber expensive stuff that everyone seems to hate on is like the 959 of my youth. Exotic, impractical and very expensive. But guess what, much of that technology trickles down. AWD, twin turbos? Yup, that is all common in cars today and affordable.

So, my point is you may not like that TAS has become tied to their advertisers but you have a choice not to read the magazine. I personally found it to be very helpful in my reeducation of hi-fi this past year since this was apparent and it was just one resource I used to find cool stuff.

One other thing, people complained they only review hi-end stuff. What about the PS Audio Sprout integrated for $499 or the ELAC B5 speakers for $229 the just reviewed? They raved about both and I actually bought the Elac B5 speakers last week while I am waiting for my new Raidho D1.1s to show up in February. I also just received my Constellation Amp and Preamp Friday. Is it the $100K plus Hercules II? No, the $10K inspiration amp. Will it sound as good as the Hercules II? No, but I bet it will sound pretty great for what I paid compared to their top of the line exotic stuff. Trickle down engineering at its best in my opinion.

Hey mmporsche, you've pretty much proven my point with your latest purchases. When someone reads a magazine such as Magico Monthly....(oops, sorry. Meant The Absolute Sound), all one hears about every month are Magico, Raidho, Wilson. Components like Constellation, Soulution, D'Agostino, etc. It's the same crap covered over and over and over.  It's a disgrace and like I said, TAS is doing a disservice to the community regarding lack of exposure to other brands. Read 6moons if you want the exact opposite of the rags, IMO.