I notice a lot of reviewers buy the sample piece

Hey Taters ... Keep 'em coming. Its entertaining. 

What a scam. I feel pretty naive as I have always considered the reviewers decision to buy a reviewed piece like someone said above as the ultimate endorsement. I see now the reviewer has no real skin in the game and any authentic endorsement implied is dubious at best. 

It's an endorsement but not the ultimate unless the list price is paid.  

Cmon this is America where money always speaks loudest. .  Could reviewers on the take possibly surprise anyone. 

Arthur Salvatore has a lot to say on this subject on his Reference Components website.

reviewers also tend to only review equipment they have heard and liked. no one wants to listen for a few months to gear they do not like.