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Art Dudley Calls B.S. but without naming names - PLEASE DO!

Hey all,

As someone who hasn't been reading the audiophile press for all that long, I stumbled upon this article that I'm sure it lit up these airwaves when it was first published: https://www.stereophile.com/content/skin-deep

It's a great article and one that any knowledgeable person would most likely agree with, but hey, spending your own hard-earned (or inherited) money is a right and a privilege.  Art does call out some brands that he perceives to give great value:  AMVR, VPL, Conrad-Johnson, DeVore and Harbeth and Kimber and Peachtree and Quicksilver and Rega and Rogue and Spendor and Wavelength.  Shouldn't NAD be on this list?  

But what he doesn't do and I think is warranted, is name the companies that are most egregious in selling high-end products where the performance is far below the cost.  

I, for one, would love to see a list of those manufacturers from the people who read this forum.  You can group them by what they manufacture or just put them in order as you see fit.  I think it would be most helpful in calling b.s. but with "added-value", which is what this whole article was all about.  Right?

128x128lgoler
thermals1
4 posts
 
I think Igoler is on to something...
As much as I enjoy hearing that someone is particularly impressed by a given product, I too would like to hear when someone is particularly disappointed by a product...particularly when it comes to expensive audio equipment.
Part of a public "checks & balances" system that perhaps will encourage manufacturers to stay focused on performance & "relative value" as they develop new products. 
I am tired of the typical magazine reviews full of the same adjectives and superlatives...rarely with real criticism.  They sound more like advertisements rather than objective reviews to me.
I encourage and support the development of both lists!
dentdog's avatar
dentdog
498 posts
 
If one is too stupid or obtuse to trust their ears they deserve what they get for their dollars, hard earned or not. I've tweaked modestly to considerable good effect. My wife, who only comes down to the cave occasionally, usually gives me a succinct observation and it generally lands pretty close to the mark. My components have remained the same since putting the system together. Improvements have come from room treatment and seeing that better electricity runs throughout the system. And yes, the quality of the signal as it comes out the speakers is hugely dependent on the quality of the juice coming out those outlets. Just saying.

hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,832 posts
 
@thermals1  Very well said!   It is important for us to share good and less satisfying experiences with gear.  We need to know what equipment we want to avoid as well as what we want to quest after.
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,832 posts
 
@dentdog   Can't agree more about the importance of feeding your system good quality power.  I just looked at your virtual system.  Beautiful set-up.  Is it a basement room?
don_c55
1,025 posts
 
Art Dudley has well written reviews of equipment that I would never purchase.

He should go back to the 50's and live in bliss!
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