The Absolute Sound "review" of USB cable reads suspiciously like a press releaste

I agree, but do enjoy glistening and disappearing hi-hats although I wonder, where do they go?

As others have suggested it IS a press release, not a review. But the OP’s concern is legitimate, because TAS chooses to deceive by calling it an "Equipment report", and by putting someone’s name in a byline.

It IS dishonest, but no doubt helps TAS to generate advertising revenue from the companies that benefit from the deception.

Absolute announcement/press release, idiotic of them to show 'equipment report' and have someone's name attached to a press release.

However, ignoring AS, let's talk Pied Piper Effect.

Who among you believes the construction of a USB cable will make an audible difference?

@nonoise it clearly reads as a press release, TAS has a separate News tab full of press releases and this is filed under Equipment Reports. More likely a simple mistake rather than something more nefarious or lazy.