Thanks everyone!
For what it's worth, I by no means am saying that just because two components are "placed in the same class" by Stereophile (or anyone reviewing anything for that matter) that they are equal. IMHO reviewing is subjective by nature, we are all humans and opinions are part of who we are, part of our individual personalities. What I am saying, however, is that I expect two components in the same class to perform comparably, not one being vastly superior to another, regardless of price. Ortofon 2M Blue is placed in the same class as 2M Black by Stereophile. Do they perform the same? I don't know, I don't have a $1K to spare to find out. I would expect not, given that 2M Black cost three times more than 2M Blue. I have a friend who own a 2M Blue and loves it. He is about to upgrade to 2M Bronze and will loan me the 2M Blue to try out in my rig. Then I will be able to directly compare 2M Red to 2M Blue in my rig, on my terms. And I will not say anything to myself or others about 2M Black because - guess what? - I have not heard it!
@jperry - Thanks! Synergy indeed is what really matters.
Happy listening!
For what it's worth, I by no means am saying that just because two components are "placed in the same class" by Stereophile (or anyone reviewing anything for that matter) that they are equal. IMHO reviewing is subjective by nature, we are all humans and opinions are part of who we are, part of our individual personalities. What I am saying, however, is that I expect two components in the same class to perform comparably, not one being vastly superior to another, regardless of price. Ortofon 2M Blue is placed in the same class as 2M Black by Stereophile. Do they perform the same? I don't know, I don't have a $1K to spare to find out. I would expect not, given that 2M Black cost three times more than 2M Blue. I have a friend who own a 2M Blue and loves it. He is about to upgrade to 2M Bronze and will loan me the 2M Blue to try out in my rig. Then I will be able to directly compare 2M Red to 2M Blue in my rig, on my terms. And I will not say anything to myself or others about 2M Black because - guess what? - I have not heard it!
@jperry - Thanks! Synergy indeed is what really matters.
Happy listening!