to be serious for a moment, there is no doubt a component being named by a major magazine or website publication as ’recommended’ or ’best of’ is an accolade to be proud of - it is also important confirmation of that component being very very good at what it sets out to do
the other point to keep in mind on this topic is that media outlets get their bread buttered too, so inclusion of an item is often a measure of what is paid in advertising, or fees, or public relations legwork by the maker or dealer ... the key point is that competing units NOT included in such publications are not necessarily worse or unworthy
this takes nothing away from the holo may - which is undoubtedly a lovely sounding well built high end dac
the other point to keep in mind on this topic is that media outlets get their bread buttered too, so inclusion of an item is often a measure of what is paid in advertising, or fees, or public relations legwork by the maker or dealer ... the key point is that competing units NOT included in such publications are not necessarily worse or unworthy
this takes nothing away from the holo may - which is undoubtedly a lovely sounding well built high end dac