Recommended components on Stereophile Magazine.

Remember that there is a wide variation in sound, you should try to determine what kind of sound you like and look for components that give you that. A 5 watt tube SET might be the finest amp in the world but will not work with the big Wilson's. A system should be an integrated whole and one from column a and one from column b is not the way to assemble it.

I really like S'phile but take the RCL with a large dose of salt. Firstly, you've got rankings by committee. No one person has heard everything, cetainly not under the same conditions. One reviewer's class B could be better than another reviewer's class A. Secondly, even if one person did the whole list, it would be next to impossible to directly compare all components. How could that person ever be certain of all rankings? Thirdly, S'phile's own definition of Class A is the "best" sound possible. Shouldn't that mean only one component could occupy that slot? I agree with Jwp: "Use Stereophile's ratings for what they are intended to do - making up a short list for components that you might want to audition". The RCL should be used as a tool to narrow your search but the final pick should be left to your ears - and wallet!

Advertising dollars determines which units get evaluated.
I have noticed the same old brands always getting reviewed.

This could be because it could be the kiss of death if a small manufacturer submits his lifes work for a review and it is not reviewed favorably.
Saying that however, I cant recall when was there was a really negative review in Stereophile???

Take the Stereophile list as a starting point. Read Audiogon and see what actual users think of the products!

In my opinion if they say something has a slight flaw,it
may be a lot more than that. It does help to find those flaws when your not listening to it at home on your system. That helps when buying a non returnable item.They have a tendency to like a lot of products I wouldn't recommend to any tone deaf friend. The reviewers disagree with each other too.I use them to help pick out some of the flaws first.But I'm definitely at the point if they give it a top recommendation,it may turn out to be a class C or D component in my opinion.I've herd components at a fraction of their top recommend components price outclass them in every way. That's my 2¢.

I can't imagine buying anything but the $3K class A in your example over the 8K class B. They sometimes put quirky products in their listings, but they usually mark them as such. An $8K horn system that Dudley likes comes to mind. But if you only have one shot at one system,, get the class A.