Stereophile Class A tables

"When are WE going to get together and enlighten one another rather than argue over which reviewer has their "stuff" together? when that day comes, we will have a reliable database of meaningful insights of which components are truly wonderful sounding and which manufacturers are doing their best work and providing the best service."

Do you really think that? Most of these threads are of the type you wish for, not aimed at slandering reviewers, yet in the end one is always left with a collection of subjective opinions. Interesting to be sure, but not always so enlightening. In the end, you've got to make up your own mind based on your own listening experiences. Which is fine with me. The rest is "fun, always".

Rsf507, Could you defend your statement about Valin being "dishonest"? Whether you trust his reviews or not does not really matter, but an accusation of dishonesty by a reviewer is another matter.

I don't think Valin has any influence on the Stereohile Class A tables. He works for TAS.

Good point, Peter.
JV does have a huge, perhaps disproportionate, effect on the editorial stance of TAS vis a vis what's good and what's not good, however.

Nevertheless, I know nothing that would lead me to believe he is dishonest.

I can tell you of a time Valin was completely unprofessional regarding reviewing my product called the Vibraplane. He received the unit and within hrs called me saying it was the next best thing other than sliced bread! He wrote a remarkable review but after I requested payment (below cost) he never paid so we had the unit picked up. Surprise surprise when the review never came out in TAS.

(Dealer disclaimer)

Getting back to the original topic - stereophile class a ratings aren't too bad, but place the grading relative to the reviewer and their preferences.
ie. a class A component for one reviewer who likes a warm sound, may well be a class C for another reviewer who likes a cooler system sound. Most reviwers place according to their prejudices, they may try and say otherwise, and of course some components float everyones' boat whereas others such as NAIM or KONDO polarise listeners