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When a Reviewer "likes" something

... what does that mean in your opinion. I read in one of the last Stereophile mags a comment from Mr. Atkinson where he wrote about the differences in "opinions" in forums or in printed mags. After all he ended with the argument, a component is good when a reviewer likes it.
Isn't is more helpful, when a reviewer knows something about a real tone reproduction? Or is it ok, when he used every month another CD or LP he got for free, a kind of music nearly no one wants to listen to?
Harry Pearson used in the 90's always the same records for his reviews but that was an exception I think.
What is it worth for you when - for example - Mr. Dudley/Fremer/Valin/HP .... "likes" something? Do you have the same "taste" they have?
I know it is possible to like a Turntable even when that unit can't hold the proper speed, or is extremely sensitive to any influences, there are endless recommendations written about such units...what is it worth for you?
Atkinson for example measures units, some have top datas but they can sound very boring, far away from the real thing, some have no top datas, some "tests" are shortened because a unit can reach a area which can be pretty dangerous (see one of the latest Agostino units, just as an example) but they are rated Class A in recommendations anyway....
When someone "knows" what is right or not, then his "liking" is only a personal opinion which is more or less uninteresting or?
Most customers (not all of course) would prefer to know what a unit is really able to do sonically, or not? Would knowledge destroy the joy of Hardware rolling? Or is there a reason why reviewers use low efficiency speakers when they have a tube amp for review (for example Lamm ML2.1/ML2.2 with Magico Speakers)? Is the matching "expensive + expensive" the proper way to show competence?
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vicdamone
850 posts
 
Mt, ooo another better late than never parent. Coastal Cali native born with the ionized Pacific on shore, grumpy? Nah.

I have some ties in Encinitas. Rode some amazing, otherwise sleepy neighborhood breaks just South of Wind n Sea during a big Northwest a few winters back.

You're a lucky man.
lewm
13,101 posts
 
Manitunc, This isn't "60 Minutes". We're just a bunch of guys shooting the crap. No one but us really gives a hoot what we write here. I have heard the stories of reviewers hanging on to equipment sent for review purposes for my entire 35-year audio life, mostly from guys who had first-hand information, meaning they were not just repeating gossip. Therefore, I credit the stories. However, I would never name names in this forum; I think that's reasonable prudence.

On the other hand, I agree with you in that because I have no such evidence to support the notion of outright collusion between reviewers and manufacturers, I would not make such charges. I do charge many reviewers with bad writing, however, and with simply cutting and pasting into their reviews hyperbole to be found on manufacturer's websites and in their product brochures. This is partly because the great majority of them know very little about electronics.
wolf_garcia
6,704 posts
 
All of my gear has been the subject of good or great reviews at some point, so I do feel good about that. I will reiterate the fact of seemingly more balanced reviews from What HiFi and HiFi News...just a different vibe there.
manitunc
795 posts
 
Frog
Didn't see a single verifiable fact in your post. Just typical innuendo and rumor. Clearly a reasonable basis for defamation.
manitunc
795 posts
 
Lewm,
I agree, but I'm just tired of people defaming others on the Internet under cover of anonymity with no actual basis other than their own delusion that there is some great conspiracy to screw everyone,whether its reviewers, politicians, lawyers, corporations or what have you. Some just try and see the bad in everything and everyone, except themselves of course.
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