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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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peterayer
1,382 posts
 
I can think of at least two reviews in which the reviewer states clearly that he hopes he can work a deal out with the manufacturer so that he can "keep" the review sample. By "keep" I suppose he either means: on an indefinite long term loan or an extremely good accommodation/industry insider price. These statements were expressed in the concluding paragraphs of the reviews.

I guess we are supposed to think from this that the reviewer really, really likes the component. But it also comes across as an overt request for a prid pro quo.
manitunc
795 posts
 
Now, when a reviewer reviews a $50,000 speaker or turntable that he really loves, and would love to own, but because he cant afford it on his meager reviewer income, does that mean he is not allowed to get an industry discount, or must he refuse such discount to avoid the impression of bias. I wish I could afford some of the stuff I see and hear, but alas, I cant. But I would only want it in the first place because I liked the product, not because I could get it cheaper.
peterayer
1,382 posts
 
The reviewer's income is and should be no one's business. Also, how he or she acquires a component should not be anyone's business either. Once it is asked for in a review though, it creates an impression of bias, in my opinion. That's all.

A condition of wanting something usually means that we also like it. But if we like two components roughly equally, we usually buy the one that is less expensive. Now in the case of a reviewer, are we to assume that his/her reference system is comprised only of the components that he/she gets the best accommodation deals on? What does that tell us?
frogman
7,441 posts
 
Interesting. I would be more prone to respect the integrity of a reviewer that is open about the fact that he hopes to be able to buy the review unit at discount; and impression of bias be damned. That would tell me that he/she probably doesn't do too much funny stuff behind the scenes that we would never really know about.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,218 posts
 
A reader should be able to know if a reviewer did not purchase his reference components. Getting audiophile quality components as a gift or long term loan is a potential conflict.
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