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Sorry Steve but I have to say it was a poor review. IMO, you need to say up-front why you are reviewing these products from the many products at many price points on the market. From my POV, this product is well out of reach of many $$$-wise so there needs to be something said at the very outset to inspire interest & read on. This didn't happen.
Launching into a lengthy quote so early in the piece (2nd paragraph) is poor style. It's like you have diluted your own authorship by an easy grab for someone else's words; particularly so when the substance of the grab is an elaboration of the nexus between wine & musical experience. The whole call-the-fine-audio-thing-a-fine-wine-thing has been done before e.g. Supratek (now defunct). I thought you would have been savvy to this old idea and would have angled the story toward cutting edge technology & design (presumably) from the get-go but by the end of the second paragraph I'm thinking: this designer is sounding pretty dull..
Anyway, I got as far as "..finished with a brushed aluminum finish. " (4th paragraph). By this time I was thinking the piece was crying out for an editor and I was wasting my time..
I just want to add a few words about Michael Lavorgna & Audiostream more generally. Often I see a flashy pictorial splash & intro on the front page of the A'Stream site with a link to what one assumes to be the follow-on article. However, the follow-on article turns out to be a no-show in that it is only a few words more. It's like I am being offered a drink but am passed an empty glass instead.. Recently, I noted Michael's "piece" on the contents of his bag. Sorry, not interested in facebook audio.. In all, I have the impression that A'stream is desperate for content and that any old thing will do. Consequently, I visit the site as little as possible.
BTW, I do appreciate your contributions on AA & hope the above is constructive in some way. I do understand that we are all too demanding in the modern era where attention spans are brief and the "consumer is king". I am hopeful that A'Stream's game can be lifted because I think they need to be.
P.S. I did want to email you my thoughts rather than post them but you don't accept unsolicited mail.
Follow Ups:
I appreciate your comments concerning my recent review for AudioStream.I'll be honest with you - I like the way I presented the information on these Playback Designs products and wouldn't change it; especially your request to provide a rationalization of why I am reviewing these components that I find unnecessary.
Playback Designs is a well known and highly regarded manufacturer. While they have updated (software) their current product line, the Sonoma Series represents a totally new product offering for this company.
Playback Designs' reference to wine is significant since they partnered with a winery and provide a bottle of wine with the Syrah and the Merlot. I felt I should discuss that and print Andreas' feelings concerning this subject.
The physical description of the product does matter to a number of potential buyers given the cost of the Server and DAC, as well as the pride of ownership issue.
In every review I write, I try to get the designers to discuss questions I present to them concerning the design of the products. This information is often not found on their web sites.
Michael Lavorgna is the editor and brains behind AudioStream. I think he does a wonderful job reviewing and presenting news worthy information concerning computer audio. I'm sorry that you don't feel the same.
Edits: 06/20/16
Thanks Steve. I do feel we will have to agree to disagree on most points. I suspect a significant number of folk who go by A'Stream will be disappointed by what they see there. I am talking about another kind of crowd to the grumpy kind who present here. I think that many site visitors today want a mix of media forms that must include video. I believe the Hans Beekhuyzen Channel is heading in the right direction in this regard. Running print alongside video means that print has to be pretty sharp; A'Stream's print is not. It's mostly tedious and some hollow, IMO. Anyway, I wish you well for the new age.
I read a good bit, the writing isn't bad at all... but Hell?, when is a piece like that not called an infomercial?
Review! pfft
It's a piece of information with no control reference. You can chose to believe it unconditionally, or you can say-: perhaps I should hear this.
I have been saying this to him about a website designed to suck in Ads by giving instant 'Greatest Bits'.
I think you misunderstand what the Greatest Bits designation actually is:There is a Class ranking of the Greatest Bits components which you could consider Recommended components.
The fact is, the designation of Greatest Bits is not given with the expectation of advertising. All you have to do is look at what has been reviewed and who is advertising. The editorial component of AudioStream is entirely separate from the advertising. I have never been told to give a good review to anyone by Michael. He is the only one I have ever communicated with at AudioStream.
I review because I love our hobby and for selfish reasons as well. I get to enjoy new components for an extended period of time-something that I could never do unless I was a reviewer.
I think you hit the nail on the head when you stated that perhaps you should listen to a product I rave about. That's all anyone should take from a rave review other then the factual information provided.
You and I have been going at it for over 10 years now. Here's to the next ten Fred.
Edits: 06/21/16
the conferment of an award based on a single 'review' by one of two persons.
What does this mean for the Joe public or inmate?
it means detailed testing. Second opinion. No instant award but awards based on tests of a series of similar components etc.
Reviewers systems are not constantly being 'upgraded' with all kinds of software or hardware either, so that there is a degree of longer term reference.
This is my opinion but you can ask JA.
I also see no critical assessment of claims made of the products tested and I also large sections devoted to manufacturers' marketing statements.
"I also see no critical assessment of claims made of the products tested and I also large sections devoted to manufacturers' marketing statements."
If we are talking about the Playback Designs review, I did test the functions of the Server, the iPad app, the Merlot features including headphone amp and ability to record files, as well as the OpBox function.
You know that we don't have test equipment, so I am limited in that capacity.
The so called manufacturer's marketing comments are answers to questions I pose to the designer. I feel that these comments help the reader to better understand the product.
Fred, what does a Stereophile "Recommended Component" mean or the same in the Absolute Sound when the review is by one person?
Right now I'm looking at the Absolute Sound's Buyer's Guide full of components that are recommended by only one reviewer.
My advice to you is that perhaps you should not read on-line or printed publications that don't meet your standards.
do not want to address issues raised here and want to act as judge, jury and executioner on product recommendations. Who wouldn't? But what does this mean by way of substance?
Discussion terminated as you want to bring other respected publications into the frame of argument without recognising their established editorial controls.
I take no issues with your suggestions. There just is no money to make these things happen.
As for my system reference, it is very constant and discussed in the reviews. While the components I review vary, the system hasn't gone through massive changes. Please read the reviews more carefully.
Mercman (Steve Plaskin):
I enjoy your reviews and look forward to reading them. They have inspired me to try a variety of products that might have gone under my personal radar. I find your mix of product details and functions, pictures, and your listening impressions to be in a balanced ratio.
I thank you publically for your efforts, as I know whatever remuneration you receive is far less than what you would earn in your full time profession. It is obvious to me that you do this as an educational service to benefit readers and audiophiles such as myself.
I look forward to your next article.
David Pritchard
.
I found the components to be impressive. I suspect that I won't be the only one.
.
Set your expectations lower ... as for the peanut gallery, dig a hole
Thanks! for sharing.
Geez dude.
You are really a sadist. You don't believe in a quick, painless murder. You like to really turn the knife...and protract the pain..lol.
Look, I think every "audio review" can be picked apart for one reason or another..this is a totally subjective hobby...
But the time you took makes it seem you care a little too much.
That is my review of your review of the review.
Re: "That is my review of your review of the review"
When I wrote my "review" I thought that someone would do and say this. Predictable, dull, tired.
The reason I took the "time" was to help Steve because I think he could improve. Whether he takes this on is his decision.
You also mention a few other things but I am not interested in your thoughts and opinions, sorry.
Here is a bombshell for your, I would bet the farm that Steve does not give a flying shit about your "thoughts and opinions" of his review either.
How about he drop by your job and tell you how you can "improve"?
If you were so concerned in helping him you could have contacted him privately. But, no, you had to blow your own horn. Apparently can't stomach your own medicine either. Your review has great merit but a review of your review is simply beneath you. Humility at its best.
Edits: 06/19/16
The reason I refrained from replying to Isaak is his combative style. It is clear to me he gets something out of bullying people around. (He has been warned about this by the mod.) However, I am happy to respond to you providing we can be respectful toward one another..
On your point of contacting Steve privately: as I said in my post, he doesn't accept unsolicited mail on AA. The alternative would be to go to A'Stream and email there. As I said, I don't like A'Stream org as it appears to me to be more interested in "clicks" rather than substance or quality. I agree this is my subjective opinion but that's how I feel and I do have reasons - some of which I mentioned. Another factor was that I also wanted to send a message to Michael L. and the whole A'Stream crew whoever they might be; anyway I chose what I thought was the best route. As for blowing my own horn that appears to me to be your subjective opinion of which you're entitled. I'll leave the subject of my stomach, humility and medication aside if you don't mind.. as for my post having some merit, thanks.
On another matter if I may.. Why has it become acceptable on AA to be rude to people who have other opinions? I mean there is a difference between being a "critic" or "reviewer" and being a "thug". Why the speculation about another's psychological state because they are not convinced by your point of view or they refuse to parley with you? I can readily accept that my point of view can be dismissed without feeling the need to take a personal swing at someone.. What do you think?
I agree with your last paragraph.
To me, the problem with AA over the few years has been the latent commercial interest behind some of the posts, and ego and bullying behind others. The kind of rotational posting when one inmate would answer for another to divert attention from a topic of discussion is a case in point.
I just looked, I can send him a private message.
You just have to be signed on, so unless he changed his settings it looks like you never tried to email him.
Hi Jeff, did you get a reply from "Merman" as to whether settings have been changed? As you can appreciate, I don't like being called a liar & think you should set the record straight together with apology..
Best regards,
As you can see no reply here. I did not send him a message, I had no reason to
I don't owe you an apology, I stated that I could send a message, so unless he changed his settings, you either weren't able to use the message system, or you didn't try to.
And to be honest if you wont go to AS to send a message, why would you go there to read the reviews. Your concern about giving them clicks, is kind of weak.
That is all my opinion, suplied in a civil manner.
Thanks Jeff,
Let's see if I have this right..
I am to be admonished for not sending Mercman a private message on AA (or AS)
BUT
It is OK for you to publically post on AA the implication that I was lying
Putting aside the obvious question of hypocrisy, I will agree with you about your entitlement to an opinion but with proviso. One needs to consider, for example, the now infamous fellow in Orlando had opinions too.. My point is that "civilised" societies are ones where entitlement is balanced against obligation. Your reasoning was speculative at best but this didn't stop you from pushing caution aside. Let's be clear: you were doing the accusing and I was the accused. And you are still doing it: calling my actions "weak"; I would say your account of my actions is weak in that it misses key points. But regardless, you don't seem to get that I don't have to convince you of anything to be accorded respect.
I finally contacted Merccman, he told me he has been receiving messages from inmates in the past.
Anyone who would compare my opinions to the guy in Orlando doesn't seem to grasp the difference between questioning whether you did try to post, and a radicalized terrorist committing mass murder. That you used it as an example tells me you are taking reviews way too seriously.
With a moniker like Audio Bling, I doubt that many take you seriously. I know I don't.
Jeff, again you seem to take what you wish and ditch the rest. I think it clear that the Orlando reference was in relation to the point being made which was about balancing entitlements and obligations not to you personally. I apologise to you if you misunderstood. Please understand I am not your enemy here. Why is it that you want to make me the bad guy; does it relieve you of your obligations? As for Mercman, his post is below; read it. Am I a liar or not? You have again formed your opinion without the evidence (and continue to publish it). Mercman's testimony seems to suggest he is not sure as he reset it. What is clear is that you interpret to suit yourself and, yes, I am serious about the truth.
P.S. Respect to all!
My email was not turned off to my knowledge, but it really doesn't matter-at least to me. Public or private is OK. I did check it and reset it to be sure it was activated,
Who shall review the reviewers?
Why Arthur Salvatore, of course.
I thought it was a good review (bar your points) in that he has had the courage to admit that his formulae of speed, power, hardware add ons, and multiple 'optimising' software has been surpassed by a simple NUC setup with limited RAM and fanless cooling, using OS slimming techniques.
What I had added was that the Playback Designs approach for the server doesn't need to cost $65000 for a diy job.
I would like to add that, by doing it oneself, one starts to learn about which aspects of an OS affect sound quality most. I would also add that AV software and the Firewall should be uninstalled/defeated and that the PC should not be web connected for pretty picture downloads.
Thanks Fred. My computer was an unmodified Windows 10 Pro running JRiver Media.
I will be evaluating Audiophile Optimizer soon on this computer. Also, the extra horsepower and RAM becomes valuable if running Roon with the HQPlayer upsampling to DSD256.
Sigh, when you have more than 4TB of music. You're truly a music lover.
What you are listening to seems to me to be the point of being in this hobby in the first place.
I hope to run HQPlayer soon to augment my Roon setup. Like yours, I sure am glad that my system has the flexibility and resources to do it.
I'm guessing that some here may be confusing a $10,000 Laptop PC to the fact that the PC is plugged into and sitting on $10,000 worth of audiophile accessories(as was the 'appliance' you were comparing it to during the rewiew).
From where I sit, that's still an ASUS Laptop running Windows 10 and JRiver. It certainly SHOULD sound better than a $6500 streamer, especially as both seem to have been plugged into and sitting on the same $10,000 worth of audiophile accessories as your comparison of the two would indicate.
Even a $10,000 USB cable (is there such a thing?) would not change the above if you used the same cable with both systems.
I do think it important to continue to compare these new 'appliances' to box-stock computer systems like your ASUS, or to each other, as otherwise comparisons become meaningless to those majority of readers who stream from whatever computer is available.
Have you had a chance to get your hands on a uRendu? As that 'appliance' does not cost $6500, it might be an interesting comparison with your laptop and/or a stock SBT?
By the way, according to Brian Zolner of Bricansi, the above system is streaming from a stock laptop (RMAF 2015) sitting on isolation footers but powered by a specially made PS which is not in the picture.
Very good sounding room, by the way.
Sigh, when you have more than 4TB of music. You can't listen to them all.
What you are listening to seems to me to be the sound of software and hardware.
at least you posted a link to the review.
As 'clicks' are the currency of the realm, that's something.
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