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My take on Stereophile
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Posted on May 25, 2004 at 15:40:44 | ||
Since 1997 I've faithfully purchased Stereophile Magazine. For years I've found its reviews to be excellent and highly informative. Fremers "Analog Corner" contributed to my re-interest in vinyl and eventually purchasing a very solid analog playback system. "Industry Updates" is also another personal favorite of mine from this publication, and one that I feel is still its most underrated gem. It's consistently well researched. Seeing the direction manufacturers will or may take in the immediate and not-so-distant future really interests me for the simple reason that this is my hobby, my enjoyment, and the way I choose to spend my spare time when I get some. Which, by the way, is rare. "The Letters" section was probably the least interesting part of the magazine for me. I rarely saw technical questions being asked about a component in exchange for advice. Instead, it always seemed to be a venting point for one-too-many-crack pots with a grudge, and that ruined the good vibe which was the magazine's best quality. Therefore, I didn't like to spend too much time there. These days, it's all different. There seems to be a mean-spirited attitude from certain staff writers, and that's gone a long way toward ruining what was once a great mood. I also frankly don't care for the political and theological conversations that pop up from column to column. Admittedly, I vote and I believe in God, but I don't want to read about this stuff in a hobbyist publication. If I want jaded political views and partisan posturing, I'll watch "60 Minutes" or "Scarborough Country". I don't want it in an Audio Magazine. Especially when there's so much ground to cover. There's simply too much to learn about Audio (And that's a good thing, I think) to waste time on these other things and be pompous to boot. I've recently looked over the Stereophile March 1998 issue. For me, that was a really enjoyable read. The Gershman Acoustics GA-P 520-X got a great review. When I saw them, I thought their design was brilliant. I really wanted to hear them, and eventually I did at the Chicago HIFI SHOW in 1999. They did not disappoint. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little pleased with myself for hearing all of the qualities expressed by the reviewer in Stereophile. The rest of the issue was informative, interesting and without malice. Reading it in comparison to the latest issue reminded me of a recent walk through my old neighborhood where I grew up. I was able to easily navigate my way throughout my old stomping grounds, but I didn't see anyone I used to know. That was a little sad. The houses were familiar, but there were lots of strange faces, and no one said hello. For me, that's what it's like reading Stereophile these days. |
Excuse me. Sorry about that., posted on May 26, 2004 at 09:56:48 | |
Such a blatant oversight on my part. ;~)
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That's okay...., posted on May 26, 2004 at 13:54:06 | |
...guess I need to stir things up a bit more around here to get noticed. Maybe drop an NT bomb or two ;-) |
It was plain stupid on my part., posted on May 26, 2004 at 13:56:11 | |
I understand my TAS arrived at home today, so I can see what all this fuss was about RH's comments. |
From what I see here, it's the readers, rather than reviewers, that take themselves too seriously!!, posted on May 26, 2004 at 23:33:50 | |
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Why fool around with mags at all?, posted on May 27, 2004 at 08:28:21 | |
Posts: 127
Joined: July 9, 2000 |
when there is so much more information here and you get it months before the mags put it out.... |
Post some links?, posted on May 31, 2004 at 07:48:21 | |
I looked all over the proaudioreview site and couldn't find a single review by Ed Foster. Guess I'm just looking in the wrong place. Thanks, |