Critic's Corner

Posted by Wade Davis (A) on February 14, 2008 at 19:06:28

In Reply to: RE: You know, Wade, PFO does publish... posted by David W. Robinson on February 11, 2008 at 09:45:27

Hello David & Steven,

I am an avid reader/site visitor of both PFO and ETM, as well as 6Moons. I was really referring to the print publications. I think the important thing both TAS and Stereophile need to consider is that many audiophile's interests progress over time. And this progression doesn't simply mean being able to afford more expensive equipment, but an increasing understanding of equipment design, a desire not to be limited by commercial offerings, etc. As a result, both publications, IMO, eventually lose the interest of seasoned audiophiles if they don't do more than review the same equipment from the same manufacturers year after year. Of course, no magazine can satisfy everyone so I am thankful publications like yours exist, as well designers like Nelson Pass who avidly support DIYers. Maybe one day either TAS or Stereophile will reconsider if only to distinguish itself more from the other.

Edits: 02/14/08

• It's true that you need to bring in the newbies... - David W. Robinson 20:56:19 02/14/08 (1)
  In Reply to: RE: You know, Wade, PFO does publish... posted by Wade Davis on February 14, 2008 at 19:06:28

  ...without losing the interest of the more mature in any social gathering. Otherwise, you lose one end...or the other.
  
  Maintaining a balance is hard to do, though...particularly when paper and ink as a medium are so costly to produce, and to distribute nowadays. One of the major blessings of the Internet is the massively reduced cost of publishing and the far greater reach for distributing one's content.
  
  In that regard, web-based publication represents a true paradigm shift (that all too often misused concept) in human history. All sorts of new possibilties open for creative work, well beyond those of the printing press. And the crushing economic burdens are wonderfully reduced. (The question of quality in the midst of the resultant tsunami of expression is quite a different matter, of course.)
  
  FWIW, I'm sure that both John Atkinson and Robert Harley feel significant pressure all the time. I certainly did back in the days of *Positive Feedback* as a print magazine (1990-2001).
  
  I don't envy them.
  
  All the best,
  
  david
  
  David W. Robinson
  Editor, Positive Feedback Online
  
  
  

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  • Well said... - Steven R. Rochlin 09:29:03 02/15/08 (0)
    In Reply to: RE: It's true that you need to bring in the newbies... posted by David W. Robinson on February 14, 2008 at 20:56:19

    David,
    
    Could not have said it better.
    
    If i may add... TAS, Sphile and others do offer Internet versions of their print publication. This allows them to reach a wider audience without *some* of the constraints of printing/shipping. This diversification helps to mitigate the print-only costs (both financial and in readership reach).
    
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    Wade,
    
    As for product (content) and business decisions, each adjusts accordingly to serve the market they feel best benefits their objectives (possibly as directed by those who hold the financial purse-strings). This is true in virtually all ongoing business ventures.
    
    As i can only speak for Enjoy the Music.com, the goal is to provide an enjoyable and educational site with plenty of diversification to serve as many aspects of the industry as possible including newbies, DIY'ers, and seasoned hobbyists/audiophiles. (this is a *major* oversimplification)
    
    Print magazines naturally pay their writers as does Enjoy the Music.com, while some online audiophile sites seek out those who will write at no cost. As for the quality of content plus experience from paid writers versus those who are free, we can each debate which may be best on a writer by writer basis (but lets us not go there, can-o-worms and all that). Regardless, the fact is paid writers do add to the costs of production for print publications and Enjoy the Music.com and must also be factored in.
    
    The above shows just a hint of the many facets at work for both print and online publications. So as to why the print guys do XXY and Internet does XYY versus...
    
    Wade, write to the magazine editor and let them know your feelings. Perhaps if enough people have the same desires as you and also write in, they will find a way to fulfil the requests on a regular basis. If a business does not fulfil your desires, go elsewhere. As an example, i prefer Heinz over Kraft ketchup so i buy Heinz.
    
    In a perfect world things would operate as I wish them to. -- ???
    
    The reverse side also has a reverse side. -- Japanese proverb
    
    Enjoy the Music,
    
    Steven R. Rochlin
    
    
    

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