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In Reply to: RE: Mercman's Playback Designs review posted by Audio Bling on June 17, 2016 at 20:37:59
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: 06/20/16Follow Ups:
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.
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