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As a reviewer, I love to see seasoned, older equipment reviewed in light of the more modern stuff and comparisons. Some new equipment is very unique and cannot be compared with the older stuff due to it being a new form of equipment. i/e 12 to 16 channel whole house amplifiers, SACD players, new schemes of circuit design in tube amplification and the like. I think a review should never be based on the quality of the writing..but the vibe of the feelings of the reviewer and the preceived association of the piece in it's place in audiophilia and commerce. Remember, reviews (from reviewers standpoints) are about a subjective experience that you share in order to help someone that wants or desires the same experience. I look at reviews as a tool (not from specific reviewers) to gain knowledge into the approximate value of procurement. Value is deemed prudent if the subject that is in the want or need mode, can save vast time (time is money for many of us..agreed?) and narrow down the choices baised on a good vibe and accuracy of the review. An example; is a review I gave of a product in which 20+ people (bought because of review) some (thru email) told me they purchased the product because my writings, were what they wanted in a product, some even purchased (admitted) to see if my review held water, and we are talking about a 14 watt amplifier that cost 2X a pair of Maggie 1.6's. Reviews are important tools. You can associate real world experiences through writings. To answer you questions, some people I have actually met on this board can write damn great reviews because they are honest and experienced and have a gift for writing; they choose not to be involved because "web speak" is set in stone for those to read 5 years later..if a company goes out of biz, the product has a short life (due to nature of some high end equipmenmt) expectation being designed around maxification principals, poor time skills in R&D, and simply the pains of finance to get product to market. A really really great product can get a great review, to become unavalable 6 months later due to poor planning or finance. Perhaps another company picks up the design and runs with it..and it may work. All of the above in this paragraph would deem the review inaccurate. As a reviewed, I also pick what I want to review..as what I would want to own. Hell, you get a few bucks off retail on the review piece...not as much as folks lead you to believe..but dealer cost is about right, you get to enjoy interaction with the piece, intimate interaction with the design staff, manufacture and otherwise. Why not do reviews?? I will admit..their is a huge difference between professional reviewers and reviewers that want to review for reviews sake. Professional reviewers: Have time to break-in the equipment..if they get a faulty piece..usually do not mention this because "shit happens". Get a wide audience..and plenty of feedback, which is healthy..(and should always be included in the rags)...which it is not if seldom. Get special accomadation as in show tickets, sometimes cocktails and food..(not much compensation there) \ Professional reviewers most importantly get paid. Salary..many do nice income levels and actually see perks..(I have not) I personally know of no full time reviewer that makes 6 digits...even with perks..it is not as lucritive as you think. What good does it do to have someone review (novice) a piece of equipment and say it sucks ass..if that person got a bad sample? Professional reviewers rarely get a bad sample..but mostly a tested unit... a good idea to send that unit to a pro. review DOA Eh? No manufactuer would think of it. IMMHO, Home reviews have way too many varables to be accurate (preferece, bias, fear of making a bad 10K choice, etc..) Review magazines have their rightful place as well..but take all reviews with a grain of salt. Some professional reviews are in the hemoglobin of (cannot see forest for the trees) and acually dismiss fine value for fine sound. Example is thinking a 20K price piece by virtue is better than a 5K piece. If 4 constiuants agree..man look at this thing, listen to it..I hear this and that.this must be the reference..since it is 20K, 30K, 50K, perhaps 150K! The reference is really a live recoring on a professional souce compared to consumer equipment. This is actually a bad test since consumer and professional equipment are designed around different standards of impedance, connection and frequency balance..not to mention dynamic intergrety. Best advice..read the reviews, if they peak intrest, audition the piece..check return policies and be happy with your new (or old) purchase. Use reviews to YOUR advantage. It has been a touchy subject..guidelines above should render it not a touchy subject..just listen and learn
Audio Asylum® Signature line: Hearing is believing.
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