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Consumer-oriented...

>...good system, should be conveniently available at affordable prices to all.>

They are affordable much more today than ever before because of the 'trickle-down' of technology and computer-modeling.

You can buy a decent 2 channel starter system for say, $3000 today. People pay more than that for flat screen TVs.

>...a truly consumer-oriented audio publication would, in my view take a very different approach.>

Unless it was entertaining, it would not survive just covering audio equipment, regardless of its approach. There isn't a big enough market. Which is why Consumer Reports covers so many different items.

>A. ...I suggest including at least some reviews (and frank comparisons) of components of the same general type or "family.">

I agree - that's very useful and I don't know why it isn't done more often. Probably the closest is Bob Reina's inexpensive speaker reviews in Stereophile where he does extensive comparisons.

>C. As in wine reviews (which are as subjective and difficult as audio, or more so) information regarding the availability of a particular component and the history and reputation of the manufacturer would be helpful.>

You get this info about the audio manufacturers by reading reviews over the period of a few years.

I don't know where you read wine reviews that contain this info but my Wine Spectator only lists the number of cases produced.

>D. ...it would be helpful if there were a clear summary of the review at the beginning of such long-winded discussions.>

Just skip to the end - 'conclusions' section.

>E. If the mag were truly "consumer oriented", I think that more articles suggesting ways to improve and upgrade our audio systems would be appreciated.>

Some of these thing are interesting to a limited number of audiophiles which is why they appear in the magazines from time to time but not on a regular basis.

>F. Lastly, get off the "either or" - "you're for us or against us" syndrome regarding blind testing.>

Blind ABX-type testing is useless for equipment reviews. Its purpose is to determine if there is a 'difference' between two components - not to determine what the difference is. And many think they are unvalidated and useless for even that purpose.

One feature I would like to see is comments on a review by other reviewers. TAS used to do that and both magazine do it on a limited basis or in a follow-up, but reading a second opinion would really be useful for the consumer.


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