Where in my post did I write that there is a "proper" way to purchase a product? I did not, and would not presume to tell you how to purhcase a component. The clear import of my post was that Stereophile has taken the position that auditioning a component is important in the purchase of a component. Whether you or I agree is not the point. The point is that Stereophile would then publish a magazine which is consistent with that point of view.
Sam Tellig may comment upon the existence of a product, as would a columnist discuss about conditions "heard" of in Sudan in expressing an opinion. But the columnist is not discussing something that a reader will purchase. The columnists role is only to inform, whereas the audio reviewer's role is not only to inform, but also to provide some information that you may find helpful in making a purchase.
I have no problem with Tellig mentioning the existence of a product. Mr. Fremer, on the other hand, is apparently not only expected to mention the existence of the Shelter cartridge, but also to apply a judgment to that product, to wit, it is the same as another cartridge, all without having seen the cartridge. You never answered my prior query - what if Mr. Fremer reports that the cartridges are the same, and they turn out not to be the same? Who gets blamed? If Crown Jewel then initiates legal action, I doubt you will be running to contribute to the Fremer legal defense fund. It is always easy to ask someone else to put their you-know-what on the line in print.
And if Mr. Fremer's motive was to prevent sales being taken from Crown Jewel, and if he lacks the ethics which many think he lacks, then why write about Shelter at all? Why not keep the green flowing into CJ's coffers? Part of the ruse, I guess.
So telling a purchaser to audition a product before purchase is silly? I thought that their allegiance was to the manufacturer? Why not just simply tell the reader to purchase the component, why bother listening? Why take the chance that someone will audition the product, then decide not to buy at all? Or another product?
Problem is that you can see the boogeyman in anything they write, which puts them in a no-win situation with some.
