Quote Originally Posted by JohnMichael
I find it interesting that British magazines can rate the same equipment so differently. One may rave, another might think it is okay for the money and the last not recommended it. I think we all have different sonic priorities.
That's a good point, I can think of two products with very different reviews in HiFi Choice and What HiFi?

Monitor Audio RS6 were raved about and made speaker of the year back in 05 by What HiFi but were not recommended in their HiFi Choice review (interestingly enough, HiFi Choice later recommended the RS8).

Cambridge Audio 840A version 1 - Raved about by HiFi Choice but only given 3 stars by What HiFi?

Quote Originally Posted by JohnMichael
I have not heard a NAD component in too long a time to comment. I have also not heard the Marantz integrated amps but love the SA8001. I think they have a way with cd players. The CD5001 is a great budget player which I also own. I think the cd players draw a lot of attention and that may be why the int. amps are overlooked. There are integrated amps such as the Onkyo A-9555 which drew press for being a Class D design and sounds better than it's budget price might indicate. I think that novelty drew attention from some products that are good such as the Marantz int. amp. I think budget equipment is easily overlooked without some novel feature or like NAD a strong history of value for the dollar.
I can understand Marantz amps being overshadowed by their CD players, but even so I'm really suprised that I can't find even one review.... I thought manufacturers tended to send matching components to be reviewed together (well I see a lot of that in the British reviews anyway)...