What would make HiFi Reviews (more) useful?

[E-Stat]

Objective versus Subjective?

Wrong comparison. It is "objective" vs. "observational". To observe that a condition exists exists involves no subjectivity. Subjectivity occurs afterwards in either case with a judgment regarding that change. Two people can agree completely on a difference and yet arrive at different conclusions. I've known two prominent reviewers for decades and sometimes disagree with either as to the subjective side of what I find best - having heard exactly the same things.

You just ran test measurements and recommended whatever measured best...

Those of us who do remember that approach by Len Feldman and Julian Hirsch recall how utterly useless they were to convey any useful knowledge as opposed to information.

Reviews based solely on Listening to the equipment are open to sighted bias.

Unfortunately, the alternative is to employ switch boxes which using their common grounds (or cause horrible switching thumps) end up comparing both components to both. Theory and reality do not converge. As with cables, many attempt to look at the audible effect of the box in a vacuum and assume their impact while in circuit is identical - when it is not. When you examine their electrical effect in the system, however, you find a different situation. Frank Van Alstine pointed this out long ago.

But can someone who buys a product for 40% or 50% of MSRP, give a credible opinion on its value for money?

In the comparative sense, sure. Remember too that reviewers (and store employees) can get any component at accommodation (I've purchased a couple myself that way), so it is a level field when comparing one to another.

I think TAS should return to its roots with the approach HP took long ago before he had to turn the reins over to new management.

rw

[Ajani]

Wrong comparison. It is "objective" vs. "observational". To observe that a condition exists exists involves no subjectivity. Subjectivity occurs afterwards in either case with a judgment regarding that change. Two people can agree completely on a difference and yet arrive at different conclusions. I've known two prominent reviewers for decades and sometimes disagree with either as to the subjective side of what I find best - having heard exactly the same things.

That's a good clarification... I actually had to read your point twice for it to really sink in (hopefully I was just really tired when I first read it)...

Those of us who do remember that approach by Len Feldman and Julian Hirsch recall how utterly useless they were to convey any useful knowledge as opposed to information.

I never read their reviews, but I can imagine how worthless it would be to try and buy a stereo based on just the test measurements in Stereophile (for example)... As informative as measurements are, I can't see how they can be used in isolation...

In the comparative sense, sure. Remember too that reviewers (and store employees) can get any component at accommodation (I've purchased a couple myself that way), so it is a level field when comparing one to another.

I think TAS should return to its roots with the approach HP took long ago before he had to turn the reins over to new management.

rw

Certainly, comparatively between products of the same price... but between products of different prices, the comparison gets skewered...

The difference between a $3K amp and a $1K (at accommodation) in terms of percentages, is the same as the difference between a $9K and a $3K amp (at retail)... but while someone may be willing to accept the difference ($2K) in the first instance, the difference ($6K) in the second situation, for the same amps, might be totally unacceptable...

[E-Stat]

That's a good clarification... I actually had to read your point twice for it to really sink in

I think it is a significant difference. For anyone who has extended experience with live, unamplified music, one can reliably identify differences in the signal chain.

I never read their reviews, but I can imagine how worthless it would be to try and buy a stereo based on just the test measurements ... but between products of different prices, the comparison gets skewered...

Certainly. Reviews are only designed to assist you in narrowing down the choices for you to audition. While I have not had (and will likely never have) the budget for the very best, I have found it extremely useful to understand what is possible for evaluating the components that I buy for myself. I bought my GamuT CD-1 nine years ago after hearing it directly compared with the magnificent $57k Burmester 969/970 transport/DAC combination on a finely tuned quarter of a million dollar system. Was the Burmester system better? You betcha! While I was pulling for the little guy since I was in the market, it beat the GamuT at both frequency extremes and offered better overall resolution. Were the differences, however, worth the 20x multiplier? Not to me!

As I have always been counseled by my mentors, you must make the choices for yourself based upon your priorities and budget. With sources, I have rarely disagreed with the assessments of my reviewer friends. On the other hand, I have frequently differed in my choice of speaker.

rw