Although Flo could have used more tact, he made some good points. Many of this sites "heroes" have gone on record here one time or another claiming there's no difference in CD players or cables, claiming Yamaha is as good as any preamp processor, claiming any difference heard between cheap and expensive gear is imagination, etc. And this is who you want to review equipment? It's no wonder this site is dead. It's these that chase most of the posters away. I'm not calling anyone out, you know who you are. Some mentioned here on the thread are deserved their respect and obviously others need their keyboards taken away.

Flo is correct in stating one has to have a reference point. All pro reviewers have a system they use as a reference and state that equipment in their review. If the heroes here use mass market receivers as a reference and refuse to concede that there is anything better, then what is the point in putting anything in their hands to review.

I don't knock anyone for having a receiver, I have had many myself in the past, but I knew there was better and as soon as I could afford better I progressed. The key here for me was not in the spending of more money but to have the hearing to discern the improvement and appreciation for better hi fi gear.

** It was not Pat I am referring to in my comment about a Yamaha receiver.