jimjimbo Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 Got my first issues of Stereophile and The Absolute Sound last week, and, I won't be renewing my subscriptions. IMHO, the only content worth reading were the reviews of recently released music, or re-releases. The remainder of the issues seemed to be nothing more than showcases ("Come on down!!") for manufacturers of "high end" equipment. $200,000 turntable (really), $90,000 pre-amp, $2,000 headphone amp....and on, and on, and on..........I honestly didn't know what to expect when I ordered the subscriptions, so now I know I guess.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The History Kid Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 We have a chemistry professor at school that is a total audio buff. He passed along those audiophile magazines to me all the time - I eventually just got into the habit of smiling and then leaving them behind. Was never much worth reading in them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxx Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 (edited) IMHO, the only content worth reading were the reviews of recently released music, or re-releases. Kind of like flipping through Time Magazine looking for the "people in the news" section and the "obit's." Not much else worth reading. Edited September 29, 2014 by Boxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tube fanatic Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 (edited) Stereophile readers have at times questioned their frequent reviews of equipment which no normal person could possibly afford. In response, other readers have asked if those complaining ever read Car and Driver which, of course, reviews some fairly costly machinery. They then ask why they consider it acceptable to read reviews of cars which normal folks can't afford, but not audio equipment. The Stereophile editors' response is that it gives audiophiles something to aspire to (guess it's like looking at those $20 million houses on Home and Garden which someone buys as a weekend place). I like the magazine solely for Atkinson's technical measurements of the reviewed equipment. And I must say that he doesn't gloss over what he measures. If it's awful, he says so quite plainly (and it amazes me just how often what he measures is truly awful!). When we had a Border's store in the area I used to go over there and read TAS for free. It certainly wasn't worth paying for imo.Maynard Edited September 29, 2014 by tube fanatic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike stehr Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 The best audio magazines were from the '50's...for example, Radio-Electronics. All kinds of good stuff to read, plus DIY projects. And it catered more to folks without disposable income. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JL Sargent Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 The old Popular Mechanics were good magazines too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 All you need to do is sale one product and retire in Florida. I mean really silly. Even if had had the loot, I may not would buy one to impress myself. That sell just one strategy is spilling over into other market/products by the looks of it. Would ask for a discount to save a few thousand but hey, wouldn't want it to get out. Thanks for the reviews. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimjimbo Posted September 30, 2014 Author Share Posted September 30, 2014 It was quite disappointing to say the least. I certainly don't begrudge anyone who can afford to acquire many of the items I briefly looked at, but come on, there are many, many, many items at the other end of the spectrum that deserve a look, a listen, a review. Perhaps it was just those two particular issues, and I hope so, but I'll be interested to see what shows up in my mailbox in the next couple of months.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Warren Posted October 1, 2014 Share Posted October 1, 2014 (edited) Once upon a time, Stereophile tried to enlighten and educate. Like Eric Carmen says... Edited October 1, 2014 by John Warren Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyrc Posted October 1, 2014 Share Posted October 1, 2014 Stereo Review was O.K., and Audio was great! Neither catered to the very rich. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxx Posted October 1, 2014 Share Posted October 1, 2014 Not an audio magazine, but of great significance to me many years ago.... A guy could learn a lot by going through these pages.... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Full Range Posted October 1, 2014 Share Posted October 1, 2014 It's happening all the time now Journalists and reviewers just cut and paste a company press release and if they feel creative - just add some words of your own Definition of a press release is an advertisement that reads and sounds like an everyday conversation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakeydeal Posted October 1, 2014 Share Posted October 1, 2014 Nothing wrong with reading about the ultra fi. I can't afford it, but sometimes the benefits trickle down to lesser gear. Do you think most people buy Car and Driver to read the Prius reviews or the exotic car reviews? Shakey 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakeydeal Posted October 1, 2014 Share Posted October 1, 2014 Stereo Review was O.K., Stereo Review was a joke. Julian "of all the amplifiers I have ever heard, this is one of them", Hirsch could be comical at times though. Shakey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted October 1, 2014 Share Posted October 1, 2014 Nothing wrong with reading about the ultra fi. I can't afford it, but sometimes the benefits trickle down to lesser gear. Do you think most people buy Car and Driver to read the Prius reviews or the exotic car reviews? Shakey You have a point here. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mighty Favog Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 Have you ever read a bad review about a product in any of those magazines?? (sans anything from Bose if they'll even review it) .....I haven't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators dtel Posted October 2, 2014 Moderators Share Posted October 2, 2014 The cartoons were the best part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChuckAb3 Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 I've always read the reviews - especially the gushing, over-the-top ones - with a great suspicion that the item "reviewed" was going to remain in the reviewer's personal system gratis. That said, and assuming I'm right in some cases, I guess I'm not surprised at the companies for taking advantage, but I just don't trust the integrity of some reviewers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wstrickland1 Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 The cartoons were the best part. that was Hustler you dob 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxx Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 The cartoons were the best part. that was Hustler you dob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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