One proverb of audiophilia is you MUST listen for yourself. If you only go by a review, or someone elses opinion, then you are about 50/50 chance of not liking it.
I have done it myself on a DAC. So i am no exception. i returned an expensive DAC as it was no better than my old DAC, in my system.
Also, different folks have different priorities. Some want certain parts of the sound perfect, and will allow others to be not so great with no comment. and natually, those parts are different for different folks.
Some reviewers should bother to tell the reader thier bias.
Like my bias is the upper frequencies. they have to be perfect, clean, clear, great tone... all else is less important to me than that. So if it is good, with a really great top end, i love it. If the upper frequencies are not there, no matter how perfect the rest, it sucks IMO.
And i hate any sort of bloat in the lower frequencies..
Perhaps this helps you understand.
Different folks listen for different stuff. and listening for yourself is EVERYTHING.
Bar that, just buy used, try it, and pass it on if it is not for you..
I have done it myself on a DAC. So i am no exception. i returned an expensive DAC as it was no better than my old DAC, in my system.
Also, different folks have different priorities. Some want certain parts of the sound perfect, and will allow others to be not so great with no comment. and natually, those parts are different for different folks.
Some reviewers should bother to tell the reader thier bias.
Like my bias is the upper frequencies. they have to be perfect, clean, clear, great tone... all else is less important to me than that. So if it is good, with a really great top end, i love it. If the upper frequencies are not there, no matter how perfect the rest, it sucks IMO.
And i hate any sort of bloat in the lower frequencies..
Perhaps this helps you understand.
Different folks listen for different stuff. and listening for yourself is EVERYTHING.
Bar that, just buy used, try it, and pass it on if it is not for you..