New Stereophile format

What's the point of the vertical line between the first and second column of copy? . . . makes me think it's a different article.
Not much there in content, but certainly a buck's worth an issue . . . like who cares what stereo some celebrity has? Save it for People.
Lot of copy, though, on the self-produced CD's . . . ought to sell a few discs . . .

I started subscribing in the late 80's when it was a magazine (I prefered the smaller format, since it fit in a sportcoat pocket), when the format changed to the Mc Stereophile supersized, it was still a magazine, but in the last ten years it has shrunken to a pamphlet. I've gotten bigger tracts from street corner preachers telling me to repent.

I wish Stereophile would repent and start putting out a magazine again. There is nothing in it. I have never complained about overexposure of high or even obscenely priced gear, but I do complain that there are hardly any reviews left at all. Is it really that hard to come up with good content? There are people here on AudiogoN who have written reviews good enough to deserve publication somewhere. Or at least hanging up in a bathroom stall somewhere.

There are lot of people who cannot afford to buy a $14,000 amp new, who can buy the same amp for half price a couple of years later. So all of these reviews of expensive gear continue to have value for many years. People that whine about the reviews of high priced gear are simply shortsighted. Reviews of cheap gear might have a little value when the product is brand new, but not many people are interested in buying inexpensive gear used.

I liked the Audio Anarchist (for obvious reasons) a lot more than the ramblings of Sam Telligs vacations. Sam, get back to what you did best, I can listen to my wife rave about her Italian vacation.

I do like Mikies reviews, but I worry when there are no negetive reviews because I have a hard time believing they don't get any gear that does not sound good. I can understand that they worry about the destruction of a good company that employs honest hardworking American people, but there is enough gear out there that I do not consider worthy of purchase (MF in particular) and my level of exposure is far smaller than theirs.

Johnd, I think your point is excellent. After you brought it up, I realized that I also was getting lost in the too many columns.

Again, I like it overall. I think it feels more modern and slick. But, I would prefer a reduction in the number of columns and making it easier to follow are you pointed out.

Nrchy, I also agree with you. Stereophile has basically become the Dunkin' Donuts of audio. Dunkin' Donuts are actually mini doughnuts that a guy in the back pumps up with a bicycle pump to regulation size. After you've eaten one, you don't feel like you've eaten anything at all.

The writing is quite bland. Their coverage of their own show was less inspired than what was put forth by the Audiogon and Audio Asylum posters. Although, I read a good amount there, there was not much there there to quote Mr. Tellig. In my own lightweight show review, I felt we got to a much deeper level of discussion of sonics. And, as I pointed out, I purposely kept it very light.

Fremer is overdone these days. Sam is old and tired, probably just hanging on for the easy money, even if it isn't a lot, and all the gear being thrown his way to try. Art Dudley is the breath of fresh air, but the number of people who hate him and the niche gear he reviews should probably have a balance in an HP type who is commanding, demonstrative, and listens at 120 dB. I miss Chip Stern, as I felt he was the best "meat and potatoes" writer at Stereophile. Robert J. Reina's budget speaker reviews were fun for a while, but I am oh so tired of them now - they all read the same to me. Kal isn't as boring as he used to be, but I would predict he still hasn't gone on the motivational speaking tour and he doesn't review much gear these days. John Marks I appreciate. John Atkinson's reviews actually say something, but are too dry to keep me interested. This is too long a rant for one paragraph...

The verticle bar is a slight distraction. The thick horizontal bars in the middle of the page are down right stupid. It makes you think that its time to move back to the top of the page. Makes you slow down and figure out which way to go to continue with the article. I guess the guy/gal who came up with the new layout doesn't read much.

As for the content; too much high priced gear. How many $350K amps do the sell anyway? How about reviewing stuff in the $1k-$5k range that people can afford in todays economy. That we keep out the low budget mid-fi crap. It seems like the go from one extreme to the next. Like reviewing a $350k amp righ after reviewing a pair of $269 speakers. Now, if you hook up the cheap speakers to the solid gold mega-amp will you have a Class A Stereophile system?

I thought it was very interestin that Art's not-so-hot review of the Audioquest cables caused a 1+ page manufacturer's response in which they politely slam Art and his ability to understand and properly review their product. It must have caught them by off guard as they are so used to getting glowing reviews even when minute improvements cost big bucks.