Amen,Tube groover! There is absolutely no reason to, after 20 years, develop an A+ rating. Unless you are pandering to the manufacturers who don't want to see the "Almight" recommended list down grade their product to clss B-C-E or, god for bid, not be listed. If a new product comes out that is so good that it is above the prior best then either the prior is down graded or deleted due to it no longer being a good value!
There new A+ has really compromised Stereophile's integrity, IMO.
Also, I don't let Stereophile make any chioces for me. I use it as a reference for equipment to listen to now so that later I can consider purchasing on the used market for reduced prices.
With the price of quality new stuff I can only afford quality used stuff, which I snatch up from those that have the new, must have, gee wiz products.