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Stereophile, no more bench tests????!!!!

Looks like Stereophile may be cutting back on expenses, no more bench testing for measurements and specs to keep the manufacturers and reviewers honest, it'll make you think twice on what to believe now, without the proof to back it up.

 

https://www.stereophile.com/content/mark-levinson-no534-power-amplifier

 

https://www.stereophile.com/content/music-round-91-parasound-halo-52

 

Cheers George


128x128georgehifi
michaelgreenaudio's avatar
michaelgreenaudio
643 posts
 

I think readers should also take into account the hobby of RTA is a hobby all on it's own. Whether it plays a big part in the hobby of listening to a soundstage or not sometimes is irrelevant. Keep in mind that a lot of guys who are in the RTA hobby challenge if soundstages are even real. Your not going to run out of RTA type forums and on-line presence just because Stereophile makes a publication decision.

The more discrete HEA shrinks (finding it's new identity), the more you are going to see parts of HEA go back to their original clans. Hopefully Stereophile can ease it's way back into the mainstream. For me, it's fun to watch it all happen in "real time".

Michael Green

www.michaelgreenaudio.net

browndt
83 posts
 
I agree that The Absolute Sound is a much better publication.  As an editor I can see that Stereophile suffers from poor layout and indexing of information. This is a sign of a failing publication. It lives for the adds.

Anyway any buyer should consult multiple sources before purchasing
a major product. Buyer reviews are very helpful. I wish Audiogon had more of them. I plan to post several this week. 
spotcheckbilly12345
29 posts
 
georgehifi,

You should be ashamed for posting this audio neurotic BS.

SB

rbstehno
916 posts
 
You can only hope that they remove them. IMO they are worthless. Good or bad measurements doesn’t tell you if the unit sounds good or bad. The manufacturers stats should tell you enough if it will fit into your system or satisfy your needs at the high level. You need to install the piece in your system in your room to know if you like it or not. I would never buy a piece of equipment from a reviewers comments or measurements.
How often do you investigate your new cars internals: compression on all cylinders, vacuum pressure, etc.. before buying it? Never! How often do you see these specs delivered in trade rags for $100,000 to multimillion $$$ cars? Never! My ears will tell me if I like the audio piece just like a test drive will tell me if I like the car
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
I find the measurements worth the price of admission.
When I see a $$$$$ amp with bad measurements...
Then the digital amp they preaised wit hthe crap waveform. All digititis all the way.
LOL
So yeah I like the specs tests.
As for the op of this thread, I call "Chicken Little’
The sky is falling the sky is falling..
Not.
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