A DAC that crushes price vs. performance ratio

Cleeds there is a major difference between a reviewer and a dealer.

A dealer has to spend his or her money to purchase display product, I don't know too many people that purchase products they hate sure a dealer is going to be biased to their products, as they choose them in the first place.

A reviewer has 0 skin in the game and many times gets the review product for free, I don't know about you but I would love to get a pair of $3,000 loudspeakers for free, or a $2,000 dac or a $90k turntable for a pitance of its retail price and so on.

Many reviwers will then sell the product they got for free and so it is to their best interest to promote said product to encourage a future sale.

It is sad but believe it many of those glowing reviews in the press may be colored by outside factors other than just the products merits.

The bigger mags and on line zines,TAS and Stereophile and Soundstage tend to be more reliable, but we do wonder how Mr. Fremmer managed to afford a $90k Caliburn turntable? 

The sad state of the review industry is how few products that are being discussed are being compared to their major competitors in the same price range, which is why we encourage people to visit their local dealers to actually listen to a variety of products that most dealers will have on display.

What is also distressing with these tiny companies with newly minted rave reviews is how stable is the product? Break downs, repairs, driver issues etc?

Cavet Emptor, the Emperor's often times new clothes have holes in them.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ

audiotroy

It is sad but believe it many of those glowing reviews in the press may be colored by outside factors other than just the products merits ... What is also distressing with these tiny companies with newly minted rave reviews is how stable is the product? ...

Audiogon's terms of use allow reviewers to post here just as they allow you - a dealer - to post here. It's just that simple. If you don't like it, your complaint should be directed to the moderators, not to me.

To address some of the concerns raised by Audio Doctor NJ:

1) As a professional reviewer I do get the industry peak at buying at a reduced price the piece of equipment I have evaluated.  However, for you to imply that I'm "on the take" or am beholden to any company is an attack on my honesty/integrity.  You have ever right to make this claim.  Anything I have ever written as a reviewer or GON member is based totally on how I hear what a piece of gear has to offer, not because someone is buying me off.

2) Your response to my opinion on this DAC reminds me of the same BS that was leveled at me regarding my review and GON posts on the great Tekton Design Speakers.  Companies, retail stores, and some owners of other gear hate when a competing product comes out for a lot less money then their's which is at least as good if not even a better performer.  I don't know what DACs you sell, but I'll bet you are not a Lab 12 retail dealer, therefore you have the personal interest to protect your sells, not me.

3) I had been a long time Gon member way before I got into reviewing.  I consider this my "home" to share and help/befriend other members looking for ways to improve the sound of their system.  My greatest pleasure is to share, through my reviews/posts killer performing/well built gear that cost pennies on the dollar compared to the "big boy" companies that can afford to advertise and inflate their prices to bizarre levels.  My role model for this is Sam Tellich, the Audio Cheapskate, who is now retired from professional reviewing.  It's been a joy to review and share information on Tekton Design, AricAudio, Linear Tube Audio, Backert Labs, all great people and gear for music lovers sold at sane prices for blue collar folks like me.  

@nonoise + others.  When the Lab12 Gordian achieves some wider market penetration, I think it may then be recognized as a true sleeper in the product category.

I left out one more comment that was leveled at me by the boys at the Audio Doctor NJ.

Since my review on the Double Impact Speakers there has been over seven five star reviews all over the place agreeing how terrific Eric Alexander's break through designs are and how they compete with anything on the market.  I guess I'm part of the "DARK WEB" conspiracy to get you and the president.