Mainstream reviews-why so few?

11-25-06: Bartokfan
The mags are fed by ceratin brands ad $'s and are rewarded with
glowing reviews and hype. Most of that stuff highly praised in the mags
have never held up to any such claims in my experiences.
If its advertized I'm not interested.

Do you drive? What brand? If one follows your logic, you will not drive
any auto brand that advertises in auto mags because surely the mags
give rave reviews to the manufacturers that advertise. So, let's count out
Acura, BMW, Cadillac, Chevy, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Hundai,
Infinity, Jaguar, Lexus, Kia, Mercedes, Saturn, Toyota, Nissan, Saab,
Volvo.

What a nonsensical and unfounded argument.

Beyond that, to refuse all components by manufacturers who advertise is
to eliminate from consideration much of the finest audio equipment
available, thereby restricting the potential of your audio
experience.

BTW, on page 166 of the current issue of Stereophile is an ad from VAS
Audio, the exclusive distributor of Cayin Electronics. The ad features a
photo of the Model A-88T integrated amplifier and it mentions the Cayin A-88T's selection as a 2006 Stereophile Editor's Pick.

Does this mean Cayin is off your list?

Marco, Bartokfan wrote that he will not consider any audio product that is advertised in an audio magazine that reviews equipment. Period. His blanket statement stands on its own and is fundamentally different from your example of boutique audio companies who cannot afford to advertise. I will admit my auto example was extreme, but it was made to emphasize the point.

Other than the cost to place an ad, what's the difference between advertising on the pages of a review magazine or advertising on the webpage of an eZine that reviews gear? The premise of Bartokfan's resistance is the same in either scenario.

Has anyone considered the possibility that some manufacturers advertise AFTER one of their products has been positively reviewed? This makes common business sense to me, and one manufacturer that comes to mind is Channel Islands Audio. I don't recall if Dusty Vawter ever placed an ad after the positive reviews he has received, but this would be an illustrative example.