Having just purchased the Adcom Stereophile "class A" preamp BASED ON CLASS A ALONE!! I want to respond. I NEVER was able to listen to the preamp anywhere within 50 miles and the dealer (a "Crazy Lenny" type... $999.95) had one in stock unopened, unavailable to even look at the item! Normally they didn't stock it but (I had asked if they could six mo's prior and 'no way'...) So I went for the thing. Now I would NEVER buy speakers that way... BUT! the Stereophile rating of class A for a $1000 preamp is very unusual, most are $3,000 plus.... So not all the components are rated by "low price can't be class A"... Also for those in remote locales... to audition a bunch of stuff is a major soul sucking undertaking needing a lot of time and cash, or a trust in a dealer to help choose... So ease up on the poor smucks who use the Stereophile ratings to help them learn what's out there... (vs daily drives hundreds of miles to audition dozens of things in different systems in different rooms etc.. or buying dozens of things to find the perfect one and selling the rest here!!) And I agree Stereophile is moving downhill, and Absolute Sound is on the rise again, But I remember when AS was the best and then fell like a meteor, and Stereophile became a real gem...
Wrong direction?
The few "threads" back, a young man was inquiring about class "A" amp. And of course, most of the responses were in regard to class "A" amplifier, also understood by myself as such. Later, the same individual mentioned if able to "...find amp like that, he would further look for class "A" speakers!" Class A speakers? Well, i was wondering what could that be?...For a second i realized that he is referring to a Stereophile grading of the audio equipment! While i have and will be guilty of buying the audio products, unheard, i sure didn't base my decisions on one reviewer opinion or another! Stereophile sale doubles, and sometimes triples during the months of October, and April. "Recommended components" run those months. And the biggest offender, i think, is What HIFI, which reminds of audio "Swap Meet" periodical, with their little flags of "Best buy", or "component of choice" etc, etc...! Stereophile rates their components in class A, B, C and on.... Let see,... between class A and B, what was the determine factor to place the certain product to one or another? Room, cables...mood? So many variables, and controlled and uncontrolled events to "make or brake" one company, or sway one potential customer from buying the pre-amp, that he thought and felt was the ONE. But just changing his mind to purchase another, which was graded one STAR higher! I think, the magazines would be doing the consumer a favor, if those ratings and grading are eliminated. Let the consumer to decide! Especially audio components.
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- 26 posts total
- 26 posts total