"...and I don't take any advertiser money..."

I trust this guys opinion and how he conducts his very thorough reviews. 
http://erinsaudiocorner.com

@artistx 

Nice review site.  Thanks!

OK, I have to step in here as there are a lot of cynical misconceptions stated. I once sold audio gear, non-commissioned, but always looked to build repeat business. I was the #2 salesperson in the shop (behind the manager) because I knew what I was talking about and could help the customer find a system that fit his/her needs and budget.

For the past 30 years, I've been a reviewer, for whom, I won't say. I can't speak for all reviewers but I work to specific standards. Have I received freebies? Yes - a few, but mostly minor things such as low-to-mid--range phono cartridges. Do I get to keep the review gear forever? No - I work on a roughly two-month schedule and the gear always goes back. Do the manufacturers/distributors pay me for the reviews? No - I'm paid by the publication only. Must they advertise? No - Selection of the gear to review is strictly up to me. Do I take advantage of "accommodation pricing"? Yes - but not all my system gear was acquired that way. There's a fair amount I bought retail or used. Do I play favorites? No - If I get a piece in for review that just doesn't cut it, you never see the review. I won't waste my time or yours with a bad review. I stick to gear worth reviewing. 

Any questions/comment?

@realgoodsound 

Thank you for clarifying the money aspect of the manufacturer / reviewer relationship.

What about the information aspect? Reviewers sometimes appear to be repeating manufacturers' marketing materials or technical claims without too much scrutiny.

Here is a great example:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/bs-meter-is-pegged

If this can happen in Stereophile magazine... what is your take on what happened there? A reviewer unschooled in computer science, passing a manufacturer's claims along no matter how misleading / spurious?

Certainly no one expects hifi reviewers to be experts in each of the numerous fields of craft and science involved in the making of hifi gear.

But isn't it fair to expect reviewers to seek the advice of experts when their own expertise is lacking?

Also, isn't copy fact-checked before publication, especially at a respected publication like Stereophile?

Just curious about these things. The appearance of coziness between manufacturers, publications, and reviewers discredits everyone involved and casts doubt on the reviewed products.

Well, you invited comments

What are your thoughts? 

I don't deny I use manufacturer info in a description of the unit. But I attempt to verify or refute that within the actual review portion. In the case of speakers and electronics, the review unit is subjected to scientific tests by one or more of our people who is an expert, independent of what I write, so sometimes, there are disagreements. I may dislike a piece that measures beautifully or, conversely, I may like a piece whose measurements are lousy. In the published review, both sides are presented.

My reviews go through a two-step editing process. First, the editors scrutinize my copy and say, for instance, "What did you mean here? and the like. Then, my colleagues look over my reviews and often pose questions that I must answer in a rewrite. Believe me, the copy is run through the wringer.

When it comes to how I acquire review samples, my normal procedure is to contact the manufacturer or distributor directly. Often, if my request gets anywhere within in the organization, it's sent to their PR/Press rep. From smaller organizations, I may get a response from the company president. In a few cases, I've requested a review sample of something and been told the manufacturer doesn't want it reviewed (for whatever reason to which I'm not privy). 

Finally, I tend to steer clear of heavily digital equipment as, frankly, I'm an analog guy in a digital age. I leave those reviews to the colleagues who understand such minutiae. Give me a straightforward amplifier, turntable or speakers anytime.

Hope that answers your questions/comments and thanks!!