Audio Mags/A believer or skeptic?

I look at all of the pretty glossy pictures in the 'rags', then I read all of the reviews, then I check all of the internet sites for user comments, and when I've finished all of my research I decide I can't make a decision and go back to my fantasies. :-)

The more I listen, the more I marvel at how disparate our auditory perceptions must be. It is very rare to find products with universal acclaim or disdain, so I read everyone's comments with an open mind. As to mags, I've learned over the years which reviewers seem to hear things as I do and share my tastes. Sometimes research in mags, forums, and online publications turn me on to a great product. As often as not though, I'll leave a demo of a highly reviewed item wondering whether I or the reviewer is deaf. It's either that or synergy between components and room is a truly rare thing.

The magazines are useful for keeping up with new stuff, as long as you remember that half of it is vaporware. I usually scan John Atkinson's measurements, because they (unlike subjective reviews) are something I can't do for myself. And I subscribe to The Sensible Sound, because David Rich is now Technical Editor, and he has probably forgotten more about audio than Robert Harley will ever know.

As for pre-purchase research, it should be obvious that I don't put much stock (well, any, actually) in subjective reviews. I'll use measurements to identify worthy candidates, and then go audition for myself.

all audio equipment sounds great, and nothing is grossly overpriced........coming soon..THE TOP 10,000 RECOMENDED COMPONENTS

Over the years, I've lost interest in stereo mags like Absolute Sound and Stereophile. I enjoyed home stereo, car audio and home theater mags during the '70s, '80s and until the mid-'90s, but these days I find stereo mag reviews to be kinda vanilla. I get a lot more out of the Ben & Jerry's discussion on A'Gon by people paying hard earned cash for their gear.