Audiogon/Asylum and magazine reviewers posts

Swingman, thanks for the kind words.

I have not checked out the book, but can tell from your enthusiasm that it is definitely a must read. My reading has more or less been limited to Gourmet magazine, and my cookbooks. I have slowed down in my purchases of cookbooks over the past couple of years due to the good fortune of basically finding any recipe on the internet.

However, there is one recipe that I have never been able to find, chicken nin~on(sorry for the lousy representation, pronunciation is neen - yon). A French dish of chicken, in a broth with cream, mushrooms, white wine, etc. My mother used to make it for me as a child, and it was out of this world. Unfortunately, I have not had it since, and have never come across the recipe. If you or anyone was able to help out, I would be eternally endebted.

I agree with Tireguy. I do check in at AudioAsylum, but am not enamored with the layout of the site.

Yes, the discussion there is often detailed, but the layout of the site makes it much harder to keep the thread in the forefront for more than a day or two. You have to go back to the date the thread was created. Maybe this sounds trivial, but it is not as good as how this site is laid out.

If someone tries to knock either the discussion here, or the members, I will take issue with them. I can drop 10 names off the top of my head of people who really know what they are talking about here. Albert Porter, Asa, Brulee, Carl_eber, Dekay, Eldragon, Jcbtubes, Megasam, Natalie, Sdcampbell, Swampwalker, Sugrabrie, Tireguy, Tubegroover, Vtvu, the list goes on.

In my opinion, aside from the layout, the discussion here is also more to my liking. I enjoy tech talk, but I also like to read someone's opinions. The discussion here is much more well written. Very often, members here will write quite a well thought out post. The length of the post shows the thought, experience, dedication, and passion of the person. I just do not see that on Audio Asylum.

Perhaps, the writers at Stereophile feel threatened by those on Audiogon. I mean, basically anyone I listed above is more than capable of displacing any Stereophile reviewer. Are they intimidated?

No, we don't have Sam Tellig here. But, his contributions to AA are on the same level as the content of his articles in recent years. 9 times out of 10, his posts on AA are just a title, with no text(NT).

As far as Kalman Rubinson goes, I am happy he doesn't frequent here. It would only get me into disagreements with him. His writing style is definitely the most boring and dry I have ever come across in an audio magazine. And, judging from most of his reviews, we disagree in taste as well.

I do have to defend Kal in terms of the NYC HiFi Show, however. I saw him all over the place, and he seemed to be quite gracious to the people he ran into. I didn't introduce myself, as I am no fan of his articles. But, I must admit, he seemed to me to be a gentleman. Of course, others have stated that he was a boor, so I cannot comment on that.

I also saw Fremer more than once, and he looked like a real sourpuss. But, that might just be the way he looks.

Zaikesman, I think that your opinion was very well stated. From what I have seen, you are an intelligent, well written audiophile.

And, that is simply my point.

I would have to include you in my list.

While I respect your post greatly, I do disagree. I do not hold that the reviewers of Stereophile are in their position because they are the best at what they do. In my opinion, their position is a result of many factors. Love for audio/music, education, determination in following the path of being an audio reviewer, etc. Ability to write well, organize thought, develop the tools required for the job, etc. are skills that I believe many on this site have. And, as important as anything in life, some of it is fate/luck. Yes, luck.

One trivial example about this type of thing happening every day in life I have is about great high school friend of mine. Mickey Pergine. He was the quarterback on my high school football team. He came from a long line of quarterbacks, his uncle is John Pergine, who was a star at Notre Dame I believe. Mickey was one heck of a quarterback. A cannon for an arm, fearless in battle, the unique ability to make the right decision in the heat of the moment, 6'3" - 210 lbs. He was a Philadelphia Inquirer choice for All Area QB.

So why does no one on this site besides me know who he is? Well, Mickey wasn't the best of students. And, he kind of liked to have fun. Too much fun. Somehow, somewhere, along the way, all that he was the prototype for never materialized. Instead of talking of him in the company of QBs that came out of this area, Rich Gannon, Matt Blundin, Steve Bono, and Glenn Foley, he is just some obscure person I am using in my trivial example.

I am the first to admit I review the reviewers. I critique the critics. This is a hobby that I love. Stereophile is a magazine that I love. I have been a more or less loyal supporter/subscriber since 1987. I put my money where my mouth is. My current round of being a subscriber began in 1998, and is paid for until 2005. In my mind, I have earned the right to say what is right with the magazine. And, also, what is wrong with the magazine.

I have a very low tolerance for incompetance at what is the paragon of our hobby. I do not genuflect at a reviewer. I am upset when Michael Fremer does not have a balanced interconnect. I am dumbfounded when he expresses surprise that an Audio Research power amp is bright or forward. I complain that John Atkinson is a slave to his measurements. I do not understand how tube equipment is not a part of the ancillary components he uses to evaluate audio components. I wonder how Sam Tellig can describe the sound of a component if he evaluates it in a very small context(both system and music). I am amazed that the only piece of equipment that Jonathan Scull reviewed with a non - stratospheric price was lynched. I wonder how Kalman Rubinson can use a 1988 Pioneer PD-7100 CD player as reference equipment. I fall asleep when I read a review of his that robs every ounce of passion that this hobby fires within me, making a review sometimes feel like reading a legal docuement or textbook. I complain when people who make their living, and are held us as THE experts, make fundamental mistakes in terms of perhaps the most important aspects of audio, room interface with the system, and system synergy.

I guess me noticing these things is heightened when I read some of the insightful threads on Audiogon. As far as people not measuring up to the official reviewers, if they are anything like me, a great deal of their posts are hammered out during lulls in the action at work, or at home. I often use Audiogon, for better or worse, as a means to turn to something when I need a break.

I remain steadfast in my belief that no one at the magazines is indespensible, including Jonathan Scull, and that there are many here among us who could get the job done.

Another sterling post, as usual, Zaikesman.

This time we agree almost uniformly(see below). Especially, in the area of the grind eroding the love of the hobby. In my own life, I live with this very same thing. Perhaps the only topic on the same level as audio to me is food. I love to eat, but love cooking maybe even more. Since I was a child, my family and friends have pushed me to get in the field, and eventually open a restaurant. I have standing job offers, and even financial backing. My reason for not doing so is just as you mentioned. I would never want my passion to become its own worst enemy, a job.

The one premise I have to disagree with you on is your opinion that you wouldn't make a fine reviewer.

Have a great day!
Joe