Best reviewers

Also, I'm surprised, given the nature of this forum, that no one mentioned Verdi's Falstaff (based on yet another of Will's plays, The Merry Wives of Windsor, in which the character appears). Falstaff is in my view Verdi's greatest work. You will note, Mr eber, that he is also quite pompous, as are you.

I believe that there are contradictions in all people, if this is in fact a contradiction. Star Wars is referred to be a great many people as science fiction for the rest of us. I have come across no science fiction enjoyable to me, other than the Star Wars series. I have found everything else to utterly BORE me(among other things). NO apologies. Being that you cannot stand people who cannot stand science fiction, then you cannot stand me. That does not(and CANNOT) hurt me at all. I love all of the things you list about Star Wars. And while you go making statements about me philosophically(ant in an anthill), you ought to give thought to what it requires to really understand what another person is about(which is not possible from what I or anyone else offers on this site). If you refer back to Episode 1, one of the two Trade Federation pawns(Nute Gunray or whatever his name was) did specicifically address the later to be Emperor as Darth Sidious. I also share your leanings towards what will later transpire. Although, I have read in Newsweek that a potential plot is that Anakin's mom gets wacked, and it's at the hand of a Jedi. In one of those "official" books that explain the characters, etc. of the original trilogy, the Darth Vader "life support system" is explained as being necessary due to him falling into a pit of molten something during a fight with his former master, Obi Wan Kenobi. We'll see. I know I can't wait.

Well I haven't kept up to date on the Star Wars double Trilogy (sexology?) For pure synthesis can anything beat The Hobbitt and "Lord of the Rings"? A true world unto itself and the granddaddy of this genre of science fiction, language and the timeless plight of good" versus evil". And for any of you Led Zepplin fans a few of their early songs revolved around characters from these timeless pieces of literature.

First off, you are all wrong. Falstaff is A BEER, dammit! A character in a play? God, what sacrilege will be visited upon us next! As a life-long sci-fi afficianado I have to agree with Tubegroover, though Tolkein's works were more fantasy- than science-fiction. For me Herbert (Dune series), Heinlein (Starship Trooper, Stranger in a Strange Land and the Lazarus Long novels), Farmer (Riverworld and World of Tiers series) are tops. Interestingly, though generally not a big fan of the writer, Stephen King's "The Stand" is a classic good vs. evil story. It's one of the few novels brought to any screen where the true essence of the story was captured in its entirety. And it was made for TV of all media!

"The Shining" is the only King movie I care for (and I loved The Simpson's lampoon of it, called "The Shinning"). I haven't liked any of the tv miniseries based on King's work. If you are an SF fan, you shouldn't miss Asimov's Foundation series, and much of Larry Niven's work (he's Tom Clancy's favorite sf author).

Trelja, if that's correct, then I am wrong, and you are right. I saw the movie several times, but the sound was never up to "Jurassic Park" standards (EP 1's sound was a major disappointment for me), so I likely couldn't understand those words, if indeed they were uttered (on several of these occasions, the soundtrack was indeed DTS, but it still was sub-par by a mile!)..................However, here's something that has troubled me: if Senator Palpatine and Darth Sideous are the same guy, then how can the Senator be both human, and Sith? They refer to them as a "race", implying that they aren't human. Darth Sideous looks like an old man (every bit as old as he does as Emperor in 5 and 6), and the Senator looks middle aged. How can this be? I've debated this with others, who always seem to favor the "simplest is best" explanation...namely that it doesn't matter that they look different, they're still the same guy (I still am not convinced). Seems like it's too big a mistake to not be on purpose. And, I still think it's the death of Amadala that will be the final straw, though I have no doubt that Anakin's mom will definitely get "wacked" in Ep 2...probably by two thugs from the planet "Jersey-tooine", when she doesn't get square with her gambling debts...

All valid points Carl. Perhaps that's why we so look forward to the next movie. I have been feeling these things since Episode 4(1977?), always so many unanswered questions. As soon as you leave the movie, you are already are monstrously craving the next. It must be analogous to the way people get hooked on something. Maybe this is why I haven't gotten into any other science fiction. Not only sci-fi, but almost everything else in tv, movies, etc. never gives me that feeling. I do remember that Hill Street Blues had me hating that the show had ended every week. Many people feel this way about soap operas, but I don't have time for them. Thanks for your perspectives, you DEFINITELY planted more seeds in my head. Can't wait till Episode 2!

Trelja, you are too kind. Tell me this: if the movie will be finished in 2001, why must they wait until summer 2002 to release it? I hear that few movies will be made starting spring 2001, another actor's strike or some such nonsense, and so it seems like they shouldn't wait so long to release a time-tested product.

Gentlemen, this post has clearly degenerated. But i'll throw my two cents anyway. Nothing tops LOTR (Lord of the Rings). Star Wars is OK, but it is commercial fare. Comparing it to LOTR is like comparing a Big Mac with dinner at Taillevent in Paris (though I acknowledge I sometimes crave for a Big Mac, and nothing else will do).

I submit that you just don't get Star Wars, and there's nothing degenerate about it, nor is it simply "commercial fare". It is a generational phenomenon and spectacle. So-called "baby boomers" "just don't get it", and they don't need to get it, we don't need them to get it, nor do we care if they ever get it. Lord of the Rings is fantasy, not science fiction, and it didn't have the effect that Star Wars has had. History is proof of that. If you want to talk works of fiction, "Gone With the Wind", the novel and the movie, had far more impact than Lord of the Rings could ever hope to have...and it's still eclipsed by Star Wars. You can knock it all you like...

The Best reveiwer would be one whose ONLY payment would be from the magazine at a price per article. The ideal reveiwer wouldn't recieve FREE or discounted product from manufacturers in exchange for a good reveiw. The ideal reveiwer wouldn't be seen selling mega dollar components 6 months after a, "This is the best thing in the World" reveiw. The ideal magazine wouldn't rely on advertising dollars to keep afloat. A magazine without politics. A magazine of truths.

The ideal magazine would be so pure, that if the reader had ever done anything less than perfect in his life, he would be smited from the earth as he read those most holy words, so perfect that no one anywhere would be worthy of reading them, instead it only condemns them to eternal torment. What a page-turner it would be, I am salivating!

Hey Carl don't get me wrong I LOVED the Star Wars Trilogy. Just haven't seen the last one. As far as film goes it's tough to beat. Wonderful story well told. I don't think for a minute that Lord of the Rings would translate as well to film neither would "Stranger in a Strange Land" which is my favorite sci-fi book to date, quite religious in its overtones. But then again I haven't read a good Sci-fi book in a while. Hear the Dune series is great. Sorry Fpeel I stand corrected. The Tolkein books are indeed fantasy. What is so absolutely amazing to me about them is the language created. It was quite an experience when I read these books almost 30 years ago and they stand out to me as among the great works of literature of the 20th Century. Star Wars I agree is a cultural phenomenom and Carl I assure you, it's appeal isn't limited to the Xers. As a matter of fact I was still in my 20's when Star Wars was first released in 1977 and btw what does any of this have to do with music. Oh yeah, I love the Williams score.

Start another thread if you don't like where this one has gone. I'm stream of consciousness oriented sometimes, so why criticize me just for getting sidetracked a little bit? Is this a thought controlled forum? Music isn't the only thing we discuss on this site anyway, or there wouldn't be so many threads where people discuss power cords, and not just any, but the "best"...only the "best" will do!!.....Also, I submit that "love" is too strong a word for you, if you haven't seen the most recent episode in the more than a year and a half since its release. "Casual enjoyment" might be more accurate. Also, I assure you that there are very few non-xers that "get Star Wars", basically because they don't need to, IMO.

One thing that I just recalled was that I read Darth Sidious is not actually a Sith. He was raised by the Sith. Darth Maul is an actual Sith. Maybe I should go back to some of this stuff. I used to go to a website(when the anticipation of Episode 1 was at its height) that really took this stuff seriously. I wonder how Lucas felt about them. As they had biographies on literally countless Jedi, from the thousand generations. Replete with all of the feuds, battles, accomplishments. Quite detailed, and fascinating. I presume they make this stuff up? I don't believe that it was liscensed. But, maybe so long as the content is good, the officials are OK with it. Less for them to write later...

Yes, that could be true alright. That actually makes sense.

Wow, did this get weird--I don't even know where to begin, so I'll go back to the beginning. Have always like Robert Harley because he is concise and logical, have come to like Michael Fremer, because he is right (mostly) about the virtues of vinyl, and can't stomach another Johnathan Scull with his endless 'cult of personality' prattle about J-10, K-10 and the Ribbon Chair. I read his reviews ONLY to see if he can somehow restrain himself from mentioning this precious ass cradle. Hasn't happened yet!

I am also revolted by J10's self-centeredness. Actually a lot of bloated-egophile reviewers regularly post on AudioAsylum, where you can verify what is being said here. Some equally egotistic equipment manufacturers and designers do to. And if I may, I will add to the list of reviewers I do not admire Mr Tom Gillet, a.k.a. Sam Tellig. His reviews usually read like "Special Advertising Sections". They are either intentionally skewed or unintentionally unconvincing.

Does anybody like e.e.Cummings?

I respect Holt and Pearson the most. Holt is the best, period! He is humble, honest, and straightforward. He has good listening skills, good music taste with good insight and perspective from an average audiophile's point of view. My next favorite is HP and not for the same reason I like Holt. Harry is Harry and that's ok. He has a point of view that is very consistent and has really contributed to our audiophile language in being able to describe what he is hearing. I give him credit also for keeping S.O.T.A. system over a period of time. He compares equipment against his reference so therefore you know where Harry's listening reference is. Many other reviewers don't own complete systems and just rotate equipment under review and operate from memory on past components. Reviewers I always try to read first are Jonaton Valin (good taste and always music tips), Mike Fremer (analog city), Anthony Cordesman (objective with solid comparisons), Sam Telieg (funny, but I am sure misleads first time buyers with each article praising a new piece of equipment). There is wider group of reviewers that Wayne Donnelly (fair), Wayne Garcia (value point/fair) Ken Kessler (he tries) that are examples that most of our reviewers are trying to communicate some information to us that will be useful. So by knowing your own musicall preferences you can get a lot of useful information in Audiophile Magazines. Its just another source of opinions use it to what extent you want to, but always make your own choices. There are articles/writers that I find are a wasted of time. There's a category of reviewers that constantly praise the latest edition from the same manufactures regardless of component's true sonic characteristics. Jonaton Skull's gives me that uneasy feeling most of the time. There's a couple I dislike period. Michael Gindi's PHD (Ultimate Sound), Mike Tres review's (Listner) are full on delusions of grandeur and the absolute worst ration of bullshit to useful information written.

Gerry writes: <> Excuse me but it's Ultimate Audio magazine.

Myles should know "Ultimate Audio". My mistake - sorry. I also appreciated that he didn't slam me because of my opinion and just read it for what it is worth, just opinion.

Gerry writes: Myles should know "Ultimate Audio". My mistake - sorry. I also appreciated that he didn't slam me because of my opinion and just read it for what it is worth, just opinion. Gerry: Everyone's welcome to their opinion of the mags ;-) Obviously, every reviewer has their cadre of readers. Myles B. Astor

Corry Greenburg Nuff Said

Martin from Bound for Sound.No add $ to prostitute him.Unlike the rest of them out there.

Michael Fremer tells like it is without all the B.S. embellishment. Too many reviewers write about products as if they just met god.

Hasnt anyone mentioned Martin Colloms???? Honorable mention to JA and REG, but come on.

Art Dudley of Listener. No audiophile mumbo jumbo. When I first started reading his mag I was really offended with the cutting down of high end audiophile equipment. But after a few years of reading him I think he is right on about musicality vs. high end trickery. I've heard many pieces of equipment the main stream press is crazy over because its list of audiophile attributes but is not musical. Art is always talking about drive and rhythm and if a given piece does't have either of these who cares about sound stage, frequency extreams, or any other things most reviewers go on about.

Wes Phillips. Great ears, good taste in music and no B.S.!

Resurrecting this thread after nearly 20 years. 
Having just read a series of about two dozen reviews for products I’m interested in spanning the past ten years, I feel that Roy Gregory stands out among reviewers over the last 10 year time period. 
Not only beautiful writing style, but a depth of analysis that puts most others to shame. 

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