I agree 100% regarding ASR getting too much airtime, it’s lack of usefulness, and the awkward cultish pile on by its forum guests.
ASR’s refusal to listen to gear while making an “objective” approval or disapproval of a unit is absurdity.
I don’t have a lot of strong opinions in this gloriously fun and rich hobby. But I do as to ASR—If anyone is system building and on a journey please be extra careful in following ASR’s recommendations. While I don’t doubt that some of the gear it recommends probably sounds good too, yet we will miss out on so much the hobby has to offer if we make wholesale rejection of the products based on its alleged objective reviews