Hi Nasa - this should be an interesting thread. Let me start first with - I think all of the reviewers try and do a good, unbiased job in reviewing equipment. Problem is - with the exception of Fremer and Dudley, the rest of the reviewers are very inconsistent with the sort of sound that they like. Couple that with trying to review components that are integrated into a system whose components are not all that familiar to most readers, with cables that are not all that familiar to most readers, and in a room( and with AC) that is not at all familiar with any of the readers and you start to get the idea that this IS a tough job. They do the very best that they can.
Now they get together twice a year and "vote" on components reviewed by other reviewers and rank them based on the other reviewers ratings. With all of that in mind, the component that "they" might rank as Class B might really perform better than other Class A rated components in some systems ( with other rooms, power, cables, and associated equipment - not to mention EARS). Would I buy a piece of equipment based on their ratings alone - NO. Is there often a really blurred line between a Class A rating and a Class B rating - absolutely. Trust your ears, your room, your system, and the type of music you listen to in order to determine the sonic merits of a piece of equipment ( or cable, etc). Use Stereophile's ratings for what they are intended to do - making up a short list for components that you might want to audition when you are considering an upgrade. Just my $0.02
Now they get together twice a year and "vote" on components reviewed by other reviewers and rank them based on the other reviewers ratings. With all of that in mind, the component that "they" might rank as Class B might really perform better than other Class A rated components in some systems ( with other rooms, power, cables, and associated equipment - not to mention EARS). Would I buy a piece of equipment based on their ratings alone - NO. Is there often a really blurred line between a Class A rating and a Class B rating - absolutely. Trust your ears, your room, your system, and the type of music you listen to in order to determine the sonic merits of a piece of equipment ( or cable, etc). Use Stereophile's ratings for what they are intended to do - making up a short list for components that you might want to audition when you are considering an upgrade. Just my $0.02