Stereophile, no more bench tests????!!!!


Looks like Stereophile may be cutting back on expenses, no more bench testing for measurements and specs to keep the manufacturers and reviewers honest, it'll make you think twice on what to believe now, without the proof to back it up.

 

https://www.stereophile.com/content/mark-levinson-no534-power-amplifier

 

https://www.stereophile.com/content/music-round-91-parasound-halo-52

 

Cheers George


georgehifi

Showing 1 response by rbstehno

You can only hope that they remove them. IMO they are worthless. Good or bad measurements doesn’t tell you if the unit sounds good or bad. The manufacturers stats should tell you enough if it will fit into your system or satisfy your needs at the high level. You need to install the piece in your system in your room to know if you like it or not. I would never buy a piece of equipment from a reviewers comments or measurements.
How often do you investigate your new cars internals: compression on all cylinders, vacuum pressure, etc.. before buying it? Never! How often do you see these specs delivered in trade rags for $100,000 to multimillion $$$ cars? Never! My ears will tell me if I like the audio piece just like a test drive will tell me if I like the car