I got to agree with Dover. There are some posters of these types of inquiries are just plain lazy. How many Oppo BDP-95 questions do you see that have been addressed before. A search through the A'gon archives or using their favorite search engine could easily get that info. For me I will always search the archives first and then post.
As for the trusting of forum members vs. reviewers. I find it weird too and I read both. Sometimes I feel the reviewers may not be the most objective. Who knows if they have been paid off to write what they say.
Also I think these best of within $$$ threads start up because buy and try and sell if you don't like is getting tougher to do. People want to save themselves the hassle of that whole process, trim down their lists or get an idea.
As for the trusting of forum members vs. reviewers. I find it weird too and I read both. Sometimes I feel the reviewers may not be the most objective. Who knows if they have been paid off to write what they say.
Also I think these best of within $$$ threads start up because buy and try and sell if you don't like is getting tougher to do. People want to save themselves the hassle of that whole process, trim down their lists or get an idea.