What do you expect a reviewers system to be


There has been quite a bit of discussion on reviewers systems, long term loans, favored purchase price etc.
but what do you expect your favorite reviewers system to be if he or she is to be taken seriously about the component under review. does the reviewers system have to be the same as yours. does it have to sound good, or should it be so detailed and etched that its not great fun to listen to, but you can sure tell the difference when a new component is substituted. if not the latter, then how can you tell if the new component just makes the system sound better, but may have aberrations of its own. And, if you demand the review have that detailed system, does he have to pay for it at retail so he can avoid criticism and have to listen to it all the time, or can he have another system he may enjoy more, or for which he got discount pricing.
Myself, I doubt that there are many full time reviewers who are independently wealthy and could afford. I'm ok with a reviewer using whatever system he likes to review a product, so long as he is familiar with that system so he can readily recognize changes, for better or worse. If thats a bose table radio,so be it. but what do you all think?
manitunc

Showing 2 responses by peterayer

I would like to see more reviews which make direct comparisons between a recently discontinued product with one that has just replaced it. So if a particular reviewer owns and has a lot of experience with a certain brand, then I would like to see that reviewer compare that brand's newest product with his current reference. This would really help those readers considering a particular upgrade within the same brand.

I think this could have more value than some other reviewer at the same magazine reviewing a brand he has little experience with.

The danger is that such a review might just say, buy the new one because it is newer, better and more expensive.
Not sure I agree. If a reviewer is reviewing a pair of speakers and he has three amps in rotation, then over time he can try all of the amps with those speakers and inform the reader about differences he may hear.

Same could happen with one tonearm and three cartridges.