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When a Reviewer "likes" something

... what does that mean in your opinion. I read in one of the last Stereophile mags a comment from Mr. Atkinson where he wrote about the differences in "opinions" in forums or in printed mags. After all he ended with the argument, a component is good when a reviewer likes it.
Isn't is more helpful, when a reviewer knows something about a real tone reproduction? Or is it ok, when he used every month another CD or LP he got for free, a kind of music nearly no one wants to listen to?
Harry Pearson used in the 90's always the same records for his reviews but that was an exception I think.
What is it worth for you when - for example - Mr. Dudley/Fremer/Valin/HP .... "likes" something? Do you have the same "taste" they have?
I know it is possible to like a Turntable even when that unit can't hold the proper speed, or is extremely sensitive to any influences, there are endless recommendations written about such units...what is it worth for you?
Atkinson for example measures units, some have top datas but they can sound very boring, far away from the real thing, some have no top datas, some "tests" are shortened because a unit can reach a area which can be pretty dangerous (see one of the latest Agostino units, just as an example) but they are rated Class A in recommendations anyway....
When someone "knows" what is right or not, then his "liking" is only a personal opinion which is more or less uninteresting or?
Most customers (not all of course) would prefer to know what a unit is really able to do sonically, or not? Would knowledge destroy the joy of Hardware rolling? Or is there a reason why reviewers use low efficiency speakers when they have a tube amp for review (for example Lamm ML2.1/ML2.2 with Magico Speakers)? Is the matching "expensive + expensive" the proper way to show competence?
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Showing 1 response by paullb

paullb
142 posts
 
I agree that readers must take what they read with a grain of salt but it's also important to have realistic expectations. What did you expect from a review? Audio reviews aren't that much different than those for cars, movies or food. I can't tell which car I'd rather drive or guarantee that I will like a movie just by reading about it.

I think most reviewers are people of good faith. Though It certainly helps to get a measure of their likes, and dislikes and I think some are better than others. I still don't know what Art Dudley is talking about some of the times (some equipment plays notes, but others doesn't??) But I think he's honest. Bob Neil does a very good job of describing equipment and he's a dealer. I don't trust a word that comes out of Robert Harley's keyboard. Once I get a beat on reviewer, I can usually get some idea of how relevant their opinions are to me.

Audio has so many variables, cost so much money and is a bit of an obsession with many of us so we can fall prey to looking for easy answers but there aren't any. I enjoy it more when I don't worry too much about reviewers and such.
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