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 6 responses by vicdamone

+1 Wolf. Did most of us just graduate from Romper Room? Professional reviewing is not a regulatory commission. It's a business to perpetuate the growth of its advertisers and with what little revenue thats left over, try and nurture the growth of new design with articles and interviews.

This industry is hanging on by its fingernails fueled only by providing better audio (not great) to the portable digital masses and the analog based elderly (people with long lived LP collections who can afford the ever improving equipment to play it on).

The only aspect of this hobby that isn't subjective is a warped record. And even then somebody might have a player that can still play it.

Stop whining, share what you actually know, and consider subscribing to something even if its just for the laughs.
["We, 'the elderly', don't have to have a point, since you've dismissed our value."}

Assuming my statement could easily have as many different meanings to as many different people reading it I apologize for any offensive tone it may have cultivated. This was not my intention.

I was simply making a quick (clumsy) reference to the predominance of older males who have spent a lifetime of collecting LP's who support a large portion of the analog segment of the audio industry. Dismissed their value, on the contrary, this demographic holds the lion's share of potential spending value in the analog segment.

Even though I'm 64 years old and I just enjoyed longboarding a beautiful glassy four foot swell this morning there's no hiding I'm elderly. Its possible I've offended some because I'm naturally proud of my bountiful age were others are grumpy for letting it get by, life's true dumb asses.

You're not one of those, are you?
Mt, ooo another better late than never parent. Coastal Cali native born with the ionized Pacific on shore, grumpy? Nah.

I have some ties in Encinitas. Rode some amazing, otherwise sleepy neighborhood breaks just South of Wind n Sea during a big Northwest a few winters back.

You're a lucky man.
Rrog, Jeezz, lighten up. Most people understand the relationship the audio press has with their advertisers and still find the periodicals entertaining.

What ever liberties you feel the audio press takes with their subjective opinions its far less damaging than the actions some politicians and corporations take that are not even held accountable for.
"foisted upon us" Lewm, excellent synonym usage. Certainly one to remember, thanks.