Beave, Stereophile has a completely different business model than Consumer Reports. For one thing, CR is a broad-based testing organization with a huge subscription base, and operates as non-profit that takes donations, like NPR. Stereophile is a niche magazine with a small subscription base, and not (intended to be :) ) a non-profit. In CR's annual report they mention subscription revenue of $222M for 2010, and contributions of over $17M. While CR doesn't accept ads and Stereophile does, I'm guessing their ad rates are relatively low because their circulation is small and their advertisers are typically small companies. I'd also guess that CR's revenue per subscriber is probably twice Stereophile's.
In good times I suspect Stereophile could afford some purchases for test, but my guess is that in 2011 not so much. Too bad, because the only reason why I subscribe is JA's testing.
In good times I suspect Stereophile could afford some purchases for test, but my guess is that in 2011 not so much. Too bad, because the only reason why I subscribe is JA's testing.