sq225917
Bit of this, bit of that
I'm with Tony Stereophile is the gold standard for me with in depth technical and subjective reviews presented together with neither taking priority over the other. When a product only gets a subjective review with them I know it's below par in some manner. Obviously the reviewers are given their own personal space to spout their fluff lines and for Fremer to advance those brands he takes an accommodation from, but it's still the standard for me.
The real problem with HIFI is simple. Once true high-fidelity reproduction was available for a few hundred quid in the late seventies/early eighties it was largely over in terms of sound quality barring the continued development of digital. It amazes me that it has taken hifi companies so long to realise that they are simply in a 'user interface and appearance arms race' with the computer industry and act accordingly- something brands like B&O and Bose realised decades ago.
The real problem with HIFI is simple. Once true high-fidelity reproduction was available for a few hundred quid in the late seventies/early eighties it was largely over in terms of sound quality barring the continued development of digital. It amazes me that it has taken hifi companies so long to realise that they are simply in a 'user interface and appearance arms race' with the computer industry and act accordingly- something brands like B&O and Bose realised decades ago.