Hificritic.com

quote:

I do agree with the view that people who spend thousands on expensive kit are surprisingly cheap in this area.

Could this be one of the reasons why they have thousands to spend on kit?

The fact that Colloms (in the listings link) rates the NAP500 with thirty-something subjective points, and Krell's, C-J's etc with over 100 ditto was a bit hard to accept..

Regards

The good news is that they have assembled some of my favourite reviewers. I wonder though about the no-ads policy. I do not mind seeing them and I doubt bias will dissappear.

There are a lot of friendly (and I guess less than friendly) relationships in the industry and the reviewers will undoubtedly still depend on manufacturers for review components and 'extended loans'.


Best regards

The problem with the "subjectivist" magazines is precisely that - they are totally subjective. I recall one clown in The Absolute Sound actually admitting he had a head cold and couldn't hear a thing....... and then go on to wax poetically about the gorgeous sound of some new component he was reviewing

So where does this leave us? Well, I must confess I like the "Measurements" section in Stereophile and some of the other Hi-Fi rags - sure, it doesn't tell the whole story but it tends to keep the reviewers on their toes. A huge 10dB suck-out in the frequency response curve at a two way speaker's crossover point really puts into context associated comments like "silky midrange", "sounds like you're in the 15th row", "female voices were a tad recessed".

Anybody know if there will be a technical section in the hi-Fi Critic?

Keith

I used to get really confused or dissapointed with Stereophile 2 decades ago and didn't have money to buy the stuff so gave it up. When I got my Naim system in 2000 I found out about Listener magazine thru this forum, but alas I only had it for 2 years before it went under. I miss that publication. I just recently read some af art Dudley's writings online on Stereophile on listening. quite wonderful stuff. but I don't bother with any of them now. I'm happy with the forum, I don't want to confuse the issue with other people's reviews of exotic equipment that I can't afford.

Glenn

I've already voted with my feet – I quit buying Hi-Fi News after the recent 'redesign' and I'm happy to put the savings towards Paul Messinger's new venture. It won't be easy to sustain but you've got to admire Colloms and Messinger for trying. A subscription is some repayment to Paul Messinger in particular for 20-odd years of some of the few thoroughly decent hi-fi pointers in print.

Quite agree, Abbydog.

I too have voted with my credit card, and signed up.

quote:

Originally posted by Vidar P:
The fact that Colloms (in the listings link) rates the NAP500 with thirty-something subjective points, and Krell's, C-J's etc with over 100 ditto was a bit hard to accept..

Is MC still hanging on to the 250?

Having read HiFi news for the last twenty years i think it's really ran out of steam.The feature on readers systems i always enjoyed.It's what being interested in somethings about.Can you imagine a gardening magazine or motorbike magazine with no readers passion involved.It seems to me that the same reviewers review the same brands.I am sure readers of Hi-fi News on this Forum have noticed this over the years.I tried to find you Polar Bear in this months are you the mystery face of walrus systems or was the letter about the sorry state of the magazine yours Am I hot or cold put me out of my misery Polar Bear

quote:

Originally posted by jon honeyball:
Quite agree, Abbydog.

I too have voted with my credit card, and signed up.

Same here.

I have had a subscription on the Norwegian hifimagazine Fidelity. Overall it`s a good one, but after purchasing Naim electronics, I find magazines boring. Desubscribed.

Not saying I will do Naim for the rest of my life, but I do perfectly well with this website. If I should ask for a magazine.....give me a Naimed one.

quote:

Originally posted by Tabby cat:
Having read HiFi news for the last twenty years i think it's really ran out of steam.The feature on readers systems i always enjoyed.It's what being interested in somethings about.Can you imagine a gardening magazine or motorbike magazine with no readers passion involved.It seems to me that the same reviewers review the same brands.I am sure readers of Hi-fi News on this Forum have noticed this over the years.I tried to find you Polar Bear in this months are you the mystery face of walrus systems or was the letter about the sorry state of the magazine yours Am I hot or cold put me out of my misery Polar Bear

Try page 100, "I suppose the name sums them up "Emotion". These ARTs touch your soul in a way I haven't heard before"
Nigel Ball, Leicester

Also on the same page an appearance from estimed fellow forum member Mr Joe Silva.

Mark

On the subject of HFN I have just got this Month's copy and the editor's foreword has been written by the deputy ed, Andrew Harrison, as Steve Fairclough is apparently on 'temporary sick leave'.

Hmmm

Already had emails from Mssrs Colloms and Messenger :-)

quote:

Already had emails from Mssrs Colloms and Messenger :-)

Saying what?....anything you can share?

And?

Well, i might have to find some time to write some words for them (they are both old friends, known them for years)

I usually rely on my eyes, ears and wallet, not on reviewers.

;-)

Garyi said

quote:

Well there you go, they can use their own preferences and prejudice to sell you kit and charge you for the pleasure.

As in newspapers, magazines and all media including television. They all charge us for the pleasure and they all have their own preferences and prejudices.

Bob

Hi-fi magazines like all media reflect the world in which they live. The demise of the hobby of hi-fi is almost complete. What is left is a niche market for the few.

I don't know what all the fuss is over a magazine sub. Most people are in this hobby for pleasure and will spend vast sums on equipment and then moan about the cost of a magazine subscription.

Lighten up guys, it's supposed to be fun.

Cheers

Bob