Do you have anything objective/scientific to back up that statement? Or just subjective rhetoric? Science generally makes a better argument. -- Tom Fine ----- Original Message ----- From: "Clark Johnsen" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2013 6:16 PM Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] a prime case of why subjective reviews of audio gear are USELESS >I suppose you've already considered that the standard portfolio of > distortion measurements hardly describes the actual sound into loudspeakers? > > clark > > > On Thu, Oct 10, 2013 at 5:04 PM, Tom Fine <[log in to unmask]>wrote: > >> This kind of thing lights a fire under the audiophillic community. The >> beauty of this example is that it was all played out in Stereophile, >> definitely prime reading for the subjective-review scene: >> http://www.stereophile.com/**content/croft-acoustics-phono-** >> integrated-integrated-**amplifier<http://www.stereophile.com/content/croft-acoustics-phono-integrated-integrated-amplifier> >> >> I suggest you start with John Atkinson's measurements of this clearly >> badly-designed piece of gear: >> http://www.stereophile.com/**content/croft-acoustics-phono-** >> integrated-integrated-**amplifier-measurements<http://www.stereophile.com/content/croft-acoustics-phono-integrated-integrated-amplifier-measurements> >> >> Then go back and read the main, gushing review, and the follow-on by >> another editor: >> http://www.stereophile.com/**content/croft-acoustics-phono-** >> integrated-integrated-**amplifier-stephen-mejias-**comments<http://www.stereophile.com/content/croft-acoustics-phono-integrated-integrated-amplifier-stephen-mejias-comments> >> >> I'm not questioning the sincerity of any of them, nor the deep belief by >> the two subjective reviewers that they liked what they heard. But, if they >> could so like something that should have very audible distortions and >> colorations, how can we trust their reviews? What is their reference point, >> because it seems to favor colorations and distortions? It's OK not to like >> accurate sound reproduction, but what use is a review of anything if the >> goal isn't accurate sound reproduction? >> >> One man's (subjective) opinions ... >> >> -- Tom Fine > >