Do magazines have too much influence?

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Does anybody remember the Saxon CDP that received a very low score - perhaps one star?

I wonder how sales went with that?

Was it really awful, or could somebody potentially like it?
 
With the minefield of home electrical products out there, any magazine used as a guide is very useful. For example, if I wanted to buy a new TV, which most people do not do very often, I wouldn't have a clue what is currently available without looking at one or two magazines. Visiting an electrical store on its own isn't enough (it may be for some people who aren't into the best quality for their money), as I know they won't stock everything and will usually have offers based on their own criteria. If I see a TV within my budget with an excellent write-up in one or more magazines and then see that model on offer in a store, I would probably buy it.

Someone else has done the research for me because it's their job to do so, and I trust their opinion. Do magazines have an influence? Yes, very much so. Too much? I don't think so, sensible people make their own mind up.
 
[quote user="Andrew Everard"]
[quote user="JohnDuncan"]Understood, though I have found that walking into a bar full of motorcyclists and shouting "Which of you ------s is blocking my Prius in?" is not always the best way to gain their trust and acceptance.[/quote]

Or more to the point saying 'None of you ------s has got the first clue about real bikes; you're mere moped-boys'

[/quote]

"yeah, and I'll bet you read MCN. Those ----s don't know diddly - you wanna listen to ME mate"
 
Deleted by mods - offensive. First warning...

Aren't we supposed to be discussing hifi?
 
[quote user="gpi"]Guppy swims down to the bottom and hides.[/quote]

Alright Guppy? Do you think we'll be safe down 'ere.

i forgot my snorrrrrkelllllll
 
[quote user="Andrew Everard"]
...and I was looking forward to a nice quiet evening...

[/quote]

who r u kidding.. You'll be in your element ;-)
 
[quote user="The specialist"]t'was a good joke as well.[/quote]

No, 'twas just offensive.

[quote user="The specialist"]Better be courteous from now on[/quote]

Sounds like a plan...
 
[quote user="JAXON5"][quote user="gpi"]Guppy swims down to the bottom and hides.[/quote]

Alright Guppy? Do you think we'll be safe down 'ere.

i forgot my snorrrrrkelllllll[/quote]

Hehe, sorry no buddy-breathing, we haven't been acquainted.
emotion-4.gif
 
gluuup............. gluuuuuuuuop. ......................... gluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuop
 
[quote user="Clare Newsome"]
[quote user="crusaderlord"] the new Arcam A38 has one of the most glowing reports ever in one high profile hi-fi magazine calling it a 'Legend' [/quote]

I think they may have written that "Legend" coverline before finishing their test of the product - they only give it four stars out of five for sound, and make by-and-large the same criticisms as ourselves.

[/quote]

Have you got a subscription to HFC Clare?
 
[quote user="JoelSim"]

Have you got a subscription to HFC Clare?[/quote]

Yes - and all the other hi-fi and AV magazines.
 
[quote user="The specialist"]So that's where you get your reviews. Joking[/quote]

Second warning. This is getting tiresome....
 
Although entertaining as I always find a good heckling rather amusing, this post doesn't seem to be going anywhere. So I'll answer the original post. Yes and no.
 
I have to say I'm intrigued, and would love to hear the Arcam A38 given the wildly differing views.
 
But if you read the HFC review, they're not wildly differing views - as mentioned above, they only give it four stars for sound, and say largely the same as us re its performance strengths and weaknesses.
 
The classic Pioneer A400 integrated amp didn't measure too well in graphs but it trounced the opposition sound-wise and made a few hi-end manufacturers sit up and take notice too. In my opinion anyone who chooses their components based on technical data and measurements will end up with an accurate but lifeless system. Some gear has poor measurements but sounds divine.
 

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