The importance of 5 star ratings.

[chebby]

matthewpiano:They still do it. That is the problem.

Which might explain why my local Sony centre is the last place to get Sony accessories/headphones etc. (Accessories rack full of Vivanco instead.)

Many years ago I used to have a second system (for work) with WM-6DC cassette/ICF-SW7600/Sony headphones and active Wharfedale Diamonds. Not one single Sony item (nor spares like rechargeable battery pack or leather case etc) was stocked by the local Sony Centre and furthermore it could not easily be ordered by them either! I had to get everything by order from specialist hifi shops instead.

 

[matthewpiano]

Hmmm... Accessories aren't part of the JIT system.

Margin is higher on the Vivanco items...

 

[plastic penguin]

Alfa13:

I need the advice of the WHF editors who are present in this thread - purely in terms of performance, is a 4-star product equal to a 5-star product of a lower price class? How much weight does your review team put on "low price"? If I have budget to stretch a little bit, how should I read the reports?

I understand that I should hear and see the products myself, but a lot of the times, I cannot compare them in an identical environment because the products are stocked by different retailers

A four star product can be as good as a 5 star, if correctly partnered.

I personally only use the the star system as a guideline, but the real acid test comes with a dem. This is where so many people come unstuck - they tend to assume because of a 5 star or an award that it'll fit snugly into their system and they'll love it.

That's why a number of us urge a dem rather than spend hundreds or even thousands of pounds on a kit that may not be suited to your ears.

If you can't take in your current set-up in to compare, grab a pair of headphones and listen to any prospective amp directly. This won't be as good as listening on speakers, but it's better than nowt.

 

[AL13N]

I think, as with all reviews, the body of text is more important than the end result/score. The score should not be taken in isolation but as an overall guide to value/quality. You may have less/more to spend, or the qualities the product excels at may not be to your personal liking.

In the January Systems Test, WHF awarded a system consisting of three 5star products 4stars, and another consisting of three 4star products 5stars. Also, many reviews on the website have 4star recommendations within the "Now add these" column next to the review text.

This, together with their constant advice to audition, indicates that even WHF don't advocate taking the 5star ratings as a definite factor within the context of your system. As the title to the final section of each mag reads - Buyer's Guide.

It's just that, nothing more.

 

[Anonymous]

Didn't realise this was such an ancient topic.