I think it helps it.
It seems that when knowlegdable, respected people post here about a product, any product, it can't help but start some level of interest in said product. Even if it is just speculating about various possibilities or combinations of products, it allows those of us with less experience to compare our own thoughts on these products.
I, who may have champagne tastes but a beer budget, have thought quite a bit on this very subject (the Little), but have felt disuaded by more frequent threads on either very high-end commercial amps, or the ubiquitous META's. Threads like ones about an upgrade path for a Little, or upgrade possibilities to a JM Corda HA-1, may answer alot of questions I have about amps in this price range, and may certainly persuade me into purchasing one.
I certainly don't take any one persons post or view on a product as gospel. If I read someones review of a product in which I am interested, I will also read as many other posts by that person as possible. This will allow me to get a better understanding of that persons slants and preferences, and allow me to factor that into their review. Then I take my own responsibility and make as an informed choice as possible. I would hope that anyone looking to purchase a headphone amp for $500/$1000/$2000/whatever would do a least as much.
It would also seem that a bit of lurking by a manufacturer would yield a goldmine of information on their own products and the (educated) public's perception of them. Seems like a win-win, no?
It seems that when knowlegdable, respected people post here about a product, any product, it can't help but start some level of interest in said product. Even if it is just speculating about various possibilities or combinations of products, it allows those of us with less experience to compare our own thoughts on these products.
I, who may have champagne tastes but a beer budget, have thought quite a bit on this very subject (the Little), but have felt disuaded by more frequent threads on either very high-end commercial amps, or the ubiquitous META's. Threads like ones about an upgrade path for a Little, or upgrade possibilities to a JM Corda HA-1, may answer alot of questions I have about amps in this price range, and may certainly persuade me into purchasing one.
I certainly don't take any one persons post or view on a product as gospel. If I read someones review of a product in which I am interested, I will also read as many other posts by that person as possible. This will allow me to get a better understanding of that persons slants and preferences, and allow me to factor that into their review. Then I take my own responsibility and make as an informed choice as possible. I would hope that anyone looking to purchase a headphone amp for $500/$1000/$2000/whatever would do a least as much.
It would also seem that a bit of lurking by a manufacturer would yield a goldmine of information on their own products and the (educated) public's perception of them. Seems like a win-win, no?