STEREOPHILE 2005 500 RECOMMENDED COMPONENTS PUBLISHED!

[Welly Wu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by elnero Eastern Electric MiniMax what? CD player? Amp? Preamp?

Elnero:

Michael Fremer reviewed the Eastern Electric MiniMax phono pre-amplifier on pages 34-36 in the October edition of Stereophile.

 

[Steve999]

The SR60s, SR125s, and SR325i's are all on the lists, no? Maybe I misunderstood your post.

You make a good point -- I prefer either the HD580s or the HD600s to the HD650s. Definitely a personal taste thing.

Grado SR60s, Senn HD580s, Sony V6s(aka 7506s), and Infinity Primus 150s, that's 4 recommended components for which I paid a total of $430. Not bad.

Edit: Actually, I forgot my ipod. So that's 5 recommended components for about $780.

Quote:

Originally Posted by n_maher Or you could read it that they both sound fantastic, regardless of price, and are both worthy of mentioning. Not really trying to argue with you here, but the fact remains that some folks prefer the 600s to the 650s, especially given the unlimited number of setups that one could consider. Either way, I'm shocked there isn't a Grado on the lists, anywhere. Nate

 

[elnero]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welly Wu Elnero: Michael Fremer reviewed the Eastern Electric MiniMax phono pre-amplifier on pages 34-36 in the October edition of Stereophile.

Thanks Welly Wu, had me all excited there for a minute, I thought they had reviewed the MiniMax CD player there for a minute.

 

[Jahn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve999 The SR60s, SR125s, and SR325i's are all on the lists, no? Maybe I misunderstood your post.

They are? they aren't posted on the first page post - what grade did they make?

 

[Steve999]

Jahn -- you must be having a rough day.

From the first post in the thread:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welly Wu Headphones & Headphone Accessories: b: Grado SR125 Grado SR325i c: Grado SR60

 

[Jahn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve999 Jahn -- you must be having a rough day. From the first post in the thread:

Hozoowazzat? Ah IC, I guess the RS-1 doesn't deserve a mention yet, eh? But it's nice that they popped a SR60 in there, I bet all the Under $100 cans are jealous!

 

[elnero]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jahn Hozoowazzat? Ah IC, I guess the RS-1 doesn't deserve a mention yet, eh? But it's nice that they popped a SR60 in there, I bet all the Under $100 cans are jealous!

Actually I believe the RS-1 were in Class A but I'm assuming they're not there now because they haven't been reviewed in awhile and keeping with Stereophiles policy products are dropped from Recommended Components list when the reviews haven't been updated in specified period of time.

 

[Tyll Hertsens]

Ray certainly does deserve serious cudos for getting three products on the list in one year. And I have to cringe that we've pretty much dropped out of the picture. But it's very worth while mentioning the rules under which you can make the list and those under which you drop off.

Only products that have had full reviews can make it on the list. Only PRODUCTION samples of products can be considered for review. Any product that has been discontinued must drop off the list.

About a year ago I was aware that our brand and product line changes would require Stereophile to force our products off the list. I did talk to John Atkinson about how to best handle the transition and he was cordially neutral about what strategy I should take. He simple told me what the rules were and that as soon as we were in production I could send sample products to the Stereophile offices. The fact that Ray made the list times three is testemony to the significant rigor emposed on the barrier between Stereophiles editorial policies and their advertising departments desires---John Atkinsons (editor in chief) wedded relationship to Laura Atkinson (East Coast Sales Rep) notwithstanding. I've had the distinct pleasure of numerous conversation with JA and Wes Philips over the years and each and every time I walk away with the impression that those guys are audio enthusiasts first and foremost. I guaranty that if you ever have the pleasure of thier company in an environment where they can let their guard down (which isn't so easy for them at times as manufacturers know full well that they can make or break an audiophile product) you will walk away feeling that these guys are the luckyest audio hobbyists that you could possibly know.

I'll also mention that making it onto the K list means that they have heard the product and they expect it to find a position somewhere on the list. Another thing worth mentioning is that there is no orchestrated Stereophile position on a particular product or manufacturer as a whole. Stereophile writers are largle independant agents. It is possible and as far as I know even likely that writer on the masthead contact manufacturers and get review samples without John's knowedge and simply submit completed reviews to JA for his consideration. I'm not sure of the details here, but I am sure that there is no overarching strategy for making the Recommended Components list a comprehensive guide to audiophile products. Though, I guarrenty plenty of manufacturers have developed strategies for getting on the list. I know our strategy at HeadRoom is to send equipment to JA or WP as fast and soon as we believe possible and then pray like hell. I'll also mention that once we send equipment off, it's like sending it into a black hole. With the exception of product failure of one kind or another you just don't get any information on what their take on you products are.

I have talked to Wes about coming to the National Meet in April and he was VERY excited about the activity and opportunity to be there. I wouldn't be surprised to see both he and JA showing up, interested and excited about Head-Fi and the enthusiasm of this community.

 

[Claude]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsaavedra Used to be a Stereophile subscriber while living in the US, but now in Venezuela I will have to buy the issue alone. That will go for around $10 here OOOOUUUUCH!!!!!, just for one issue! The yearly subscription in the US is around that price, but anyway I'll get it.

Individual copies are $10 here in Europe too. No hifi mag is worth that much.

I've been a subscriber to the digital Stereophile for a couple of years now. It's not as convenient as a paper magazine, but the price is only $1.3 per copy and the delivery (download) is faster than any postal service.

http://www.zinio.com/offer?issn=0585...diglife&ns=zno

 

[rsaavedra]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claude I've been a subscriber to the digital Stereophile for a couple of years now. It's not as convenient as a paper magazine, but the price is only $1.3 per copy and the delivery (download) is faster than any postal service. http://www.zinio.com/offer?issn=0585...diglife&ns=zno

Not a bad price, will consider it, thanks!

 

[n_maher]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve999 The SR60s, SR125s, and SR325i's are all on the lists, no? Maybe I misunderstood your post.

Or I was just ambiguous, I was suprised that none of the Grados were considered the equal of the 600/650.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve999 You make a good point -- I prefer either the HD580s or the HD600s to the HD650s. Definitely a personal taste thing.

And also a setup thing to be sure.

I'm very much looking forward to the day when I finally get my amp fleet completed and can sit down with my friend Ian and compare our various headphones (his: 650/325i/E4c, mine: 600/HF-1/ER4S).

Nate

 

[rsaavedra]

Quote:

Originally Posted by elnero Actually I believe the RS-1 were in Class A but I'm assuming they're not there now because they haven't been reviewed in awhile and keeping with Stereophiles policy products are dropped from Recommended Components list when the reviews haven't been updated in specified period of time.

The RS1 certainly used to be listed in Stereophile's Class-A, but if I remember well, when they took it out of the list the reason listed wasn't because of "not reviewed for too long", there were some Stereophile reviewers claiming that the RS1 was too colored. I haven't verified this online yet, and I should have the mag saying so (have years of old Stereophile mags, a friend's gift when moving), but the mags are in a storage place, I don't have them with me right now.

Could any Stereophile members check old mags and see when the RS1 got removed, what justification did Stereophile write for the removal?

 

[elnero]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsaavedra The RS1 certainly used to be listed in Stereophile's Class-A, but if I remember well, when they took it out of the list the reason listed wasn't because of "not reviewed for too long", there were some Stereophile reviewers claiming that the RS1 was too colored. I haven't verified this online yet, and I should have the mag saying so (have years of old Stereophile mags, a friend's gift when moving), but the mags are in a storage place, I don't have them with me right now. Could any Stereophile members check old mags and see when the RS1 got removed, what justification did Stereophile write for the removal?

Interesting, I've never heard that before, I've only ever read the accolades it received from the mag. I to would be interested in more information if this is indeed true.

 

[grandenigma1]

Ill take my HD600s any day over any other phone i have heard and have tried to convince myself i like better... and trust me it is a heck of a lot!

 

[rsaavedra]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyll Hertsens I have talked to Wes about coming to the National Meet in April and he was VERY excited about the activity and opportunity to be there. I wouldn't be surprised to see both he and JA showing up, interested and excited about Head-Fi and the enthusiasm of this community.

Only now I read your post in full Tyll, that is truly great news! Hopefully they will join that meet.