just a thought
I’m not sure I would approach articles of this nature with a why should I care, people will either believe it or not attitude.
It doesn’t take many visits to forums such as this to realize that many visitors look to such forums for “knowledge”.
It is easy to respond with only a fool would seek knowledge on an internet forum but if we are honest, most of us have done exactly that at some point.
Add to this that many of these regular contributors/journalists either explicitly or implicitly claim larger product experience, more sophisticated auditioning equipment, years of experience in the field, etc, and what you can end up with is acknowledged experts in their field, often supported by their peers, and large financial concerns such at media companies.
I’ve read on these forums posts from contributors who have been in the HiFi business using their experience in the business to imply, albeit quite subtlety, that their opinion should carry more weight because of their former position.
Unfortunately we rarely question those concerned about exactly what it is that they believe qualifies them to be experts in their field and what interests they may have in supporting one particular view or product.
Some industries would seem to have stricter controls over expert status and advertising content than others. The “audiophile” section of the music industry seems to have virtually no controls concerning claims made by manufacturers and often self appointed experts.
Does any of this matter?
That depends on whether you would prefer to have accurate information disseminated wherever possible or are quite happy to let people struggle with sorting the probable from the improbable.
If for example you consulted an expert concerning your office computer network system and he/she recommended you spent so many thousands of pounds on a particular product you subsequently discovered made absolutely no difference to any functional aspect of the system might you not consider taking him/her to court?
I would argue that the same applies in any case where you have “experts” and knowledge seekers; schools, hospitals, engineering matters to name a few. It is in every bodies interest to have up to date, accurate unbiased and verifiable data wherever possible.
This approach has worked pretty well in reducing ignorance and superstition in the past. I really cant see any reason why audio should be an exception.
Single spur balanced Mains. Self built music server with 3 seperate linear PSU, Intel i5, 16 GB RAM no hard drive (various Linux OS). Benchmark Dac2 HGC, single ended XLR interconnects/Belkin cable. Exposure 21RC Pre, Super 18 Power (recap & modified). Modded World Audio HD83 HP amp. Hand built Monitors with external crossovers , Volt 250 bass & ABR, Scanspeak 13M8621 Mid & Scanspeak D2905/9300 Hi. HD595 & Beyer 880 (600 ohm) cans.
The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts.
-Bertrand Russel
John.