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Post by julesd68 on Mar 11, 2019 16:33:02 GMT
I read elsewhere on t'internet recently someone commenting that hifi manufacturers possibly send in units for review that are 'hand picked' - the suggestion being they are specially tuned in some way to provide superior measurements / performance to regular production units. Made me wonder how common practice this might be if it indeed does occur ... Anyone have any knowledge of such a nefarious practice?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 11, 2019 16:34:58 GMT
I don't have any knowledge but have heard the rumour before, Jules.
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Post by MikeMusic on Mar 11, 2019 16:36:49 GMT
The "Gold Sample" is what I hear
Can be a bit better or a completely different item in a box looking identical to what the item is supposed to be
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Post by MartinT on Mar 11, 2019 17:06:38 GMT
There are strong indications that this happens in the car industry when magazines are clamouring for a first review.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 11, 2019 17:09:13 GMT
I know of a coupe of instances both involved MF back in the day. Sometimes it doesn't always pay to believe the OCD Audio Precision using members of certain analytical forums, you may as well put Paul Miller at the head of blind test squad using Devialet's the best measuring amplifiers in the world  Me am I a Rhode & Schwarz kinda guy Jules, for the cost of Chi-fi if it doesn't float you boat, some spork on flea-bay will go bid crazy for a piece of the latest digital action, you pretty much recoup your outlay. No grief, I believe Jerry not only has a PhD in Astrophysics but in multi dimensional casework reassignment on a regular basis. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 11, 2019 17:13:08 GMT
There are strong indications that this happens in the car industry when magazines are clamouring for a first review. I seem to remember the very first test batch of Astra lotus engined 16V GTE's (With that awful digital dash) at a certain test track in Europe were raved over, back in good old blightly when the usual hack's ended up with the thrash fleet, it was a very different story, ok engine but shocking bad under-steering chassis. Made the Sierra jelly mould almost stable by comparison |
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Post by julesd68 on Mar 11, 2019 19:28:16 GMT
Looks like another reason to be wary of measurements taken from components sent for review.
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Post by MartinT on Mar 11, 2019 19:42:25 GMT
You just can't beat listening to it. Preferably in your own system.
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Post by julesd68 on Mar 11, 2019 19:56:44 GMT
Naturally, but unbiased and honest reviews are an important way of forming a picture about products where audition simply isn't possible, like your LKS.
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Post by jandl100 on Mar 11, 2019 20:23:18 GMT
To my mind, Jules, you're way too hooked on the measurements! They really are not going to tell you very much at all about how a bit of hifi sounds And reviews can only take you a bit further, although becoming familiar with an individual reviewer's quirks and preferences can give you a bit more. I often found that some of the reviewers in Hifi+ were closest to my own views on how things sounded. As Martin says, there is no substitute for ears-on experience. You're looking for a short cut, and I don't think there is one! It's a bit like this  ...  |
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Post by julesd68 on Mar 11, 2019 20:39:06 GMT
Hmm ... I think you guys are completely missing the point here. The thread is not about me buying kit, it's about whether manufacturers tweak their kit to get good reviews! I thought it was an interesting topic. If anyone wants to start a thread about my hifi buying habits, please feel free to do so.  Incidentally, I'm not remotely hung up on measurements, nothing could be further from the truth. I have never bought any kit, digital or analogue on this basis and never will do. What's wrong with looking at good user reviews of kit to guide one's purchase? It's not always possible for me just to buy kit speculatively to see whether a component will work in my system. I have done this many times in the past where it's possible to buy and sell without losing much money. |
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Post by jandl100 on Mar 11, 2019 21:17:40 GMT
Oops, sorry Jules Anyway, yes, interesting subject - I've only ever heard of Gold Sample as Mike puts it with regard to MF, where allegedly superior components and build quality were used in the items sent for review. Allegedly. A fine clarinetist, Anthony Michaelson - I've got 2 CDs of him playing rather well - but a bit of a 'character'. |
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Post by John on Mar 11, 2019 21:44:34 GMT
My favourite story is about a certain dealer who is now retired Paying prostitutes to seduce the reviewers and then threatening to tell their wife if he did not get a good review.
Not what you looking for I suspect
As Martin said with cars you can get Blueprint engines that mean it is as close as you can get to the original design criteria but no idea if this translate to HIFI
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Post by MartinT on Mar 11, 2019 22:06:20 GMT
So back to topic - my now sold Ayre SACD player had a switch on the back with two positions: measure and listen. The first gave the best measurements, the second sounded the best. Ayre were open about it: you often don't get the best sound with the best measurements. So in which position did the magazines review the machine? Not one of them that I can remember actually stated the setting.
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Post by DaveC on Mar 11, 2019 22:25:21 GMT
It works both ways, some inept manufacturers actually send for review under specified units and then wonder why they have been returned. Worse some then send in a replacement that also isn't right. These are the manufacturers that don't use test equipment and therefore have no actual quality control.
YMMV
Dave
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Post by julesd68 on Mar 11, 2019 23:51:17 GMT
my now sold Ayre SACD player had a switch on the back with two positions: measure and listen. Genius! Never seen or heard of such a ploy but I like it ... |
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Post by robin5 on Mar 12, 2019 7:47:28 GMT
Uprated samples used to be the case back in the day. As someone mentioned, Musical Fidelity may have been guilty of said practise - I couldn’t possibly comment....
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Post by MikeMusic on Mar 12, 2019 11:40:16 GMT
So back to topic - my now sold Ayre SACD player had a switch on the back with two positions: measure and listen. The first gave the best measurements, the second sounded the best. Ayre were open about it: you often don't get the best sound with the best measurements. So in which position did the magazines review the machine? Not one of them that I can remember actually stated the setting. Simple me thought both would be best and same setting Top marks to Ayre |
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