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I remember JA (I think) explaining the review process in Stereophile. One main condition for a component to get a review was to have at least four (or was it five ?) distributors in the US.

It's five. I have written about this many times in the past, at http://www.stereophile.com/asweseeit/746/, for example.

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Now let us fast forward to the rave review of the Caliburn turntable: "Approximate Number Of Dealers: None. Sold direct by importer". How does this fit in the standard review policy of Stereophile ?

I believe you are laboring under a misapprehension regarding my policy. The "5 Dealer Rule" applies to products that are distributed through normal retail channels. As I have also written on many occasions over the years, we do make an exception for products that are sold direct. However, in those cases we must make a judgment call on the suitability of the product for review, the business viability of the manufacturer, the possibility for a home audition, and whether or not the company offers any kind of money-back guarantee.

The Continuum turntable met sufficient of those criteria to qualify for review, in my opinion as editor. Thanks for commenting.

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile

Hmmm under those new "RULES" i think you better do a VanAlstine review on all his great stuff latest Ultra Hybrid stuff and OmegaStar EX SS. and where are teh Legacy reviews, both these great companies have a long life, been making great stuff longer than most, and other's you have reviewd have come and gone (Audio alchemy, amongst others that where shaky) I think your "rules" are like a politicains, vuage and used as needed to suit the situation. I still contend, reviewing what AVA and Legacy have to offer will embarass most of all teh stuff you rave so much about, and have as advertisers. Do us readers a service and review great stuff priced for mortals, not unobtainalbe over hyped nonsense like $90,000 turtables, that no thinking person, even with money would go near. Or $30,000 SACD players from mfgs that come and go, so that rule about warrantys is a hoax in your rules.