Vote

What great audio products have managed to go under-reviewed in the audio press?

Mike Agee  |  Jun 8, 2008

Reader Mike Agee asks: "I'd like to hear about great audio products that have managed to go under-reviewed in the audio press. I realize there are many reasons why this might happen, from manufacturer reluctance [to submit review samples] to bad timing in the marketplace, but we all know there are a real winners out there that never made a recommended list."

What great audio products have managed to go under-reviewed in the audio press?
Here's one or two
92% (135 votes)
Don't have one
8% (12 votes)
Total votes: 147

COMMENTS
Will Jang's picture
Submitted by Will Jang (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:16am

Entry level Krell Evolution 222 preamp and 302 power amp

James Shaw's picture
Submitted by James Shaw (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:16am

Aragon Palladium monoblock amplifier. It originated with Mondial Designs, then morphed cosmetically after Klipsch acquired the company. Sadly, now out of production. Straightforward, bulletproof design. Great sound at a reasonable price.

storelli's picture
Submitted by storelli (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:16am

Etalon, from Hungary, made by a genius.

Dave Bennett's picture
Submitted by Dave Bennett (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:16am

Michell GyroDec

Richard Paul's picture
Submitted by Richard Paul (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:16am

Hyperion Sound Design HPS-938 and 968 speakers. Fabulous buys!

JJ's picture
Submitted by JJ (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:16am

Xavian speakers from Czech Republic. YBA.

Jim G.'s picture
Submitted by Jim G. (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:16am

Audio Research CD3 mkII

Tom Nielsen's picture
Submitted by Tom Nielsen (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:16am

ATC speakers—especially the "domestic" range.

Johannes Turunen, Sweden's picture
Submitted by Johannes Turune... (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:16am

I can name several low price cables but more substantial products are from Intellgent Sound that makes some lovely speakers, the IS8 Pro for instance. But I blame bad marketing more than audio press negligence.

BT Schitstrate's picture
Submitted by BT Schitstrate (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:16am

1) Notthingham Space 294 (especially if the effects of the Heavy platter and Wave Mechanic line conditioner are examined as well). 2) Any/all of the Linn Akurate series

Pat's picture
Submitted by Pat (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:16am

Tom Evans Audio Design gear has not been reviewed in print in the USA. It is unique, great sounding stuff from Wales, UK.

Sam Tower's picture
Submitted by Sam Tower (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:16am

Jolida

Doctor Fine's picture
Submitted by Doctor Fine on March 5, 2012 - 8:38pm

Super high gain can handle any super low output moving coil cart.  Adjustable capacitance.  Adjustable impedance.  Adjustable gain levels in eight different settings.  Compatible with just about everything out there and will make it sing.  Tube musicality.  $500.  Amazing value...  Why don't all phono pres have these features???

Marc Rogoll's picture
Submitted by Marc Rogoll (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:16am

New Audio Frontiers TUBE Preamp Absolute

john twomey's picture
Submitted by john twomey (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:16am

LSA Audio's "LSA2 reference"

macksman's picture
Submitted by macksman (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:16am

Kimber Select cables & interconnects. Maybe I just missed it but they're awfully good. And not since Edith Lumley do I remember anyone really discussing cable elevation.

JML's picture
Submitted by JML (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:16am

Bryston. They produce a consistantly superior product, offer reasonable upgrades and an outstanding warranty, but don't charge what Krell or Levinson or...does, so they are frequently overlooked by equipment-o-philes.

Doctor Fine's picture
Submitted by Doctor Fine on March 5, 2012 - 8:43pm

Everytime I think I have found the limit of my BP-25 preamp I realize it is never the thing holding back my system.  Thus I have never upgraded the damn thing.  It is class A output.  It has balanced ins and outs.  It is unbreakable and has a 20 year warrantee.  Show me any preamp as well laid out and musical sounding and I will eat my words.  My god some preamps don't even have a balance control anymore.  How do guys get them to focus the soundstage at all?  Why aren't all preamps this well designed?  A huge value for the money.

john lentz's picture
Submitted by john lentz (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:16am

Tact Audio

john webb's picture
Submitted by john webb (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:16am

Musical Fidelity A5 integrated amp. I've only seen one at 6 Moons.

Jamie Wilson's picture
Submitted by Jamie Wilson (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:16am

The Zhaolu DAC—great little DAC for not a lot of money!

Joe's picture
Submitted by Joe (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:16am

The Omamha OD-300B Amplifier. A great sounding 300B SET amplifier and a very attractive price

Doug's picture
Submitted by Doug (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:16am

JoLida

steve lewis's picture
Submitted by steve lewis (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:16am

Bryston stuff is well known, but taken for granted, & a lot of the new stuff they put out is never reviewed.

Jeffrey's picture
Submitted by Jeffrey (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:16am

Stage 3 Concepts cables. All silver cables. Very nice. Made in Brooklyn!

Dickie's picture
Submitted by Dickie (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:16am

There were very few reviews of high-end multi-disc CD players when I wanted one and I wonder why? I had to settle for a used McIntosh.

Al's picture
Submitted by Al (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:16am

AMC 2030 amp AMC 3030 Integrated Both are overachievers. 30W of Class A for under a grand.

Cesar's picture
Submitted by Cesar (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:16am

Axiom speakers and some other "Internet only" companies. Come on, Stereophile, take a chance! Be a little more flexible with your crtieria for reviewing products. Times are changing, keep up. Brick and mortar aren't for everyone.

mike eschman's picture
Submitted by mike eschman (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:16am

Naim amplification

fred's picture
Submitted by fred (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:16am

I'd like to see how some of the DIY amps out there stack up. Like the diytube ST35 or tubelab.com's tubelab SE.

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