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It's always good to read a review of something I will never be able to afford and to note that the reviewer is describing my system almost completely! Expensive reviews are the stuff dreams are made of. :)

How else will you find out about the latest technology?

one expensive review per issue is enough for me.somehow we have lost track of just what expensive is.when we begin to see $2000 components as almost entry level and call$40,000 speakers and $10,000 speaker wires expensive! These kind of prices arent expensive, they're absurd. One review per issue is fine but two or three is just a waste of paper for me.

Occational review of statement products in all of the various areas of the sound reproduction chain is useful for benchmarking where the state of the art is. However reviews and comparisons of products most readers can actually afford would make me review my subscription.

I also like reviews of expensive / exotic cars, even though I probably won't ever own one. But heck, yes--more Sam!

Some coverage is great but it's the lack of real world reviews that keeps me from subscribing.

What I really hate reading is "great sound for the price." I think when reviewers say this about lower priced components, they are just trying to justify their purchace of a really expensive component. But what the're really thinking is, damn, this cheaper amp sounds just as good as my mega-buck amp, wish I bought the cheaper amp, then I would have been able to afford to take my sick dog to the vet instead of putting him down!

It is intersting to see what music the reviewers use to test the equipment

Reviews of expensive equipment are great, as they provide insight into the bleeding-edge of the art. It is also helpful to follow up with reviews of more affordable gear from those same super high priced manufacturers as living proof of the trickle-down of technology.

While my reality runs in line with the stuff reviewed by ST, I confess that I read the reviews of the high dollar gear. I do, however, suspect that the folks who can purchase the equipment are too busy making more money to enjoy their treasures. The main benefit I've gotten from reading the reviews has been the names of the CDs and LPs used for evaluation. The contributing writers should list every title with complete label information at the end of every article, so readers can search for the titles that appeal to them.

All things in moderation, gentlemen. Although I do enjoy reading about expensive speakers and amps, I don't necessarily care to read about $10,000.00 phono preamps, or $1500.00 interconnects. But that's just me. I suppose the thing for you to consider is the actual median income of your readership and balance your reviews accordingly.

you should give room to moderate/honest priced gears. Everybody is not ready to spend thousands of bucks.

I WOULD RATHER READ ABOUT GEAR THAT I DON'T HAVE TO SELL MY SOUL TO THE DEVIL TO AFFORD,WHEN A PAIR OF SPEAKERS IS MORE THAN MY YEARLY SALARY,I LOOSE INTREST {DYNA-AUDIO $85,000 VS $75,000

I am interested in the state of the art. It gives me an opportunity to sort out what I want to look for and listen to on my next trip to the shop.

Really, who cares? I don't give a rat's tail about expensive cars, either, and for exactly the same reason - if its truly out of reach, it is immaterial to me.

I read them only to try to determine what they have in design and parts that make them better sounding than the more budget equipment. But then, how do I know they sound better? Only your opinion. I would like to see a comparitive CD of 30 preamps presented with the same source material. The signal could be sent to a digital recorder. This is probably one of the few components that could be judged this way.

I cannot afford the expensive equipment reviewed in your magazine. So what? I can dream! Also, anyone who follows audio can appreciate that the refinements first demonstrated in high end will make their way down to more affordable gear. I would like to see more reviews of less expensive audio components in addition to the high-end stuff. Heck if I had my way, Stereophile would need 100 pages of reviews monthly to cover the stuff I'm interested in. One last comment: I consider your magazine the best audio value on the market. Keep up the great work.

I can't afford the ultra expensive stuff. Tell me about the equipment I can afford !!! 1k - 10k !!!

BUT, I would like more comparisons to value oriented equipment.

Only read the conclusions of the expensive equipment reviews. They're too detailed and require technical knowledge. Don't understand a lot of the reviews. Only read the following: Sam Tellig Lisa Astor Letters to the editor Manufacturers news Interviews with people

gotta have something to dream about!

Even if I'm not in the market for the true state of the art, I like to know where it stands. More importantly, I like to know that your reviewers know where the bar sits for everything else they review. One thing I would like to see in your measurements (especially but not exclusively of the expensive equipment), is a graphic comparison -- whether against a reference or with a highly regarded or popular model in the same price range (Road and Track). It makes comparisons easier to see them together or judged against a common reference.

How much is expensive? If you take a state of the art product that is $10,000, use it just about every day for four or five hours, and keep that product for, let's say, 10 years. That comes out to a grand a year

How stultifying it would be to see only reviews of products I can afford. Without the view of the state of the art, this publication would be just another Consumer Reports -- I would not bother to read it.

Please keep reviewing finely crafted and justifiably expensive equipment. I can't afford it, but I like to see examples of the pride and craftsmanship still left in the world. I think that high end audio is the ultimate example of that.

I appreciate the mix of equipment you review, as Sam Tellig's columns themselves are wont to do. He ranges from value and performance gear to the more exotic.

why bother,- audio envy

It seems that when these ultra high end pieces are reviewed, the comments are all the same. We already know how great they are going to sound -- why not compare them to the competition? That would make for a more interesting review. Rather to read how great the next mega-buck speaker is, compare it to other mega-buck speakers for a grand shootout. Now, that would be interesting!

It's frustrating to read a magazine that features items the majority of which I cannot afford even through extensive saving.

I love Porsches, too. Never drove one. Probably never will. Well, maybe just a test drive! If the dealer thinks I'm worthy, that is. Regardless, I'll always enjoy reading about them.