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JIMV
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A Minor Complaint

Starting with a section labeled "Digital Metamorphosis' and running for maybe a dozen pages there are interview sections with Ayre, Peachtree, Moon, Benchmark, Chord, Meridian, and perhaps more. My issue is in the way the material is presented. They are billed as interviews but look like advertising by the manufacturers complete with product adds and company logo's....

Put another way, am I reading a Stereophile interview or simply company advertising...Heck if I can tell.

Is this the "Special Advertising Section" on the cover?

linden518
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Re: A Minor Complaint

It's labeled pretty clearly as an advertising section, as it says on the cover. I skipped a lot, read a few.

JIMV
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Re: A Minor Complaint

In the small print at the top of some pages....

Now that you draw my attention to it...

As I noted, a 'minor'complaint.

My eyes are not what they were...

dbowker
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Re: A Minor Complaint

The front cover of the magazine also clearly states "12 Page advertising section on computer audio". I didn't really get that much out of it, but for some it actually could have been helpful to have all the companies in one section for comparison.

JIMV
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Re: A Minor Complaint


Quote:
The front cover of the magazine also clearly states "12 Page advertising section on computer audio". I didn't really get that much out of it, but for some it actually could have been helpful to have all the companies in one section for comparison.

I wear glasses...tiny white type on the top of a light blue background on SOME pages was not enough to make it clear to me it was simply an advertising insert...

Perhaps it was clear to folk with stronger eyes, but a BOLD note in a FONT big enough to read might have helped...

Sort of a "Abandon Hope All Yea Who Enter Here" sort of warning...

I have no problem with the advertising. I just like to know it when it is presented.

noahbickart
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Re: A Minor Complaint

Seemed obvious to me.

The copy was, however, really poorly edited.

JIMV
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Re: A Minor Complaint

A minor problem. I really was not sure what I was reading when I posted...

Editor
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Re: A Minor Complaint


Quote:
Seemed obvious to me.

With such "advertorials," where the supposed editorial content is commissioned by the adervertisers, it is important to label the pages as advertising, which was done in this instance.


Quote:
The copy was, however, really poorly edited.

We follow the policy laid down by the American Society of Magazine Editors concerning "advertorial sections," which is that the content is neither written nor prepared for publication by the magazine's editors and reviewers.

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile

noahbickart
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Re: A Minor Complaint

John:

my comment was intended as *praise* for your work. The copy of the add stood out in stark contrast to the high quality of the Stereophile prose.

If sections like these bring in enough revenue to continue to print numerous high quality reviews of equipment and music, I look forward to igoring many more in the future!

JIMV
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Re: A Minor Complaint

I even read them..I just like to know what I am reading.

Editor
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Re: A Minor Complaint


Quote:
John:
my comment was intended as *praise* for your work. The copy of the add stood out in stark contrast to the high quality of the Stereophile prose.

Thanks.

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile

Lick-T
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Re: A Minor Complaint

It seemed to me that this advertorial spoke of bits but sometimes made analogies that should have refered to sample rate. Am I right about this or confused as usual?

I too am very happy that Stereophile is so well edited.

Editor
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Re: A Minor Complaint


Quote:
It seemed to me that this advertorial spoke of bits but sometimes made analogies that should have refered to sample rate. Am I right about this or confused as usual?

The text in the ad supplement is ambiguous, rather than incorrect. The writer talks about "more bits" but not fully distinguishing about whether the "more bits" stem from a greater bit depth per sample or a higher sampling rate.


Quote:
I too am very happy that Stereophile is so well edited.

Thank you. Our long-time copy editor Richard Lehnert must take the credit.

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile

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