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Art Dudley's March 2007 Column: What's That About? Long

I'm curious as to what prompted Art to write a column about the so-called perks of being an audio reviewer. Seemed like a confessional in the interest of full disclosure. Usually, these come about because someone has questioned someone's ethics. Did I miss something here? Moreover, Art fires a shot at another magazine when he writes:

"I can't help but contrast that with my earlier experience on the staff of one of this magazine's would-be competitors, where dinners at three-star restaurants were routinely and overtly demanded--not to mention rare wines, ancient Armagnacs, and the occasional shipment of other consumables, delievered to my desk only because the magazine's owner felt that signing for and opening cartons was beneath him."

Can we assume that he is referencing his experience at TAS and the owner in question has the initials HP? Having been an intermittent subscriber to Stereophile over the years, as I jumped in and out of this audiophoolery, because of other interests and responsibilities, I have always found the writers and reviews to be interesting, informative and fair. Art gives us a laundry list of equipment he owns, has borrowed for reviews and has bought at industry accomodations. Who cares? Unless, someone is questioning his credibility.

Someone in a different post here talks about Stereophile's review policy and the symbiotic relationship between audio mag and manufacturer. Frankly, while on its face, the practice of selective reviewing and reviews that seem to gush over every component, might appear to break the trust, as readers, we have in the magazine's credibility, I actually believe that it is necessary, if we are to get information about this expensive hobby. I'm glad that Art has access to all kinds of equipment, regardless of whether he bought it at a discount, kept it for five months, or get's a watch from Musical Fidelity. (BTW, I'd like one of those.)

It's admirable that Art tells us his equipment experience history. I find Art's column's to be refreshing, outspoken and very literate and I want him to continue to tell it straight for us readers that respect his opinion. So Art, if your credibility is in question, from say, the competition, this one reader says keep doing what you are doing.

In the interest of full-disclosure, I read TAS regularly, as well as other audio magazines. I believe that in this complicated and often subjective hobby especially, it's good to get varying points of view.

Al W.
February 18, 2007

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Topic - Art Dudley's March 2007 Column: What's That About? Long - nighteyes0 06:47:35 02/18/07 (79)
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