I think its an honest question. Some of his equipment reviews are honest (ish).
In this hobby, there are objectivists (truth seekers) and subjectivists (pleasure seekers).
To what degree? Well ... most of us are somewhere in between.
Don't know about vested interests of audio mags/sites. Sure there are some interests; maybe even vested too.
If one side feels that measurements, honesty (materials used, why, etc) is a yardstick, so be it.
If the other side feels "good stuff" costs a bomb (but I'll pay for it), measurements are secondary, so be it.
Both are perfectly valid points of view depending on where one is coming from and the "final" destination.
In my own case, over the years, I have bought equipment after hearing them and without hearing them.
In the case of "blind buys" I have read a lot of reviews, maybe even videos too.
If any of these talked mostly measurements and sparsely about how it sounds, I'd personally be confused.
Subjective opinion (maybe even flowery sonnets) matters after the basic minimum objective credentials are firmly established.
I have been mostly lucky in picking stuff that I have not had a chance to audition.
Risks are there, but calculate and mitigate them as much as possible.
Also I make my gear work for me (like months/years) before giving up.
After which time, I usually re-purpose or give it to family members.
Some companies make great sounding equipment (I have heard a few) but cost a bomb.
Just because I cannot afford these, doesn't mean they should not exist in that price range.
They may or may not have a reason to be so pricey. Who am I to judge?
There have been some references in this thread and generally on the forum about component pricing.
DACs that use run-of-the-mill chips or amps that use reference modules priced at 5x the cost, etc.
A company designs stuff (or incorporates a reference design) and makes a product.
This product has to be engineered, tested, advertised, marketed, stocked and serviced.
All of this and more is factored into the cost.
Sometimes companies proudly state about using expensive or high spec parts.
That is their claim to fame; no compromises when it comes to the guts or what we do; what's wrong with it.
If one feels they are selling snake oil, don't buy.
The "God" in my HFV avatar once said "One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain."
As I often say on this forum ...
Enjoy the music wholesome, don't pay attention only to the sound of music.
Cheers,
Raghu
