When Reviewers Buy


Like Chicago politics, the audio reviewer industry has a well known protocol of d'une part, un autre lave (one hand washes another). And like the best Rezko-ish deals of Chicago, some of the reviewers are better than others at executing this art form.

Not all are in this club. Some are very well salted, well read and have good ears. They opine in the strictest and fairest sense.

But, when they buy, then that is your buying signal. So far, these are reviewers who have bought.

Affordable Audio – The Bada HD-22

The HD-22, now in its HD-22SE version, has the unique ability to be dynamic and yet provide a warm, tube sound. The inside is built like a tank and for this price point, you get an advanced Phillips servo found in 5K CD players, dual trannies and an advanced AC filter network. We suspect that the reviewer feels like we do, for the price point it cannot be beat. To consider your other audio outlet rice-a-roni CD players is well, a joke.

Stereo Mojo – The DAC AM Modified

Incredibly tube like, the DAC AM Modified maybe the steal of the century in the < $500 DAC brigade. The harsh midrange of low end DACs is toned down and replace with a see through window that only the best tube DACs aspire to. The reviewer states that the DAC AM Modified embarrassed the LINN Classik. The reviewer was fooled by its low price point and therefore placed the DAC AM in his “den” system; only later to find that the DAC AM has enough body and clarity, to be placed in his main system. The DAC AM Modified is the solid state counter part to the tube DAC 68. Try it in your “den” system; it will soon be moved up to your “high end” system.

Positive Feedback –The Ming Da MC 34AB

Another great audio deal is the MC 34AB 07. The Ming Da MC 34AB 07 with its 8 EL34 tubes and power humpty and 75 watts of power, opens up speakers like no other amp. It is no wonder, that the Dr. Sardonicus of Positive Feedback bought one of these. Like so many reviewers, the price point sways them toward a “second” or “den” system, only to find that the amp makes its way up to the main system and rules to roost. This versatile amp can also be used as an integrated and basic amp. It also has a switch for triode and ultra linear modes. The MC 34AB 07 makes quite the impression right out of the box, then it slowly warms as well as providing a deep tight bass. We have also had, may folks sell their Primas and Cays on Audiogon, take to proceeds and buy the amp a new. What a deal.


Stereo Mojo – The Shenda Music Van (Review Pending)

Lets call it the poor man’s Doge 6. Why? Consider the Doge 6, which is able to substantially define a musical object (vocalist, symbol, bass drum et.al) in space, put weight around it and then calculate the distance between the musical object and other musical objects. The difference between the Doge 6 and the Shenda Music Van is the fact that the Doge 6 is better at calculating this distances and the Shenda sometimes misses. Depending upon your systems resolution, this may or may not affect you. When the Shenda places an instrument musically. Therefore, it tends to make poor recordings a little more musical and the transitions between wide dynamics a little more bold. Over all, if its dynamics you want, then choose the Shenda. If it is imaging you want, then choose the Doge.


Affordable Audio – Shuguang Blue S8

Hope they like blue as the LED shoot across and up and down the amp. It really is a tale of three amps: the Shuguang, the Ming Da MC 368B90, and the Doge 6130. Lets take the two sonic extremes: the Ming Da MC 368B90 and the Doge 6130. The Ming Da is Audio Research Dual 76A / Conrad Johnson MV75 sweet, as it plays to the best qualities of those amps. It is surprisingly musical and defines what tubes are all about: a slightly rolled off high end, lush midrange and a deep fat bass. Some like this, other do not. For those that do not, enter in the Doge 6130, where it has the detail and articulation of a solid state amp with the warmth of tubes. It has a deep low end that is not fat or rolled off. The midrange is pronounced, yet still has some musicality. Lovers of the MC 368B90 will be looking for the tubes in this amp. The Shuguang then falls in somewhere between. It extracts details from the source, yet provides tube warmth and a bump in the lower registers. All that being said, it is the most musical of the bunch. You can change the sound dramatically by substituting quality 6SN7 or 6SLT tubes.

Read the reviews, read between the lines. But when they buy, you can read into their actions.