Below is a link to a new review written by fellow member and professional reviewer, Tim Aucremann. This is the best review I have read about a component in a very long time. Tim's approach is a bit different from what I typically see. The review embodies various subjects that we have been discussing on this forum for the last year or so: language, system videos, references.
I find the review very comprehensive and well written, but what really strikes me is the skill with which Tim describes what he hears. Tim eschews the typical audiophile glossary of terms preferring to describe the listening experience holistically rather than in the dissected bits and pieces of sound we have come to expect . Using the language of music, he describes very well what he hears when listening to specific music tracks. The language is clear and easy to grasp. Here is one example:
"The performance is complex and the Mammoth Gold lets you hear that. The sense of propulsion is amazing. The battle rages as it builds intensity, briefly dying then rising over and again. Snare drums and a glockenspiel add their color. The coherence and integrity with which the Gold renders the groove offer a unique sense of texture as the music grinds and flows in a moving tapestry of cacophonous sound. Add to this a fine sense of depth and layering."
Tim compares the cartridge under review with two other cartridges he has on hand. He includes system videos to support and supplement his written descriptions. There are some excellent photographs, technical descriptions, and clear comparative analysis. Perhaps most importantly to me, the review does not come across as mere company marketing. The review strikes that rare balance of being written by a professional with all of the experience and knowledge necessary to create a comprehensive and clearly articulated and persuasive opinion, but also with the passion and common, non audiophile language usually found from the perspective of the hobbyist and music lover sharing his thoughts enthusiastically with friends.
I find Tim's latest review to be quite unusual and worth reading. It is an example of good, clear writing that conveys the relationship between music and sound, the recording and the equipment. By describing what he actually hears in such vivid and relatable terms and then supplementing that with his system videos, I have a really good sense of how this cartridge contributed to Tim's listening experience and what it sounds like. For me, this is an example of how to write a good review.
Here is the link to the review in Positive Feedback: https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/aidas-mammoth-cartridge/
I find the review very comprehensive and well written, but what really strikes me is the skill with which Tim describes what he hears. Tim eschews the typical audiophile glossary of terms preferring to describe the listening experience holistically rather than in the dissected bits and pieces of sound we have come to expect . Using the language of music, he describes very well what he hears when listening to specific music tracks. The language is clear and easy to grasp. Here is one example:
"The performance is complex and the Mammoth Gold lets you hear that. The sense of propulsion is amazing. The battle rages as it builds intensity, briefly dying then rising over and again. Snare drums and a glockenspiel add their color. The coherence and integrity with which the Gold renders the groove offer a unique sense of texture as the music grinds and flows in a moving tapestry of cacophonous sound. Add to this a fine sense of depth and layering."
Tim compares the cartridge under review with two other cartridges he has on hand. He includes system videos to support and supplement his written descriptions. There are some excellent photographs, technical descriptions, and clear comparative analysis. Perhaps most importantly to me, the review does not come across as mere company marketing. The review strikes that rare balance of being written by a professional with all of the experience and knowledge necessary to create a comprehensive and clearly articulated and persuasive opinion, but also with the passion and common, non audiophile language usually found from the perspective of the hobbyist and music lover sharing his thoughts enthusiastically with friends.
I find Tim's latest review to be quite unusual and worth reading. It is an example of good, clear writing that conveys the relationship between music and sound, the recording and the equipment. By describing what he actually hears in such vivid and relatable terms and then supplementing that with his system videos, I have a really good sense of how this cartridge contributed to Tim's listening experience and what it sounds like. For me, this is an example of how to write a good review.
Here is the link to the review in Positive Feedback: https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/aidas-mammoth-cartridge/
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