6moons as a reviewer?

Pycroft
Pycroft Posts: 1,960
edited January 2014 in The Clubhouse
Hi all,

As I read online reviews, I tend to go to stereophile. When there isn't one available, I'm usually lost. I've recently been reading a lot about integrated amps, and have come across a few by 6moons. I'm curious what those in the know think about them as a reviewer? Are they related to simaudio at all? I know there is moon in both in some ways. I'm just curious on people's opinion of them.

Thanks!

James
2 Channel/HT:
Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
Harman Kardon HK354
Sony SACD Player
Post edited by Pycroft on
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Comments

  • cmy330go
    cmy330go Posts: 2,341
    edited January 2014
    I don't regularly read their reviews, but the few that I've read regarding gear I've heard seemed pretty spot-on. Might try sifting through their archives and reading a few about gear you're familiar with.

    http://www.6moons.com/archivelibrary/alphabet.html
    HT
    Mits WD-65737, DirecTV, Oppo DV-970HD, XBOX ONE, Yamaha RX-A1030, Parasound Halo A23, Rotel RB-985, Music Hall MMF-7, Parasound PPH-100, LSi-15, LSi-C, LSi-FX, LSi-7, PSW-1000, Monster HTS2600

    2 CH
    Parasound Halo P3, Parasound Halo A21, Sutherland Ph.D, VPI Classic 3 w/ 3D arm & Soundsmith Aida Cartridge, Arcam CD72T, B&W 802 S3, Monster HTS2500,
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  • Pycroft
    Pycroft Posts: 1,960
    edited January 2014
    Yeah, I tried that :) Nothing I've owned, as I've had lots of vintage gear, and the newer stuff (my current stuff) hasn't been reviewed by them. Oh well :)

    James
    2 Channel/HT:
    Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
    Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
    Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
    Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
    TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
    Harman Kardon HK354
    Sony SACD Player
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,761
    edited January 2014
    Excellent reviews, highly recommended.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,138
    edited January 2014
    I read the 6moons review of the Jolida JD100 today and thought it was well done:
    http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/jolida/jd100.html
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  • markmarc
    markmarc Posts: 2,309
    edited January 2014
    Every audio review publication has their own style whether it be Stereophile, 6Moons, TONEAudio, etc., etc. Some are technical, some are esoteric, some are contemporary, the styles are wide ranging. The most popular criticism of 6Moons has more to do with navigating their website, IMHO it's like a corn maze which I've heard more than once was the goal. When I have read a review of a product I have reviewed the funny thing I had similar thoughts with most of the products. The key is that no two systems and listening spaces are alike, you can experience similarities but exact is not possible.
    Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
    Founder/Publisher Affordable$$Audio 2006-13.
    Former Staff Member TONEAudio
    2 Ch. System
    Amplifiers: Parasound Halo P6 pre, Vista Audio i34, Peachtree amp500, Adcom GFP-565 GFA-535ii, 545ii, 555ii
    Digital: SimAudio HAD230 DAC, iMac 20in/Amarra,
    Speakers: Paradigm Performa F75, Magnepan .7, Totem Model 1's, ACI Emerald XL, Celestion Si Stands. Totem Dreamcatcher sub
    Analog: Technics SL-J2 w/Pickering 3000D, SimAudio LP5.3 phono pre
    Cable/Wires: Cardas, AudioArt, Shunyata Venom 3
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited January 2014
    Of the few reviews I've read on their site of equipment that I've actually heard or owned, they've been pretty much spot on. And mark... is right about navigating that site. lol

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,014
    edited January 2014
    I find them pretty good as well. The thing I like about them is when they review a piece of gear they go to great lengths in giving you the whole picture. Plus they'll review a piece with various other gear, not just one system other reviewers may have in their home.

    I might add that if I was to buy a piece of gear that I never heard before, 6 moons is a staple of guidance. They were spot on with my Butler amp I bought but never heard.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • Speedskater
    Speedskater Posts: 495
    edited January 2014
    The 6 moon reviewers are all either poets or artists or philosophers. They have no technical knowledge in the group. The technical information (if you can call it information) is all from the manufacture's brochure and sometimes translated from a different language (by a non-technical person).

    But the reviews are fun to read and they have some good photos.
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  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited January 2014
    I know their review of the ps audio mk2 was total bullsh.. because I own the mk1 and two and they got the first one right but wayyy over exaggerated the performance of the mk2
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited January 2014
    Speedskater wrote: »
    The 6 moon reviewers are all either poets or artists or philosophers. They have no technical knowledge in the group.

    I do ENJOY reading the reviews from 6moons. :mrgreen:
    Jake
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,761
    edited January 2014
    They have no technical knowledge in the group. The technical information (if you can call it information) is all from the manufacture's brochure and sometimes translated from a different language (by a non-technical person).

    Technical info can't tell you how a piece of gear will sound and therefore matters very little.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • Speedskater
    Speedskater Posts: 495
    edited January 2014
    Technical information means a lot, if a manufacture bases his product's goodness on bogus technical claims.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,761
    edited January 2014
    It doesn't matter how good the tech specs are if it sounds bad, nor does it matter how bad the specs are if it sounds good. That's basic Audio 101.

    I borrowed this from H9's sig.....
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass

    In addition, there is a well known speaker designer (I forget his name, sorry) who said he once designed a speaker so that it measured ruler flat top to bottom, only problem was it sounded like crap.

    Another example, tube amps do not measure well, higher THD, low damping factor, etc., yet can sound glorious.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • Speedskater
    Speedskater Posts: 495
    edited January 2014
    Not talking about a unit's technical specifications. Talking about the magical scientific explanation of why the company's unit does something special.
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  • markmarc
    markmarc Posts: 2,309
    edited January 2014
    The manufacturers/designers I've talked to will design to a set of specs. Once that is done they will spend the balance of their time making the product as musical as possible. Vince Bruzzesi of Totem told me in an interview that they have a chart showing all the scientific numbers for every part. So he already knows the performance measurement, it then becomes an exercise in matching to for a specific overall sound. From their it is a year of listening, adjusting, listening more, before it is done.
    Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
    Founder/Publisher Affordable$$Audio 2006-13.
    Former Staff Member TONEAudio
    2 Ch. System
    Amplifiers: Parasound Halo P6 pre, Vista Audio i34, Peachtree amp500, Adcom GFP-565 GFA-535ii, 545ii, 555ii
    Digital: SimAudio HAD230 DAC, iMac 20in/Amarra,
    Speakers: Paradigm Performa F75, Magnepan .7, Totem Model 1's, ACI Emerald XL, Celestion Si Stands. Totem Dreamcatcher sub
    Analog: Technics SL-J2 w/Pickering 3000D, SimAudio LP5.3 phono pre
    Cable/Wires: Cardas, AudioArt, Shunyata Venom 3
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited January 2014
    Really hit or miss, IMO.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,761
    edited January 2014
    Speedskater wrote: »
    Talking about the magical scientific explanation of why the company's unit does something special.

    That's simple, their ears.

    Edit: I see markmarc beat me to it.
    From their it is a year of listening, adjusting, listening more, before it is done.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,014
    edited January 2014
    Good posts gents. I was never one to be too concerned over specs myself. I could give a rats behind if you had rubber bands and paper clips in there as long as I liked the sound coming out the other end. After all, that is what matters most....isn't it ?

    As far as reviewers go, whats the main reason your looking up a review anyway ? Because you want to know how it sounds, possibly with various gear, some of which you may actually have.

    When someone here grabs a new toy, do we ask them what kind of caps it has, what dac chip or resistors ? No...we want to know how it sounds. " Sound"....is the whole purpose your in this audio hobby and is what guides your future purchases. Don't misunderstand, specs are useful but in the end it's the sound that matters.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter