I would love to see a "Rewind" feature in WHFS&V every month?..
OK I've had any idea (though it's probably been had before). What Hi-Fi is great at comparing current models, helping would be buyers pull together a short list to audition. However, as nearly everyone is always upgrading from older kit, the question I always find myself asking is "but would it be better than what I own", especially if it was something rated highly when new.
So, how about a "Rewind" section in the magazine along the following lines:
- Reprint a review of an award winner or favourite from between 5-20 years ago.
- Discuss its technology in comparison to today equivalents
- Go out and buy second hand a very good example. Write about things to look out for and average price for mint/good/fair examples.
- Review the one you bought against today's equivalents, ranging in price from what you paid for it up to the level it sat at originally - what does it take to better it, is it comfortably outperformed by modern models or does it still easily punch above its weight.
You could then even introduce a new star type rating system for used gear.
I know advertisers might be twitchy about their new stuff being beaten by older, now cheaper models s/h, but if their products are as good as they say they are, a victory over an originally more expensive piece of kit may actually get them new buyers who previously dabbled in the second hand market.
Personally I would love to see the following as examples of potential reviews (you would probably be better placed to make up the categories and components though):
How far have CD players moved on?
Arcam Alpha 7se, now readily available under £100 in good condition vs current crop of budget players
Dinosaur DAC's!
Arcam rDac vs Arcam Delta Black Boxes, Linn Numerik, Audiolab DAX (lack of USB could be catered for by MF V-link
Amp Re-Vamp!
Older favourite integrates such as Audiolab 8000A, Pioneer A400 vs Marantz Pm6004 (etc etc)
I appreciate you may have to stick with the traditional Hi Fi back bones (CDs, Amps, Speakers etc) as AV stuff has moved on at such a pace and with differing formats.
What do you think? Anyone with me? Personally I'd buy a whole magazine with this sort of stuff in!
I'd enjoy this too, but it isn't really how the mag is structured right now, and there are less popular but longer-running publications that do exactly this available at a newstand near you.
I think its a great idea.
They could ditch the buying guide which takes up half of the mag and serves no purpose, then fill it with some useful reading info. It might then be worth its £4.70 asking price.
I'd enjoy this too, but it isn't really how the mag is structured right now, and there are less popular but longer-running publications that do exactly this available at a newstand near you.
Could you give me a subtle hint as to where I might find such articles please nopiano? As I said, I'd buy a magazine just for this feature TBH.
I understand what you're saying about the mags structure and target audience - the prevalence of more gadgetry components in its pages suggest to a wider aim of covering anything that "makes sound". That's not a complaint either, I rely on these features to keep myself up to date on what's going on in the industry and where things are headed (though I still don't own any HD sources!).
I reckon a feature like this would still fit well though, make a very rounded magazine.
Could you give me a subtle hint as to where I might find such articles please nopiano? As I said, I'd buy a magazine just for this feature TBH.
you could try the mag with a yellow border. They review historic kit as well as current
you could try the mag with a yellow border. They review historic kit as well as current
That's Hi-Fi News & Record Review, and if I'm struck off it's you to blame!
They could ditch the buying guide which takes up half of the mag and serves no purpose
I bet a very large number of mags are sold purely because of that buying guide. I know I did when I bought a TV years ago.
The conclusions from the type of comparisons you propose would favour the modern product 99% of the time, so probably it would be pointless. Read into that what you will.
you could try the mag with a yellow border. They review historic kit as well as current
That's Hi-Fi News & Record Review, and if I'm struck off it's you to blame!
Thanks, I'll post bail if it comes to that!
If so that would be genuinely interesting to owners of the older kit IMO.
What would you (or others) put together as tests? What would you like to see compared old to new?
+1
(from someone who buys about 4 issues a year and would buy more if the BG was dumped and replaced with something more interesting instead)
I think its a great idea.
They could ditch the buying guide which takes up half of the mag and serves no purpose, then fill it with some useful reading info. It might then be worth its £4.70 asking price.
Couple of points: we're planning to revamp the Buying Guide in the mag later this year as much of the info in it is now available here on the website, so we don't necessarily have to repeat it all in the mag. That would free up some pages to provide more editorial content in the back.
As for testing old kit vs new, I can see why it might appeal to some people, but I suspect the vast majority of our readers are looking for something new to buy, which is why we focus on products that are currently available. It might make a good feature for the Big Question though 
If so that would be genuinely interesting to owners of the older kit IMO.
What would you (or others) put together as tests? What would you like to see compared old to new?
If you take any notice of washing powder adverts on TV, today's washing powders are so good these days and so improved that 35 years ago they must've been dirtying our clothes. Yet in actuality, I'm not sure there's been much of an improvement at all other than the fact most modern powders are designed to be used at lower temperatures. But if there was such a magazine as What Washing Powder?, Washing Powder Choice or Washing Powder & Detergent Review, do you think they'd actually say "To be honest guys, the stuff your mum used in her twin-tub in 1975 is just as good as anything you can buy today"? Exactly how long do you think they'd be in circulation, seeing that a tidy proportion of their revenue would be advertising-income from washing powder manufacturers? It's probably not a brilliant example because there isn't actually an option for you still use the old washing powder your mum bought in 1975 unless she bought a lifetime's supply back then and neither dampness nor the mice have got at it. But hopefully, it gets my thoughts across.
Interesting analogy MajorFubar. Mind you, I do remember seeing a programme on TV about corporate PR disasters in which a big-brand washing powder company (can't remember which one) developed a new formula that was so effective that it actually shredded your clothes after a couple of washes.
Lol that's taking things a step far I agree and was quite probably a PR stunt.
Couple of points: we're planning to revamp the Buying Guide in the mag later this year as much of the info in it is now available here on the website, so we don't necessarily have to repeat it all in the mag. That would free up some pages to provide more editorial content in the back.
As for testing old kit vs new, I can see why it might appeal to some people, but I suspect the vast majority of our readers are looking for something new to buy, which is why we focus on products that are currently available. It might make a good feature for the Big Question though
To some extent it's a self-fulfilling prophesy.
If What Hi-fi continues to cover new products only, then there will be readers who will assume that new is best because that's all that What Hi-fi magazine covers.
If What Hi-fi compared old components with new ones, with the old components getting favourable reviews, more and more of the readership would start looking to buy used.
Personally I don't see this as huge issue. Regardless of the magazine content, there's nothing to stop anyone from discussing old kit on this forum. There's nothing stopping anyone from trying old kit themselves and coming to their own conclusions on how it compares to new.
Firstly, WHFI S&V is about new products. They have reviewed older products in the past, but essentially it's new...
A few of us, including myself, have put forward suggestions without any positive response.
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