So, we’re making a list…

Recommended Gear List

…and yes, we’ve checked it more than twice! Welcome to the new year folks. And despite the title of this article, I fully realize that Christmas is over and that I ain’t jolly old Saint Nick. But right now, I’m talking about a list of a different sort and, if you’re so inclined, you may consider it as a belated gift (or our first gift of 2022) to you, our loyal readers. While you are all familiar with our annual SECRETS Best of Awards, where we recognize the best audio and video products we’ve reviewed each year, we’ve been thinking for some time now that we needed to have a consolidated list of what we, here at SECRETS, feel is the best gear that we have reviewed, EVER.

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So, hypothetically, this “list” would begin as something broken down into tiers where readers can reference and research our take on these various products to better inform themselves should they be making a purchase or looking to design a system. Those products that make this hypothetical list would have to be currently available and in production, or an almost identical updated replacement be available instead. These outstanding products would also have to be selected from the vast array of stuff our writers and editors have looked at over the last few years. Each prospective candidate would have to be recommended to our Editors by the respective reviewer, confirming that they were suitably wowed into abject befuddlement. The Editors would then need to meet and go over these recommendations, hem, and haw and do much kvetching and gnashing of teeth until one list to rule them all was decided upon. The list would then be passed to our boss, the right honorable John of the Johnson Jr, where he would scrutinize it over a cup of the finest hot cocoa, do much deep pondering, and, ultimately, deem it to be just and good.

Well, my friends, this supposed list of ultimate A/V goodness will not be hypothetical for much longer. For soon it shall be released on the SECRETS website for all the world to gaze upon and it will be called, (cue the drumroll and much fanfare) The SECRETS Recommended Gear List! Yes, you may clap now.

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Okay, so you’re saying to yourself, there are best-of lists for everything everywhere. Who needs another best-of list? Well, frankly dear readers, you do. Yes, I’m being serious! Consider it this way. At SECRETS we’ve been reviewing audio and video gear online for the last 28 years. We like to think that we’re pretty good at it and that we give you an honest and unvarnished look at the equipment that is worth your time to find out about. We’re not here to tell you what to buy, but we are here for you to use as a trusted resource as you research and inform yourself in making a decision. Anything that we can do to make our experience easier for you to access is a good thing and that’s what the new SECRETS Recommended Gear List is all about. In our list, we’ve decided to streamline the rating levels into four distinct and clearly defined tiers. They are as follows:

Essential

Essential Logo

These components provide excellent performance and represent a superb value with a focus on the entry-level. Anyone looking to set up a great affordable system can rely on these choices.

Superior

Superior Logo

The upgrade choice. This gear exhibits superior design and performance in every detail. A significant step up over Essential class.

Reference

Reference Logo

Reference Standard components. These choices provide “cream of the crop” performance with no compromises.

Elite

Elite Logo

This is an elite category for price-no-object components. Dream gear for most of us. Ultimate works of art and craftsmanship.

So that is the long and the short of it. Look for Essential, the first tier of components, to be published on February 8th with the remaining tiers to be released, one per week after that. Yes, we could publish the entire list all at once but what would be the fun in that? It’s our very first list so we’re going to draw it out as much as possible. Balloons, party hats, the works!

Just be happy that we didn’t hire the mimes!

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All the best!
Carlo Lo Raso
Co-Editor-In-Chief