I think what is still being missed here is the fact that JV has NEVER heard a flagship product that he did not rave about. Then, the VERY NEXT review of the next flagship and the warts of the prior product 'magically' come to life. Guys, i do NOT believe that there are these type of advances in our hobby in that short a time. If you do...good for you.
My enthusiasm for my new amps has to do with the ability of their reproduction vs. other amps I have heard ( and I have heard many). Not in relation to the 'real', because in that category, they fail miserably!! ( as does everything else out there, IMO).
However, IF i was to write a review of this product ( or any product for that matter) and I understood the short falls of it at the time ( and please don't tell me that JV has this miracle epiphany every time he reviews the next latest and greatest) of the review, I certainly WOULD bring them to light, that to me is being intellectually honest. I ask you, has JV EVER done this...??