Critiques of Equipment

I've done a handfull of blind tests on front-end components with audiophile friends since I started in this hobby back in 85'. The results are not always as expected, but never leave anyone with a shadow of doubt there is a difference in front end components (or any other for that matter). I've always found results to be fairly consistent in terms of descriptions of qualities, but not as consistent in the preferences for individual qualities and components. It can be fun to do. Changes certainly are incremental, and whether they're worth the $ is entirely up to the individual. Synergy can be so easily demonstrated that questioning that just tells me you haven't tried many different combinations, or if you have, you must be hard of hearing. What gets me is the overzealous statements people use to describe the differences as if to justify their superior taste and savvy investment. Get over it! One of the things I've found in doing the A/B/A blind comparison sessions, is that it can be fun on a social level, but it is NOT about enjoying music in the moment, and in fact it tends to take you away from enjoying the music, at least it has for me. I agree, there is no shortage on commentary, but I'd doubt much of it qualifies as being "authorative". I've said it before, it's all subjective. If you can't hear a difference, and or, don't give a rat's derrier, all the power to you...you'll have more time on your hands to enjoy the music!

Marco

Hey Warren - Good attempt at the P.C. audiophool vocabulary. Unfortunately
you'll probably get get folks misusing your fine suggestions in ways such as
this:

"We (that is me, my entire family, all my audiophile friends, and
everyone else who's been blessed with hearing our rig) PREFERRED the sound
of the Zandocker-Modified Audio Integrity Supreme Righteousness above any
other front end we've ever heard, including vinyl rigs costing eight times the
price of the ZAISR! We cannot conceive of the sad and sorry monkey-assed
boob who might think otherwise after hearing the ZAISR and would possibly
PREFER any other front-end component. The ZAISR changed our lives and
brought happiness and prosperity in its wake, as we've no doubt it may
bestow upon those enlightened audiophiles who are able to discriminate
between, say, sh!t and shinola. So profound is our PREFERENCE for this front
end over all other front-ends that we are making it our personal mission to
illuminate the audiophile community with the virtues of this god-sent front-
end that we so PREFER. To that end we've establised the First Unitarian
Church of Zandocker right here in Ottumwa, Iowa, where others who've been
as blessed as we may come and worship and go out to spread the word
among the heathen who have yet to hear the good words I am sharing with all
of you here. Praise Zandocker!"

Marco

Reading some reviews/criticism here and on other audio sites often brings to
mind that great line by The Clash from their album "Sandinista"
addressing the U.S. justification of their involvement in Vietnam:

"Charlie don't surf, but we think he should!"

Marco