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Does mfg's name/model affect your opinion of sound

Many years ago a local audio store (RIP) demoed several tube amps & pre-amps. Some were McIntosh, some were Audio Research, etc. all high end and expensive.

I couldn't help but think that the McIntosh to be "better" sounding than the others since it had the highest price tag and the sexiest front panel design (compare them with their original front panel: ugly!).

I naively assumed the reason they are so expensive is because they must sound better.

Having over 40 years of tube experience, I now judge them purely on the merits of sound as I perceive it.

Does the brand name and price of equipment influences your hearing judgement and buying decision?

Eg: more expensive, therefore must be better.

How many of us have the luxury of listening to a blind test and just hear the music without knowing who made the equipment?
notbananas

Showing 1 response by charles1dad

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,222 posts
 
What has worked most effectively for me is listening.I attend live jazz venues frequently(most often unamplified). This really trains your hearing over time to appreciate the beauty of live trumpets,saxaphones,piano,guitar etc.

What ever components mimic this sound the closest the better they are IMO.Brand and price become irrelevant at this point, it`s simply how convincing/faithful the reproduced sound is.Simple I realize but it works very well for me.Some very exspensive components lack this natural sound and some inexspensive gear is very authentic.
Regards,
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