Neutral electronics are a farce...

I think that "neutral" is one of the most miss-understood and misused words in the audio hobby.

My impression of neutral is a sonic signature which does not emphasize the low or the high frequencies. However, most of the time I see that word being used, even by the print media, they are describing a component which highlights the upper frequencies, which provides the illusion of more detail/resolution.

They call a component that emphasizes the bass region warm, but one that emphasizes the highs is called neutral. In my humble opinion this is an incorrect usage of the word.

The other issue is 'neutral in relation to what?' Since a whole audio system works in unison to present one sound, all components have an impact on the final product, the sound.

Neutral electronics are no more or less a farce than neutral speakers, cables, etc. In essence, neutral means what one wants it to mean. Neutral can mean many different things to many different people.

Personally, I don't strive for a neutral sound, I strive for a natural sound.
Yes, I understand that the word 'natural' means many different things to many different people.....but that is for another thread.

What happens if there is no sonic signature?

I did not say there was no sonic signature Roger. I said the neutral means to me that neither the high nor low frequencies are emphasized. There is a difference. Obviously everything presents a sonic signature, unless it presents no sound at all.

Many folks call gear/cables/speakers "neutral" if they highlight the high frequencies, thereby giving the illusion of higher resolution.  In my mind, emphasizing the high frequencies does NOT connote neutrality.
Obviously YMMV.