cd318"if these esteemed reviewers with all of their years and years of listening and critically evaluating equipment cannot reach a clear evaluation through blind testing then we are forced to conclude that either the differences are so subliminal as to hardly be worth the bother or there aren't any."
I am in no way forced, compelled, or inclined to reach this conclusion that you state because I am not subject to the two logical fallacies you have committed hear in one sentence!
" subliminal differences are of little use to most of us audiophiles, but blind evaluation must always reveal major ones"
This is an opinion stated as fact yet another logical fallacy!
" In cases where home auditioning is impossible perhaps we need to go back to evaluating and buying gear on specifications once more? If you know how to read them they can tell you at a glance a lot more than some lilly livered critic ever will"
You cannot judge a book by it's cover or a Music Reproduction System component or accessory based on measurements alone this has been repeatedly, reliably, and consistently shown, demonstrated, and revealed.