Streamer opinion.. Pease comment on validity.

Well said Ozzy.  Whether it's a blind test or a fast A/B sighted test, while you may hear differences, that doesn't mean that you'll be able to instantly pick the one that is "better".  I've heard (and bought) a few things that upon first listen I thought sounded better than something I had, but after extended listening noticed other less favorable characteristics about the sound.  Often it was that very thing that caught my ear which upon further listening proved to be exaggerated in a way that made it hard to listen to for an extended time. 

I'm going through a bit of that right now with my new streamer.  Upon first listen it seems that things sound "better" upsampling to DSD, but then I start to hear an edge to the music that I didn't notice without upsampling.

jetter

...  it would make common sense that a person comparing two different stereo units, without knowing which was which, and picking that which they liked the sound of the best is a valid test ...

Is that how you choose your audio components?

big_greg

... Whether it's a blind test or a fast A/B sighted test, while you may hear differences, that doesn't mean that you'll be able to instantly pick the one that is "better". I've heard (and bought) a few things that upon first listen I thought sounded better than something I had, but after extended listening noticed other less favorable characteristics about the sound.

Exactly. The true characteristics of an audio component are best revealed over time, and less likely to be identified in a quick "shoot-out" or AB test.

Is a long term evaluation a test of the components or our brains adaptability?

djones51

Is a long term evaluation a test of the components or our brains adaptability?

If genuine differences are revealed over time, then it’s obvious - by definition - that it’s not the brain’s "adaptability" that’s responsible. Otherwise, "adaptability" would suggest that no difference be heard.