What companies making novel and robust audio equipment are being stifled?
Amir and Blind Testing
Let me start by saying I like watching Amir from ASR, so please let’s not get harsh or the thread will be deleted. Many times, Amir has noted that when we’re inserting a new component in our system, our brains go into (to paraphrase) “analytical mode” and we start hearing imaginary improvements. He has reiterated this many times, saying that when he switched to an expensive cable he heard improvements, but when he switched back to the cheap one, he also heard improvements because the brain switches from “music enjoyment mode” to “analytical mode.” Following this logic, which I agree with, wouldn’t blind testing, or any A/B testing be compromised because our brains are always in analytical mode and therefore feeding us inaccurate data? Seems to me you need to relax for a few hours at least and listen to a variety of music before your brain can accurately assess whether something is an actual improvement. Perhaps A/B testing is a strawman argument, because the human brain is not a spectrum analyzer. We are too affected by our biases to come up with any valid data. Maybe.
- ...
- 355 posts total
@daveinpa I like your post! Your category 3 is right on. It is fine to buy something just because it makes you feel better. What seems to generate the most angst in these discussions is when people buy things for Reason 3, while trying to convince themselves it is for Reason 1. Then they go seeking confirmation from others on an audio forum. If there are no measurements or the measurements tell a story they don't want to hear then they become anti measurement and seek confirmation in the opinions of others who agree with them. Wait a second, this isn't gong on just in audio, it's all over the place! Anyway, nice analysis Dave! |
Thanks! After i got a new pre-amp and had the revelation of category #1 (irrefutable improvement) i've been on a quest to get that again. Last night i unpacked by new Pontus II DAC that replaced the Bluesound Node 2i internal DAC and got that "without a doubt it sounds better" result. I'm just afraid as i continue to spend more money and replace more components i'm getting into the 0%-10% categories and won't have that leap forward sound improvement I've gotten with my initial component upgrades. Moving to mono block tube amps next!
And FWIW - i like Amir's contributions and content in general. For things like cables and power conditioners showing there is zero difference to me is pretty hard data to argue against. However, when it comes to DACs, amps, etc. i think its a different ball game as to what to measure. Sure you can have great measurements but that doesn't mean it sounds great. And i'm sure you can have crappy measurements and it does sound great. But its nice to see good measurements for something you've spent a lot on. |
Should they currently - be a company - making product - with a known brand name they are probably already in the public domain, displayed at a store nearby alongside other established mainstream brand names, and have managed to overcome the inherent obstacles associated with the audio industry. I'm thinking rather of new and emerging technologies and ideas, and the word "relatively" was used deliberately. . Its a fluid concept, one which is getting dangerously off-topic. |
- 355 posts total