Is ASR for real, or is it only for those sub $1k or even sub $2K?

The ear is an unbelievably sensitive listening device, especially when coupled with the mind.

Especially when coupled with the mind

Therein lies the rub.

@devinplombier ...and always has this nasty habit of being applied in the wrong direction, be it pet, spouse, or the preferred objective....
'Twas always thus, and likely to remain thus. 😏

@kerrybh  The measurements are an indicator of engineering competence, quality of parts and execution of the design/build. 

In other engineering spheres, it would end there. But, in audio, that picture perfect measurement may not have the sonic appeal to many. 

The Schiit Audio guys did this the best, came out bold and honest about it. In fact they released two revisions of the same DAC, i believe...."This version measures better, but, doesn’t sound that great to our ears (that was the ultimate burn for ASR, lol).....This version measures less better, but sounds great to us. You could buy the dac version for the same model depending on which camp you fell in".

Here’s Schiit again...." Oh, you’re a big measurement guy sitting in your garage feeling high and mighty? Take it easy, relax. We’ll publish a 50 page report of our comprehensive AP measurements, link it on the specs page". They put the ASR guy out of a job, Lol.

I don’t agree with the ASR philosophy as anyone who looks at my system would immediately realize. I do believe Amir has a point of view that is worth consideration, and I don’t think it’s very wise to just reject measurements out of hand. I think it’s shameful the way he is treated whenever he comes on this forum, just one personal insult after another. I think he’s wrong but find no reason to insult him. There is also a little cognitive dissonance in saying trust your ears, but you will find that a lot of folks who say trust your ears, and I’m one of them, will find one reason or another to reject any sort of blind testing. Which is trusting your ears.  Each to their own. 
 

I’d be a little careful about putting too much stock in magazine reviews, and I am a subscriber to both the absolute sound and  stereophile. I think these magazines are informative, interesting, and often educational. When it gets to reviews, however, they simply have obvious conflicts of interest arising from advertising dollars, very seldom do direct comparison reviews, which tend to be the most useful to a consumer and really rarely do a negative review. Surely something out there is just not good?  If you need a feeling of affirmation for a purchase, however, their reviews will do it because whatever it is, they’re gonna say it sounded really good. So, i think it’s good informational material, enjoyable reading, but their touts are about like buying a two dollar tip sheet at the racetrack. Just my opinion, read and decide for yourself.

Of the two, I prefer stereophile because it publishes a strong suite of measurements which gives a little more context to the subjective review

I discovered a YouTube channel, which I think is very good, more educational than reviews, but straightforward, knowledgeable, and well reasoned. 
analogholic it’s called and even if you don’t agree with everything he says, I think you’ll learn something from him.  I know i do. 
 

cheers.

Does Amir still use his Mark Levinson amplifiers, or did he sell them and buy a better measuring $2,000 amplifier and pocket the money left over?