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

@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?

They may take a listen but they do so with negative expectation bias.  

ASR = one dimensional thinking…

I’ve read that forum and site for years. It has its value. Measurements are one criterion, but as we all know, we’re the ones who have to listen to the thing.  Probably the most obnoxious result are Amir’s fanboys who feel like they’ve discovered some big secret that means they never have to spend any money on their rig again. It’s really classic Internet. They’ve actually gotten a little better.
 

But in a way, you touch on a generational thing with this hobby. ASR is hugely popular with young tech types who seem to really want to be a part of our hobby, but feel priced out of it. Consequently the whole thing often is a giant rationalization to justify the gear they can afford. Real siloed thinking. Their hostility to anyone who comes from outside their little bubble says it all.

FWIW, they do seem to have stopped hating gear for no other reason than they can’t afford it. I’ve actually seen some very favorable reviews of some fairly high end gear there. So they seem to have gained a measure of self-awareness.