I ran across this discussion of Pejudice & Bias on YouTube


billstevenson

it’s hard to argue with these general points - they are all reasonable, maybe after I watch the video

I think any message that sets the record straight about the importance of synergy is hugely valuable. 

@billstevenson I think Guido has done a fantastic job covering each point. I only very slightly disagree with his take on cables. He mentioned that when your components reach a high enough level the cables matter less and you don’t need super duper cables. 
While that is certainly true to some extent, you still want the most transparent and least sonically colored cables you can get. Unfortunately these aren’t cheap. Yes your system will sound very good with the best possible components and cheapest cables like bluejeans, you won’t be getting its full potential.
I will add that this isn’t about how much you personally are willing to spend on cables or what makes sense to you. It’s about squeezing the last drop of performance out of your system. 

I would take the converse position on cable quality (not necessarily the same thing as cost). The better your stuff, the better you want the cables to be, but I also take seriously what Ralph Kirsten claims, that true balanced connection is less demanding of hyper expensive cables. I also often make my own using only the best materials in my then current opinion.

The article doesn’t mention chassis color. I think there is a bias related to black, silver, or gold/brass.

What struck me more than anything else was how perceptive Guido is.  All of these issues have surfaced often and repeatedly in the audiophile world.  Irrespective of what side any of us might take on any given issue, and I am sure we all have an opinion on each of them, he has demonstrated that he has his finger on the pulse of the collective.  Moreover, if we look at these biases objectively there is not one of them that is worth the energy and vehemence that is often expended in support of the position taken.  Take as an example the issue of measurements vs. subjective evaluation.  Clearly this is an issue with legs.  In an earlier age probably duels to the death would have been fought to assuage perceptions of slights to honor, the arguments have been that numerous and intense.  Yet if we are honest about it, the issue is neither here nor there.  I mean really, pick your corner.  lewm mentions cables. and here again it seems clear that many if not most of us have expended thought, time and money considering this issue.  Is this a matter worthy of these expenditures?  Without going into what could be a long saga, let me just say that in my case, after listening to a lot of cables and making selections, and now doing an occasional reality check, the answer is not clear.  I picked a vendor, I use him loyally, finis.  Is it something to get in an argument over?  Not to me.  I could go on, but I think Guido’s point is that we should all examine our biases and try to put them into their proper perspective and strive to dispense with them altogether.  That is something easier said than done, but a worthy goal nonetheless.  

At 74, I just "got" synergy.  Recently upgraded to MSB dac/pre and S202 amp..  Wow, huge audible improvement that these old ears can hear.  Interestingly, most reviews of equipment are done with a cafeteria of equipment,