Specifications VS Sound Quality

Specs are for comparing similar components or for narrowing down your selections but in the end the only way to tell is to listen and compare the pieces side by side on the speakers you will be using in your room before you will truly know how the specific piece will perform on your music with your system in your room.

millercarbon:

As someone whose eyes start to glaze over whenever technical specs become the topic of discussion, I'm reassured by your post, given your  knowledge and experience  I've always depended upon my ears and so far, they've served me well. . . 

Specs are mostly useless but with years of experience you can sort of read between the lines. A 100wpc $300 Sony receiver is not going to be equal to a 100 wpc Musical Fidelity integrated even if ALL the specs are comparable. . 

I was prompted to start this thread by a friend who is as extremely knowledgeable Audio manufacturer and audiophile who looked at the specs of my new amp and said that it was one of the best amps of its class available. He also heard my rave comments. I liked the encouragement but wonder what the basis of his remarks.

The main value  of specifications to someone who knows how to interpret them properly  is objectively deciding which components to try ie which components are likely to work best in a specific system with others.   You will get to a better place faster if you learn to assess and use specs properly.  Otherwise deciding what to buy is a total gamble with nothing concrete to validate buying decisions other than hearsay or pure guessing.