The Audio Critic

The arguments you make are what are referred to as Strawman Arguments, I.e., logical fallacies. For example, if a person can hear the differences in cable or the directionality of wire and someone else can't, the explanation is very simple - there are reasons why a person sometimes can't hear differences. You do realize that many audiophiles DO hear differences in wire, no? The person that can't hear differences either (1) has a problem with his system, (2) has a problem with his hearing, (3) lacks experience in what differences to listen for, or (4) his system is fine but not revealing enough for him to discern the differences. The same argument can be made for just about anything in audio, from CD treatments to Mpingo discs to the Tice Clock to tiny little bowl resonators to the differences between tube amps and solid state amps, you name it.

"I have normal human hearing." Everyone's hearing acuity varies, just as every other of the senses. ie: The palette & tongue must be trained to discern in what region of the World a certain wine's grape was grown. Yet(even if trained); some have a sense of taste, more acute than others. A good man understands his own limitations. Only a fool thinks everyone else is thus limited. One of the most ludicrous statements, in the History of Audio HAS to be, "In controlled double-blind listening tests, no one has ever (yes, "EVER") heard a difference between two amplifiers with high input impedance, low output impedance, flat response, low distortion, and low noise."(YEP: he said that) I say, "One of the most ludicrous," because I still remember Julian Hirsch stating, in Stereo Pee-yoo, "I never listen to live music, but- I have a pretty good idea what it sounds like." Aczel was NOT one of, "the founders of this hobby." He was a speaker builder, a critic and utterly disregardable.

GEoff what you just said is logically consistent but logic alone achieves nothing without facts.

The fact would be that there are differences possible and that any individual may or may not hear it in any particular case. One case means nothing other than two different outcomes with two different people.

Now expand the scope to consider many similar cases, and then at least statistically there is a basis perhaps to draw some conclusion. Still does not prove anything though about any particular case. Only that something expected might be likely or not.

Geoffkait:

I am not saying you, you personally, cannot hear wire. I am not saying any particular individual cannot hear wire. I am saying IF, they can, why don't you/they demonstrate that ability? This whole so-called debate in audio, would and could be ended forever. In 20 minutes tops. Just ONE PERSON has to demonstrate they can hear wire or amps.

No one is OBLIGATED to do so, but I cannot imagine why they would not want to do so. Not to mention the million bucks.

Also, since you can hear wire, it seems a given, that you should be able to hear ANY Component more complex than wire. Can you? Ever owned mono blocks? Did you hear a difference in the two? Can you detect a difference between stereo amp channels? Can you hear a difference between two amps of the same brand and model ?

I would think that a person with the hearing acuity to hear wire should be able to hear all of the above, and more. It also seems to me, that person would be miserable as an audiophile.

Question: When you change wire, why do you do so. Is wire sold stating the changes it will make in your system's sound? If not, how do you know wire to buy? What claims are made by the wire makers? What do you listen for after installing a new wire?

Thanks

Cheers

*****It is amazing that he continued to publish so long given that the only message was that it really did not matter and one is wasting money when buying anything but the cheapest stuff out there-*****

The last review of a power amp I recall seeing in TAC, was on the Parasound A-21. MSRP, $2500 USD. Hardly the cheapest out there. Does he own Parasound also??

He gave it a very positive review. Measurements were outstanding. Build quality excellent. Said it had that "High End" look and feel. How did he say it sounded? It had no sound, just like any other well designed stereo amp.

Sorry. Better luck next time.

Cheers