Why HiFi Gear Measurements Are Misleading (yes ASR talking to you…)

I don’t agree with the tone of the discussion from both camps with personal judgments being hurled, and demands that one side is ultimately right and that the other side should switch their position. I think we should strive to accept that other perspectives exist and be okay with that, while being curious to understand how others arrive at their perspectives.

Getting off my high-horse now….

@kota1, @amir_asr , there is an opportunity here. What about conducting a blind test by a panel, with oversight by representatives of both camps (preferably the cooler heads), and conduct a series of tests? The tests could include they typical controversial subjects:

• Generic power cords vs extreme premium power cords
• Comparison of burned—in gear vs new gear (separate tests for cables, amps, DACs, etc)
• Test of vibration control vs no vibration control
• Test of generic USB cable to extreme premium USB cable
• Measurements of all of the above tests and corresponding analysis

How cool would that be. With the proper controls in place, with the proper panel to ensure equal representation of predispositions and biases, and with the proper governance, if these tests were done and published, this would be referenced for many, many years to come. It would be referenced by all review sites and pro review publications alike - for many years. It would finally advance decades of debate and inform our knowledge in a particular direction. The goal would need to be focused on advancing our knowledge rather than trying to be right.

@amir_asr: people would have a huge respect for you if you pulled off such an ambitious endeavour. Think about reaching out to subjective pro reviewers to cooperate on conducting this series of tests. You need to have others on the governance panel or people will simply claim you designed it seeking a particular result to serve your interests. The results could be highly disruptive in terms of how we think of HiFi.

I know Amir you might argue, been there, done that. Tests done decades ago, etc. just did a blind test last Saturday, etc. But not in such an open way, with community involvement.

A lot of your naysayers would have to shut their mouths if you put your money where your mouth is and led such a community-led endeavour. And just maybe, you might learn something too.

I for one would be so excited if someone took a challenge like this on - it would demonstrate true leadership in the world of HiFi IF done correctly with community engagement.

The gauntlet has been thrown down!

@amir_asr Simple suggestion. Put all Nordost power cables in your system and than swap them with Cardas. Try playing some familiar music to somebody who has zero interest in hi fi, first with one set of cables, than with other.

I bet that any person with a healthy hearing would conclude that those would be two very ’different’ presentations

So, with all that science mentioned I wonder why anybody has not yet discovered the ’trick’ that cable producers use in making their power cords having a distinctive signature like their other lines of cables. Trust me, everyone hates spending money on power cables.(or usb)

If you would, by any chance, ’dicover’ the method used by them (producers) and somehow find the solution to have the same influence on sound signature of some system, but without using those expensive aftermarket cables, you would be person of the year for many audiophiles.

Think about it. You have consistency in ’testimonials’ from various people, who are different as they can be, with also very different systems. And yet, almost majority of them hears the same thing. Find me one person who uses Cardas power cord on Burmester gear or Nordost on Ayre (and has system that sounds ’right’)

There is even perhaps some truth or use in things you do, but you ’fall’ on basics and because of it you are closing the doors for you for so many people.Nobody (in ’audiophile world’) will ever take you serious when you make claims like that.

On the other hand, I would say that you might have very different motivs all together. I have met many sceptics, usually it only takes one swap of the cables for them to hear the difference. Majority of them usually could not care less about such things. But, for you its not just the cables, there are tubes, vinyl and many other thing that you got issues with. Why is that, only you know. For people who follow your ’lead’, hope one day they will come in situation where they will have a chance to hear a good sounding system.Perhaps than they might change their mind. Until than, they will for sure at least save more money than some others...after all, hi fi is a just something we do for fun...nothing profoundly serious about it..

Other than that, there is not much more to be said. We shall all go on our merry way . I would advise anyone to stay away from any further discussion with you, as there is simply no point. Likewise, people who are using insults in their conversation with you, should know better not to

@nyev ,

I think you would have a hard time getting recognized subjective reviewers to participate. This is why I don't participate in arguments about controversial audio products. It makes no sense to argue so hard about something that could be put to rest in a day or two and a couple of plane tickets.

amir_asr

There is currently no research going on to validate what you all claim to hear.

Nonsense. There are many people striving to advance the audio arts. Some of them are right here on A'gon.

So do what you want. But please don’t talk to me about it.

No one needs your permission to participate here.