Pls 1, since you have engineeering background, do you believe that it is not possible to design an accurate tube amp or preamp? If, for example, you look at bench measurement frequency response on a Sonic Frontiers Power 2 or 3, you will find almost a dead flat response. You don't see that very often in tube amp reviews, I know. However, again, into an actual load, who knows? But doesn't that apply to transistor designs as well?
Regarding the SF amps, from my experience and everything I have read, listeners still find there are deviations from flat in these amps. Maybe I'm answering my own question here. That we don't know how to design a truly accurate piece of equipment.
Be that as it may, it still seems that pieces that show gross frequency response deviations show these dips and peaks in their sonics as well. So, what do measurements tell us? Something and nothing both.
Regarding the SF amps, from my experience and everything I have read, listeners still find there are deviations from flat in these amps. Maybe I'm answering my own question here. That we don't know how to design a truly accurate piece of equipment.
Be that as it may, it still seems that pieces that show gross frequency response deviations show these dips and peaks in their sonics as well. So, what do measurements tell us? Something and nothing both.