Talk but not walk?


Hi Guys

This isn't meant to start a fight, but it is important to on lookers. As a qualifier, I have my own audio forum where we report on audio issues as we empirically test them. It helps us short cut on theories and developing methods of listening. We have a wide range of systems and they are all over the world adding their experiences to the mix. Some are engineers, some are artist and others are audiophiles both new and old. One question I am almost always asked while I am visiting other forums, from some of my members and also members of the forum I am visiting is, why do so many HEA hobbyist talk theory without any, or very limited, empirical testing or experience?

I have been around empirical testing labs since I was a kid, and one thing that is certain is, you can always tell if someone is talking without walking. Right now on this forum there are easily 20 threads going on where folks are talking theory and there is absolutely no doubt to any of us who have actually done the testing needed, that the guy talking has never done the actual empirical testing themselves. I've seen this happen with HEA reviewers and designers and a ton of hobbyist. My question is this, why?

You would think that this hobby would be about listening and experience, so why are there so many myths created and why, in this hobby in particular, do people claim they know something without ever experimenting or being part of a team of empirical science folks. It's not that hard to setup a real empirical testing ground, so why don't we see this happen?

I'm not asking for peoples credentials, and I'm not asking to be trolled, I'm simply asking why talk and not walk? In many ways HEA is on pause while the rest of audio innovation is moving forward. I'm also not asking you guys to defend HEA, we've all heard it been there done it. What I'm asking is a very simple question in a hobby that is suppose to be based on "doing", why fake it?

thanks, be polite

Michael Green

www.michaelgreenaudio.net


128x128michaelgreenaudio
Michael Green,

I just noticed that you expressed interest in my whole system that was used for "walking" with NAD C-350 amplifier. I cannot provide pictures, mostly for practical Internet reasons and not for any secrecy. It consisted of...

SONY HAP-Z1ES, playing different kinds of music, including Hindu Love Gods. From Mahler to Kraftwerk and whatever else. Mostly at 16/44/1 AIFF and some DSD 2.8.

Interconnects, probably stock with some old equipment, but possibly also Radio Shack. Definitely nothing expensive.

NAD C-350 amplifier, bought maybe in 2001 or 2002, played a lot before, but not touched in 4 years.


Monster Cable speaker cable, about two meter each. Bought in 1994 for about $30 for a spool that supplied enough for a few people's systems and I still have a lot more. In short, cheap stuff. Finished with some cheap banana plugs, not soldered, from the Internet.

Revel Performa F208 speakers, brown, a few months old.

Screwdriver from the local hardware store, bought for ABS module change.

Salamander 5-shelf audio rack picked from the curbside garbage (furniture equivalent of a vintage Sherwood receiver). Tuned/tweaked with "Banner red" spray paint, different and inconsistent number of layers, some thinning now. Screws as tight as they could be by hand.

Red leather sofa as a sitting position.

Floor is bamboo and has a rug covering a large, maybe 80 percent, surface in between the rack and the sofa.

White piano to the side (keys moving as they always have). It says Steinway on it (mentioning as it seems to be one of the key words with your tuning). It does need tuning, the regular way.

Walls mostly uncovered, parallel, with many corners and openings, including the ceiling.

No ventilation opening of the Oneonta studio kind forcing air in the room.

Windows closed, at the time of "walking" covered with the soft (cloth) side of the blinds.

Picture would have been quicker, but would not tell the story.

Now, if you could answer a few questions, too.
"It’s because there are too many things that can go wrong with any test, many of which are behind the control of the intrepid tester."
Absolutely. 100 %. Beyond doubt.


That is why it is not wise to ask people to "walk". When they start "walking", who is to tell whose results are valid and whose invalid? As far as I am concerned, mine are. And I "walked". And was "trolled" for doing it.
Nope Glupson you weren't trolled. You barely moved a toe and proclaimed it as walking.
"Nice post, glupson, and eerily reminiscent of prof’s posts when he attempts to dismiss claims based on his results which so often are negative."
My post, in fact, was not overly focused on dismissing claims based on my results. At least it was not my intent. A sentence, or two, with my conclusion. I leave it open for anyone to do their part and come up with their conclusions.

My post was focused on dismissing the "trolling:" way my "walking" was described. Basically, if you say that everyone out there is a "troll", do not act like a "troll".

Maybe, some day someone will explain what it is about the orange electrical outlet.

Happy trolling everyone. Enjoy your Sunday.
jf47t,

I did a major inexplicably silly "walk" that was more like a run. It may not seem to you, but you are hardly "walking" in my view, too. It is all just talk, and it is fine. I do not mind being "trolled" although the only definition of it I know is from people’s reactions on this thread. I learned than anything can be "trolling" to a sensitive soul.

EDIT: Line of "walking" seems to be a moving target. Bora Bora is the next frontier?