DO CABLES REALLY MATTER?

analogluvr,

You passed the reading test! ;-)

As you saw, I made it quite clear that any results from a well designed test are provisional, limited to the scope of that particular test or set of tests. Results never "prove" things but only possibly add data that do, or don’t add support for the hypothesis in question. You look at what you want to test, then you *do the scope of testing that hypothesis requires.* And you don’t draw conclusions beyond the scope of what you are actually testing for. When testing an individual, even if they "fail" multiple well designed blind trials that doesn’t mean there are no audible differences between the cables tested. The result is that individual simply didn’t demonstrate the claimed ability in a controlled test. Multiple trials will always, obviously, add more confidence in the results than single trials, whether it’s testing individuals, or groups. 

...

Nope, sorry, professor. That’s a lotta gobbledegook. My position is very clear. There is no such thing as a good blind test. Period. Let me know when it sinks in. The talking machine finally hits a brick wall. 

geoffkait

Gee whiz, guys, it looks like your humble narrarator is the only one here  ... I have no difficulty whatsoever hearing subtle differences.

You are not alone.

prof

When testing an individual, even if they "fail" multiple well designed blind trials ...

A listener can't "fail" a listening test - that's a common misnomer about scientific listening tests. A double-blind listening test doesn't test the listener. It tests the devices under test.

... that doesn’t mean there are no audible differences between the cables tested. The result is that individual simply didn’t demonstrate the claimed ability in a controlled test.

Proper listening tests include a variety of listeners, not only those with a so-called "claimed ability."

Excellent points! You da man!