Something For The Fuse Guys ...

While I don’t disagree that expectation bias is alive and well, I find that I can almost always flush it out through extended listening sessions and swapping back and forth. I’m not trying to promote a certain product so I can sell something; I’m after the best sounding audio system. If something doesn’t sound good, it gets thrown out the window. If it sounds good, it stays. Over the course of years, I’ve managed to incrementally walk my system towards better and better sound. It’s gone from “that sounds pretty good,” to “holy sh*t, is there a violin in the room?!”

I’m a bit confused by the “objective” crowd that says you have to have measurements and blind testing or else it’s just placebo. I had one experience where I bought some bulk wire to make some speaker cables based on rave reviews. I had completely psyched myself up believing this cable would be the bees knees. I hooked it up, hit play and... it sounded like crap! Out the window it went. If tuning by ear is all placebo and expectation bias, then why didn’t I experience better sound? Why did my positive expectation bias produce a nocebo effect? I have yet to hear a viable answer to that question. Just crickets from the “objective” camp.

For the record, I have no opinion on fuses because I haven’t experimented with them, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they do matter considering I’ve found stranger things that affect the sound.

Note that Kaitty doesn't use fuses, clearly hasn't done any meaningful comparisons between brands or "cheap common fuses vs. expensive ones," and simply adds condescending dismissive nonsense as that's his style...he actually sells (or tries to) useless things to the gullible, and seemingly is privy to sales numbers from Magic Fuse companies as befits his claims of being an Audio Insider. If "special" fuses displayed even a fraction of the astonishing benefits touted by the hyperbole slinging sales force who claim to just be trying to share their wonderful insight, then Nelson Pass, Dennis Had, Jason Stoddard, and countless other gear designers would be all over 'em...for the vast majority of these designers, they're not. Why is that?

Katie makes things up as needed to sell his point, products whatever tickles his fancy. The last guy I’d want on my team pitching the benefits of my product unless of course there are no benefits.  

It should be pointed out madman doesn’t actually have any products. One assumes it’s because he isn’t able to invent or design anything. But it’s probably just as well. 

The Subjectivist/Objectivist Synthesis, by Jason Stoddard

https://www.audiostream.com/content/subjectivistobjectivist-synthesis-jason-stoddard#wQhQuSLuAkyF8WH...

This hypothetical conversation makes me chuckle:

Subjectivist: "I think my new Arglebargle X1000 sounds way better than the Craphound PST-1."

Objectivist: "No, if they both measure 20-20K flat, have THD below 0.1%, and have a low output impedance, they have to sound the same."

Subjectivist: "I think my experience trumps your measurements."

Objectivist: "No, humans can’t perceive anything beyond that, see (insert links to tests here.)"

Subjectivist: "Well, I hear a difference and so does (insert anecdotes about friends, spouses, dogs, fish, etc)."

Objectivist: "Anecdotes aren’t data! You’re fooling yourself. (Insert words about scientific method and significant results here.)"

Subjectivist: (Sigh.) "Just leave me alone to enjoy my Arglebargle with the other folks I’m talking to here." 

Objectivist: "No! Don’t you see you’re being taken advantage of by evil companies selling overpriced gear?"

Subjectivist: "You probably just can’t afford good gear!"

Objectivist: "You’re nothing but a shill for the man!"

Subjectivist: "Ad hominem!"

Objectivist: "Ad hominem!”