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What's your process for comparing new gear, cables, etc.?

It's a staple of many if not most posts to compare auditory experiences and attribute them to different factors — larger components (room, speaker, amp, dac, etc.) and the rest (speaker wire, cables, power) etc. This is how we choose new gear or compare what we already have.

Given the number of components and how short auditory sensory memory is, any comparison should change the fewest variables possible, as quickly as possible. (And auditory memory is short, even for simpler sounds. We compare using complex sounds and want to judge complex dynamic effect — soundstage, tonality at various frequencies, overall character or musicality, etc.) Doing things quickly is a challenge with tube amps, which must be shut down properly in order to swap things out. Then, they must be turned on and warmed up a bit.

I'm curious how people conduct their comparisons given whatever factors they contend with. Do you take notes? Have a standard vocabulary (e.g. the one in Harley's book)? Use a checklist? Have certain test tracks that you have virtually memorized? And so on. I'd like to know what works for you.

Most of the time, I'm just listening to music and enjoying it. But when I do want to add gear or make a change, it's natural for a critical comparison to call for some kind of procedure. I'm still trying to figure out what procedure can provide reliable, practical information. When my procedure seems too random or complicated, I feel a bit absurd — like I'm just doing kabuki-science! 


128x128hilde45
clearthink
1,421 posts
 
millercarbon" I never met anyone with zero memory before. How you even remember you have a stereo is beyond me."

This yet yet another insulting, degrading, "pendantic" remark from one of the cite's most confused contributors and authors Millercarbon I direct you're attention to some of the things you think you have remembered but in fact were shown to have been completely false, erroneous, and dangerous remember when you said Normandy was in Italy of course that was not dangerous just ignorant! In another thread you have dispensed instruction, advice, and theory clearly shown to be potentially lethal and then you claim your being nitpicked! And then there was that time you got so confused about the process and nature of induction and when I corrected you you called me a "retard" and insulted my country! So maybe you should respond to actual question's here and try to stay on topic rather than instruct on you're superior knowledge, experience, and wisdom.
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stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,373 posts
 
Clearthink, although we usually don’t agree I always respect your opinion and in this case you are absolutely correct. His tone is always very condescending to others. Millercarbon must be slipping though, he didn't link his system to the post. Maybe he “forgot”.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
If you say so. I play music. I listen. I have no problem hearing, differentiating between different components, and certainly no problem remembering. I found the story of not being able to remember sounds to be totally false. It holds a lot of guys back, maybe more than anything else. Because instead of just getting on with the business of listening and comparing they set up all these unnecessary roadblocks and qualifications. Then on top of that if they do manage to hear something instead of acknowledging it and working off their actual experience they try and disqualify and discount it with even more roadblocks.

So it just seems to me that since this one false premise, no auditory memory, is so demonstrably false and counterproductive and yet pervasive that it deserves to be dealt with decisively and destroyed as fast and well as possible. Sorry if my methods don't meet with your approval. But it is a bad idea, and needs to be put down. One way or another.

Otherwise, what is the point? Why would anyone put any time or energy let alone money into their system? I mean seriously, what is the point? 
To be able to say, "I spent a ton of money on a system that sounds good, or at least I think it does, if only I could remember???"

Sorry clearthink, really, but if you can think of a nice polite way to clearly state this idea is patently false, misleading and actually harmful I would sure like to hear it.


jetter
3,033 posts
 
clearthink & stereo5

My system has been transformed thanks to millercarbon. Like a hypnotized groupie automaton I click on every of millercarbon's links to his virtual system. From careful study of his every tweak, I have installed his red and gold striped Christmas wrapping paper wallpaper tweak to my listening room. Same color, same thickness. Thanks miller.
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