Amir and Blind Testing

**** We use the tools at our disposal to assess and make decisions. Some do it better than others …… **** - mapman

…. and this includes the best tool of all, our ears. IOW, some use their ears better than others. Some, because of experience, training, open-mindedness, or simply physiological advantage hear better than others. Hard pill to swallow for some, but true.

It gets so tiresome, the continual attempt on the part of some to tell others that they can’t possibly be hearing what they hear. Whether it is an “improvement” or not depends on what one’s goal is. If the goal is a subjectively pleasant sound without consideration of any reference other than personal taste, then all bets are off and there is no point in debating the issue. If the goal is to get as close as possible to the true sound of music, then the more exposure to live acoustic music the listener pursues, the better the chances of recognizing real improvement and reaching the goal; yes, all those variables and all. Those who claim that all those pesky variables are a “deal breaker” are simply using too broad a brush when listening and not willing, or able to do their homework (live acoustic music exposure).

@daveinpa - Heck of a first post.  IMO, you nailed the three levels of system improvements, which are very similar in my world:

1. Clearly
2. Subtly
3. Maybe (not) 

Great descriptions of how these affected your system building.  Well done.

I just acquired a new piece. Not able to hear it prior. Had to make a decision without hearing. I did that based on experience with similar gear what I read + my own personal assessment of what could fit the bill. Bought from a vendor with a very good return policy since yes you never know for sure until you hear or try.

I consider the whole measure versus listen argument just a bunch of gaslighting. Sometimes you can’t hear first so you have to decide based on other things like the facts about how a product is advertised to perform and how it actually does. Specs are good for helping make decisions about what to listen to. Measurements are supplemental pieces of info that can help but only if applied properly which takes some degree of knowledge. Which is why as I said we all use the tools available to us to decide. Obviously our own ears are the ultimate test. Just ignore fanatics where ever they might pop up.

Y’all should build one of Nelson Pass variable distortion aka negative feedback machines, to better understand your own ear / brain preferences for……distortion…

Or a Music Reference ( Roger Modjeski genius RIP ) w 3 levels of negative feedback, careful level matching and you can hear for yourself what more negative feedback ( TIM ) does to image depth… See Opus 3 disc on image depth.

IF ya can’t tell i am in the Measure AND Listen camp, the interesting overlap a wise poster above mentioned….. 

Carry on…Best to all in music

Jim