Amir and Blind Testing


Let me start by saying I like watching Amir from ASR, so please let’s not get harsh or the thread will be deleted. Many times, Amir has noted that when we’re inserting a new component in our system, our brains go into (to paraphrase) “analytical mode” and we start hearing imaginary improvements. He has reiterated this many times, saying that when he switched to an expensive cable he heard improvements, but when he switched back to the cheap one, he also heard improvements because the brain switches from “music enjoyment mode” to “analytical mode.” Following this logic, which I agree with, wouldn’t blind testing, or any A/B testing be compromised because our brains are always in analytical mode and therefore feeding us inaccurate data? Seems to me you need to relax for a few hours at least and listen to a variety of music before your brain can accurately assess whether something is an actual improvement.  Perhaps A/B testing is a strawman argument, because the human brain is not a spectrum analyzer.  We are too affected by our biases to come up with any valid data.  Maybe. 

chayro

@chayro OK, granted, I stand corrected. I didn’t know that. I wonder what kind of gear they used at discos?

Incidentally, I do notice from some pics here that some folk still do have their setups flanking the TV, perhaps for home theatre reasons.

@noske - there were tons of pro amps back then. I mean, Woodstock was in 1969, so they knew how to fill large venues with sound. Crown, QSC, Mac, some others I forgot. Bulletproof gear that could take the punishment of the road. 

Sdl4, for the record I had some Adcom amps that were designed with Nelson Pass involved and always thought they were excellent, not to mention reasonably priced. I had one for 20 years. 

Mine flanks the TV as I don't really have anywhere else to put the speakers. Using REW  for measurements and listening I've never seen nor heard a difference with the TV or without. 

rtorchia, I had an Adcom GFA-555II in my main 2-channel system for over 25 years, and I agree that the Adcom was a very good value in its time.