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

I am really tired of reading criticism of Amir who very capably and generously reviews audio equipment. Basically his detractors are saying that they like various types of distortion. There is nothing wrong with enjoying what appeals to you, but it is absurd to find fault with scientific objectivity. Yes, your $1,000 USB cable is very cool, but admit that there isn’t any scientific evidence that it sounds audibly better than Amazon’s $5 cable. All these savants lining up against Amir reminds me of Mussolini’s famous quote, “Many enemies, much honor.” 

i think Amirm does a great job doing what he like to do... When this evidence is said....

I must say i think less well of some of his disciples....

And by the way, measuring some of the specs of a dac against the specs chosen and given by the designers , so useful it could be, must not be CONFUSED with scientific objectivity ITSELF .... Science is NOT some partial technological practices picked and decided by the designer or by Amirm ... Especially when, like in audio, acoustic and psycho acoustic are the CENTER of the experience......Noting with caution and taking seriously what a listener HEAR is also part of the ONGOING objective scientific acoustic process...

I am pretty sure that Amirm know that, many of his disciples seems to forget it....The question is WHY they want to forget that?

Probably for the same reason audiophiles prefer their "tasting" of brand name gear to acoustic and psycho-acoustic experiments, each one go with his ideological agendas and partial perspectives because it suit them ...

Acoustic is the key in audio experience...Purchasing an upgrade is not...Using a measuring tool is not....They are only CORRELATIVE parts of the whole acoustic experience...

 

«So many disciples, so many traitors» Anonymus Roman observer at Christ cruxifiction...

There is nothing wrong with enjoying what appeals to you, but it is absurd to find fault with scientific objectivity

 

The more I read about ASR the funnier that little site, its self appointed guru and his minions become.
I recently read a thread where a piece of equipment was reviewed and the "guru" claimed he did not have enough time to listen to it. Then there is a post on FB where the poster met a youtuber who claimed "synergy" does not exist. Really? Try matching speakers with an amp not suited to them. Guess who the you tuber was? Seriously this site is a joke. I wonder how little the "guru" actually really knows. Very little in my opinion.

As for generously measuring equipment, be aware that Amir asks for donations from the minions. I wonder if he also gets to keep some of the equipment that is sent to him, especially by one Chinese manufacturer in particular.

Hey prof,

No biggie. I wish I could find another link where someone pointed out the differences in the gear Amir uses for testing and what John Atkinson uses. It's multiples of times more expensive and exacting, showing anomalies that Amir's tester can't.

All the best,
Nonoise