I don't want to beat a dead horse but I'm bugged.

And so, I'm told to rely on measurements, both my SET amps total failures based on high even order distortion. And then we have my SMSL amp I use for burn in purposes. I have no doubt the SMSL measures better than both SET amps, so is the vastly inferior sound quality of the SMSL a total figment of my imagination? Hilarious! Even more hilarious, take this couple hundred dollar amp, class D design and compare it to multi thousand dollar class D amp, both measure pretty near exact. Does measurement acolyte believe SMSL sounds as good, lets say Atmasphere class D?

I wonder if megadollar car owners spout the same stuff when a Tesla 3 (properly equipped) dusts them at the light.

I don't think an accurate amp is expensive to make.  Technology progresses. Pay more and you pay for different or more power.

If we reach a point where sound quality can be accurately predicted by measurement I’d have zero resistance or issue with it. My point is acknowledging we are not remotely close to doing that now.

@charles1dad 

I would tend to believe amplifier designers who are building the upper shelf equipment, over the general public.

Measurements tell me next to nothing in regard to how these audio components will sound,  so I must hear them. I totally understand if others judge and select differently with buying audio components.  Do what suits you the best. 

However, the upper shelf designers seem to make stuff that does not require cabels to serve as tone controls. So they seem to know how it will sound by looking at the graphs. Just because 99% cannot, does not mean that it is impossible.

I have a couple of tube amps, and tube preamps… and I know that they colour things.

@holmz

I don’t know who these "upper shelf designers" of amplifiers are that you’re referencing. Okay, you find your tube audio electronics "colored" (As though transistor audio electronics don’t have their own colorations, albeit different). If these are your conclusions based on your experiences, Then I accept them as "yours".

I’m in no position to challenge or refute what you’ve experienced. I can just simply say that you and I have had different experiences and as a result, different outcomes that shape and form our respective opinions. I hope that you are able to obtain an amplifier made by one of the upper shelf designers that you cite above.

I meant what I have written earlier, follow the pathway that suits you the best. My chosen pathway is to hear and do actual listening of audio products myself. If you are reassured by test measurements then continue with that method. For me it’s woefully inadequate.

Charles

However, the upper shelf designers seem to make stuff that does not require cabels

Show me just one audio electronic manufacturer that doesn't use aftermarket cables to demo their gear.