2. misc-audio
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I don't want to beat a dead horse but I'm bugged.

I just can't clear my head of this. I don't want to start a measurements vs listening war and I'd appreciate it if you guys don't, but I bought a Rogue Sphinx V3 as some of you may remember and have been enjoying it quite a bit. So, I head over to AVS and read Amir's review and he just rips it apart. But that's OK, measurements are measurements, that is not what bugs me. I learned in the early 70s that distortion numbers, etc, may not be that important to me. Then I read that he didn't even bother listening to the darn thing. That is what really bugs me. If something measures so poorly, wouldn't you want to correlate the measurements with what you hear? Do people still buy gear on measurements alone? I learned that can be a big mistake. I just don't get it, never have. Can anybody provide some insight to why some people are stuck on audio measurements? Help me package that so I can at least understand what they are thinking without dismissing them completely as a bunch of mislead sheep. 

russ69
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 

@sns 

Touche!

Listening to music is an emotionally pleasurable experience. I'm very grateful  to be able to recognize and appreciate that it is truly a gift to mankind to enjoy. There is a music genre for every cultural and individual taste.

Charles

nonoise's avatar
nonoise
11,226 posts
 

If I had a nickel for every time this topic has come up, 
I'd have a bunch of nickels. 

 

sns
4,081 posts
 

I've promised myself this is the last time I enter o vs s. I can only hope it holds. I only know I've said everything I've have to say.

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,193 posts
 

You posit they'll all sound the same,  apparently, you trust the measurements over human sensory perception.

We need to be clear about something. You specified that the measurements would be the same, and I have to assume that includes all measurements, not just 'some'. If that is true then indeed they will sound the same, having the same bandwidth, same distortion spectra, same distortion vs frequency curve, same output impedance and so on... yes, they will sound the same.

My point is that the important measurements just simply are not made nor presented. 

Most of the differences we hear between amps is their distortion signature, to which most audiophiles refer to as the 'sonic signature'. I've described how the distortion affects the sound of the amp earlier.

deludedaudiophile
493 posts
 

Most of the differences we hear between amps is their distortion signature, to which most audiophiles refer to as the ’sonic signature’. I’ve described how the distortion affects the sound of the amp earlier.

 

Based on my newfound expertise wrt speaker cable resistance (or at least unusual speaker cable resistance), can I surmise with some accuracy that high output resistance of the average tube amplifier compared to the average solid state amplifier with typical speakers will be the dominant contributor to "sonic signature". It is able to make significant changes in system frequency response which I do not think anyone will argue with would be audible.

 

On the other issue, for all the paragraphs written, I do not perceive that O telling S what sounds best is the dominant issue or even much of an issue beyond some zealotry (much of that on both sides). I see that more as a deflection of the real issues of whether S can really hear the differences they claim exists and that O says do not exist.  I think the average O may have some thoughts on what is "likely" to be pleasing to a wide audience based on tests by respected O's, but would accept that not everyone has average preferences.

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