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Indentical measurments = Identical performance?

I’ve been doing A LOT of thinking lately. In particular, about the importance of audio measurments for source components like DACs and CD players.

 

Let us first assume that we have 2 identical DACs or 2 identical CD players. You wouldn’t dare suggest that the same models sound inherently different, now would you? Well we can prove that the output of each device in this scenario is identical by doing a null test. We capature the output of the DACs and CD players and learn that their waveforms (let’s say a 30 second clip) are identical. The only time we might see a difference is in an engineering/manufacturing hiccup...and that is RARE considering we have globalization in the modern world today followed by quality control standards that are not necessarily difficult to get right.

 

And so, if put to practice, any 2 digital audio components that have similar enough measurements should sound identical. For example, a DAC with a SINAD or SNR or 120 dB vs one with a SINAD or SNR of 123. Tiny differences in linarity and frequency response above 20 KHz are not audible to us humans anyway.

Because most of our listening dare not go up to 110 dB, which is the threshold of discomfort. You could only listen for up to about 30 minutes at this level without risking hearing loss! For this reason, the ideal listening level is below that!

 

Should we forget about what companies try to sell us as high-end and focus purely on measurements with respect to accurately reproducing digital audio?

 

Here’s what’s really funny. The Chord DAVE performed worse with respect to measurments than the Chord Hugo TT2! Just see audio science review.

 

Lastly, I consider ASR the best objective website on the internet, bar none. Because if Amir really had a business relationship with any of these audio companies, their flagship or most expensive products would always perform at the very top; we see that is not the case and measured performance is all over the place!

 

Looking forward to hearing from you guys. Let’s not turn this discussion into a flame war. If you disagree with what I’ve written, just tell me why. I will investigate.

 

 

jackhifiguy
Post removed 
Post removed 
jackhifiguy OP
151 posts
 

@theaudiomaniac

 

Seems like you’ve got more "reputation" than Taylor Swift’s "are you ready for it?" Album. When you are cornered like this on a forum you are effectively "dancing with your hands tied," and may need a "getaway car" but don’t blame me!

Joking aside, that is an exceptionally weak answer.

 

https://www.stereophile.com/content/blind-testing-flaws-1

Just because we have elicited one our senses (sight)

That does not mean our results are valid. At some point, you would have no choice but to resort to guessing. If you get 9/10 right, that is like scoring the same on a multiple choice test when you guessed.

Bias is also found in blind listening test because:

1) we are aware a blind test is being conducted and we are the subject

2) we want to be right, which clouds our judgements

3) we actively believe that something infallible is being conducted

4) we may easily confuse ourselves without other reliable senses (sight)

5) our conclusions will end up being s bunch of half truths and guesses.

 

For this reason, any listening session should be conducted like this:

1) listen to the gear

2) take notes

3) listen to another piece of gear

4) take notes

5) wait a day or two (as long as you need to forget)

6) compare the notes

7) audition the systems again to confirm that your notes align with your listening impressions

So I the same way that some people have an excellent visual memory,

We audiophiles have an auditory memory.  If we use it wisely, we hear differences.

 

 

carlsbad's avatar
carlsbad
1,551 posts
 

No need to shop for components any more.  Just let ASR measure them and you'll know which $100 DAC to buy.  

danager's avatar
danager
967 posts
 

@jackhifiguy

The only way I could know for sure which is better for me would be to listen to both side by side but by asking some Dave owners why they spent the big bucks over the Hugo would surely sway my opinion over strictly numbers.

I just bought a used PSAudio DirectStream from a person that replaced it with a Dave. I didn’t get to hear it but he believed it sounded much better that the DS. He didn’t buy a Hugo either time.

ASR measured the DirectStream and it didn’t do well at all... (failed). Just my opinion and mine alone but I personally only care about how it sounds and to me sometimes late in the night, I’m just stunned by it.

To me the only "measurement" that matters is will it fit on my rack and IT DOES! The rest is just symbols on a piece of paper that is trying to reduce art to "Dynamic range, multi-tone, thd, headphone output power, output power of the analog/balanced stages, frequency response, and linearity", Important maybe but not what music reproduction actually is.

 

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