Audio Science Review = "The better the measurement, the better the sound" philosophy

@fleschler re: music choices, we are definitely in agreement then.

anecdotally, i have owned a few of of the highly praised chinese dacs on the ASR list, including the TOTL topping from a couple years ago, and it simply didn't do as much for me as my little $100 schiit dac (topping and smsl sound were both thinner, more "computer-y" to my ears). so i got rid of them.

i don't play in the "audiogon budget" arena due more important financial obligations - my gear is all "cheap" by this site's standards - but i have messed around with a lot of sub 1k high performance (or "high performance" rather) gear over the last few years. and most of it has been a waste of money. for me, for me.

i actually love sites and channels that:

1. cover budget friendly gear on occasion 

2. acknowledge that how it sounds (rather than how it measures) is the most important criterion at the end of the day

3. doesn't pretend that spending more on hifi is always a waste of money, but likewise doesn't pretend that you need 25k to really get good sound

4. keeps the obvious truth at the center of things: at the end of the day, it's all about music and enjoyment 

so for these reasons i like michael lavorgna's site, darko's youtube, handful of others. ASR only meets (1) of the above 

@vonhelmholtz

Now, to eject someone for preferring to select equipment through a listening regime seems a bit over the top, but there are many other online communities that don’t censor content. Ok..there are still some websites that don’t shape content.

Let’s hope so.

I’m still a little disturbed after reading about the incredible lengths in customer profiling that some businesses have to go to nowadays to compete in making a buck.

Heck, there was even an example of where the admen’s algorithm knew of a young woman’s pregnancy before her parents did.

Just by collating their shopping habit data!

Thankfully, we audiophiles are not their main campaign target, that’s usually pregnant women who will need to spend a small fortune to raise their child.

As for the increasing use of predictive software such as Hit Song Science and the like, it’s almost a direct attack upon freedom of choice.

http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/Science-Fiction-News.asp?NewsNum=314

@gosta

Thanks for the HAEVN - City Lights (LVNDSCAPE REMIX) recommendation.

I will check it out via Amazon Music this Thursday.

@td_dayton My living room (auxiliary) system cost about $5,000 and does have excellent sound does not have tweaks other than a Synergistic Research power outlet.  No special wiring, breakers, room treatment, etc.  It is a good sounding room with padded front and rear walls, open to the foyer and to a bank of french doors on the sides.  The equipment includes a Legacy Signature III speakers, a highly modified Dynaco ST70 amp, a subminiature custom preamp, a Kyocera 310 CD player and custom cabling. 

For my two 75" TVs, I have a Yamaha CR620 receiver, custom cabling, custom power outlet, a Tripplite power box and MB Quart 980 speakers on one of them.  Just add source components and your in under $1000.

"By introducing some generally accepted scientifically measured reference points we may finally be able to escape from this seemingly inescapable audio maze."

This summarizes ASR's mindset perfectly. And it circles back to the expression: "When holding a hammer, everything looks like nail". 

How can audio be a maze when there's no up, down, entry or exit? Audio is too abstract for our human brains, much like the universe. We elaborate theories with equations and graphs to try to understand it. However, this scientific framework locks you into a mindset which could turn you ignorant to other possibilities. 

"Still don't understand how ASR can claim to be an audio equipment reviewer without actually listening to the audio product being reviewed."

I have a clear explanation. Floyd Toole listened to many speakers decades ago and determined "the best parameters for speaker design". Therefore, everyone who follows Floyd Toole to the letter doesn't have to listen to speakers anymore. The burden of subjective listening is lifted. It's like forming a mould and comparing everything to that mould. If the reviewed object doesn't fit in the mould then throw it in the trash. Repeat. Do you understand how you save time, effort and "error"? 

"A system put toghether from ASR favourites would be very very good. I got one." 

If it's good and affordable, then who's complaining? 

Ultimately, ASR is a hype machine for affordable and mid-fi products. You'll be disappointed by the big performance claims and the objectivity claims. But if your expectations are low, you can expect a pleasant hi-fi system at affordable prices based on the recommendations. 

Just don't interect with ASR. They're very rude (unless you agree with them).

I agree with everything you have said  above Kokakolia.Except for the last sentence.

Rude is far too kind for some of the moderators there.Lets just say their favourite footwear would be jackboots.