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

I really admire ASR and Amir's reviews. It stands to reason that there is a scientific, measurable and objective way to rate audio components. But, we live at a time where people are hostile to science, and prefer subjectivity. In a recent review Amir examined a fancy USB cable and determined that it didn't perform any better than a generic one from Amazon that cost $8. The manufacturer made all sorts of extravagant claims about the expensive cable that were simply unprovable. 

But if the people here who like LPs, tube equipment, and expensive components that don't measure up so what? Beauty is in the eye--or ear--of the beholder--or listener. There isn't anything wrong with liking a particular sound even if it is the result of distortion. Expensive cables and such are really cool even though they most likely do nothing to enhance sound. But all this is insufficient reason to castigate Amir and his adherents. I am extremely pleased with the components I am currently using, all of which he recommended. All this is really tempest in a teapot. 

@rtorchia 

Did you try the fancy USB cable in your system and compare?  Did you compare your current equipment to equipment that Amir doesn't approve of?  Why would you assume tube equipment is adding all kinds of distortion?

Invalid asks, "Did you try the fancy USB cable in your system and compare?  Did you compare your current equipment to equipment that Amir doesn't approve of?  Why would you assume tube equipment is adding all kinds of distortion?"

I had purchased the fancy USB a couple of years prior to Amir's review. I used a generic one that came with my secondary system DAC as a matter of curiosity and noticed no difference whatsoever. I ascribed this phenomenon to the possibility that my hearing was failing. Then I read the review and all was manifest--I heard no difference because there is no difference. But the cable in question is very cool looking so I kept it. 

I had a very high quality tube components one of which Amir reviewed (the brand is very popular here). When I bought my secondary basement system everything was based on Amir's recommendations and I was delighted with the new system, which also cost a fraction of the original one. 

Personally I like the tube sound but to my ears it is distorted, and I gravitated to the Amir recommended components because to me they sounded better. I kept my Larsen 6.2 speakers which I think the ASR guys don't like, but I enjoy them greatly. 

All this is a case of "to each his own," but my point is that to deny scientific objectivity is just plain silly. But of course some people quite reasonably may not like the sound that measures up and I understand that without criticism. 

@rtorchia Your personal experience is valuable. 

But tube amplifiers make sense if you're looking for a low damping factor. Modern amplifiers typically have a very high damping factor (ideal for a 2 or 3 way speakers with crossovers). But if you're using a fullrange driver you want a low damping factor for fuller bass. Tube amplifiers typically have a lower damping factor. 

My point is: ASR neglects equipment matching because they review products in isolation. 

I anticipate being called a moron by an ASR member for even mentioning fullrange drivers and tube amplifiers.