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

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. 

They are passing the collection plate over at the Church of ASR. 

@noske I do not assume this of the readers here.

Only of the blind cultist over at ASR.

Enjoy your evening. 

Don’t assume that the readers of your many comments here have an IQ in the double digits.