Audio Science Review = Rebuttal and Further Thoughts


@crymeanaudioriver @amir_asr You are sitting there worrying if this or that other useless tweak like a cable makes a sonic difference.

I don’t worry about my equipment unless it fails. I never worry about tweaks or cables. The last time I had to choose a cable was after I purchased my first DAC and transport in 2019.  I auditioned six and chose one, the Synergistic Research Atmosphere X Euphoria. Why would someone with as fulfilling a life as me worry about cables or tweaks and it is in YOUR mind that they are USELESS.

@prof "would it be safe to say you are not an electrical designer or electrical engineer? If so, under what authority do you make the following comment" - concerning creating a high end DAC out of a mediocre DAC.

Well, I have such a DAC, built by a manufacturer of equipment and cables for his and my use. It beat out a $9,000 COS Engineering D1v and $5,000 D2v by a longshot. It is comparable to an $23,000 Meridian Ultradac. Because I tried all the latter three in comparison I say this with some authority, the authority of a recording engineer (me), a manufacturer (friend) and many audiophiles who have heard the same and came to the same conclusion.

Another DAC with excellent design engineer and inferior execution is the Emotiva XDA-2. No new audio board but 7! audiophile quality regulators instead of the computer grade junk inside, similar high end power and filter caps, resistors, etc. to make this into a high end DAC on the very cheap ($400 new plus about the same in added parts).

@russ69 We must be neighbors. I frequented Woodland Hills Audio Center back in the 70s and 80s. I heard several of Arnie’s speakers including a the large Infinity speakers in a home.

fleschler

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/speakers-that-produce-astonishing-soundstaging-imaging.29912/post-1211237

 

Perhaps I am wrong since I have no first hand knowledge just comparing writing style, but looks to me like Matt Hooper has Theil 2.7 and Joseph Perspective as does Prof. 

 

@td_dayton , I think if you are going to measure you will want to be able to have dsp. You might want to look into the miniDSP Flex or a Paradigm Link Pre/Streamer. The measurements of my room are in my system profile if you want to take a look. I am using the paid upgrade Pro version of Audyssey with a calibrated mic. I needed to combine a well treated room with DSP, not one or the other, YMMV.

Amir returned to add his two cents-what his comments are worth here

I found Amir’s many considered comments very informative and valuable. And now they are all forever gone at the whim of AG.

This has happened many times before on this forum.

To my knowledge Amir has ever only deleted one thread.  He may close the occasional one, but is not so rude to just delete.

@noske  we are all willing to help here, start a new thread, post your concerns, we are there for you bro, no worries :)

Yes I’m "MattHooper" on the ASR forum !

If anyone delved in to my posts they will see that I voice agreement with many on the ASR forum regarding the more snake-oil area of audio tweaks, and also the liabilities of a purely subjective approach, while also pushing back VERY often against the more rigid form of "objective" thinking that "if X measures this way it is a poor design" or " vinyl or tube amps are silly" and especially against "subjective impressions without measurements or controls are worthless."

I’m constantly defending the idea that we shouldn’t throw un-controlled subjective reports out with the bathwater, and I argue they can be practical, informative and useful. I'm viewed by some there with suspicion for even having reviewed speakers in the past.  It’s crazy how many pixels I’ve spilled over there arguing for the worth of subjective reviews.

Many people think in tribal ways and refuse to recognize an attempt at a nuanced or balanced viewpoint, which isn’t dismissive of "both sides." Even when we largely agree on many things they are "triggered" by any disagreement and therefore "You aren’t with me, you are against me! You are in the other tribe!"

I get that at ASR and I get that here too. And so it goes...