Does anyone out there NOT hear a difference in CD

Shadorne, now you added the element/clarification of "...nostalgic methods of audio reproduction." Yes, if you are thinking along the lines of new gear made using older designs and charging an arm and leg, then we are largely in agreement.

Then, certainly, in general the "good sound" one is seeking would cost proportionately much more than one might find in components with different technology.

there is a basic problem in assessing the accuracy of stereo systems. there is no reference that is known.

if accuracy is the criterion, the goal is minimzation of signal loss. but what is the signal ? it is the recording.

how do you compare the sound of the recording to what comes out of the speakers ? the recording cannot be know, just as the sound of each component cannot be known. mathematically, it can be proven that each component and a recording constitute unknown variables.

doug schroeder, you commented on price/performance and used terms like mid fi and high end, without defining them. in fact assigning a component to either category is arbitrary and not scientifc. at best it is subjective.

also, there is no convincing evidence of correlation between price and performance. do you think you can tell the differnece between the cost of stereo system a and stereo system b, blindfolded ?

if you let me configure two stereo systems, i will wager that you will not be able to tell the difference between them, in a blindfold test, more than 50 percent of the time.

how do you compare the sound of the recording to what comes out of the speakers ?

You use a microphone at a nearfield position or in an anechoic chamber and compare the result to the input reference signal. You can measure all forms of distortion and noise this way.

Mrtennis, you're beginning to sound like James Randi. ;)

You win the obfuscation prize.

hi doug:

forget about a blind test. the basic issues the terms high end and mid fi are used for marketing purposes. they are arbitray and subject to disagreement.

as to price and performance. you are entitled to your opinion but there is no hard evidence that spending more on components produces "better" sound, whatever better means.

even if you consider accuracy as the basis for judgment. accuracy is hard to measure.

the recording can not be a reference, rather the live pdrformance must be, and as shadorne said, a microphone feed as the signal is compared to the sound of instruments. for most people, such a test is impractical.