@rtorchia
I think the issue here is we all listen and perceive sound in different ways. It may simply be some are left brain and some right brain dominant. Obviously you can’t be convinced that cables make a difference and I can never concede that they don’t. We have both had different experiences. I’m not going to be dogmatic about this. However I can’t un- hear what I’ve heard for years and I certainly can’t expect your experience to change your perspective however ASR to me is very dogmatic. There are no exceptions to their position that only measurements matter and they seem unwilling to use the best measurement possible - their own ears. And if they do then we’re back to the different ways we perceive sound and more specifically music. Another possibility is that those of us who are “ subjective” oriented may be sensitive to and listen to reproduction characteristics that are not important to “objective” minded listeners. I’ve always believed there is a distinct difference between hearing music and listening. It’s a matter of degree of focus. Focus that is directed towards specific presentation characteristics.
ASR offers a service that has value. Specification testing is important to verify a manufacturer’s claims. But to say that the specifications of audio equipment will always tell you exactly how it will sound is short sighted
I initially went to ASR 4 years ago when I was getting back into audio. They led me to the Benchmark products which are highly revered there. So I bought the Benchmark stack : Amp, Pre, DAC. Great products especially for the money and of course they measure impeccably. When looking for speakers I heard other products with the speakers I bought. I realized even though Benchmark measured off the charts other products actually sounded better. After upgrading and confirming at home I went back to ASR to report that I found other amplifiers that sounded noticeably better than Benchmark even though stated specs were not as high as the Benchmark. Well the dogmatic tidal wave hit me and called me delusional. It was untenable to them. All amps once given level of basic specs are met all sound the same. There was no room for even consideration. It was like I was threatening their perception of reality. I had just experienced auditions of two or three amps with my speakers, DAC and streamer and they all sounded different and better than the Benchmark I had.
So where does that leave us? We just have to go our separate ways. Those of us who have experienced these differences in amps, cables etc will enjoy the hobby and our search for more life like reproduction. Those who feel comfortable with living by the spec will enjoy their equipment knowing they have a component that meets their measurements criteria. I would never label the ASR group as delusional as they seem to think us subjective minded are. I just think they are unfortunately missing out on the greater improvement and refinement that is attainable. But as I noted those types of musical characteristics we are sensitive to may not be the ones important for them.
