@analog_aficionado this seems like the most complete explanation of the disparity between certain audiophile communities and ASR. I'll try to enhance your points without reiterating too much.
Measurements have their place. The measurements aren't the problem with ASR. the problem is the mob of people that pounce anyone that says "hey this is better even though it measures poorer"
As if someone could hear the difference between -120 THD and -110. I agree that at this point, most of these numbers are meaningless as we are well below the 1% THD threshold. Which is another funny point in all this. ASR claims to say "you can't tell the difference between amps and cables" based on studies done over 50 years ago, and yet will quibble over -100 Sinad vs -120. It seems completely absurd to me to both say you're WITH the science, and at the same time be quibbling over measurements that should have NO audible effect based on the "science"
And I have a problem with him listening to the speakers, but not any other equipment because "it all sounds the same" - then what is the point of measuring all of this junk????
After hearing things that they don't measure make a truly substantial differences in my system (Shunyata power conditioning and cabling, proper speaker cabling), I realize that I can only use them for measurements and for feature set breakdowns, NOT for choosing my equipment.
The sad thing is, the "happy panther" scale always rewards the highest measuring equipment because of the horde of stat hunters that are ready to say it's better without hearing any of it.
It's sad really. These guys are all audio lovers but are sitting there with their $500 topping DACs and amplifiers, running their kefs, with amazon basics wiring thinking they have the best system money can buy. I used to be angry about it but now I just feel sorry for them. Sorry that they probably will never experience what a true hi-fi system can do to a person. Great discussion here, OP