Dear Weisselk: +++++ " Given this thread, with people like Raul saying they know what the best sound is, I really doubt that there would be a lot of agreement on that score. " +++++
it is obvious that listening is a kind of " measurement " and in some ways a scientific measurements. I know too that listening has its own limitations and more than all that we don't have a standard on the subject.
Measurements IMHO always help, sometimes to understand ( more or less ) what is happening " somewhere " and sometimes only as a " sign/sight " .
There is no doubt that TT plinths can be measured to have information that can give the designer at least an idea where the design goes.
The real subject on measurements in an audio item ( including TT plinths. ) is that the designer has to know what to measures that can " predict " its quality performance or at least that that set of measurements can confirm ( be near. ) what he is listening.
In the case of TT plinths I think is important for a designer to have some measurements where he can compare the " differences " between different plinths.
That no one do it does not means it can't do it or that it is useless.
Seems to me that many high end audio manufacturers in some audio products works by " feelings " when measurements can help them and can help us to have better quality performance products.
Anyway only my thoughts about.
+++++ " with people like Raul saying they know what the best sound is.... " +++++
well, IMHO everyone , including you, " knows " what the best sound is and more than take your statement like an obstacle on the subject I would like that you and other designers take it like a challenge a good challenge to attain better performance targets.
I know that " ears " are very important but the critical subject here is that does not exist a: STANDARD to take it as true/real reference for design. Every designer has its own standards that could or could not match yours, mine or any other persons.
Not an easy whole subject. Sooner or latter I hope/my hope is that some designer/manufaturer take the challenge to create a model that can take in count all those parameters that has influence in audio items quality performance and that make a precise relationship between them through the model for we can have: real ANSWERS about.
Today measurements say only a very small part of what is happening, why is happening and how to improve it.
Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.
