James Randi vs. Anjou Pear - once and for all

Wow, the write-up of the Mike L listening test is excellent. Makes me wonder what it would be like to run a similar test for other components, ones we are more confident make a big difference, such as phono cartridges or speakers. Would be harder to execute and level-matching would be critical. It seems to me that it's worth spending some time with Shadorne's contention that speaker cables have minimal impact. If that's true, as the Mike L test suggests, then the same test should yield different results for transducers and presumably amplifiers. Seems to me that would help lend some credibility to the testing procedure.

I think what the results of the cable tests show is despite the hyperbole of audiophile language the sonic differences are fairly subtle. Based upon reviews, both professional and others, it's easy to assume that the sonic differences between two well designed components is measured in astronomical units. That's just not the case. Even two diametrically opposed designs, say a 300B tube amp vs. a solid state "digital" amp really don't sound very different when matched to appropriate speaker loads. As audiophiles we tend to emphasize the minor differences as opposed to seeing the overwhelming essential sameness in various designs.

I read on a Headfi forum thread that Pear Cable has decided not to participate in Mr. Randi's challenge, and has backed out.
Michael Fremer has stated that he is still willing to participate using his reference cables, but Mr. Randi has now backed out as well.
What gives?

i really do not have the facility to conduct a blind test, unless one of the intrepid audiogon members wishes to pay me a visit and conduct the experiment.

i have specific sonic objectives. if the cable furthers those objectives, i will be favorably inclined. if i prefer the cable to my reference interconnect it will be an accomplishment.

the question for me will be, do i want to purchase the cable ?

As no audible difference exists between cables (which does not relate to LCR and it's interaction with components and then only in the most extreme of circumstances - passive preamp etc) then randis money is quite safe.

Comments regarding people making sighted preferences in their own systems are irrelevant - in unsighted tests these preferences disappear as they do not exist and are merely a function of the imagination of the observer during sighted tests. Cables are susceptible to this methodology and no amount of excuses by enraged cable fans will change that.