James Randi vs. Anjou Pear - once and for all


(Via Gizmodo)
So it looks like the gauntlet's been thrown down (again).
Backed up this time by, apparently, *presses pinkie to corner of mouth* one million dollars...

See:
http://www.randi.org/jr/2007-09/092807reply.html#i4
dchase
Brizonbiovizier, I think you hurt what case you had by your condescension. I suggest you get off your high horse and read something about sampling theory and statistics. Phrases such as "much the merriment of true statisticians" suggest that you are quite insecure in your competencies and certainly not scientifically trained. You claim that no one has ever produced any rigorous evidence that has stood up to scientific scrutiny. Well I would claim that I doubt if you would know anything about this, that it is just rubbish.

Objectivists always claim the scientific high ground and often I have learned do so without justification. It certainly is not scientific to forego listening to find if your cherished "theory" continues to hold. I doubt if anyone reading this thread is any better off for doing so.
If cables all sound alike the why-

1. Why do we need to prove we have "paranormal" abilities before we can take the test? Is being paranormal a scientific variable for this "scientific" test? If so how do we prove this- winning Lottery numbers- LOL.
2. Why do we need to prove the cables sound "better" and not just different- who determines "better" and since when is better "scientific?"
2a. Is better not a "subjective" determination- how ironic or "moronic" in this case.
3. Why can we not select our cables- why are we forced to use a cable "ringer?"
4. Why can we not take the test in our own system that we are familiar with?
5. Why are we forced to run the cables through a switching box that will negate the differences between the cables being tested?

The answer is this is not a real test and that Mr. Flat Earth has no intention of paying out.
"I think EE has very limited understanding of why things work and uses a fundamentally unscientific "good enough" perspective on circuits, parts, wire, and even what is safe." TBG

Engineers are by definition not scientists. An enlightened understanding of "good enough" is at the heart of good engineering. Engineers design fantastic, fascinating, shiny devises that actually work.

If the goal of cable design is no audible contribution by the cable, then all cables should sound the same , by design.

If there is a audible difference between two cables, A & B, then either A is no good, B is no good or neither A nor B is good. The better cables get, then the more alike they should sound.
well stated, tbg.

i have suggested blind testing but mr b avoids the subject.

practically speaking, if you can hear a difference and are confident that you do during a number of listening sessions, it should be sufficient. if you then purchase the cable and it remains in your system for a period of time, that also should be sufficient. blind tests are imlpicitly or explicitly rigged to make it difficult to observe differences.
Mrtennis, If you lived nearby I could entertain you with how horrible Cardas Golden Reference is, or the much touted Jenna series for instance. You would have to be here. My gear is so clear sounding, noises going missed in other systems will startle you on my system. It is their insulation that mutilates the signal.

I am in Sacramento California for anyone wanting to test my veracity.

Some of the cables you mention do indeed sound very good, at a serious price. I was impressed with two others, the Shunyata Andromeda Helix, and the Cerious digital cables. I was using Anti-Cables at the time, because they exhibited no dielectric fuzz.

The pricey cables walked all over the Anti-Cables in different ways. The Shunyata had greater extension with some serious bass. The Anti-Cable held it's own in the mids only to be trounced in the highs. The Cerious cables gave a beautiful smooth sound. I wanted them.

The thing is, when I attached ultra thin ribbon SCs to my Scintillas, both cable companies lost all relevance. The short ribbons delivered all the highs and lows of the Shunyata, was just as musical and pleasant as the Cerious and is far more real sounding than either.

The kicker is the ribbon cables only cost me $12 apiece.

Can you imagine how happy that has made me? That discovery saved me mucha bucks that can be turned to a better source, something I can't build myself.