James Randi vs. Anjou Pear - once and for all

My test involved switching my "reference" phono cable and and my "reference" interconnect. (My speakers are active, I do not use speaker cables.)

Both cables were switched out at the same time(or not). I switched the "reference" Phono with a cheap Monster Reference, and the "reference" interconnect between preamp and active speaker amp with the same Monster reference cable.

I did 10 switches a day over five days. I did not switch the cables myself, and was not told which cables I started with. I was not trying to pick which one I liked best, but I was trying to name which cable were playing. I left the room for about 1.5 minutes exactly while cables were switched or not switched. The minute and half might have been my issue.

The results: I answered right 27 out of 50.

Why did I take a test after purchasing instead of before? Actually, before purchase I did switching myself. The power of marketing, placebo, suggestion, you name it is very prominent in the results, I now think.

I could not be happier that I "failed", by my own standards.

Now others are welcome to point out the flaws in my DBT's but it will go in one ear and out the other. Because what I did learn personally is if their is in fact a difference identifying it reliably is beyond me and MUCH MUCH MUCH more difficult then I had been "marketed" to believe. My feeling is if "I" need a perfectly executed scientific experiment to discern the differences, then I will look elsewhere for system improvements.

Others please respond with your own results not "hyperbole"
I have no vested interest, I am just curious...

I am not trying to shift anyone's mind. I have voted with my own pocket book, both ways to the extreme and have moved on.

This thread has taken a less threatening direction than most of those dealing with the usual "prove it sounds better" versus "I hear one is better" threads. I think this is largely because of Winstonsmith's use of DIY cables and good defense of the importance of achieving accurate sound. But in reality Dlanselm's personal experience really has no impact. Most of us still proceed with using the components and wires we hear as best and can afford.

Personally, I see no benefit with double blind audio tests, but single blind tests are fine. Who cares if the person running the test knows which wire is which? I have participated in several of these with in one case where a Bozak preamp was preferred by several prominent designers of other preamps. But these blind tests all used matched volumes but lengthy listening comparisons. Also none of these were seen as anything more than entertainment. I am certain no one ran out and bought a Bozak.

I have also participated in short duration same/different DBTs. I know the confusion that comes with these tests. I certainly found them curious and hypothesized why the strange results. Then I realized that the tests must invalidly capture what we mean by sounding different, especially in one where most of us then compared the two amps involved still in a blind comparison but with longer listening comparisons and the opportunity to go back and forth between them. We all now preferred one of the amps. To me this is a more valid comparison and certainly yielded different results.

Again, all of this is largely entertainment of little relevance to a buying decisions. Dlanselm obviously did change his mind as a result, but I doubt many of us would. I certainly found no interest in buying the Bozak although I did seek it out several times at audio stores. I also did not buy any of the other preamps in the test.

Why there is this constant debate about DBTs perplexes me. Frankly, I have more trust in my ears than I have in others.

Shadorne-

Thanks for such a nice post. It is most appreciated, especially your kind words. And please let me apologize for being somewhat forceful in my approach previously. I was a little too harsh here and there, and that is simply unacceptable. Again, I apologize. This apology also certainly extends to Dlanselm for his sharing something not everyone would. Thank you for that!

'Goners are really awesome folks who work together to share and grow this great hobby of ours. We should be supportive of one another, or at least exceptionally gentle in our criticisms. I failed that standard miserably by my postings, which could have been much nicer in tone. Forgive me, all of you. I won't let that happen again.

As for your comments, Shadorne, regarding relatively impecuneous folks who may be taken advantage of by slick marketing and superb salesmanship at the dealer, I share your sadness at someone being taken advantage of. But we are grown ups and should take responsibilty for our actions. Nevertheless, a part of me completely agrees with you about how this can be somewhat tragic when folks are taken advantage of in this way. But as long as they are happy with the outcome and not being legally defrauded, I say let them have their fun, even if the 'Emperor has no clothes'. Lots of people believe stuff with all their hearts that I cannot agree with, and for which there is no scientific evidence. Those shows about 'Ghost Hunters' are particularly annoying.

But we live a wonderful, fully FREE country, the best in the world IMHO(despite some recent slip-ups), and it is this freedom, the freedom to even act silly and foolishly, that makes this country so damned GREAT!

So let's celebrate together in this fabulous forum such as we have here in the 'Gon. Let's support one another, and most respectfully agree to disagree when contentions that are mutually inconsistent pop up here and there. I want EVERYONE to get great sound, and to help us get there, there's more than enough good audio gear and opinions to go around, as far as I'm concerned. And by freely sharing our opinions and experiences we enrich the entire community of audiophiles, and thereby help advance the state of the art, which is in everyone's best interest.

So thanks again, Shadorne and everyone else, for your posts. They are thoughtful and enriching. I appreciate them.

PS-
Same to Tbg, BTW. Always thoughtful and rational, your posts illuminate and educate. In fact, thanks to all you 'Goners, because the community here is GREAT! We all deserve a little pat on the back for helping to make it that way!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS & HAPPY LISTENING!!

hi winstonsmith:

you are a wise a generous human being.

regardless of the reason for selecting a particular brand of cable or for that matter any component, the important question is how long will you remain satisfied with the product ? how long will you keep the cable and when you sell it, why ?

it certainly is helpful to be favorable inclined to the components in your stereo system. it is costly and emotionally draining to buy and sell after a short period of time.

if anyone has a "formula" for a longevity of satisfaction with a stereo system, please come forward.

present and counted for

My DIY "nudibranchs" are a last stop. Any audiophile should be able to recognize that listening to the music.