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Objective vs. Placebo relating to system changes

I am continually baffled by the number of people that are convinced that changes to power cords, speaker wires, interconnects, etc. in their systems result is objectively real changes. While I won't go so far as saying that making these changes absolutely doesn't make a difference, I would love to have the resources to challenge people prove it to me and test it with my own ears.

Here's what I would do if time and financial resources were no object (I'm visualizing retired millionaires that are audiophiles).

I would build a listening room where the only components in the listening space were the speakers and the speaker cables coming through opening in the wall where the rest of the system was setup. The idea would be to allow the test subject the opportunity to create their system of choice and then have the opportunity to become very familiar with the system by spending hours listening. Then I would let them know when I was going to start changing different components on them on a very random basis and they should report any changes that they heard so we could link the changes to any potential changes on the other side of the wall.

Here's a short list of things that I'd try:

(1) I would replace the upgraded power cord with the stock unit.
(2) I would install or remove isolation (e.g. Nordost sort kones) devices from a component.
(3) I would replace interconnects with basic quailty products.
(4) I would replace well "broken-in" cables with otherwise identical new ones.

Depending on the results of doing these test slowly over a period of time I would consider swapping out some of the more major components to see how obvious a macro change was if the listener wasn't aware that a change had been made.

I can tell the difference between new and broken in speakers (on ones that I'm familiar with) so I know this break-in is very real and would also not be at all surprised with differences from amplifiers and analog sources being obvious. I'm not as sure about digital sources.

So the question is, what components in your system would you be confident enough to bet, say $1,000, that you could identify that something changes if it was swapped out?

In my system I am sure that I could identify a change in amplification or speakers, but highly doubt that I could do the same with any cables, isolation devices, or digital sources. Maybe I just reduced myself to being a non-audiophile with low-fi gear?
mceljo
tls49's avatar
tls49
1,351 posts
 
If you think that some cones and wires are going to make your system sound like it cost $30,000.00, you need a reality check. If you think that some cones and wires will make a $30,000.00 sound better, you're in the ballpark.
I agree with Krell man. Will the Nordost Sort Kones or $2000 speaker cables make a difference in a very high end system properly set up in a treated room? Absolutely. Will they make a difference on a shelf system stereo just sitting in a room somewhere? Absolutely Not. A system's overall capability is a definite factor in determining the amount you will hear with a change. Also, the synergy between components, speakers, cables, etc can affect changes, good and bad.

Mceljo, I see in your pictures the speakers are against the back wall. Do you pull them out a couple of feet when you listen? Also, I'll be curious to hear how the tube amp works for you. Your speakers are 8 ohm with a dip to 3 ohm, not the ideal for a tube amp. It is a possibility they may sound better on the 4 ohm tap, so try both 8 and 4.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
Mceljo,

I've read through your posts. You do seem well intentioned in that you are at least willing to consider the possibility of some of these products making a difference. I just see an unwillingness to really get to the heart of the matter on your part. Its not as hard as you make it out to be.

There's an easy way to handle cables. If you can hear a difference that you feel is worth the money, then it makes sense to buy them. But if you are not sure, or if you are thinking the placebo effect may be in play, then it would be foolish to buy something. There's nothing wrong with saying you don't hear a difference. That's just the way it goes.

Here's one piece of advice I can give you when shopping for cables/tweeks. You need to be able to hear the difference consistently. If you feel the need to do complicated tests or go through thearapy on threads like this, don't buy the product. If and when you are able to hear differences between things like cables, you'll know. You won't need to be convinced by others. Its fairly easy to hear. But its something you have to experiance for yourself. No one's going to think your a fool if you don't buy cables because you can't hear a difference. But it is foolish if you do buy them without hearing a difference.
rja's avatar
rja
2,382 posts
 
Hey Grasshopper, I can hear difference when one eye lash fall out. Same with one hand clapping.
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mceljo OP
1,357 posts
 
Tls49 - I would love to have my speakers out from the wall, but with two under three in a small house the options are very limited just like my time to critically listen. I have heard my speakers connected to a much better system in a much better room and am generally very happy with my setup.

I picked up the tube amp after work today and am currently listening to it. So far it sounds great and in some ways very different from my solid state receiver, but doesn't have the low end punch that I'm used to. Tonight is easy low volume listening with my wife so it's not really a good test. On Sunday I'll get a chance to air it out a bit more and plan to try ultralinear mode vs. triode mode and also the 4 ohm taps. For now I'm sticking with triode mode and the 8 ohm taps. Only time will tell. I didn't purchase it with the expectation of it being objectively better than my current amplifier. The goal was simply to give tubes a try within a limited budget.
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