Veridan, The key in this part of the discussion is not, IMHO, the presence or absence of distortions in the electrical signal but whether or not neutrality is an aural experience or a just a difference in the electrical signal itself which may not be audible.
When you take a strict approach by saying that neutrality cannot exist in the presence of distortion as measured by an electronic devise I would agree. However, if a premise is based on the surmise that the product of a distortion in the signal must be audible when heard to be meaningful, a different conclusion can be reached.
Personally, I do not believe we can hear the effect of all that we can measure if for no other reason than we have not the means (our equipment) or ability (our ears) to do so.
That is why it becomes necessary to define 'neutrality' before we can conclude whether or not it can exist.
When you take a strict approach by saying that neutrality cannot exist in the presence of distortion as measured by an electronic devise I would agree. However, if a premise is based on the surmise that the product of a distortion in the signal must be audible when heard to be meaningful, a different conclusion can be reached.
Personally, I do not believe we can hear the effect of all that we can measure if for no other reason than we have not the means (our equipment) or ability (our ears) to do so.
That is why it becomes necessary to define 'neutrality' before we can conclude whether or not it can exist.