Agree or disagree with the following statement.


Trying to get some input on an issue that a few of us are debating.

Statement:

If you have never listened to any particular component, you can't have an opinion on how it sounds.

Answer:

I don't agree with that. Measurements provide a fairly good indication of how something will sound. That's the beauty of science -- it's not necessary to have first hand experience to make reasonable judgments. You likely disagree and that could be a difference in our background and education."

So, the issue at hand is, can tell how a component sounds without listening to it, and just go on specs? Or, do you have to listen to it, as well, because the specs don't tell the whole story?
zd542
I was a Tice dealer, and, the closer you put the clock to the source, the smoother it all sounded. I had a few customers who heard dramatic differences, others, subtle. I am not saying there isn't snake oil in this industry, nor any other, for that matter. You either hear it, or you don't. I believe acute ears can hear differences, and I believe those same people, will not. The number of tweaks this industry has seen (heard), is amazing. VPI bricks, green markers, tip toe isolation devices, etc., all made differences, to these ears. Should not be debates. Either, yes, it makes a difference, or not. The other point I will make, is, how many people use live, unamplified music, as their reference ? I always have. This is supposed to be a fun and enjoyable industry, as music, and it's reproduction of it, fills the senses, for many of us. MrD.
I should have said practically unheard of. Also, it came out before 1993. Some time in the late 80's, although I don't remember the exact year.
There was another clock prior to the Clever Little one?

Does not seem as clever to me anymore.
I made no comments regarding "extra circuitry," but imagining I did could be symptomatic of some people's propensity to accept Imaginary Quasi Holistic Audio Bullshit Tweaks, know as "ICKBUTT." I will readily enjoy things I think work, but if I encounter things that don't work at all or seem to be the equivalent of snake oil, I'll continue to be astonished and snicker to myself (and others) in a haze of Luddite-esque self satisfaction. By the way, I have found that actual Snake Oil does work to enhance soundstaging and coherence when sprayed in a fine mist on YOUR MAMA.
From 1 brand to another, you can find an amp, preamp, speaker etc, that spec very close or in the electronic side, even identical.
I suspect, everyone listed above on this thread would hear the difference between the 2 amps, pre amps or speakers.
Based on that, I disagree with the blanket statement.
However, specs do contribute how amps sound and many could take 2 very differently spec'd amps (or circuit layout for that matter) and tell you how they in general would differ by what they see on paper.