What's your view on blind testing?

We're doing it again. Letting perfection become the enemy of good. If we can't have perfection we will have nothing and good will not be done.

There is no reason to try to set up a perfect double blind test. How about having someone outside of Stereophile set up a system in the Stereophile offices with say two different amps that are covered and a device to switch between them.

When the reviewers are in the office, they can listen and state which amp they prefer. After most have given their preference, the identity of the amps and who liked which or if they were able to distinguish between the amps would be revealed. This would be done for fun and enlightenment.

There is no need to set up a statistically valid double blind test. Isn't this hobby supposed to be for fun (and enlightenment)? Let's have some fun and let go of our tightly held dogma.

But Geoff, who's keeping score?

I prefer card tricks.

All the best,
Nonoise

People who feel the need to dbt equipment would be happier with another hobby....like counting trains. ;-)

I agree with those who say a long period of listening is ideal. My problem, audio memory. In my case I can only retain an impression for a short time, so I largely rely on first impressions. Changing a cartridge over for example, takes far to long for me to be able to make a meaningful comparison.

The other problem seems more universal. Because our sensory systems are tuned for change, I believe we have an inbuilt, unrecognised bias, in favour of a change in the system. So any change is likely to be seen as an improvement. That is why I use 2 amps. Both are excellent, but I enjoy my music more after a change, just because it is different.