mlsstl wrote: > The annoyance is the degree to which many subjectivists insist that the > only possible source of the perceived difference is some technical > aspect of the equipment, whether a big component like a player, amp and > speakers or cables, power supplies and green markers. They are > incredibly resistant to the idea that their subconscious mind may have > played a role. > > The catch is the dark recesses of one's mind can't be used with any > certainty to project what others will hear.
Let's get one thing straight: I don't care at all what a private individual wants to think about why they feel that a given piece of equipment improves the sound of their stereo system and whether or not they came to this conclusion via subjective listening tests or carefully controlled double blind tests. It's their opinion and their money. What I do object to and object to very strongly is when the so called professionals who write and edit the various audiophile magazines make objective statements, such as Stereophile's Recommended Components which even have letter grades, after using only subjective evaluation techniques. That's when I cry "FOUL!!!" Now I am willing to accept the fact that for certain equipment, such as very large speakers, double blind testing is either difficult or downright impossible but that still leaves lots of equipment which can, at the very least, be comparatively tested. If these writers can boast about how the manufacturer came to help them set up the equipment then they can also request from the manufacturers whatever additional loaner equipment might be required to conduct a proper double blind test. Plus using DBTs doesn't mean that the magazines can't also conduct their usual subjective listening evaluations since the DBTs would only serve as a form of control to help narrow down the real differences between various equipment. But hey I know I'm only dreaming and the above will never happen since there is simply way too much money to be made by selling good old snake oil. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ralphpnj's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=10827 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=97950 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
