Did Amir Change Your Mind About Anything?
It’s easy to make snide remarks like “yes- I do the opposite of what he says.” And in some respects I agree, but if you do that, this is just going to be taken down. So I’m asking a serious question. Has ASR actually changed your opinion on anything? For me, I would say 2 things. I am a conservatory-trained musician and I do trust my ears. But ASR has reminded me to double check my opinions on a piece of gear to make sure I’m not imagining improvements. Not to get into double blind testing, but just to keep in mind that the brain can be fooled and make doubly sure that I’m hearing what I think I’m hearing. The second is power conditioning. I went from an expensive box back to my wiremold and I really don’t think I can hear a difference. I think that now that I understand the engineering behind AC use in an audio component, I am not convinced that power conditioning affects the component output. I think.
So please resist the urge to pile on. I think this could be a worthwhile discussion if that’s possible anymore. I hope it is.
I can just see Amir going along to the Met with his Klippel, testing the voices of the sopranos and suggesting which one to give a contract to for the next season of Madame Butterly or La Boheme. I am amazed the Met has not hired him yet. Oh wait a minute, Yannick Nezet Sequin listens to voices and does not measure them.
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Yes, I think so. I'm an electronic engineer and have repaired broken audio equipment. I always had to measure before (if it's working sufficiently) and after to confirm I'd fixed the problem. With this skill and knowledge it's hard to live in the purely subjectivist world. For example, I have seen repeatable evidence that well designed audio has an inherent ability to reject mains-carried noise and that (as long as it's well made) a mains cable can not change how a piece of well designed electronics works. What have I learned from @amir_asr ? The courage of my convictions! Also, like the OP, to not be surprised that I can hear a difference when I make a change, but to check that the change is real and if so, valuable, |
What if a product promoted by ASR or by you doesn’t sound good, should I base my desicision on my ears or your measurements? Do you people ever do listening comparisons? By the way, Amir owns a Mark Levinson No 532 power amplifier that costs $20,000. I find it strange that Amir couldn’t find a much cheaper well designed amp. Perhaps you could guide Amir to some well designed cheaper components. I mean components with identical measurements sound the same, right?
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Measure three times to cut only once. I did not read anything from ASR. Well, I seldom read reviews of any kind. I do not have to read reviews which are based solely on a measurements - I'll elaborate: If manufacturer did not disclose them already, there is a problem; on the other hand, calibration of the measuring equipment is yet to be standardized worldwide. So, why would I trust something that is probably corrupt? More about corruption later. Our technology at the present time is obsessed with making money and showing power, - in short, providing bread and games to the masses - it does not have time for finding answers on all our questions. In audio, we are still measuring rudimentary stuff. Since our science established those values that audio world measures, Physics went over the hills and far away... Technology has yet to catch up. I often compare music to wine. Sometimes, I ask sommelier for advice. That is usually when I am not familiar at all with what is on the table. So, my conclusion is rather simple: when one is insecure so much that can not trust your own senses, measure things. And measure three times, to cut only once. |
