I don't want to beat a dead horse but I'm bugged.

Measurements tell me how many pages the story is. Listening tells me the plot, and all the little details that keep me interested in finding out the ending.

The greatest issue I have with pure measurement crowd is their failure to acknowledge we haven't yet developed a measurement protocol or equipment to replicate the human experience of listening to the reproduction of music through an audio system. ASR posters actually admit to as much when they do post their listening impressions.

Still, I'd say the thing that most bugs me is how often I observe people trying to OBJECTIFY sensory perception. The one thing I observe audiophiles arguing about more than any other on audio forums is the dismissal or discounting of other's perceptions of what they hear when listening to a particular piece of equipment. One person enjoys this certain piece of equipment, other's find the sound quality of that piece less enjoyable or dismiss it entirely. Perhaps they did hear that piece in some other system and didn't enjoy what they heard, but that doesn't take negate the other person's enjoyable experience. First of all, it is nearly inevitable the two systems were entirely different, second, it fails to acknowledge differences in sensory perception. Sensory perception is just that, it is our perception or interpretation of our senses, this is entirely unique and/or subjective.

While I don't take issue with others posting differing perceptions of a particular component, I do have a problem when others dismiss or degrade the other's sensory experience. You often hear this dismissal is the form of calling another a tin ear. The other attack takes the form of stating objective faults with human senses, things like confirmation bias or failing to do double blind tests. Some can't accept others perceive and/or interpret things differently than they do. I see far more tyranny from objectivists posing as subjectivists, they've elected themselves king golden ears.

:-)

True story:

A guy I know locally, bought a DAC a few years ago. He loved it. It sounded very good. For about 6-8 months, until one of those measurements sites posted a measurement based review. Very poor measurements apparently. At which point, that guy decided the DAC sounded very bad, and sold it.

Where do measurements count?
Distortion: 1-10% depends on load and volume. There is a number to deal with.
I'd take a deep breath before I listened if I would at all. Some tube systems are very close to those specs. 

Ideology trumps all for some. 

What is the purpose of an audio amplifier? If you don't review it doing it's intended purpose, have you reviewed it?

@russ69  - Don't Worry, Be Happy. You have a system that you enjoy and that's what it's all about...

jjss49 +1

@rodman99999 

Your assessment is correct. This is where we are as a society. The problem is that many have bought into the idea that science is the final arbitar of all truth. The bigger problem is that these same people do not adhere to sound scientific procedure. In this instance the science is incomplete because it failed to observe and analyze all aspects of the amp. 

I believe a case can be made that they are not interested in science as a tool to find truth. If they did, they would observe and analyze all facets of the amp in order to arrive at the truth. Instead, they see science as something much higher... something to be adored, similar to a god. And this is why they rush to the defense of their perceived science if and when it is threatened. Iow this is Scientism

@russ69 

this is why i pay no attention to the clowns at asr (site operator and fan boys), they are idiots because they miss entire plot

that that site has some success and followers really befuddles me... but whatever floats your boat as a far as hobbies go...

                                        Didn’t you get the memo?

     Today, if you dare to believe what your eyes, ears, mind and bank account tell you; there MUST be something wrong with YOU!

 Those, "authorities" are there to protect you from your faulty senses, broken/misguided mind and the dangers of things like facts, truth and whatever else they might find discomfiting, at the moment (their b_tch de jour).

     Just get in line, do and believe what you’re told, like good little sheeple.

"Help me package that so I can at least understand what they are thinking without dismissing them completely as a bunch of mislead sheep."

"I don’t understand entirely discounting the value of our human senses."

I understand the desire, need and validity of objective inquiry...

Thanx, that helps.

My ears are my ultimate measuring device.   My systems are built around what makes me happy, not some guy on the web that takes “audio” gear,and doesn’t “listen” to it. To me,that makes no sense.  That would be like writing a car review based on a dyno run,without ever driving it. 

If you want to simply trash products based on measurements the last thing you want to do is listen to them and realize they actually sound good. It's pure self defense.

I think that in the not too distant future we are going to learn that there are many dimensions of our perception that don't align with current systems of measured performance.

I'm not familiar with AVS, but I had no idea that there were any on line reviewers who did measurement reviews without and accompanying listening test. That makes no sense.  

Thats like a restaurant critic looking at a plate and not tasting it.....   Some of my worst measuring gear sounds great, so who cares.   They literally don't care what it sounds like.  Measures bad?  Must be bad..   Measures great?  It's the best....

I have zero interest in ASR

Some individuals need to understand or want to believe everything in existence can be understood purely in objective terms. I understand the desire, need and validity of objective inquiry, I don't understand entirely discounting the value of our human senses.

I think you answered your own question.

If a reviewer bases his/her opinion on only tech specs,-which is something you believe are not the end all- then why should you bother to consider his opinion?

There are plenty of people on the internet who seem to believe their opinions are valid. Only you can decide whether to take them seriously or not.

B