The Absurdity of it All

Are any of you seriously suggesting that your senses have improved after the age of 25? You can see, and smell, and touch, and taste better in your 50's, 60's, or 70's?! Really? 

So, of 5 senses, 4 are certainly down. Yet, some of you claim that you can hear better at 50+? That's, with all due respect, delusional. 

As a younger member here (just turned 40) and only being in the hobby for 10 years or so - I get JPWarren's point - some of you are so convinced that some latest breakthrough technology makes things so much better, but when questioned about it, the person claiming they can't hear a difference is ridiculed and told they 1) Can't hear 2) Their system sucks or 3) Their room or some other variable must be at play. Instead of, just maybe, that latest and greatest thing, really not having an impact. 

A lot of you think that cables make such a huge difference. But, where is the data? And I don't mean the objective measured tests (Where it's claimed it can't be measured) but just the observations? Where is the test in a room with uncut video where 10 out of 10 people can identify cable 1 or 2 being used each time? 

Is it really the 30 year old can't hear that well, or is it just maybe, the older guy wants to prove he isn't that gullible and has to put others down to justify what he perceives as being better since he spent so much? 

@Perki - totally respect your point and fair question. But I respectfully disagree with you - some do claim HUGE differences. And if one part can't be determined to be better, than how would the sum of those parts be better? (0 + 0 = 0.) If they can't be determined on their own, than how can a combination of them make it better? (I hope I was able to articulate that okay... If not, my apologies in advance.) 

And, I'm open to it. But, I have been bashed for my own experience which, is no change in my system. It's something wrong with my ears, or my 30k system, or my room - or my inexperience. I'm absolutely open to an A/B test. (And I have done them.... often times thinking I heard an initial improvement but, when blind tested, I can't tell.) 

@perkri - first - thanks for engaging and teaching me something. I really do appreciate it! I can't speak to rolling tubes or changing capacitors, I have absolutely no experience with either. But I have experience  swapping out components which has made a difference. But it's immediate and I do an A/B right there and then and can hear the differences. (And with components at least, it's obvious - cables - not so much.) But, that's a 1+0 sum to get somewhere better. 

I don't understand why you have to have time between them - unless you mean just adjusting to something new. Yes, ribbons are different than boxes, etc. So I can see that with speakers and their designs, but electronics? Cables? Are you just adjusting to the sound, or is it a +1 difference? 

@Perki - I dabbled in audio about 10 years ago. I had standard, crappy, 18 gauge cable from Home Depot for my stereo system. I bought some cheap Focals - and was told to upgrade cables, and I heard nothing different. I was 30. I was almost abused by "objective" statements of certainty that these tweaks would come together to be better. 

But they didn't. I was ridiculed for a crappy system. Or that I couldn't hear. I was discouraged, and thought, maybe it is me? 

And it turns out - it's not me. My hearing, at 40 years old, is exceptional. My system today which is upwards of 30k, isn't cheap or crappy. Can I say I have plugged in 10k cables into my system - no. But have I tried tweaks, yeah. Did any of them work? No... 

And, you raise a great point! It's not my money being spent if someone wants this vs. that! They can buy whatever they wish! It's the declarative statements made though, your system stinks unless you have product 1, 2, or 3 in it. That's where things I think go too far. Especially if it can't be objectively measured. Buy what makes you or others happy! But, i just ask they don't dump on others when they don't hear a difference. 

I'll close this out with two thoughts. The first is a statement that "I don't hear as well, but I listen better." - that's akin to saying I can't taste as well, but I eat better. WTH does that mean? 

And 2 - we do all agree that frequency response drops with age. But, thankfully, most music isn't above 10khz. But, it's isolating something - it's hearing that change, or where an object comes from, that too, is affected by age. (As we age, it's harder to hear in a crowded restaurant for example.) To the point of the OP - I think that's where things get harder to distinguish. And where I think statements being made with a lot of force, especially when it comes to someone new in this hobby, are detrimental to the hobby. 

I don't know - but - if you're still reading this - i do look forward to your thoughts on it.