This is indeed a false dilemma. Telling me I like something because it measures well makes little sense...but telling me that measuring something has no place in a selection process is equally senseless. These are just data points.
On the OP's analogy, there is science and engineering behind 99% of product development and manufacturing these days. That includes wine.
My negative thoughts on ASR relate mostly to his lack of tact (see how nasty his debates got on the Roon forum) and how that fosters ASR culture, and the absolutely dogmatic nature of how they interpret the results relative to the probability that something will sound better to the majority. Because that’s really all it is...probability...because of the number of factors not considered (which would be impossible to consider given that many of the factors don’t exist in Amir’s lab...i.e. the listener and the listener’s room and other gear).
A few random observations about this debate:
- I suggest that assembling a good system is as much about the assembling as it in any individual piece of gear. The synergy is key...much of this is scientific/electrical in matching output/input properties and the like. Then there is the room and the source material. Some of these variables are impossible to keep constant. Probability, not certainty there.
- ASR mostly ignores the synergies and relationships. I imagine this makes more sense to headphone users where variables can be greatly reduced. My buddy who is an ASR cultist is a cans guy and his POV makes more sense in that context.
- ASR provides an invaluable service in debunking total snake oil, and there is a lot of it, especially now on the digital and network side. But their 150% dismissive attitude actually robs it of the credibility it otherwise deserves.
- That Panther junk is dumb...people should have to have listened to the gear to vote.
Thanks for an entertaining Saturday morning folks!