The Audio Science Review (ASR) approach to reviewing wines.


Imagine doing a wine review as follows - samples of wines are assessed by a reviewer who measures multiple variables including light transmission, specific gravity, residual sugar, salinity, boiling point etc.  These tests are repeated while playing test tones through the samples at different frequencies.

The results are compiled and the winner selected based on those measurements and the reviewer concludes that the other wines can't possibly be as good based on their measured results.  

At no point does the reviewer assess the bouquet of the wine nor taste it.  He relies on the science of measured results and not the decidedly unscientific subjective experience of smell and taste.

That is the ASR approach to audio - drinking Kool Aid, not wine.

toronto416

Showing 8 responses by laoman

"To the best of my knowledge, ASR is unbiased (it does not accept advertising)."
I am not so sure this is correct. It would not surprise me if Topping gave ASR a kickback of some description. The fact that Amir wets his pants about every Topping product seems to point to this.
What annoys me about ASR is the fact that many, (not all), of the members are rude, objectionable know it alls. No contrary opinion is tolerated. The "chief cat herder", not Amir, is probably one of the most objectionable  and ignorant of all.

@Hilde45

"I honestly don’t understand why ASR is like Voldemort to some folks here"
Because as soon as you say well designed Dacs can and do sound different, (and they do), you get abused and banned from the site.

This is the problem. Some of the brands, notably Topping, do not sound that good and have had quality problems. Yet say something negative about this holy grail and the whole of ASR comes down on you like a ton of bricks.

@chenry

"the results are open for comment. NO! They are not open for comment. If your comment does not match their philosophy you are thrown off.

 

@devonplombier

"@richardbrand that's a cute story. Are you making that up? 🤔"
That story is just that - a story. It is not correct.
By the way, even though Grange is the dearest Aust wine it is by far not the best.

@richardbrand 
"Now I do have a couple of magnums of Henshke Hill of Grace in my basement ."
Now we are talking. Mount Mary is another wine I prefer.

@samureyex 
As much as I dislike the cult like behaviour of ASR, the Mola Mola Tambaqui did measure very well and is regarded as a very high quality Dac.

@oberoniaomnia

If you can not hear the difference between the Topping and the Holo May, then I am pleased for you as you do not need to spend more money to get far better sound.
I, on the other hand, think Topping sounds really harsh in the mid level, particularly with female voices. I found it grating after 20 minutes. As I listen to a lot of classical music as opposed to doof doof, there was no way that I would ever buy a Topping.
I am glad yours is still operating. You are aware of the poor quality control that even many ASR members complain about?