In my experience (on these pages): it seems when one brings up another's, "hearing", or: "aural acuity"; as a variable in their perceptions, the reaction is often denial. AS IF everyone's senses don't vary in acuity, to one degree or another.
Then again: denying reality seems a trend, not only on these pages, but...
Anyway: If were truly OCD, there are more of my own posts on the subject to reference, and A LOT of other folks as well, if you type, "aural acuity" in your SEARCH DISCUSSIONS box.
The listening room is an obvious MAIN variable and: one's hearing is another. BUT: when acuity, the training of another ears, or: HOW they listen are brought up, it's taken much more personally (silliness).
rodman99999
5,519 posts
Aren't you glad that English skills have absolutely no bearing on one's aural acuity or electronics aptitude? =;^)
rodman99999
5,519 posts
A good man is aware of his own limitations, but doesn't assign them to everyone else(ie: aural acuity).
rodman99999
5,519 posts
Of course it does. People will always gravitate, toward those with like opinions/references/experience(not to mention: aural acuity, or- lack thereof).
rodman99999
5,519 posts
Experience matters, as does aural acuity. Sadly; the lack of either or both, rears it’s ugly head, quite often(and so obviously), in these threads.
rodman99999
5,519 posts
Gustatory perception varies as much as aural acuity. If YOU can't taste or hear it(whatever,"it" may be), there's little doubt, it wouldn't be of value TO YOU.
rodman99999
How refreshing, that someone frequenting this site, actually realizes there are varying levels of aural acuity, possibly responsible for an inability/ability to hear certain things. KUDOS, Erik!
rodman99999
5,519 posts
Stereo Review’s, "funniest" and biggest joke was Julian Hirsch, the stone deaf, everything-sounds-the-same, "audiophile". Of course, those of like aural acuity never could get the joke.
rodman99999
5,519 posts
Apparently: the definition of, "aural acuity" even escapes some geniuses. As with EVERY sense; abilities/sensitivity levels vary, widely. ie: Some are born with perfect pitch and others, tone deaf. The first can’t be taught, or- the second, corrected. Some will wrestle with the concept. I couldn't care less!
rodman99999
5,519 posts
As you have now realized, based on ACTUALLY TRYING THE UPGRADES YOURSELF, and on your own AURAL ACUITY; improvements to your power supply(whether internal to the components, or to your AC source) can yield obvious and audible benefits. KUDOS for ignoring the naysayers, pseudo-scientists and Julian Hirsch clones. HAPPY LISTENING!!
rodman99999
5,519 posts
Empirical evidence(empirical data, sense experience, empirical knowledge or the, "a posteriori") is a source of knowledge acquired by means of observation or experimentation. ie: The second 50% of my last post(my personal experience/observations). Of course; accepting those conclusions would depend on one's confidence in my aural acuity, experience with sound/music and powers of observation. Happy listening!
rodman99999
5,519 posts
BTW: A good way to audition cables, in your own system,
without having to buy outright, is The Cable Company's lending
library: (http://www.usedcable.com/) &
(http://thecableco.com/) Whatever you pay for an audition,
will be deducted from the price, should you decide to
purchase. Great people which which to deal, and you don't
have to depend on someone else's opinions/tastes/aural acuity.rodman99999
5,519 posts
Rleff- Once you've purchased a hi-end power cord(ie- Synergistic research AC Master Coupler, PS Audio XStream, Zu Mother- or better than those mentioned), and burned it in; you will understand the changes through which it will progress(the electrically biased ones excepted). That depends on the resolution of your system and your ability to discern the differences(system variances and aural acuity/training differences existing in so great a divergence).
rodman99999
5,519 posts
YEP, "variables"! Semantics, perceptions, systems, aural acuities, references(if any), etc. Of course, the better(to me, more neutral/transparent/clean/natural/quiet/fast) ANYTHING(tubes/rectifiers/caps/cables/special copper/silver) swapped into the total system, the more obvious strengths OR weaknesses upstream will become. The natural tendency(for most) would be to attribute whatever perceived differences might be exposed, to the new component(s). "Best" will always be subjective.
rodman99999
5,519 posts
It’s sad, how many fail to acknowledge the disparity of aural acuity (just like every other sense), among our species. A good man will recognize his own limitations. A wise man recognizes; not everyone shares the same limitations. How many of the naysayers have actually TRIED better cables, etc, is another topic. Then again; channelling Julian Hirsch just seems popular, in these threads. Even if one has to resurrect a seven year old thread, to accomplish the task.
rodman99999
5,519 posts
"Of course, everyone's system and listening preferences (and probably bias too) will vary." You forgot aural acuity, critical listening aptitude/experience, familiarity with real instruments/vocals in a live venue and(perhaps) ear wax. There are a plethora of variables! Synergistic offers a money-back satisfaction guarantee. Any Dollar-induced bias should be subtracted from the opinion equation, as it won't cost you anything, not to like it. Then again; those with the preconceived notion that it can't possibly make any difference, already have a built-in, set in concrete, bias against such tweaks.
rodman99999
5,519 posts
"........but when someone brings up a group, made of up actual audio researchers, experts, and others who are viewed by their peers as experts, that that group is suddenly of "no value"." Perhaps: expectation bias and peer pressure? Oh, wait: those guys(the Naysayer Cadre) are COMPLETELY impartial(snort of derision). Or- is it possible, that there’s been a panel, selected from a completely random pool of music lovers, that have never met or compared notes, as relates to their listening preferences/biases? And: had their aural acuity tested, prior to listening? I’d be mildly interested in the results myself, were that the case!
rodman99999
5,519 posts
"Read my articles "Audiophile Law:" = "TRUST ME!" *
Many (if not most) of us are familiar the fruits of Atmasphere's aural acuity, experimentation and creativity.
What significant offerings, for the furtherance of our listening experience (ie: equipment pleasing to the ear), have you generated, outside of your opinions?
Awards won (presented by other esteemed ears)?
My own lengthy experience and gleanings from the study of certain MODERN electrical theories aside; I'm much more disposed to accept Atmasphere's viewpoint, based on actual accomplishment.
But: that's just my opinion.
*The Naysayer Church's credorodman99999
5,519 posts
The hypothesis is (whatever the particular wire, tweak, etc); that a change (good or bad) can be heard. If one desires to apply, "science", to an agenda, regarding their listening enjoyment; experimentation is an absolute requirement. iow: One must actually TRY, whatever’s being discussed, with their own ears, in their own system. The electrical/electronic variables, as well as biases and/or aural acuity, are too myriad to calculate. As one notable Physicist, theorist and Nobel Laureate (popular, for his lectures on QED) is usually quoted, " It doesn’t matter how beautiful your theory is, it doesn’t matter how smart you are. If it doesn’t agree with experiment, it’s wrong." THAT’S, "logic".
rodman99999
5,519 posts
@unreceivedogma- Changes in temp and humidity, are also mentioned in some of the above studies, as affecting TS parameters. Then too; sound propagates somewhat differently, with those changes. The disparity of aural acuity, between individuals(not to mention training/experience/perception and maybe: simply denial), is why(I’m certain), some don’t/can’t/refuse to hear the changes made by fuses, cables and speaker break-in. I don’t believe EVERY system, goes through(or- can resolve) changes that ARE audible/obvious. Some, no doubt, simply want to enjoy their music and not be bothered with listening that intently. Some of us have engaged these issues professionally. So many variables!
rodman99999
5,519 posts
My first reaction to, "embedment" wasn't exactly positive. Since; I've adjusted my thinking. Some simply communicate their thoughts differently. As many of us understand (sometimes, from decades of experience); what are being termed such, are prerequisites for any good music venue's viability. In a properly, "embedded" home environment; the better the associated gear, the more obvious and efficacious any tweaks should become. That's- IF, from the start, they are worth their weight in salt and compatible. I'm referring to performance, since aural acuity varies greatly. KUDOS, to those that experiment, regardless of result. Also: Some seem to miss the fact, that improvements in sound are (or- should be) cumulative. The only limit is one's own satisfaction (far as I can tell, anyway).
rodman99999
5,519 posts
Do a little research, regarding the Dunning-Kruger Effect, for a bit of insight. Then, factor in the fact that aural acuity often varies greatly, between individuals(ie: when the argument swirls around whether things like burn-in, cable direction, fuses, etc make an audible difference). To save some time: (http://code.tutsplus.com/articles/do-you-suffer-from-the-dunning-kruger-effect--net-22227) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect)
rodman99999
5,519 posts
It's important to note that there are many variables that will determine, or limit, a listener's ability to discern improvements/changes in presentation. ie: A system(source/pre/speakers/cables) that does not present or pass the info on the recording, poor recordings, room acoustics, aural acuity(actually; the lack there-of), the untrained ear, and the ubiquitous mental block(a refusal to hear what is obvious to others, because it doesn't agree with your mindset). Don't let the opinion of another stop you from experimenting with your own system. There are numerous simple/inexpensive mods and tube upgrades for the ST-70, that will yield much musical pleasure, if you ignore the naysayers(again- providing the rest of your system, and your ears, support them). Besides- It's just fun to experiment! Happy listening, all.
rodman99999
5,519 posts
There are way too many variables, when it comes to systems and cables (regardless of description/placement), for anyone to make categorical propositions as to how much or whether your sound/presentation will benefit from their replacement.
Then: there are the aural acuity disparities that exist between people (as with any of our other senses), which many choose to deny.
It's been my experience, the better the equipment, room acoustics, component's power supply and everything else involved; the more obvious an upgrade in house wiring, cables or interconnects will appear.
The only way to tell whether any (or what) upgrades in your system's wires will prove beneficial, within your own budget constraints, is to try it yourself, in your room, with your ears.