Validation

Irrelevant. Everybody has subjective and objective differences in hearing. Everybody. If you like it, that's all that matters.

I don't have many friends and the ones that are into music ,like my setup....and  I like it and that's all that matters to me...

I wouldn’t call it validation,  more like confirmation.  Confirming that tweaks and upgrades are yielding results.

 Tweakings validation with friends is impossible and deceptive...

Each tweaks to be recognized ask for a very subtle knowledge of your system/room   parameters with your ears/brain as pilot...

it is our ears/brain that need training not our friends...

They can only say your system is good...If they are our friend...And not audio sellers...Or worst audiophile friend not very happy to admit that your low cost system do not lag so much behind their ultra costlier one...

 I invite my friends for music listening not sound test...