Cost effective is just using your ears.
I think it is a question of what you enjoy doing. If you get enjoyment out of doing analytical things, and solving problems of how to measure and achieve perfect balance… that is great. I can think of a bunch of different ways of doing it. I have a high quality microphone I had bought about 15 years ago for home theater and other audio measurements… feathering in subs… etc.
I guess I am getting lazy in my old age. My preamp will hold different settings between inputs. So last time when comparing streamers I just used my ears.
Nothing innately wrong with either. Use the approach that you enjoy most. The fate of the world does not rest in the balance on the outcome.
I think it is a question of what you enjoy doing. If you get enjoyment out of doing analytical things, and solving problems of how to measure and achieve perfect balance… that is great. I can think of a bunch of different ways of doing it. I have a high quality microphone I had bought about 15 years ago for home theater and other audio measurements… feathering in subs… etc.
I guess I am getting lazy in my old age. My preamp will hold different settings between inputs. So last time when comparing streamers I just used my ears.
Nothing innately wrong with either. Use the approach that you enjoy most. The fate of the world does not rest in the balance on the outcome.