Why HiFi Gear Measurements Are Misleading (yes ASR talking to you…)

@amir_asr Simple suggestion. Put all Nordost power cables in your system and than swap them with Cardas. Try playing some familiar music to somebody who has zero interest in hi fi, first with one set of cables, than with other.

I bet that any person with a healthy hearing would conclude that those would be two very ’different’ presentations

So, with all that science mentioned I wonder why anybody has not yet discovered the ’trick’ that cable producers use in making their power cords having a distinctive signature like their other lines of cables. Trust me, everyone hates spending money on power cables.(or usb)

If you would, by any chance, ’dicover’ the method used by them (producers) and somehow find the solution to have the same influence on sound signature of some system, but without using those expensive aftermarket cables, you would be person of the year for many audiophiles.

Think about it. You have consistency in ’testimonials’ from various people, who are different as they can be, with also very different systems. And yet, almost majority of them hears the same thing. Find me one person who uses Cardas power cord on Burmester gear or Nordost on Ayre (and has system that sounds ’right’)

There is even perhaps some truth or use in things you do, but you ’fall’ on basics and because of it you are closing the doors for you for so many people.Nobody (in ’audiophile world’) will ever take you serious when you make claims like that.

On the other hand, I would say that you might have very different motivs all together. I have met many sceptics, usually it only takes one swap of the cables for them to hear the difference. Majority of them usually could not care less about such things. But, for you its not just the cables, there are tubes, vinyl and many other thing that you got issues with. Why is that, only you know. For people who follow your ’lead’, hope one day they will come in situation where they will have a chance to hear a good sounding system.Perhaps than they might change their mind. Until than, they will for sure at least save more money than some others...after all, hi fi is a just something we do for fun...nothing profoundly serious about it..

Other than that, there is not much more to be said. We shall all go on our merry way . I would advise anyone to stay away from any further discussion with you, as there is simply no point. Likewise, people who are using insults in their conversation with you, should know better not to

@nyev ,

I think you would have a hard time getting recognized subjective reviewers to participate. This is why I don't participate in arguments about controversial audio products. It makes no sense to argue so hard about something that could be put to rest in a day or two and a couple of plane tickets.

amir_asr

There is currently no research going on to validate what you all claim to hear.

Nonsense. There are many people striving to advance the audio arts. Some of them are right here on A'gon.

So do what you want. But please don’t talk to me about it.

No one needs your permission to participate here.

@nyev ,

But, for you its not just the cables, there are tubes, vinyl and many other thing that you got issues with. Why is that, only you know. For people who follow your ’lead’, hope one day they will come in situation where they will have a chance to hear a good sounding system.

While I don't agree with some of the conclusion you have reached, you have been respectful, so I will respectfully point something out. You are doing exactly the same thing you have accused Amir of. Your statement, "one day they will come in situation where they will have a chance to hear a good sounding system" is biased and makes a conclusion you have no ability to make. You have no way of knowing they have not heard an exceptionally good system, to them. What they may find good sounding is completely different from what someone else may find good sounding.

there are tubes, vinyl and many other thing that you got issues with.

Here we can agree, and I think, but won't put words in his mouth, that @prof would agree too. I accept from a particular technical basis that Amir will rate anything with tubes in it poorly. I think it should also be accepted that not all audio systems have room correction, or acoustic treatments, or perfect speakers. On that basis alone, a tube amplifier could result in a combination that is technically more accurate when the totality of the system is considered. There could also be sonic characteristics that the end user just likes. Distortion, clipping, it really does not matter, just that they like it.  For vinyl, digital sources clearly provide a significant advantage in capability and accuracy. However, we don't just listen to minute details, we listen to the totality of the performance. If a particular vinyl pressing offers a superior performance, for any number of reasons, then that it is the superior format for that particular recording.

@thespeakerdude

You have quoted the wrong guy, so let me answer you. Not that it will change anything, but just for the record.

Imho, a system without properly selected cables (power as well) is not going to show its maximum.Dead simple.

Now, we can continue to go back and forth, but it will not change our ’positions’.So, for me, the only obvious solution (for ’somebody’) is not to read discussions, but to listen different systems. Than, depending if he or she likes the things heard, may, or may not, discover that things are different than what somebody wrote about them (on audiogon, or asr, irrelevaant)

But,nobody in right mind should need me to tell him what to do, or Amir either.But, of course, there are people who do not have enough confidence to trust their own ears and those cant be helped. Why somebody choose to ’follow’ instead of to listen is beyond me.

Finally. as for your first sentence, I agree. Never I would try to impose my standards or  think that my choice is the only 'right' one. 

@nyev 

there is an opportunity here. What about conducting a blind test by a panel,

There are many audio clubs around the country that do this informally. The problem you have with blind listening tests for sites like ASR, Audioholics or Golden Sound is it isn't profitable. These guys are basically peddling information based on their personal opinion. They would need to buy a device like an ABX Comparator, get a panel of trained listeners (not untrained listeners), and follow testing protocols that are accepted by documented standards. The second they get a result that refutes their position they would be out of work.  See section 2.2 in this paper: