Amir and Blind Testing


Let me start by saying I like watching Amir from ASR, so please let’s not get harsh or the thread will be deleted. Many times, Amir has noted that when we’re inserting a new component in our system, our brains go into (to paraphrase) “analytical mode” and we start hearing imaginary improvements. He has reiterated this many times, saying that when he switched to an expensive cable he heard improvements, but when he switched back to the cheap one, he also heard improvements because the brain switches from “music enjoyment mode” to “analytical mode.” Following this logic, which I agree with, wouldn’t blind testing, or any A/B testing be compromised because our brains are always in analytical mode and therefore feeding us inaccurate data? Seems to me you need to relax for a few hours at least and listen to a variety of music before your brain can accurately assess whether something is an actual improvement.  Perhaps A/B testing is a strawman argument, because the human brain is not a spectrum analyzer.  We are too affected by our biases to come up with any valid data.  Maybe. 

chayro

Oh, the latest PS Audio YouTube is missing the objection to the device they aren't measuring the HC outlets. It's more smoke and mirrors from PS Audio  for their fanbois.

I'm sure a lot of the equipment that audio science review gives great reviews for is the same stuff Amir sells at Madrona Digital.

What I take as Amir's main point seems to be lost among the personal attacks on him, most of which appear sadly mis-informed. What I hear him saying to the manufacturers of equipment which does poorly in his tests is "show us your data." Or conversely, "admit that you have no data." That's it. Simple. Then consumers can decide.

What we see from some of the worst offenders is a lot of technical sounding talk  which suggests a technical underpinning to their claims but zero data. Did they design their product with no measurements? Perhaps. Then tell us that.

I picture a cable maker for instance that soaks his wires in vinegar then declares they sound better to him. Well more power to you buddy! But if you want me to buy it you don't have to divulge your proprietary secret, just give me something more than techno mumble jumble. If indeed the improvement cannot be measured with current technology (a possibility I am willing to concede) and the manufacturer is not willing to foot the expense of well conducted, objectively fair listening tests to support their claim then  I guess it is a true "audiophile grade" product.  Does it makes things sound better? Depends on who is doing the listening and what they ate for breakfast and whether they tripped over the dog while leaving the house this morning, I guess.

"show us your data."

I think he is measuring the wrong thing. Ask your guru to show how he measures a person's emotions. Some folks prefer precision while some prefer musicality. Now you would argue that you prefer precision over musicality - and I get that. But what if the  "happiness" I get from musicality exceeds your "happiness" about precision? How would he measure that? Maybe he should try to listen without prejudice/bias. God has given him his ears - why does he not trust them?

Precision is mainly a concept for electronical engineering...

In psycho-acoustic precision is subordinated to musical experience and human ears evaluation... And the precision did not exist for itself  or for delivering an electronical product but to understand subjective hearing  experience...

Amirm is not even wrong about audio ...It is useful to have the RIGHTFUL measured data for sure...

Myself i trust the only fundamental science for my audio system experience: it is not comparing amplifiers with some measuring tools...IT IS NOT ENOUGH AT ALL ... I dont say it is not useful. it is...

But acoustic and psycho-acoustic are the main fields if someone want to understand hearing and music experience and improve at low costs his sound system/room ...

Amirm sell digital technology of all kind not music or acoustic or the optimal audio experience...He is a digital tool specialist...It is what he sells...

Like i said he is honest, i dont think he is not at all, but his disciples in audio are deluded and obsessive, they dont have the excuse to be digital engineer like their master... ...

Some folks prefer precision while some prefer musicality.