TubeHiFiNut

Nice timing on the article. From what I have seen, great designers (like Nelson Pass) use every tool they have at their disposal during the design process - including their ears.

No offense meant but I, for one, am very glad that my SE amps do not sound like solid state amps.

Numbers 2, 3 and 4 are stated as fact. In my 47 years of experience in our hobby, I have observed that these are not factual statements but rather opinion. The Observational Method I have been using for over four decades has taught me that there are differences in the sound of electronics and that the best result is reached by first identifying the overall system goals and then using a synergistic approach that takes all variables into account. Just my opinion.

No worries, @ODS123 I pride myself on civil interaction, even if we disagree on the subject.

A few pages back you accused me of attacking you. My response was that attacks are not my way of doing things, that a differing opinion is not an attack and to please provide an example so that, if the example is clearly an attack, I can offer the appropriate apology. I do not believe that anything I have said to you on this thread could reasonably be construed as an attack and am still waiting for your example. To your revised advice to newbies: I have no issue with us having differing opinions on what is or isn't audible, on ABX/DBT testing, etc. The issue is that you represent your opinions with great authority and as fact when, in fact, your statements on what is or isn't audible, on ABX/DBT testing, etc. are only your opinions. And this is my opinion.

How about "no soldering required"?

Played around with a finished TPA3250 amp that used a switching power supply (looks like a laptop PS) for $80 - $90 from Amazon. Replaced that PS with a 28v linear PS that cost $125 or so. Spent another $25 or so getting a heavy gauge cable to connect the PS to the amp. So ~$225 - $250 for everything. All plug and play. No DIY required.

What is the upper limit to cost?

Absolutely agree. I picked a Topping T60 up to drive the B&W CDM1 I was using in the living room. Great little amp that hits well above its weight. I use a Schiit Saga with it: 1) to have more inputs, 2) because remote control is great in the living room and 3) because it does seem to sound better. A bargain for $200.

Nicely stated. I have a fair collection of the SACD, DVD Audio and Blu-Ray releases of some of my favorite performances from the "golden age" and will continue to get more as I find them. They do sound good. I value both performance and fidelity. Also recognize the difference between listening for joy and listening to evaluate. Analog still speaks to my emotions, though. Appreciate the conversation.

Attacks are not my modus operandi. Having differing positions is not considered an attack. Kindly point out anything that I have said to you that could even be remotely construed as an attack and I will gladly offer up an apology.

The only valid reason I ever needed for owning performance automobiles and motorcycles was so I could go "wildly exceeding the speed limit or go drifting through turns". Just my personal opinion.

Thank you, Claude. Volumes I and II ordered.

If you are actually looking for a conversation where the participants might be able to learn from each other, you should drop this "straw man", which has been discussed ad nauseam on this thread and holds little, if any, credibility with those of us who can hear differences in components. If you're just "poking the bear" and are not really into having a mutually beneficial conversation, then there's not much for us to discuss. Just my opinion.

Thank you, Claude. I will find the recordings you recommend and get them.

I respect your position and would offer a different opinion regarding vintage recordings. The late 1950s - mid 1960s Mercury Living Presence and RCA Living Stereo (pre "DynaGroove") classical libraries are incredible recordings. The jazz libraries from Blue Note, Contemporary, Pacific Jazz from the same period are also incredible. Besides awesome performances, these recordings offer fidelity and resolution that easily highlight differences in components and also limitations within the system. In my opinion, high rez digital is very close but my "go to" preference is still for analog via my turntables. Just my opinion and YMMV.

Most of the speakers I buy are used and well broken in by the time I get them. My Lowthers, however, were brand spanking new when I got them and it certainly did not take a "golden ear" to hear how they evolved as they loosened up and settled in.

***FLAG*** on @ODS123 for "expectation bias". You've convinced yourself that speaker break in doesn't exist so your brain refuses to hear it. What's good for the goose.....

Couldn't have said it better myself.

I am beginning to think that there are folks out there who might enjoy music but either can't, or have no interest in, listening for and recognizing differences in the sound of electronic components. It might be like asking someone who can't see colors to paint flowers that are different colors - everything comes out black and white. Just my opinion.

I hear you. I still have stuff from back then too. Still works great.

Played all the bass clef brass and sang in choirs all through school. Still sing occasionally with some amateur groups. Nothing formal on stage for a lot of years.

Disagree. The level of emotional response is absolutely determined by how the system conveys the content. I love Beethoven's 9th, but have found that, on a bad system, it does not speak to me with the same depth of feeling. Just my opinion and YMMV.

Please Clarify. So one system, one technology, one truth for all?

The DBT for pharmaceuticals tests a biological response to a chemical stimulus. Even then, some participants receiving the placebo report an improvement in their condition. Audio is 100% perception, and we all perceive things differently. You cannot define how what we hear when we listen to audio turns into the specific emotional response that the individual listener feels. They haven't invented this test yet. The ABX/DBT test looks for 1. Differences and (sometimes) 2. Any preference. Thank you very much but, for me, the Observational Method I use provides me with better results and is a lot more fun. Just my opinion and YMMV.