Blind Listening Tests & Amplifiers – Commentary

[Nicwix]

The post that launched a thousand replies …

Originally posted by nw_avphile
I'll probably be outcast here, but what are everyone's thoughts about blind listening tests of amplifiers? ...

I'm not trying to start a flame war here, but I am suggesting those of you who think high quality amps have magical qualities like "warm", "airy", "detailed", "liquid", etc. might want to do some blind testing ...

Comments?

No one dreamed this would go on to break all records for activity:

~~~~~ 528 posts totalling 102,259 words in just 7 days ~~~~~

As pinkmouse pointed out in Post 36:

Originally posted by pinkmouse
... p.s. As a past student of psychology, ( most of which is rubbish), I find it fascinating to observe the group dynamics of this discussion

And, at that stage, no one knew we were just at the very beginning...

This thread is for commentary on the group dynamics, value system, styles and social interactions that are evident in Blind Listening Tests & Amplifiers. Please post any views on blind testing, etc in the original thread.

Comments?

[Nicwix]

And to kick things off, some basic statistics ...

Here are the thread participants - ranked by number of posts.

1. nw_avphile: 90
2. fdegrove: 56
3. Peter Daniel: 56
4. Steve Eddy: 47
5. SY: 44
6. Tube_Dude: 36
7. Fred Dieckmann: 33
8. mikek: 29
9. mefinnis: 21
10. traderbam: 17
11. pinkmouse: 11
12. planet10: 9
13. Rob M: 8
14. mrfeedback: 7
15. Christer: 6
16. Fantastic: 6
17. vic: 6
18. analog_sa: 5
19. Cobra2: 5
20. carlosfm: 4
21. grataku: 3
22. pmkap: 3
23. ashok: 2
24. Brett: 2
25. jam: 2
26. jcarr: 2
27. moamps: 2
28. moe29: 2
29. nania: 2
30. vuki: 2
31. blmn: 1
32. Brad Kizer: 1
33. haldor: 1
34. Kilentra: 1
35. mb: 1
36. RobWells: 1
37. sam9: 1
38. slowmotion: 1
39. thylantyr: 1
40. UncleJessie: 1

[SY]

Well, it's definitely helped me get to 1,000 posts in record time. Do your stats include the branched-off post on feedback and propagation?

[Fred Dieckmann]

I am relieved to have not finished any higher than 7th. The only thing I can compare it to is trying to deprogram someone from a cult. How about a list of the every one converted to the premise that all amps that (what ever the moving target is today) the same, can not be differentiated sonically in a double blind (as designed and run by those are have decided a null result is the desired outcome) test.

[haldor]

Originally posted by Fred Dieckmann
I am relieved to have not finished any higher than 7th. The only thing I can compare it to is trying to deprogram someone from a cult. How about a list of the every one converted to the premise that all amps that (what ever the moving target is today) the same, can not be differentiated sonically in a double blind (as designed and run by those are have decided a null result is the desired outcome) test.

I've about convinced myself that not only does ever amp sound the same, but now every song is starting to sound the same, no wait that's just the radio station with their 3 song playlist...

Phil

[Fred Dieckmann]

Originally posted by SY
Well, it's definitely helped me get to 1,000 posts in record time. Do your stats include the branched-off post on feedback and propagation?

In words used to describe another famous disaster...........

Oh the humanity!

[fdegrove]

Hi,

1. nw_avphile: 90

Only proves that the man is more ful of crap than I am?

Ouch,

[Fantastic]

Only proves that the man is more ful of crap than I am?

What's the basis of judgement? Your opinions?

[Nicwix]

We are now up to 752 posts (excluding spin-off threads) - sure to hit the magical 1000 before too long.

Top 10 posters (as of 8 April) are:
1. nw_avphile : 128
2. fdegrove : 77
3. SY : 69
4. Steve Eddy: 62
5. Peter Daniel: 61
6. mikek : 41
7. Tube_Dude : 37
8. Fred Dieckmann : 35
9. mrfeedback : 25
10. Pan : 25

Note: these stats don't include the branched-off posts

We can see that Peter is tiring, but nw_avphile is going stronger than ever !!!

[fdegrove]

Hi Mr Fanplastic,

What's the basis of judgement? Your opinions?

No, not really.
My experience with DBLTs is more like it, said it before, say it once more: the outcome tells more about the people involved than the gear under test.

FWIW, I participated in quite a few of those, most of them at the kind invitation of British magazines.

Somehow I always scored so high that they offered me a post as an hi-fi consultant.
Funny,huh?

Even so, I wouldn't really make my choice depending on the outcome.

Which is again entirely subjective.

Cheers,

/Listen first, than measure.