Some people active in this thread have self-described as 'used-to-be' audiophiles. I would like those folks to tell us what thought about audio gear back when they were still audiophiles. Also, how certain did they feel about their audio gear beliefs at the time?
IIRC in some thread I didn't bother to save, Evenharmonics mentioned using a SET amplifier because he liked the sound. I think maybe that comment was in the present, in his post-audiophile time.
Also, jjasniew talked about formerly believing in the worth of audiophile gear, then finding out he couldn't hear a difference in blind testing. Well, what was it like before the blind test experience? What did he think about audio gear then and how certain did he feel about those beliefs?
There are probably others here too.
Look, there should be no shame in talking about that past once more since some people have already done some of that before. Who knows, it may help other people recognize they are exactly the same situation others used to be in. Maybe it will help others to reconsider their current beliefs to know the stories of the reformed audiophiles.
From my own perspective, I don't expect to change regardless of what is said here since I have passed blind tests many times.
In addition, I don't have anything against people who have decided they can't hear differences that they used to believe they could. They are probably right about that, I'm guessing. Doesn't mean everyone else is exactly like them, even if they feel highly certain everyone else is just like them when it comes to real or imagined listening skills.
IIRC in some thread I didn't bother to save, Evenharmonics mentioned using a SET amplifier because he liked the sound. I think maybe that comment was in the present, in his post-audiophile time.
Also, jjasniew talked about formerly believing in the worth of audiophile gear, then finding out he couldn't hear a difference in blind testing. Well, what was it like before the blind test experience? What did he think about audio gear then and how certain did he feel about those beliefs?
There are probably others here too.
Look, there should be no shame in talking about that past once more since some people have already done some of that before. Who knows, it may help other people recognize they are exactly the same situation others used to be in. Maybe it will help others to reconsider their current beliefs to know the stories of the reformed audiophiles.
From my own perspective, I don't expect to change regardless of what is said here since I have passed blind tests many times.
In addition, I don't have anything against people who have decided they can't hear differences that they used to believe they could. They are probably right about that, I'm guessing. Doesn't mean everyone else is exactly like them, even if they feel highly certain everyone else is just like them when it comes to real or imagined listening skills.
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Taken by power of suggestion and FUD effect brought on by audio business shills.
Single or double blind and no level matching, right? There must be a reason why you won't share the details of listening tests you've gone through.
Therefore people should keep open mindedness even when someone claims that a person can flap arms and fly, right? 🙄
I will respond to you in this one post. Consider a test of you.
So, all you can say is that you deflect blame for your gullibility on others 🙄
What about the feeling of certainty about what you believed back then? Did you tell others what you believed as though you knew for a fact?
Why assume a reason, why not reasons? That is an error of assumption on your part.
Regarding the question about level matching, I have answered before. You didn't care about the answer the first time, why bother asking over and over if you don't care about the answer? 🙄
If you don't see how that could be true then you are a lazy thinker. Why assume a cause and effect relationship between two things when such a relationship is not specified? 🙄
At the risk of getting flamed...
A number of years ago I was a member of the infamous SMWTMS, who did ABX tests of various pieces of equipment.
I participated in the first tests of the ABX tester. I was shocked to find out that what I was sure I heard via sighted tests in tube amps vs. transistor amps I did not hear in the ABX tests. It turned out that the level matching between amps was non-existant via sighted tests and was causing the differences I heard.
YMMV.
A number of years ago I was a member of the infamous SMWTMS, who did ABX tests of various pieces of equipment.
I participated in the first tests of the ABX tester. I was shocked to find out that what I was sure I heard via sighted tests in tube amps vs. transistor amps I did not hear in the ABX tests. It turned out that the level matching between amps was non-existant via sighted tests and was causing the differences I heard.
YMMV.
Okay, I believe you. Hope you will be willing to say a bit more about your experience...
What differences did you hear? Were you listening for those differences in particular?
Frequency response? Dynamics? Punch? Subjectively 'better' or 'worse' sounding?
Did you ever receive any training on how to listen? If so, from whom? What were you taught?
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Why should anyone take your word for it? How many cry "wolf" can the readers tolerate?
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/the...enge-bother-designing-dac-22.html#post6113709
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digital-line-level/346601-dac-cheap-2.html#post6007169
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digital-line-level/314935-es9038q2m-board-545.html#post6063379
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/dig...4-crossover-class-4-monitors.html#post6083259
As I suspected, still no sharing of the details of listening tests you've gone through.
For me I wanted to believe the magic being pedalled in the magazines. Then one day I realised that what they were writing totally failed to translate into anything useful for me other than some entertaining prose. The only take away from a decade of reading hifi mags was a JBL K2 review that said it did motorhead well (as it should with twin 15" woofers).
At this point I realised that home audio had become a lifestyle thing and actual performance was secondary to a good story. So I went back to building my own and enjoying the music, which is the important thing. If I got another project car I might give up on building stuff again, but first I need a garage!
I wouldn't place anymore value in the opinion of a scribe than I would that of a DBT clown. I am the one who has to listen to the thing so mine is the only opinion that counts. I have listened to things that have been raved about only to be disappointed and listened to something that has been panned only to end up buying it.
Its worse than that he's dead Jim.
Dare one say it, he's been known to seek out listening impressions and use terms like imaging.
Dare one say it, he's been known to seek out listening impressions and use terms like imaging.
Louder is better
Mark,
I wasn't listening for anything in particular, as I recall. "Louder is better" is how I would characterize the results. Seems to be well known, now.
Paul
Mark,
I wasn't listening for anything in particular, as I recall. "Louder is better" is how I would characterize the results. Seems to be well known, now.
Paul
People around here hopefully already have a pretty good idea. Also, no problem here if anyone responding to my question feels it helpful to qualify what it means/meant in reference to themselves as audiophiles or former audiophiles.
From his post, it sounds to me as if Bill has a different definition than you, would you agree?
Thank you, Paul. May I ask if you ever tried adjusting volume level up and down, or any other perturbation, to see what effect it might have during a listening comparison?
I'm just trying to get a feel for whether people often try changing things to see if any audible effects (during comparisons.) If a few people are willing to chime in maybe we can get some idea.