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Dan and/or Frank,Do you think it's possible to construct an ABX switching device that does not have the faults that Frank pointed out?If so, would it be in a manufacturer's best interest to show the technoflakes that audible differences do exist by publishing valid ABX comparisons?
3. There is no listener memory. What you heard can stay maybe 10 seconds with you. Other than the usual factors of SPL matching, sitting positions, etc., it is impossible to say with absolute certainty as to what differences you really heard after 10 seconds. Of course you have an idea, and that brings me to my mantra, which I repeat over and over to my customers: LISTEN WITH YOUR GUT FEELING and with your HAIR ON YOUR NECK. Who gives a crap about a foot in depth here or a note there. It's all about "this is right"
Peter Aczel is among the worst of a breed.IMO Objectivists (with a capitol O, meaning published ones) are just Rousseauean market haters using conventional science to justify their contempt of choice. Like all consumer goods, the quality of audio gear is judged solely by the experience of the user. The reality is that quality is completely subjective. As with all market haters, Objectivists cannot accept this. They assert that their definition of quality (close adherence to conventional engineering parameters) is universal. This rejection of the subjective nature of quality is the root of a misunderstanding of economic exchange. In turn, it is this faulty intellectual bedrock that leads them to publish - to ‘educate’, ‘inform’ or otherwise preach to the benighted masses that they are in danger of making unwise purchases. It also allows them to call a product they disapprove of a rip-off, its producer a charlatan and its consumer a dupe without fear of offending honest businessmen and satisfied customers. No matter how much it is veneered with ‘science’ or ‘consumer interest’ their goal is to limit choice pure and simple.
If you like the listening experience provided using amplifier A over that using amplifier B then your preference for amplifier A is established.
I don't understand how quality can be completely subjective. Aren't quantitative measures like Mean Time Between Failure related to quality?
It seems to me that with objective measures it is much more difficult to be subjective in labeling a product a rip-off. The measures speak for themselves.
Or rather than limiting choice, they are providing consumers with knowledge so that they can make an informed choice. Information is just a tool. What you do with it is up to you.
The gross misunderstanding of economic exchange that market haters’ labor under is the dangerous part. They view any transaction that does not hold to their value scale as wrong. This wrong in turn must be righted. By education in its most mild form but ultimately by state intervention in the market. Don’t believe me, ask the market hater (Objectivist, safe food proponent, consumer advocate, - whatever their particular market beef ) what his ‘perfect world’ scenario would be. Make no mistake limiting of choice is the goal.