[Bob Reynolds]

I came across this magazine a few months ago and I have since read all the available back issues. It has been the best $30 investment I have made in this hobby. The detailed equipment reviews, including circuit analysis for electronics by David Rich, contain a ton of information. Two issues contain interviews with some of the biggest names in audio. One issue contains an article by Robert Adams on jitter and the use of an asynchronous sample rate converter to isolate a DAC from jitter. Another issue contains an article (actually his keynote address at an AES Convention) by Floyd E. Toole on the state of loudspeakers.

All in all, I highly recommend the back issues as an inexpensive adjunct to one's audio education.

http://www.theaudiocritic.com/

A final note: The Audio Critic is not a subjective audio magazine like Stereophile, The Absolute Sound and the numerous web 'zines. I know of nothing else like it.

[Fiji5555]

Good for you! A lot of so called "enlightened" Audiophiles seem to not like The Audio Critic.....mainly I believe because it reveals that the reasons and equipment they spent way too much money on is in reality foolish and wasted. Keep reading that magazine and you will be well equiped mentaly to buy well made equipment or at least know what to look for and what is pure BS being told to you by other magazines with their reviews. A good $30 investment!

[Rick Craig]

I came across this magazine a few months ago and I have since read all the available back issues. It has been the best $30 investment I have made in this hobby. The detailed equipment reviews, including circuit analysis for electronics by David Rich, contain a ton of information. Two issues contain interviews with some of the biggest names in audio. One issue contains an article by Robert Adams on jitter and the use of an asynchronous sample rate converter to isolate a DAC from jitter. Another issue contains an article (actually his keynote address at an AES Convention) by Floyd E. Toole on the state of loudspeakers.

All in all, I highly recommend the back issues as an inexpensive adjunct to one's audio education.

http://www.theaudiocritic.com/

A final note: The Audio Critic is not a subjective audio magazine like Stereophile, The Absolute Sound and the numerous web 'zines. I know of nothing else like it.

I had the pleasure of meeting Peter Aczel this past summer. I've read the magazine since the late 70's. Latecomers may not know that early on he was very subjective in his reviews though still based more on science than the other magazines of the time.

[Bob Reynolds]

I had the pleasure of meeting Peter Aczel this past summer. I've read the magazine since the late 70's. Latecomers may not know that early on he was very subjective in his reviews though still based more on science than the other magazines of the time.

Yes, he makes mention of the fact that in the early days he was a die-hard subjective audiophile. In fact some reviewers have used his early comments to attack his credibility.

[hifitommy]

after a few issues, i felt that its drivel.  also, PA is reputed to have given a glowing review of the fourier speaker which its said that he had financial interest in. 

true or not, the magazine just doesnt float imnsho.

[Bob Wilcox]

I had the pleasure of meeting Peter Aczel this past summer. I've read the magazine since the late 70's. Latecomers may not know that early on he was very subjective in his reviews though still based more on science than the other magazines of the time.

Back in Aczel's subjectivist days, International Audio Review made the Audio Critic seem like a comic book.

Bob

[Eduardo AAVM]

For me anyone who defends ABX is completally insane. There is much more than simply statics in the complex human perception process where vission has a role even in AUDITION events, people seems to be aware of this in other areas but in audio there are two kind of rattlers "objetivists" and "subjectivists", personally I distrust both kinds, a mixed more intellgent approach is needed.

[Bob Reynolds]

There is much more than simply statics in the complex human perception process where vission has a role even in AUDITION events, people seems to be aware of this in other areas ...

Can you provide any evidence for this statement? Thanks.

[gitarretyp]

There is much more than simply statics in the complex human perception process where vission has a role even in AUDITION events, people seems to be aware of this in other areas ...

Can you provide any evidence for this statement? Thanks.

See for instance this study on coke versus pepsi for the effect of visual stimuli and brand recognition

Study

[Bob Reynolds]

There is much more than simply statics in the complex human perception process where vission has a role even in AUDITION events, people seems to be aware of this in other areas ...

Can you provide any evidence for this statement? Thanks.

See for instance this study on coke versus pepsi for the effect of visual stimuli and brand recognition

Study

Thanks, the study shows exactly the reason why sighted listening comparisons are of no value. You hear what you want to hear when you see the logo on the front panel based on preconceived notions like cost, brand reputation or magazine reviews. Properly conducted ABX comparisons remove that bias.

[sts9fan]

As a rule of thumb I never ever ever ever ever let science get between me and emptying my wallet on AC cords (I have a nasty 3 meter a day habit). Plus the more my audio equipment costs it makes me that much a better person in the eyes of my peers!!

[gitarretyp]

Thanks, the study shows exactly the reason why sighted listening comparisons are of no value. You hear what you want to hear when you see the logo on the front panel based on preconceived notions like cost, brand reputation or magazine reviews. Properly conducted ABX comparisons remove that bias.

While I agree seeing the equipment (or having some predisposition regarding the equipment) biases opinion, i don't think abx testing is really much more accurate for most audio equipment.

[Steve]

So does simply eliminating the visual automatically make ABX testing more accurate?
Can ABX testing stand on its own merits?
Are there other factors to consider?
Just something to think about.

[Bob Reynolds]

So does simply eliminating the visual automatically make ABX testing more accurate?

I would say yes. The double blind trial is generally considered the gold standard. I don't know why it wouldn't apply to audio.

Can ABX testing stand on its own merits?

I'm not exactly sure what you mean. But, I'd say that it does stand on its own merits since it's based on the double blind trial.

[Bob Reynolds]

Please note that it was not my intent of starting a debate on double blind ABX comparisons.

I simply wanted to raise awareness about an audio magazine that is very different from any other of which I'm aware. I found it to be very educational and I thought others might as well.

All the best,
Bob

[nathanm]

Thanks for the reference Bob, I ordered the back issues.  (page layout in the PDF was nice too)  I think I had heard of this guy ruffling feathers before somewhere, not sure where.  Regardless of which side you're on (if there are even such sides) it's good to have someone out there attempting to be as objective as possible.  I've bought equipment based heavily on looks but I don't think this makes them sound better.  If I only cared about sound and listened in the dark I would probably do an ABX test to see what stuff truly sounded better.  I'm sure I would have saved lots of money.  ABX is a valid testing method when the intent is to strictly determine audio performance.  (which in itself is subjective unless you're measuring the device, and then you still need to correlate what kind of wiggly lines you find most pleasing.  Is measurably flat also ear-pleasingly flat or does it sound lacking or excessive?)  It's not necessarily valid for determining which piece of equipment is right for you to own.  All audio reviews are mostly useless anyway, I see it as a form of light reading\entertainment.  In any event, people who spend so much time stewing about audio equipment in one form or another, even going so far as to make message board posts about it, should probably be institutionalized.

[avahifi]

ABX testing is useful if, and only if, only the variable(s) that are supposed to be under test are changed. This yields excellent results with many true scientifc processes.

Unfortunately,audio ABX testing with the typical setup introduces uncontrolled variables (almost always a common input signal, or common ground path between chassis or gain differences) that make the test setup invalid.

The sad fact is that the technoflakes seem not have the curiosity to learn and discover the real reasons why audio playback performance is not perfect, and don't seem to care, and the audiophlakes are pursuing absurd magic beads and bangles to make things better, and they too seem to have no curiosity about what is really going on and how to make real improvements.

Frank Van Alstine

[Dan Banquer]

ABX testing is useful if, and only if, only the variable(s) that are supposed to be under test are changed. This yields excellent results with many true scientific processes.

Unfortunately,audio ABX testing with the typical setup introduces uncontrolled variables (almost always a common input signal, or common ground path between chassis or gain differences) that make the test setup invalid.

The sad fact is that the technoflakes seem not have the curiosity to learn and discover the real reasons why audio playback performance is not perfect, and don't seem to care, and the audiophlakes are pursuing absurd magic beads and bangles to make things better, and they too seem to have no curiosity about what is really going on and how to make real improvements.

Frank Van Alstine

I couldn't have said it better myself. Excellent post Frank.
                    d.b.

[BrassEar]

For me anyone who defends ABX is completally insane.

Ouch, that is a very strong statement.

Personally I think the subjectivists that reject or ignore the placebo effect are more "insane" than the objectivist ABX'er crowd.

[nathanm]

Insanity can only be diagnosed by a rigorous ABX test using the test audiophile, a control audiophile and a loony. However, complete or 100% insanity is rare and requires a lot of practice.