Anybody interested in participating in a little blind testing party

KnowTalent · « **on:** 11 Feb 2009, 09:05 pm »

I'd like to hold a little blind testing on power cords at my place during a Saturday or Sunday sometime in March.
I'll pick-up 18 packs of Guiness and Bass so we can pour some Black & Tans to quench the thirst...maybe guests could pitch in towards pizza?

Right now I've got a PS Audio Punch, Parasound 12AWG and Iron Lung Jellyfish.

I'm in Lake Saint Louis, so let me know if you're interested, what power cords you could bring and what date/time works best for you and I'll try my best to accomodate everyone.

I figure we can listen to tracks off my new SHM disks...Led Zep Box set, Steely Dan's - "Can't Buy A Thrill", "Countdown to Ecstasy", "Pretzel Logic", "Royal Scam", "Aja" and "Gaucho", Fagen's "The Nightfly" and Elton Johns "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"...that way we can all get an idea if this SHM thing is worth the asking price.

Eric

thunderbrick · « **Reply #1 on:** 11 Feb 2009, 09:18 pm »

Let's see...........you are going to get some folks half-lit and THEN ask them if they can hear a difference in power cords???

That oughta be fun to watch!

Seriously, I am only 90 minutes away and would love to do that, but my schedule is brutal.

bpape · « **Reply #2 on:** 11 Feb 2009, 09:29 pm »

Sounds like fun. I'd want to bring some things that I'm pretty familiar with - though after Black and Tans, not sure if we'll care! I see the 'scientific method' going down the tubes quickly

Bryan

KnowTalent · « **Reply #3 on:** 11 Feb 2009, 10:40 pm »

What...don't tell me you guys abstain from imbibing during listening sessions?
Tell me it ain't so!!!

a little barley pop helps soothe the nerves and warm the soul

tequilla shots are completely out of the question

electricbear · « **Reply #4 on:** 12 Feb 2009, 12:20 am »

I'll know a little closer to the time but so far sounds good.

CSI · « **Reply #5 on:** 12 Feb 2009, 12:23 am »

Can't join you. For one thing I live 5 States away. For another, I'm deathly afraid of blind listening tests. What if I discover that the technocrats are right after all and the differences I hear in those expensive power cords I bought are all imaginary? What if we move on to amplifiers and discover that, once volume levels are carefully equalized, all amplifiers ever built really do sound alike and I could have saved untold zillions of dollars by keeping that 1971 Sansui receiver? I'd have to take up chess or crossword puzzles or something.

Bill
PS. Y'all have fun!

bpape · « **Reply #6 on:** 12 Feb 2009, 12:35 am »

Quote from: KnowTalent on 11 Feb 2009, 10:40 pm

What...don't tell me you guys abstain from imbibing during listening sessions?
Tell me it ain't so!!!

a little barley pop helps soothe the nerves and warm the soul

tequilla shots are completely out of the question

Absolutely not, when just listening for enjoyment or in those horrible, uncontrolled, useless, skewed, placebo effected sessions.

Bryan

KenSeger · « **Reply #7 on:** 12 Feb 2009, 02:46 am »

Eric,

If I am in town on whatever day you select ( I usually am) I'ld be very interested in listening.

Ken

BPT · « **Reply #8 on:** 12 Feb 2009, 02:09 pm »

I am always up for a listening session. Did you get the 7.2s yet? If not, let me know if need any help getting them set-up as I am close by (live off DD).

Chris H.

KnowTalent · « **Reply #9 on:** 12 Feb 2009, 05:51 pm »

Greetings all...

Since I have a silent partner who is willing to loan me a high priced cable I am going to postpone the test until I acquire the MCD500.
This way I am confident my entire system will be best capable of highlighting any nuances afforded by such a test....or not

I am picking up my Thiels this Saturday and should have them up and running by 3PM if everything goes to plan so feel free to call me if you're in the area and want to drop by for a listen... I'll probably be parked in the listening chair til the moon is high!!!

I'll repost with the proposed test dates once I get the MCD500

KnowTalent · « **Reply #10 on:** 12 Feb 2009, 06:10 pm »

Quote from: CSI on 12 Feb 2009, 12:23 am

Can't join you. For one thing I live 5 States away. For another, I'm deathly afraid of blind listening tests. What if I discover that the technocrats are right after all and the differences I hear in those expensive power cords I bought are all imaginary? What if we move on to amplifiers and discover that, once volume levels are carefully equalized, all amplifiers ever built really do sound alike and I could have saved untold zillions of dollars by keeping that 1971 Sansui receiver? I'd have to take up chess or crossword puzzles or something.

Bill
PS. Y'all have fun!

My biggest fear is that I will hear a difference...and the subsequent sucking sound of cash leaving my wallet

drbrad98 · « **Reply #11 on:** 13 Feb 2009, 12:16 am »

I'd be interested too, if I'm off work.

KnowTalent · « **Reply #12 on:** 13 Feb 2009, 02:00 pm »

Quote from: CSI on 12 Feb 2009, 12:23 am

Can't join you. For one thing I live 5 States away. For another, I'm deathly afraid of blind listening tests. What if I discover that the technocrats are right after all and the differences I hear in those expensive power cords I bought are all imaginary? What if we move on to amplifiers and discover that, once volume levels are carefully equalized, all amplifiers ever built really do sound alike and I could have saved untold zillions of dollars by keeping that 1971 Sansui receiver? I'd have to take up chess or crossword puzzles or something.

Bill
PS. Y'all have fun!

Have you tried Suduko? I find it addictive like Tetris/Bejeweled

bpape · « **Reply #13 on:** 13 Feb 2009, 02:35 pm »

I have a couple of cords to add to the mix. I have 2 of Paul (Occam) Kaplan's copper ended cords and one of the Rhodium ones.

Bryan

AK · « **Reply #14 on:** 13 Feb 2009, 03:55 pm »

IMO, listeners shouldn't know what is being tested.
It's even better not to call it a test, people get nervous.

CSI · « **Reply #15 on:** 13 Feb 2009, 04:08 pm »

Quote from: KnowTalent on 13 Feb 2009, 02:00 pm

Quote from: CSI on 12 Feb 2009, 12:23 am

Can't join you. For one thing I live 5 States away. For another, I'm deathly afraid of blind listening tests. What if I discover that the technocrats are right after all and the differences I hear in those expensive power cords I bought are all imaginary? What if we move on to amplifiers and discover that, once volume levels are carefully equalized, all amplifiers ever built really do sound alike and I could have saved untold zillions of dollars by keeping that 1971 Sansui receiver? I'd have to take up chess or crossword puzzles or something.

Bill
PS. Y'all have fun!

Have you tried Suduko? I find it addictive like Tetris/Bejeweled

I'm actually killer good at crossword puzzles already. I do the NY Times Sunday puzzle in ink just like Bill Clinton (OK, I use erasable ink). I've tried Suduko. Everyone I know loves it. I can't do it! It defeats me. Must be a missing gene or a serious character flaw. Guess I'll stick with tube rolling in preamps. But enough of that. Don't want to highjack the thread away from the plans for some serious ~~drinking~~ listening.

KnowTalent · « **Reply #16 on:** 13 Feb 2009, 06:28 pm »

Quote from: AK on 13 Feb 2009, 03:55 pm

IMO, listeners shouldn't know what is being tested.
It's even better not to call it a test, people get nervous.

I'm working on a test procedure and agree that only I will know which cord is "in play".
It will be a random pattern to avoid direct A/B comparisons.
This is just for fun and not of any statistical importance...if there is something to be heard it should be immediately evident imo.
Mostly for fun, to enjoy some music and shoot the bull with others who share the disease

wedweb · « **Reply #17 on:** 14 Feb 2009, 01:04 am »

I'd be interested in hearing this.

Bo

electricbear · « **Reply #18 on:** 14 Feb 2009, 07:12 pm »

I've a couple of power cords to throw in to the mix. Only Eric will know what they are until the findings are in.

KnowTalent · « **Reply #19 on:** 17 Feb 2009, 02:46 pm »

Quote from: electricbear on 14 Feb 2009, 07:12 pm

I've a couple of power cords to throw in to the mix. Only Eric will know what they are until the findings are in.

I bet I know what you've got in mind Tim!!!

No one will know what they're listening to, only what trial #.
I'm making scoring cards so listeners can evaluate things such as transient response, decay, bass extension, etc...

I'll contruct a random A,B,A,A,B, etc... pattern for internal reference.
I'm thinking Steely Dan's "Your Gold Teeth" would be an excellent evaluation tune as it is multilayered with many delicate woven hooks
Volume levels will be fixed to avoid confounding the results