The prevailing null hypothesis here at ASR can be summarized as follows (I'll edit with any suggestions):
We believe these It appears that these positions have yet to be refuted by research or controlled blind comparisons. In fact, we tend to believe they appear to be *supported* by the majority of audio engineering research, and many of us at ASR simply view them as simple truths at this point.
This is the place you can submit any research you havethe might cause us to that may reject these null hypotheses. Many of us would be interested to see what you come up with.
We are only interested in published research and controlled tests with transparent and reproducible methods. Anecdotal sighted listening tests will not convince anyone. Nor will mistreating Shakespeare with vague references to the unsolved mysteries of the universe ("there are more things on heaven and earth...") or quantum mechanics.
[last updated on 1/14/2022 - qualifiers to amplifiers, emphasis]
- There's very little difference between competently designed and adequately powered electronics (amps, DACs, streamers), and nothing audible in electronics that is unmeasurable.
- Measurement instruments are vastly more sensitive than the human ear, and we have yet to identify strictly audible phenomena that can't be measured.*
there is nothing strictly audible that can't be measured.* - Even where there are audible differences between electronics, they are hard to hear, and
many would have trouble getting more than 70%c orrect in a blind triala likelihood ratio greater than 8 (of audible differences vs none) in ABX trials won't happen, except: - Audible differences between amplifiers can indeed arise from (a lack of) power, differing frequency response (>0.2db), frequency response effects of impedance mismatch/poor design, or high distortion (typically tubes, > 0.5%, but varies by type and in which frequency). Therefore a proper suite of well-known measurements from the amp and companion speakers will describe the entire audible story with amplifiers.
- Cables
make no audible differenceare audibly transparent given LCR measurements close to the generic 12G cable here.they are copper, proper gage, stranded,and not incredibly long;However, cables can also introduce potentially audible frequency response deviations when they are longer, higher in inductance or DC resistance, are used with amplifiers with higher output impedance, and/or are supplying loudspeakers with large deviations in their impedance curves. Expensive cables are snake oil. likelihood ratio greater than 8 (of audible differences vs none, given compatible measurements and lengths) in ABX trials won't happen - Many other tweeks, including exotic digital cables, disks and stones placed around the room, stickers, phone calls, hockey pucks, green magic markers on CDs, cable risers, etc., are a waste of time and also likely to be snake oil. A likelihood ratio greater than 8 (of audible differences vs none) in ABX trials won't happen.
- Being more expensive does not necessarily mean higher fidelity
This is the place you can submit any research you have
We are only interested in published research and controlled tests with transparent and reproducible methods. Anecdotal sighted listening tests will not convince anyone. Nor will mistreating Shakespeare with vague references to the unsolved mysteries of the universe ("there are more things on heaven and earth...") or quantum mechanics.
[last updated on 1/14/2022 - qualifiers to amplifiers, emphasis]
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