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There are two types of ‘subjective’ comparison tests.Sure I’m not pretending it’s not subjective that’s clear.
Type 1: a proper controlled listening test experiment, where listener’s don’t know which is which, and the switching is done in a way that avoids statistical errors. This is a true test of which sound waves listeners prefer. It is the only true test of subjective opinions about sound waves themselves.
Type 2: a completely casual, sighted, uncontrolled listening test, where listeners listen to one setup then listen to another setup, knowing which gear they are listening to at all times, and record their impressions, usually by posting them on a forum as an opinion on the sound waves. This is an invalid test of the subjective qualities of sound waves, as it creates perceptions that are dominated by non-sonic factors. Repeat: dominated by non-sonic factors. If you want to know what your own subjective opinions of the sound waves are, you need to control the listening test to eliminate non-sonic factors.
So what you are doing is Type 2 testing, but kidding yourself (and trying to kid us) that your comments on sound quality are comments on the sound waves themselves.
Don’t feel bad: it’s the #1 beginner audiophile mistake. Everyone does it. But around here, we know how to assess that sort of reporting.
Cheers