Martin Takamine
Active Member
My view is bench top testing of electronic modules/components is just one facet of measuring performance. The module must be installed in the system to evaluate the system performance. Just as wind tunnel testing (bench top) an aircraft is just one facet of testing, you still have to put the aircraft in the sky (system) to evaluate performance.Ignorance is bliss but knowing that it is caused by distortion and coloration and still be able to enjoy it, why not? . Measurements may be a necessity for a fine product but look at Radsone ES100 reviewed recently, some don't like it even though it has decent measurements.
In another lifetime I worked on an aircraft radar system that had an ADC that would pass all bench tests but fail when installed in the aircraft system. The facility that repaired ADCs had to do CCA swaps on the flight line on numerous occasions because bench top testing indicated the ADC was performing to specification but the aircraft radar systems exposed faulty CCAs during system tests.
I did compare the CDP internal DAC, A-S801 internal DAC, Topping D70, and Airist R2R in the same system and I preferred the Airist because it didn't "sound" like the others which were the same to my hearing. The Airist outputs what I would describe as the old graphic EQ smile which works for my music listening.