“It has since long been established that people can hear differences even when there are none.”
TRVTH
Pretty well a standard placebo effect then.I have long noticed that, among many of my audiophile friends, the perceived improvement in sound quality is directly proportional To the amount of money they spent on the product.
True !!I think this whole issue stems from people trying to imagine that digital is the same as analogue. It isn't. But people like tweaking things and in the world of vinyl different hardware did sound different and tweaking gear had a purpose. If people really want to dive into a world of variable performance where they can play with stuff then they should be into vinyl. If people just want something that allows them to enjoy music replayed at the highest quality and which doesn't even cost much then stick with digital.
I have long noticed that, among many of my audiophile friends, the perceived improvement in sound quality is directly proportional To the amount of money they spent on the product.
That's just his preference and not necessarily a reference.
I think this whole issue stems from people trying to imagine that digital is the same as analogue. It isn't. But people like tweaking things and in the world of vinyl different hardware did sound different and tweaking gear had a purpose. If people really want to dive into a world of variable performance where they can play with stuff then they should be into vinyl. If people just want something that allows them to enjoy music replayed at the highest quality and which doesn't even cost much then stick with digital.
Forgive me if I missed some of the posts in the last 26 pages but...
DACs show a wide range on the SINEAD (THD) measurement spectrum - so is one in the blue range really undetectably different (properly done listening test; dbl-blind, levels matched, etc.) from one at the lowest end (red?) - is that right?
Well many here will have you believe that is true but I think it comes down to the kit one uses to make such judgements.
Here is one example that even Helen Keller would have a hard time arguing that differences indeed exist. Benchmark DAC3 VS the following alternatives: Benchmark DAC1, Meitner MA1, Ayre QB9, Yamaha CD Player, Audio Fidelity v90 to name just a few examples.
If one is making these comparisons using $200DIY loudspeakers and DIY everything else in the chain because they are living in a bubble that their build skills of said gear are so great that its unimaginable to them that something better could possibly exist outside their bubble then it all makes perfect sense.
Ignorance is bliss but hey, whatever it takes to blow your hair back and keep you moving forward is all that matters in the end.
Well many here will have you believe that is true but I think it comes down to the kit one uses to make such judgements.
Here is one example that even Helen Keller would have a hard time arguing that differences indeed exist. Benchmark DAC3 VS the following alternatives: Benchmark DAC1, Meitner MA1, Ayre QB9, Yamaha CD Player, Audio Fidelity v90 to name just a few examples.
If one is making these comparisons using $200DIY loudspeakers and DIY everything else in the chain because they are living in a bubble that their build skills of said gear are so great that its unimaginable to them that something better could possibly exist outside their bubble then it all makes perfect sense.
Ignorance is bliss but hey, whatever it takes to blow your hair back and keep you moving forward is all that matters in the end.
Thats certainly one way to go about it. Comparing hard numbers using published specs of each device but the reality is that in doing so you are no different than say a surgeon who learned his/her trade by only reading the books instead of one who read the books and did the cutting.
In my case, I've seen the specs and actually listened to the outcome in the real world using all these devices. I learned much more by listening then by just seeing the specs and making assumptions of what the outcome "should be". I don't really care if some choose to believe all DACs sound the same in the end as its their choice but I find it hard to imagine any person with a pulse could believe such things after making actual comparisons using gear with even half respectable resolution.
The argument of paying more for product XYZ thus this is why I think it must be better holds no baring here since the Benchmark DAC3 is far from the most expensive in the list I provided.
Lol...If your looking for an apology for using the example I did you've cried to the wrong person. I don't give a rats ass if your offended or embarrassed. Keep your sensitivity out of the topic.
I don't think what I wrote is that hard to understand but if you need me to spell it out then yes the differences in sound between the products I listed are indeed very noticeable. Have you heard all these products? If so, can you say with a straight face they all sound the same?