The Computer Audiophile Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 2 hours ago, sandyk said: What we appear to need here is removal of the automatic granting of Moderator privileges, and each request considered on a case by case basis by Chris, or any appointed Moderators. We don’t have auto moderator here at AS. Teresa 1 Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
Popular Post The Computer Audiophile Posted January 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 8, 2020 45 minutes ago, esldude said: While not an engineer, I can provide anecdotal testimony. A friend who should know better was all jacked up on the idea adding acetone could improve his gas mileage. Asked my opinion, and I told him I was pretty sure it would not. He asked for an explanation (I was going to be nice and say nothing more). I explained how its BTU value vs gasoline was less, it wouldn't increase octane etc. etc. He was only more adamant about trying it then. And threw up to me all these web sites, and testimonials by others about how it really worked. I told him the simple thing. Run a few tanks without it for baseline and the same with it and let me know how it goes. He did, and it didn't work, and he didn't bring it up anymore. But if just the right pitch is given him for some other similar product he'll be no less likely to believe it again. His experience won't seem to stick in such cases. Even if you point out previous failures of a similar nature. He is intelligent enough he should know better. What does this tell me? Not much. This is a great example of why people shouldn’t try to save others and repeat the same stuff over and over. It doesn’t work, so save your breath. Suggesting he should know better is often looking at this from a different angle. My guess is people just want to try stuff and will find whatever justification they need. Not that big of a deal. Nobody is dying. daverich4 and Teresa 1 1 Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 On 12/29/2019 at 7:06 AM, Summit said: The problem with subjective impressions is not that they are made by listening and comparing different devices. At least not in my opinion. The problem is that when we describe the difference between diverse hi-fi stuff, we are often too subjective in our descriptions. By subjective, I mean that we often use exactly the same terms and adjectives to describe the difference, whether the difference is relatively small or if it is more significant. Now, I'm pretty sure some people disagree with me on this, and think that they describe their subjective observations in an objective way. Okay there are exceptions, of course, but I would say they are in the minority. I think that no matter what parts of a hi-fi system, placement and the room itself we believe are most important, it is often difficult when reading reviews or impressions to understand the reviewer's gradation difference between a little but observable - to that sounds like a completely different hi-fi system. If you do not already know from your own experience that the speakers and their placement in the room almost always have a much greater impact on the sound quality than a power cable, frame memory or a switch, it can be difficult to interpret how much impact we are really talking about. Now, I think most people here know the difference I described, but maybe not between all other parts of our hi-fi chain. Anyway I've read a large number of reviews and impressions and BELIEVE that the “problem” is because we often describe subjective differences too subjective and in more or less the same way regardless of whether we describe more significant differences from two completely different types of amplifiers or two external power supplies of the same type. What I want to say is that although I think there are relevant differences between different cables, hard drives, PSUs, external clocks and so on, but because of how we usually describe our observations in the same way, it is often difficult to know how big a difference it actually is at the system level and compared to other upgrades we can do for the same money. I am all for subjective observations, but think that we can all benefit if we can get a little more objective in our descriptions in our reviews and impressions. I have also observed that the reviews that are more moderate written do not become as "popular" as those where it seems that the difference is of a more revolving nature. Yes, I actually think there has been a steady inflation of superlatives generally in the hi-fi world, and who really benefits from that? Not one of us I would think. If someone buys something and believes now my audio system will sound superb, but does not, well then the person can be burnt and not captivate observations describing the more significant differences of other gear, because the exact same superlative has been used, and reused. What I wish for is that we all would try to describe the subjective differences more nuanced and in a more objective way and not as if all parts of the audio chain play the same role for SQ, although of course many small individual differences together make more significance. The question is how can I / we describe the difference between devices in a detailed way but still not make it sound like the difference is bigger than it really is? I know that some reviewers wait several months before writing and publishing their review. Maybe we can get a better perspective on the actual sound difference that way? Less FOTM and talk about burn in. TD; LR I think that we would all benefit on some sort of categorizing of how big the difference is in relative terms and in the grand scheme of things instead of as it was an isolated part of the audio chain. And rant Interesting rant and one that I don’t necessarily disagree with but obviously don’t agree with all points. When I write I am always cognizant of which words I use. If I say something is the best, it must be the best or I’ve just mislead people. I frequently use the terms good and great to describe two different levels of quality. There are gradations within these as well unfortunately. I think subjective writers must understand they can’t please everyone with their style and choice of words. I write to please the mythical reader that is myself. In other words, would I like the review and get something out of it if I was in the reader’s shoes. For the most part this goes a long way as opposed to writing for other people or trying to please others by writing what I think they want to read. Teresa 1 Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
Popular Post The Computer Audiophile Posted January 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 8, 2020 49 minutes ago, Ralf11 said: Repeatedly insisting that power or interconnect cables cannot improve sound is needed to counter such insanity. No. It’s needed when it’s wanted. The idea that you need to repeatedly do this is like thinking you can change the behavior of a spouse, who has been doing something for 50 years, by just repeating your arguments. You can’t change people, they have to want to change. 4est, Teresa, christopher3393 and 1 other 2 2 Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
Popular Post The Computer Audiophile Posted January 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 8, 2020 For those who aren’t familiar. Jud and Allan F 1 1 Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
Popular Post The Computer Audiophile Posted January 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 8, 2020 For many audiophiles the hobby is about the journey as well as the destination. It’s also about feeding the soul after a rough day or week. To me it’s much more than many make it out to be. Sure, I know a couple “rich” guys with five Patricia Barber CDs and $250,000 systems. But, let’s not let the tail wag the dog. The vast majority, in my experience, love the journey and destination and get so much out of listening to music. Teresa, Confused, Iving and 1 other 4 Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 13 minutes ago, Samuel T Cogley said: How old is your oldest DAC Chris and how many do you have? I'm asking that question because I kind of know the answer, but I think the answer will bolster my position. I purchased a PS Audio DAC around 2008 and purchased the original Berkeley Audio Design Alpha DAC around 2009. Total number of DACs is probably around 5. This doesn’t include the DACs coming in / going out for review. Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 3 minutes ago, Samuel T Cogley said: You're not sure how many DACs you have? 🙂 I’m at the Subaru dealer getting a recall on my Impreza fixed. My situation is a bit different in that I have much more gear here than a normal person, due to my job. Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 53 minutes ago, Samuel T Cogley said: I consume music during every part of my day. In the shower, on the way to work, at work, on the way home, at home, and I even have a bedside headphone rig. 29 minutes ago, Samuel T Cogley said: But perhaps we agree that you're even more of a consumer than most? You may have more "systems" than me, based on your previous quote about how often and where you listen. I'm really not sure what you're getting at with this consumer / consumerism discussion. I'd love to be educated a bit about what you're getting at. Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 1 minute ago, Solstice380 said: General cynicism? LOL That's what it seems to me, but I want to ask so I can fully understand before I conclude anything. Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
Popular Post The Computer Audiophile Posted January 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 8, 2020 30 minutes ago, Samuel T Cogley said: I don't know if you count DAPs as "systems", but I think that's pedantic minutia. I was simply pointing out that there is a belief or at least a desire with some to elevate audiophilia to something more virtuous than consumerism. And I think that desire/belief is at the heart of some of the animus around the subjective/objective schism. As you have rather famously said in the past, "no one's changing anyone's minds here" and I agree with that to some extent. But I see what the forum calls "subjectivism" through the lens of that belief that audiophilia is more virtuous than consumerism. Put another way, I have the same emotional attachment to my toaster than I have to my best DAC; i.e., none. But that lack of emotional attachment to gear doesn't make me enjoy the music any less than anyone else. I hope that puts it in perspective for you. Yes, thanks! Now I understand where you are coming from and I can at least give you another side that's contradictory to yours. Music is in all cultures and has meant quite a bit to cultures for thousands of years. Music has the power to move people in ways that many things just don't. For many of us audiophiles, music that sounds as good as possible has even more of this power. For example, I recently introduced my 7 year old daughter to Bob Marley. His music is very powerful. When I played it to her through my iPhone speaker she thought it was interesting. However, playing it through the Klipsch Three speaker at my in-laws house last night, it sounded so much better and lead her to ask questions about lyrics in the song "Get Up Stand Up." For me, listening to Bob Marley tracks on my main system can work like a time machine and transport me to the 1970s and totally take me out of whatever reality I'm living for the moment. Sure there is a continuum from the speaker in a smoke alarm on the ceiling to a million dollar+ HiFi system. Finding the right spot on this continuum for people, to elicit the emotional response that music can evoke, is part of the journey. The emotional response is the end goal. I guess we all use music and audio components in different ways. I have much more emotional attachment to audio components that help music move me than I do a toaster. That's just me. daverich4, Teresa, Iving and 1 other 2 2 Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 4 minutes ago, semente said: I've wasted too much money in this hobby, partly thanks to subjective magazine reviews, hype and shilling. And I'm not a flavour-of-the-month kind of guy who swaps gear because he has an itch, nor have an interest for cables. I genuinely try to identify the problems and the causes, and to upgrade. I was happy with my homeland system but a move abroad forced me to sell my speakers and rip my CDs. I am a wanderer now, 3 different homes in 5 years. I've since bought three pairs of used speakers, two used DACs and two new Pi DACs. I've had to downsize the speakers but have been struggling to live with that. Now the time as come to stop buying stuff... I hate to sound like a pusher of products and more buying, but a headphone based system could be perfect for your lifestyle. gmgraves 1 Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 I was just thinking about this a bit more. Perhaps the reason so many of us like to upgrade or make changes is because of the power of music. We want something more and are willing to try things, sometimes non-sensical things, to get there. And, the journey can be fun. I know it sounds a bit like chasing the dragon, but this is completely voluntary and enjoyable for so may of us. Iving 1 Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 39 minutes ago, Summit said: Thank you for responding on the topic of this thread. I don’t know how reviews should be written, only how I like them. I agree that not everyone can be pleased. To me the problem is not the choice of words for describing SQ, the problem is to interpret the scale of those sound performance and the value of the product. By quantify in numbers in the summery, like in the end of those two linked reviews I believe it is easier as a reader to know the reviewer’s verdict than if the same is only written in text. It is also easier to directly compare two gear that has been reviewed by the same auteur if the verdict of some of the parameters are quantified somehow. The points is of course always subjective, but with them we would at least know how the reviewer quantify different SQ aspects and don't need to interpret how someone use the words like better, good, great and so on. I think that the value aspect of audio gear is very important and something I would like all reviews to reflect about more. https://www.stereolifemagazine.com/reviews/item/1333-klipsch-heresy-iii-70th-anniversary-edition https://dekoniaudio.com/dekoni-blue-featured-in-the-hifi-ultimate-headphone-guide-2018/ Thanks for the links and graphic. I'm glad you found some information that you like and that suits your needs. For the most part I dislike these score based assessments. They often lead consumers to a score race like a specs race. If one headphone gets a 7/10 for Resolution and another gets an 8/10, consumers with nothing else to go on will select the 8/10 thinking it's better. With so many variables involved there needs to be a plus/minus 3 for every score. Anyway, thanks again for the graphic. semente 1 Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
Popular Post The Computer Audiophile Posted January 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 8, 2020 Just now, Summit said: If we lose a lot of organisms and if many ecosystem would decline or collapse the humans and our society will be affected negatively as a result. Put another way, if all the bugs die, all the people die. If all the people die, all the bugs will be just fine :~) Summit, 4est, daverich4 and 1 other 1 3 Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 1 minute ago, Solstice380 said: Who actually believes that they can decide the perfect component to purchase form reviews??? OK, if a lot of negatives then you may have something to "not" go for. There is no way that another person's impression, whose tastes you really don't know, should influence you. I'm not that easily lead. Problem is that there is no way short of a long car / plane trip to audition equipment. Not to mention if it is only sold on the web. That's a conundrum. This is interesting. You can use a group of negative reviews but not positive reviews? Care to square that? Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 2 minutes ago, Solstice380 said: Expectation bias. (?) Doesn't that go both ways? Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
Popular Post The Computer Audiophile Posted January 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 8, 2020 Just now, Solstice380 said: See new edit. You are fast with that mouse! I hear ya. I like reviews that can tell me something like "the volume control on the remote is really slow" or "when switching sample rates the unit pops very loud" etc... Makes it easy to use the review for my own benefit not just entertainment. Teresa, Solstice380 and 4est 1 2 Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 1 minute ago, esldude said: If one is careful, you can separate value from description if you try. Value is like beauty, in the eye or wallet of the beholder. Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
Popular Post The Computer Audiophile Posted January 9, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 9, 2020 20 minutes ago, Allan F said: Let us not forget the words of Peanuts character Linus Van Pelt who observed, "I love mankind...It's people I can't stand". He was an amazing pianist as well. Samuel T Cogley and esldude 2 Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted January 9, 2020 Share Posted January 9, 2020 10 minutes ago, daverich4 said: I think a preference for or against headphones is more than that. I have HD800’s, Audeze LCD-3’s and Focal Clears. I much prefer listening to my stereo over any of them. I’m the same way. daverich4 1 Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted January 9, 2020 Share Posted January 9, 2020 27 minutes ago, Samuel T Cogley said: When Tidal was brimming with UMG audibly watermarked files (seems some/many have been replaced with MQA), people listening with headphones seemed much more likely to notice than those listening with speakers. To me, that's a ringing endorsement of headphone listening. That’s an interesting take but one I’m not sure I agree with. Yes, headphones can reveal this kind of stuff, but I don’t believe this equates to a real performance as the artist intended. Being able to pick out abnormalities like this certainly means they are more audible via headphones, but I’m just not sold that it also means headphones provide a more realistic representation of the recorded event. As always I’m willing to be persuaded and love to listen. Iving 1 Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted January 9, 2020 Share Posted January 9, 2020 Just now, Samuel T Cogley said: Since almost all my listening is with headphones/IEMs, I'm not missing what you would miss with headphones. And no, I don't use DSP crossfeed as I prefer my playback to be pristine. 😎 I use IEMs every night and must say I enjoy the music through them immensely. Samuel T Cogley 1 Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
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