Brilliant Art Dudley's article

Jerome W

Jerome W

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Against blind tests in the november issue of Stereophile.
Art Dudley describes why these tests have no sense in audio with precise examples and images.
I loved the article at the highest degree.
It reminds us that Time is a major factor in our hobby.

Wonderful Art Dudley !
 
The counter argument to this is that you get used to something over time.


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Mike said:
The counter argument to this is that you get used to something over time.


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Mike,

The article was not about keeping a piece of gear for years. It is about short critical blind listenings and their nonsense.

Anyway, I am not sure if we "get used" to our gear with time or if we simply know it better. And what's wrong with "getting used" to something ? Imho, it is the ability to see it as it is, with the good and the bad points.



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Jerome W said:
Mike,

The article was not about keeping a piece of gear for years. It is about short critical blind listenings and their nonsense.

Anyway, I am not sure if we "get used" to our gear with time or if we simply know it better. And what's wrong with "getting used" to something ? Imho, it is the ability to see it as it is, with the good and the bad points.



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I read it and all the Pepsi Challenge comparisons. There are just counter arguments out there that suggest your first few seconds/minutes is more telling.

I also liked Art's review on the Air Tight amp and how he found it more precise than his reference.


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I suspect the audio review game would not go so well if "blind tests" were the standard. Interesting that wine competitions use blind tasting as a standard and the industry still survives, in fact thrives.
 
I found that drinking wine, or beer, helps me judge gear better. :)

I'm still waiting for my November issue. Do you guys have the digital edition?
 
Most of us have a problem with liking gear, or loving gear, certain brands, tubes, SS, small, silver, black, big, shinny, modern, classic looking etc...

Some we desire some we don't even before we listen to it.

Double blind removes all our preconceived notions and allows us to judge gear more accurately and honestly IMHO. But you know what they say about opinions!
 
Mark Jones said:
Most of us have a problem with liking gear, or loving gear, certain brands, tubes, SS, small, silver, black, big, shinny, modern, classic looking etc...

Some we desire some we don't even before we listen to it.

Double blind removes all our preconceived notions and allows us to judge gear more accurately and honestly IMHO. But you know what they say about opinions!
Click to expand...

Well said. I conducted a blind amp shootout about 6 months ago (3 songs chosen by the listeners were used). The results were fascinating. I still remember the guy who is the biggest tube fan you've ever seen, picked the Tube amps last and the two solid state amps first and second. He was convinced the McIntosh 601's (his favorite) were tubes! When the results were revealed, the looks were priceless. The fact he picked his own amps last was also quite revealing.

Yes, yes, yes, different system, different cables, etc. but the blind shootout was still fun to check our preconceived notions.

Harman corp uses blind testing all the time. Their modestly priced F208 speakers beat out some well known speakers costing many times more.
 
Art Dudley is a good and entertaining writer. Just keep in mind that most of what he writes is fiction :P
 
rbbert said:
Art Dudley is a good and entertaining writer. Just keep in mind that most of what he writes is fiction :P
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Hmmm... Why do you say that? He reviews gear like every other guy that gets published in the mags. Is there something you know that the rest of us don't? Seems like a pretty closed minded thing to say.

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Mark Jones said:
Double blind removes all our preconceived notions and allows us to judge gear more accurately and honestly IMHO.
Click to expand...
Hi Mark, well...they allow only the sound to be judged. If that is ones sole priority.
However, as you know, there is far more to just sound involved with components. Beauty, pride of ownership, reputation, status, resale value, etc, etc. all play roles (whether folks are cognizant or in denial about this).
As such, controlled (blind) tests are for telling very specific things (like sound). They certainly won't tell how nice the thing looks for you in your rack.:D

cheers,

AJ
 
Mike said:
Well said. I conducted a blind amp shootout about 6 months ago (3 songs chosen by the listeners were used). The results were fascinating.
Click to expand...
I've done similar with hundreds of folks...and as you say, fascinating stuff!:)

Reminds me of this
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cheers,

AJ
 

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JBLfan said:
I suspect the audio review game would not go so well if "blind tests" were the standard. Interesting that wine competitions use blind tasting as a standard and the industry still survives, in fact thrives.
Click to expand...

I suppose the "high end" watch industry would collapse altogether.
 
Mike said:
I read it and all the Pepsi Challenge comparisons. There are just counter arguments out there that suggest your first few seconds/minutes is more telling.

I also liked Art's review on the Air Tight amp and how he found it more precise than his reference.


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Click to expand...

I liked the Air Tight review as well...collision of thread topics, but I owned the earlier (non "s") version of the amp and it was one of my favorite amps on my Devore Nines. Incredible build quality on the Air Tight products.
 
kev313 said:
I liked the Air Tight review as well...collision of thread topics, but I owned the earlier (non "s") version of the amp and it was one of my favorite amps on my Devore Nines. Incredible build quality on the Air Tight products.
Click to expand...

I want to hear their 211 amps.
 
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