To Switch or Not to Switch?

[MontanaJoe]

When I used to work in the business decades ago I noticed that home theater receivers had bettter specs on paper than McIntosh, I certainly knew to my ears I'd rather listen to McIntosh. I never paid much attention to specs anymore except for basic power ratings and such. We had a brand than raved about damping factor, to my ears the bass wasn't that much different compared to other brands we had.

ASR is hocking a product don't be fooled. He isn't doing that out of the goodness of his heart. He plays to that anti-audiophile craze and jealousy so many have. It's been so successful that now others are following in ASR foot steps. Headsty or whatever that site is, Peachtree, I'm sure there's others.

I listen to my system so I prefer to use my ears. If you are anyone else puts your system together based of paper that's your thing.

I trust Nelson Pass and others who stated they begin with measurements then listen to reach their goal. If you've watched the video of Michael Fremer touring Audio Research Gordon explains about choosing parts, talks about caps from two different companies with same specs yet sounded different. I'm not sure why it's so hard for some to accept everything cannot be measured. I at least accept measureing and listening go hand in hand. It's like the horse and carriage, you can't have one without the other, LOL

Pizza is like audio it's all subjective. Some make fun of "pizza on a cracker" but thin crust is a St. Louis thing and even one of the Olympic skater's who qualified in St. Louis became a big Imo's fan. Some people don't like Domino's, the one in my neighborhood is good and where I prefer to order from. There's better just not always the time.

Totally agree with you

Plus as I indicated, it’s all about what variables you chose to measure. When you have a preconceived bias, and you start from a POV to prove your bias, selecting the variables usually is done to prove that predetermined result.

The pizza thing is a funny phenomenon. Having grown up in Brooklyn and visiting my kids with one living in one of the NOW hot spots of Brooklyn pizza I’ve had my share and laugh at all they hype surrounding it. I understand everyone has their preferences, but in NY this cultist following that has led to multiple hours wait to get a slice/pie is amazing especially AFTER you try it. But to each his own. I just make fun of the char/pizza on a cracker thing and with few exceptions, that was never a NY thing.

 

[BendingWave]

Totally agree with you

Plus as I indicated, it’s all about what variables you chose to measure. When you have a preconceived bias, and you start from a POV to prove your bias, selecting the variables usually is done to prove that predetermined result.

The pizza thing is a funny phenomenon. Having grown up in Brooklyn and visiting my kids with one living in one of the NOW hot spots of Brooklyn pizza I’ve had my share and laugh at all they hype surrounding it. I understand everyone has their preferences, but in NY this cultist following that has led to multiple hours wait to get a slice/pie is amazing especially AFTER you try it. But to each his own. I just make fun of the char/pizza on a cracker thing and with few exceptions, that was never a NY thing.

New York Pizza/ Bar Pie
New Haven Pizza
Chicago Pizza
Detroit Pizza
Roma Pizza
Sicilian Pizza
Fufnick pizza - a category for all the crap that looks like a pizza but thats all
NH is not a cracker with char at least it shouldnt be. I do prefer my pizza and crust crispy

 

[MontanaJoe]

New York Pizza/ Bar Pie
New Haven Pizza
Chicago Pizza
Detroit Pizza
Roma Pizza
Sicilian Pizza
Fufnick pizza - a category for all the crap that looks like a pizza but thats all
NH is not a cracker with char at least it shouldnt be. I do prefer my pizza and crust crispy

Please, just the fact that you rank "Bar Pie" with NY Pizza shows your true colors.

You are NO:

 

[Randy Myers]

Yes Kansas isn't that where your foil is located? I know we aren't in Kansas anymore? I am not listening to Wichita Lineman either are you? Is there Pizza in Wichita? we know that Michael says its lousy in Texas, could this be the root cause of the hostilities? Maybe they need Pizza in the Gulf of Hormuz?
Maybe Pizza is the secret to a happy life?
Maybe Ill have it for lunch , there's a highly rated place I haven't tried down the street called How u doughin.

I assume this was aimed at me. No idea why since I had not made a single post in this thread prior to this post. Anyway, to answer your question. I am fairly new in Wichita, but yes, they have pizza here. Actually, it is the home of Pizza Hut, for whatever that matters.

The pizza in upstate New York was far better in my view (in California also). Also, the one thing, while we are on bar type food topic, there is no place, and I mean no place that comes close to the Wings in Upstate New York! Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse wings are to die for, and I have found no place that even makes a close facsimile.

By the way there is no place called the Gulf of Hormuz, I do believe it is called the Strait of Hormuz. Please correct me if I am incorrect .

I also know that pizza is not what your post was about, but I might as well take the high road since for some odd reason you were trying to drag me into your conversation.

 

[BendingWave]

seems humor is a lost cause here on the interweb

 

[Randy Myers]

seems humor is a lost cause here on the interweb

I get your humor just did not know why you decided to bring me into this conversation when I was completely not involved .

 

[JCS123]

my ears really aren't all that trustworthy;

I don't understand that at all.

Your ears are the ONLY instruments that are 100% trustworthy in measuring whether something sounds good to you or not.

 

[Michaels HiFi]

I don't understand that at all.

Your ears are the ONLY instruments that are 100% trustworthy in measuring whether something sounds good to you or not.

I agree with this. It's like saying I don't trust my own tastebuds so I won't decide for myself if I like the food I am eating and need someone else to tell me whether to like it or not.

 

[JCS123]

New York Pizza/ Bar Pie
New Haven Pizza
Chicago Pizza
Detroit Pizza
Roma Pizza
Sicilian Pizza
Fufnick pizza - a category for all the crap that looks like a pizza but thats all
NH is not a cracker with char at least it shouldnt be. I do prefer my pizza and crust crispy

I agree, NY pizza is great. I assume we're talking about Neapolitan-style thin crust.
Never had New Haven pizza.
Chicago (if we're talking about their famous insanely thick, crust-on-top) pizza doesn't do anything for me.
Detroit-style deep dish pizza is very good. Personally, I would rate it above Chicago-style. In fact, I would put the original Buddy's and Loui's up there with any pizza - but hey, I haven't tried every pizza.
Never been to Rome or Sicily.

 

[Randy Myers]

Back to measurements versus listening. I have always felt that measurements serve their purpose, but they are not the end all be all in audio. There are far too many examples of gear that measure very well but just don't seem to sound as well.

The old adage that you can hear everything that you can measure but you cannot measure everything you can hear seems to still hold true.

I have owned many pieces of equipment that measure extremely good but just did not have the special something. Sorry to fans, but Benchmark (from my other old hometown, Syracuse) is that way. And a good friend who was from the other school, Jon Iverson from Stereophile swore up and down that Benchmark sounded better because it measured better. We actually did a DAC shoot out at his house and almost every person there preferred the other DACs that were there for comparison.

The problem is that every piece of Benchmark that I have owned and/or heard seem to sound very sterile. They all test fantastic. I did own their top current model DAC and it was darn good. But it was not close to as musical (for lack of better word) as my T+A.

Most of the Class D amps I have owned would fall under this thought. Really measured good but just, to me, did not have the special something. Full disclosure, I have not heard the latest Class D tech. I owned PS Audio, Wyred 4 Sound, Bel Canto, NAD, and I am sure I am forgetting a couple, and on the other side, MBL, Job (Goldmund), First Watt, Acoustic Research, Audio Mirror, T+A, old McIntosh, new McIntosh, among others. I would say the best Class D of these was the NAD. I would also say that the T+A, Job, Audio Mirror, First Watt really stood out. I would also say that I am completely satisfied with McIntosh (and it is a bit of home since I grew up in the shadow of the factory in Binghamton).

Therefore, I stick to my belief that measurements are an important first thing to look at but in the end the final has to be your ears and what sounds best to you. Again, my opinion only.

 

[Ritmo]

I’ve had a Nordost Qnet switch in my system for a couple of years. A few weeks ago I tried the Reiki Switch with and without the Jundo Ethernet cable in my system for a few days. Adding this switch to my system was very revealing. I didn’t want to believe it but 3 audiophile friends and my wife agreed how my system digital presentation improved with this switch (not that it was bad with the Qnet!).

Then Reiki announced their X improved model. So, “I bit the bullet” and ordered the new switch and power supply. Now, I’m eagerly awaiting its arrival.

 

[MontanaJoe]

I’ve had a Nordost Qnet switch in my system for a couple of years. A few weeks ago I tried the Reiki Switch with and without the Jundo Ethernet cable in my system for a few days. Adding this switch to my system was very revealing. I didn’t want to believe it but 3 audiophile friends and my wife agreed how my system digital presentation improved with this switch (not that it was bad with the Qnet!).

Then Reiki announced their X improved model. So, “I bit the bullet” and ordered the new switch and power supply. Now, I’m eagerly awaiting its arrival.

Hi Ritmo,

Congrats.

I did EXACTLY the same. I too was very skeptical; initially got the Reiki on the same day they announced the X and immediately returned the former for the latter. Also got the JUNDO. It replaced the QNET like yours as well as a very capable Ethernet cable and I totally agree with your findings.

Enjoy. You will see the X is another step up plus built like a tank on steroids as compared to the one your replacing, which was just built like a tanks.

 

[Randy Myers]

I’ve had a Nordost Qnet switch in my system for a couple of years. A few weeks ago I tried the Reiki Switch with and without the Jundo Ethernet cable in my system for a few days. Adding this switch to my system was very revealing. I didn’t want to believe it but 3 audiophile friends and my wife agreed how my system digital presentation improved with this switch (not that it was bad with the Qnet!).

Then Reiki announced their X improved model. So, “I bit the bullet” and ordered the new switch and power supply. Now, I’m eagerly awaiting its arrival.

Congratulations. Anytime you improve your system it is time to celebrate!

 

[Ritmo]

The Reiki Super SwitchX and its power supply (PS) arrived on Friday. This gear is super heavy and very well built. I set it up yesterday and was once again impressed about the impact in my system.

I consider my dedicated room and its environment to be very quiet with a measured noise level of only 30-33 decibels. Well, the Reiki added a quietness to the system that is very noticeable. Instrument definition improved and it also removed what would be perceived some grain or coloration from the musical presentation that was present even while using another high end switch. This coloration would not be noticeable unless swapping to the ReikiX switch - very interesting!

I don’t have the original Reiki switch and PS for a comparison. But, as good as the original sounded, this X version feels superior to me. I did not get their Jundo Ethernet cable and kept my WireWorld Platinum 10 Ethernet cable. Maybe a consideration down the road as the Jundo was not consistently better than the WW in my evaluation sessions.

I was a naysayer when I was told about the Reiki products. I’m a retired tech guy and know what’s inside a switch box. These switches are very pricey but they do make a very noticeable difference and are definitely well built.

 

[Michaels HiFi]

I was a naysayer when I was told about the Reiki products. I’m a retired tech guy and know what’s inside a switch box.

I also was leaning towards a non-believer when I did my three video series on experimenting with switches a couple of years ago.

When I tried 16 different cheap switches for myself I was amazed at the difference switches could make.

I took a LOT of heat from people back then as switches weren't "cool" several years ago like they are now. If you have a high resolving system they can be amazing.

If you are running an AV receiver , speakers against the wall and shop at Best Buy as most cable deniers do, then people should save their money and not mess with switches. But with a decent system, they can be quite rewarding.

 

[Mechnutt]

In the first place you two comments contradict each other. If you advocate the people ought trust their own judgements ("ears"), then recommend a reviewer -- do you like this reviewer because they echo your own predispositions?

One thing I've learned from my 55 year involvement in hi-fi is that my ears really aren't all that trustworthy; OK, your experience may differ.

ASR is a site that offers objective measurements of many components; it also advocates for objective measurements. You may believe that measurements are the whole, part, or irrelevant. Amir has a position that measurements are at least a major port of the whole. I'd argue he has a right to his POV. ASR has far less to gain financially by its argument for objective measurement than makers and purveyors of high-priced equipment do by arguing for subject evaluation.

Bill, the problem with specs is that they do not tell the whole story. Here are 2 examples.

I wanted a cheap DAC for TV and a bedroom stereo system that I rarely use. I bought the Topping E50 DAC based on the reviews and stellar measurements on ASR. It sound mediocre and when tried in my sons reference system it sounded awful, veiled and downright bad. At the time it was one of their top 5 measuring dacs.

Also, my former Parasound A21 amp has better specs than my Pass X250 amp. It was grainy in comparison to the Pass among other things that the Pass excelled at vs the Parasound.

As the great Nelson Pass said, "I can make an amp that specs perfectly and sounds bad and I can make an amp with bad specs that sounds great". There is truth to that and my ears tell me it is so.

 

[Michaels HiFi]

Bill, the problem with specs is that they do not tell the whole story. Here are 2 examples.

I wanted a cheap DAC for TV and a bedroom stereo system that I rarely use. I bought the Topping E50 DAC based on the reviews and stellar measurements on ASR. It sound mediocre and when tried in my sons reference system it sounded awful, veiled and downright bad. At the time it was one of their top 5 measuring dacs.

Also, my former Parasound A21 amp has better specs than my Pass X250 amp. It was grainy in comparison to the Pass among other things that the Pass excelled at vs the Parasound.

As the great Nelson Pass said, "I can make an amp that specs perfectly and sounds bad and I can make an amp with bad specs that sounds great". There is truth to that and my ears tell me it is so.

With the utmost respect I've learned you stand a better chance of winning the lottery than having people focused on specs (which is their right) realize there is more to music than numbers (even when they claim they realize that most don't believe that there is life outside of numbers).

I honestly don't think many are being argumentative. It's simply the way their brains are wired - they simply can't embrace anything larger than simple numbers. And they keep trying to convince us as they can't fathom someone being able to form opinions outside of being told what to think by numbers.

Again - NOT meant in a negative way. It's sort of like when you meet an engineer with no personality and you say 'yup, they are wired like an engineer". It's simply different personality types making the world go round.

The issue is when they aren't accepting of our ability to critically think on our own without being told what to think by simply reading other peoples completely subjective specs.

 

[Randy Myers]

As the great Nelson Pass said, "I can make an amp that specs perfectly and sounds bad and I can make an amp with bad specs that sounds great". There is truth to that and my ears tell me it is so.

Exactly, the specs are only a starting point. Nelson Pass is fantastic and one of the great designers of all time! The First Watt amp I once had was only so so as far as specs go but is definitely on my top tier of best sounding amplifiers I have ever owned.

 

[Feanor]

With the utmost respect I've learned you stand a better chance of winning the lottery than having people focused on specs (which is their right) realize there is more to music than numbers (even when they claim they realize that most don't believe that there is life outside of numbers).

I honestly don't think many are being argumentative. It's simply the way their brains are wired - they simply can't embrace anything larger than simple numbers. And they keep trying to convince us as they can't fathom someone being able to form opinions outside of being told what to think by numbers.

Again - NOT meant in a negative way. It's sort of like when you meet an engineer with no personality and you say 'yup, they are wired like an engineer". It's simply different personality types making the world go round.

The issue is when they aren't accepting of our ability to critically think on our own without being told what to think by simply reading other peoples completely subjective specs.

No problem on my end, MHF. i come to Audioshark with the full understanding the most of the good folks here are going to disagree with me. I only hope not too many are no offended by me references to good measurements.

Be assure that I'm one of those who insist the "All amplifiers sound the same". That's just silly. At the same time I believe that measurements tell a tale.

 

[Michaels HiFi]

No problem on my end, MHF. i come to Audioshark with the full understanding the most of the good folks here are going to disagree with me. I only hope not too many are no offended by me references to good measurements.

Be assure that I'm one of those who insist the "All amplifiers sound the same". That's just silly. At the same time I believe that measurements tell a tail.

Although I disagree with you, I totally respect your right to your opinion.

If we all wanted the same out of audio it would be boring.