Well, you don't like DBTs. Let's try another approach.

Nonetheless, as real as differences in cable seem to me, I'm not at all convinced I could pass a valid DBT. Would I have to give up a couple of pints if I took one and failed? If so, that would certainly reduce the temptation to keep trying.

perhaps my favorite SNL skit, posted on November 13, 2002 at 06:57:23

darkstar

thanks for that.
Randy

It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye. - Antoine De Saint-Exupery

You could be spanked or spank yourself also!, posted on November 13, 2002 at 10:06:59

NEAR SOTA
Manufacturer

Posts: 2613
Location: MAINE USA
Joined: July 27, 2002

How many people have the resources or the inclination to go out of their way to get to a DBT that is done unser extremely controlled conditions.For most of us it is just not possible.

The best a devoted Audiohead can do is setup his own in house with their mate or friend doing the switching.Anther thing is matching for correct db levels between the switchout and an accurate switchbox that does not color the sound.

As for bloodletting,some people would rather do that then go through the hassle.If you were wrong spanking might be an alternative,but there to some might deliberatly enjoy that which would skew the results.

I will still go by trusting my ears so as I might be happy with my decissions.If there truly is a diff then it might be worth the cost,if not I would probably stick with what I have.

To each their own!

Oh, it hurts so good., posted on November 13, 2002 at 11:26:13

Phil Tower

Well, I've been choosing cables and components for over 30 years without the benefit of blind testing. I'm afraid I'm too old a dog for that new trick. Realistically, Iâ€™m sure most high end consumers feel that way, regardless of age.

Moreover, Iâ€™m far from convinced that some of the statistical and theoretical problems that may currently exist with audio DBTs conducted in the lab can ever be overcome. So I doubt that most home-brew blind tests are particularly reliable. If a person does perform a blind test at home and finds he canâ€™t distinguish between two cables or components that he thought sounded so different under sighted conditions, that may give him pause to stop and question whether he really is hearing actual sonic differences.

But then what does he do if, when he goes back to sighted comparisons, the new cable or component still sounds much better to him than the old. Does he refuse to buy the new one simply because he couldnâ€™t distinguish it under blind conditions?

As I have stated elsewhere, I see double blind testing as a commonly accepted method for eliminating bias in scientific testing. Perhaps someday, someone will make a concerted effort to subject a reasonable cross section of commercial cables to valid and professionally conducted DBTs. Also, some here who are far more knowledgeable than I about this sort of thing, may have interesting observations or information regarding proper protocol and statistical analysis for double blind testing to share with the rest of us. I think it would be interesting to see the results of any tests, and I would find further discussion of proper protocol and statistical analysis interesting.. Beyond that, Iâ€™m not going to spend much further time myself worrying about it.

Re: Letting a couple pints out of people who hear no differences ?, posted on November 13, 2002 at 20:29:05

RGA
Reviewer

Posts: 15177
Location: Hong Kong
Joined: August 8, 2001

You're not supposed to pass a DBT...they design them like that. I'm still waiting for people to pass the DBT of tape versus CD. TDK and UHF magazine have shown that peoiple can't pass em. OR I suppose that in fact tape is indistinguishable to cd and of course that LP versus live from the 30s.

Besides show me some totally valid DBTs with conclusive results beyongd a shadow of a doubt that apply to all people and all equipment in all rooms.

Propeller Head Plaza

Well, you don't like DBTs. Let's try another approach.

66.166.141.18