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In Reply to: The answer being posted by E-Stat on March 26, 2007 at 07:40:54:
"We are incapable of determining our own preferences and opinions? "No, biases reliably.
Music making the painting, recording it the photograph
Follow Ups:
JA said:
> You continue to miss the point I was making, "audiohobby." There are
2 incontrovertible facts involved in my parable:1) The solid-state amplifier could not be identified in the formal
blind test.2) The solid-state amplifier did not satisfy me in long-term
listening, despite all the non-audio factors working in its favor.And two articles of belief among so-called objectivists:
1) That blind tests, merely by being blind, are an effective means of
detecting audible differences.2) Sighted listening tests are inherently unreliable, due to the
presence of non-audio factors.If the facts behind my parable are true, then these two latter
beliefs are mutally incompatible. Either the blind test was
ineffective or the non-audio factors don't actually affect the
listener's reaction to any significant degree. You can't continue to
insist that both are correct.>
that's why I don't give much creedence to the individual product reviews here on the asylum. Most of them are by the owner of the item where one can reasonably expect some bias. I think that TAH doesn' understand that reviewers get all sorts of products where such bias just isn't there. Here are six $30k amps. Which one do you like best?I spent a few days in Seacliff the week before last. Currently, he's got a quad of those hideously expensive Western Electric WE-97A amps running the Nolas. Initial reaction? Naturally, I should like them because:
1. They're expensive. Are they $85k per pair or each?
2. They're 100 watt SETs (actually, they were the first SETs I've heard)
3. HP likes them.
4. They're well built and have tasteful backlighting of the stylized Western Electric brand through the faceplate.
5. HP didn't ask me to rebias them (as I have done for VTLs, ASLs, and Joule Electras
I've heard half a dozen different amps in that system (and seen half a dozen others sitting aside) over the years and these are NOT my favorite. In every case, these came from manufacturers where I had zero experience or prior exposure to them in order to form an opinion other than over the aesthetics. In that respect, I clearly prefer the Edge Signature monoblocks or the big Joule Electra amps with sixteen 6C33 outputs. Ever seen the Edge in person? They are positively gorgeous. There's not a hard angle on the unit. They engraved the Edge logo on the top cover. The heat sinks are shaped in a stylized "S" along with that shape being engraved into the front panel. The cabinet was fashioned from aluminum billet with countersunk machine hex nuts. There is a soft red glow emanating from the front panel. They have bi-wiring friendly posts with handles on them. In operation, they run fairly cool with a laser based bias tracking. They win the fashion show hands down. Especially when compared to...
While they are superb amps, my choice was the ugly duckling of the bunch (with an identical price tag): the VTL Wotans. Cosmetically, they are Roseanne Barr to the Edge's Kristanna Loken. I would characterize them as frumpy looking. Definitely NOT cool. They use exposed sheet metal screws. No lights other than an LED. Biasing forty-eight 6550s is a chore. And yet, they produced the most lifelike artifice of natural music reproduction I had ever heard. Brings tears-to-the-eyes good. It was only after that experience that I sold my beloved Audio Research amp and bought a pair of MB-450s. Five years later, I'm still in love with their ability to reproduce music.
> Cosmetically, they are Roseanne Barr to the Edge's Kristanna Loken <Maybe you're biased in favor of Roseanne Barr! LOL!
My experience with the Edge amplifier is that it's the best solid state unit I've ever heard. It doesn't give up as much to the best tube amps that most SS amps do.
And Valhalla all around - now THAT brings tears to my eyes! I never will be able to afford them. (sigh)
er, I mean the Edge is a fine amplifier.
And Valhalla all around - now THAT brings tears to my eyes!
Just wait - there's another Norse god on the loose!
Q. What chance does the average guy have of owning Nordost Valhalla or Ms. Loken.
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