Blind listening comparisons

[E-Stat]

How could there be such a war? Do you think those doing DBTs don't use ears, or are using something other than ears? What does "ears only" mean to you?

The biggest problem with most double blind tests is they involve a series of unproven assumptions. Most require switch boxes which are assumed to be totally transparent based upon simplistic metrics that are themselves *blind* to inherent faults. Long ago, Frank Van Alstine pointed out that comparing amplifiers with ABX boxes was completely flawed because they required common grounds to prevent horrible switching transients. In practice you are now comparing A+B to A+B. Theory works great when supported by empirical evidence.

I have no problem with blind testing per se, although it tends to be of the single blind category devoid of adding superfluous boxes which always mix and match electrical characteristics of the two devices under test. The only DBTs I trust involve computer based source material which are devoid of obvious electrical faults.

rw