Quote Originally Posted by 3db
eliminate the souce problem by running the tests thru a powerful SS amp pre-amp combo that will be used for all speakers. Its just the speakers being tested and not the source.
The problem is that some us think that powerful SS amps suck ass are low resolving amplifiers and make a homegeneous presentation - and in blind test most low impedence high power power amps are viewed to "sound the same." Even the top SS makers in blind level matched auditions prefer tube amps http://www.stereophile.com/reference/70/

Having said that - certainly people are swayed with their eyes and certainly people buy based on looks, impressive technologies.

Hi-Fi Choice magazine does level matched blind auditions with panels of reviewers grading the speakers - I would not put all my stock in a blind test because there is always a minority who "chose the other one" and unless you yourself are in the test then you will never know if you were in the majority or the minority. Claiming to be an audiophile does not mean you have better hearing than the average non audiophile - so that point of interest to me is not a point of interest since to be quite frank - many audiophile own expensive gear that is no better than a lot of less expensive gear - claiming to be an audiophile based on dollars spent is alltogether different. High negative feedback amplfiers are not quality amplifiers IMO - and I can't think of a single exception that I have heard.