posted before, ten biggest lies..

[Mike Anderson]

I feel confident in saying that unless something can be demonstrated with scientific evidence we need to not consider it very seriously.

I would have agreed with this initially, but consider:

It is well known that some people cannot tell the difference between lossy and lossless compression unless they are told how to spot artifacts. Thus, you could subject them to a DBT before telling them how to spot artifiacts, and they wouldn't be able to tell the difference. But then if you tell them how to spot the artifacts and re-do the DBT, they can tell the difference.

So... If you take a DBT and can't tell the difference, how do you know it isn't simply because you don't know how to spot the differences?

[The Grudge]

Really good point Mike, but that is where the problem remains from my perspective. Even asking people to participate brings the whole subjective problem back into play. I would contend that the experiment would have to be done with extremely sensitive audio measuring machines in a controlled environment, take the subjective out of the equation.

As long as there is a machine which can detect the full range of sound that is audible to human hearing then in theory you can test claims such as those made by high end interconnect and speaker cable manufacturers. The goal would be to measure any part of sound that was within the human range of detection, nothing else matters. If there is no significant difference in signals with high end cabling and without, then it stands to reason the human ear isn't likely to obtain any extra audible information.

I have heard people say that there may be special qualities to sound we know nothing about yet that add to sound which our brain actually uses to create the listening experience. Until such time as these factors can actually be demonstrated to exist and be useable by the brain to enhance an audible experience, it makes no sense to entertain the possible contribution these elements may make. I of course can't say such things do not exist, but unless we can test such things, for all intent and purpose they do not exist.

[Mike Anderson]

I of course can't say such things do not exist, but unless we can test such things, for all intent and purpose they do not exist.

I wouldn't go so far as to say they don't exist, but I would put the burden of proof on those who insist they are there. They should be able to point out the differences, or at the very least, differentiate between them in a DBT.

It's an interesting philosophical point though: If you can't tell there are any differences in a DBT (even if there are, and other people can recognize them and later point them out to you), should you care? It's our old friend the tree falling in the forest, isn't it?

[bacchanal]

My biggest problem with audio myths have nothing to do with absolute truths. I live in the real world and to me it is all about relative value.

What do you think the markup is on a $1000 cable, how about a $1000 tt cartridge? There may be a slight audible difference, but I refuse to buy into the bs economics that is high end audio. Those schmucks can drink their vintage wine on someone elses dime. Think about the audible improvements you get from $1000 worth of well planned (or even home made) room treatments.

DBTs, give me a break. It just needs to sound good in my house!

As for the article, they guy has some points, but he is off his rocker. His 10 lies, aren't necessarily lies, they're just things that aren't really worth buying into, for me anyway.

For the record, here's my experiences with his "10 lies" to this date...

1. Cables - Okay maybe a slight difference, but proper cable routing solves any real issues.
2. Tubes - For guitar amps, heck yeah. For audio...ehh, depends on your taste. Worth money, but not any more than good SS is worth money.
3. Antidigital - No difference, digital is more reliable and more consistant. It just depends on the content. Some recordings were meant for vinyl imo.
4. Listening Test - I don't personally care.
5. Feedback - Never knowingly noticed it in my system.
6. Burn-in - I'm in the camp that thinks this has more to do with ears than equipment, but who cares, I mean it's not like it's going to cost you anything.
7. Biwiring - Never noticed a difference, then again I don't have fancy cables.
8. Power Conditioner - For protecting equipment, sure. For better sound quality, I've never noticed a difference.
9. CD treatment - Who even does this?
10. Golden Ear - We've all known these types. I usually just say I agree with them and walk away.