Thanks DUP that whole list looks pretty helpful actually. I think I might pick up this one:

"Understanding Audio Specifications

Baffled by audio specifications? Frequency response, signal-to-noise, distortion - what does it all mean? Do manufacturers always tell the whole truth about their products? And how can you tell from the specifications which equipment is best? Find the answers here in Understanding Audio Specifications! $17.00"

It would really help with purchases and understanding JA measurements.

Robert Harely's book on high end audio might be a good choice as well. You'd have to look at what it covers.

Knowing what the specifications are is important but in the end, specifications are like looking at a given Formula racer's record in driving. It tells you his history and capabilities, but not if the given guy is going to win that particular race. It only indicates potential, not actual success in the given specific case. With respects to 'the race', I mean when that given audio reproduction device is actually heard and compared to others, only then will it become clear that the given item is 'good' or 'not'. The key point being in the hearing. In the end all specifications are useless, as the end point is in the listening.

Liken it to being inside of the head of the given race driver, only then will you know if there is potential for that given race result for that specific day..to possibly be occurring in the direction you desire. If he then wins or fails to win the race, you will have your answer. Until then, no answer.

In a similar fashion, the hearing of the given audio device is the only point that tells you in any realistic fashion whether or not the device is any good at realistically reproducing audio.

Which is why audio magazines can exist that do no measurements of any kind.

Not that they (such magazines or websites) are dishonest, but that the listening is, by far, the final arbiter to the point that it takes a position of extreme value over that of any measured number.

This tends to bother the stats and numbers linear thinking kind of people. They should endeavor to get themselves a cream of some sort of that, or stay out of audio, as audio contains both subjectivism and objectivism in balance, due to it's very nature. To give grief to those who listen over measurements and specifications is to give lie to their human function.

A slightly more eloquent (and less provocative) version of that is also stated in any given Pass Audio equipment manual, for example. To cut short and misquote what Nelson said, is that in the end - its the listening that counts.

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... specifications are like looking at a given Formula racer's record in driving. It tells you his history and capabilities, but not if the given guy is going to win that particular race.

Unless he is Michael Schumacher.

My ears always do the final measuring, but sometimes it's nice to have the Left brain participate too. I have Robert Harley's book- It's an OK primer, but necessarily leaves a lot out since he tries to cover a little of everything.

Speaking of balance, can anyone name a designer/manufacturer of amplifiers, preamps, speakers, or digital sources that is a "pure" subjectivist?

I have encountered interviews where the designer is demonstrated to be quite an objectivist, but not the other way around.

KBK's point about the race car driver is apt. It takes time, effort, and training to reach the point of being a viable race car driver.

Not just any hair brained untrained dolt could climb into an F-1 car and stand a chance of success.

Yet, that's not the Hi Fi model when it comes to certain product lines.

I'm surpirsed we don't yet have a line of Dr. Phil's Aroma Therapy Audio Enhancers.

I often wonder why the vast majority of Hi Fi electronics producers are astute enough to design this great gear, but deaf to the "order of magnitude" enhancement that some of us achieve by sticking on a new power cord or gluing a piece of something to the heat sink. (Many times, for roughly the cost of the entire original unit, or more!)

Let's see, Nelson Pass is smart enough and skilled enough, and has hearing good enough to make a certain piece of gear, but he somehow becomes a dolt when it comes to attaching a proper power cord.

Many manufacturers whose "official" stance is that power cords, interconnects, and speaker cables don't make a difference have a whole other set of opinions when you talk to them off the record and use them in their personal systems. I'm not really sure why unless they think that acknowledging that other products can contribute to the quality of a system might reduce a customer's budget for their products.

It's rather simple, really. One cannot comment favorably on the performance of one given item, as this leads to the impression that one feels that all others lack.

Think of all the scenarios that could develop if, oh..say Nelson were to say something like: "Our Electronics work best with Wilson speakers."

OK. if you don't own Wilsons, then you won't look at Pass products.

If you sell something other than Pass products, you might never consider them.

If you sell Pass products you might dump them as he endorses Wilson speakers which you don't sell..and dislike.

The comparison or statement can even harm Wilson.

And a hundred other scenarios.

It can get unreasonably messy. For no other reason than the frailty of the average human psyche.

It is best to never favor anyone. Manufacturers need to be silent and let the dealers and buyers/owners make their own decisions.

Quote:

Quote:
... specifications are like looking at a given Formula racer's record in driving. It tells you his history and capabilities, but not if the given guy is going to win that particular race.

Unless he is Michael Schumacher.

I thought I was good with my little Logitech GT25 force feedback wheel..zipping along in my fake Ferrari 575 race vehicle..on my fake Monza track..and I thought I was doing good when I took all the 'aids' off and ran it in 'full sim' mode. I was proud. I was pulling good, consistent laps!

Then I went on the internet and found Barrichello's record breaking Monza F1 lap.

Fuck me.

So I hang my head in shame and get back into my simulated car..and putter around on my fake Monza track at a stately 1:49-1:47.

1:20, Barrichello did. Wow. I didn't even have time to process what my eyes were taking in.

PS, in my info I added my origin point. That should slow people down from taking me too seriously. After all, how serious can a guy from Canukistanbolia be?

KBK-

Of course manufacturers aren't going to endorse SPECIFIC brands, that would be completely stupid on their part. That wasn't my point. My point was manufacturer X says "Power cords don't make any difference on our amps and preamps" but they use upgraded power cords in their personal systems. That's what I don't get. Why take a public stance against something that they believe strongly DOES make a difference?

I suspect then, that some aspects of the 'blowback' effect of being specific 'potentially' appears, to the given manufacturer, to be a source of trouble. I'd guess they were playing it safe, but I've no idea myself. The reality is, that some manufacturers are just as confused about power cords, etc, making a difference as the next guy.

For example, a manufacturer of hand made tube gear felt that no audio cables of any type were worth bothering with..until he was exposed to our cables. This made his ears perk up, and eyes go big. He is now an enthusiastic supporter for our cables and will only use our product at shows. One inevitable domino at a time. Heh heh.

Some folks have differing thresholds of their given level of knowledge and skills with regards to correlation of what they hear and how they interpret. This goes for the buyers and the manufacturers both. On more than one occasion, I've seen manufacturers get into a verbal (but good hearted) slug fest about what is important in design and listening. Same as anyone here.

I'd suspect that they might be exploring these thoughts and ideas and are trying to be sure they have a handle on what is going on..before (and IF, at all!) making any public statements. Likely they are very sensibly weighing their options and positions.