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Re: The sad fact about audio is how often audiophiles imagine hearing differences

Hey Rich,

In one of my recent posts, I've suggested that, when a Reviewer submits a rave review for a particular piece of equipment, he should be able to pick it out in a crowd. It doesn't seem like too much to ask, especially when a Reviewer claims that this CD player or that Preamp or Amplifier are blowing away everything he or she has experienced prior.

On the other hand, most of the reviews I read are not necessarily raves. In fact, I've observed most reviews wrapped up with, "The XYZ amp performed as well or close to the reference". Many times, there are significant power differences between both amps, so one may sound more effortless than another, for example.

That said, I work in the industry as a Systems Designer for a Custom A/V Company. Among the three main Japanese Receiver lines that we demo to our clients, there are audible differences with one of them. That is not to say that this particular Receiver is not good. It is in fact an excellent piece at its price point, but everyone is hearing the same quality differences. There is a softening in the midrange and lack of detail in the upper registers. We did set levels so that all three output the same on peaks with familiar program material, so it is not a case of one being louder or softer. It is clearly a recognization of the difference in the character of the sound.

Here's another one.............I have as a reference amp, the Electrocompaniet AW-250DMB. A damn good amp, and one that I've been using faithfully for almost 6 years. By the way, my company does not carry Electrocompaniet.

I brought home one of our manufacturers 500 watt per channel digital amps for evaluation. I've never driven my speakers with that much power before, and frankly I wanted to play.

The amp "sounds" different than the EC. Bass is much better and more defined, and electric guitar has a timbre and crunch to it that was not there before. Dynamics? No contest. But cymbals were different too, hell, John Lennon's rhythm guitar on "Help" was as clear and pronounced as I ever heard it. Harrison's lead guitar on "Nowhere Man" shimmered. Was it just the difference in power?

So.....it would seem that the extra power would be improving all those characteristics I just mentioned. That's not an unreasonable conclusion. However, on a second listen, I did make sure levels were the same. Although I couldn't A/B the amps like I can at my showroom, those timbral differences were still there.

Here's the catch to all this. I love my EC amp. I WAS very happy with it. Also, deep down inside, I did not want to fall in love with another amp. Taking financial losses on my old equipment doesn't sit well with me. And, digital amps held no affection in my heart. If anything, I was wary of them.

Bottom line......I'm evaluating one more manufacturers digital 500 watt per channel pocket rocket. When I'm finished, I've got some explaining to my wife........yet another reason to not be doing this crap to myself.

Am I interested in a properly conducted DBT to determine if this is all my imagination? Yes I am. Let me know who conducts one, that it is in fact a comprehensive DBT, that they'll come to my house and set it up in my room, and what the accepted parameters are for consistently identifying the three amps (EC, DIG AMP #1, DIG AMP #2).

As I said, if any component is that different, that remarkable or just that bad, then any one of us should be able to pick it out in a crowd on our systems, listening to our music.

If it turns out to be just the extra headroom I'm falling in love with, so be it.

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