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Re: Let Me Ask A Question....

Okiemax, you said: However, my approach is not to listen for a difference when trying a new component. Rather, I listen to determine if I like it better than what it would be replacing. Far more often than not, I didn't prefer the new item.

I'm in general agreement with what I believe you're saying, but I question wouldn't one need to determine if they heard a difference before they could decide if they like what they heard more than the component it would be replacing? I believe they would.

For me it's like this:

1) Replace an audio component.
2) Listen for any possible differences I can hear.
3) Decide if I like the differences I hear more than what I heard before. Afterall not all change is good.
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Now you continue with: But what about those times I did prefer the sound of a new item? Was I just imagining differences? Perhaps, but I don't think so. And even if I was imagining, would it really matter as long as I was pleased?

I agree with you. I don't believe I'm just imagining differences when I hear them! That's why I posed the question to Objectivists**. I cannot understand how my biases, preferences and expectations can cause me to imagine or fool myself into believing I hear differences in sound one time and then not hear differences the next time "IF" they actually cause me to imagine or fool myself into believing I hear differences in sound at other times! Why would this turn off and on? furthermore if it does turn off and on, it's an unreliable point, as one doesn't know if it's happening or not. I'm trying to keep an open mind on this matter.
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Finally Okiemax you said: My personal experience contradicts much of what I read about audio gear, including magazine reviews and accounts of double-blind tests. I trust my experience.

I pretty much agree with this statement, but then we get back to are our biases, preferences and expectations causing us imagine or fool ourselves into believing we hear these differences? Hopefully if I and other can keep our egos out of this debate, we can rationally discuss these questions, even when we disagree. Only time will tell.


**For a complete understanding of the question I posed, please click on link provided below.

Thetubeguy1954


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  • Re: Let Me Ask A Question.... - thetubeguy1954 05:55:45 06/02/06 (1)


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