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The real crux of the DBT problem.

Hello Tom!

As far as I can tell the main "problem" with DBT's is centered on the methodology! Although I cannot speak for others I would have no problems with DBT's "IF" the only thing that changed was the one item to be tested, i.e. amp, interconnect, CDP, tube, preamp etc. While the premise may appear simple, i.e. can you actually hear any difference between “A” and “B” “IF” you only have your ears and no prior knowledge to go on. Unfortunately the problem is made more complex than that.

Most proponents of DBTs cite their use in medicine as evidence of the validity of using DBTs for removing the placebo effect. However in audio most proponents of DBTs aren't following the guidelines used in medicine. For when DBTs are used in audio its proponents will only accept the test as valid when an ABX box is used. I'd like to counter that be stating no where in medicine is an ABX being used. Thus in requiring it's use an additional variable is being added to the audio DBTs that isn't involved in the medical DBTs. So in reality we are now utilizing quite different testing procedures.

In addition installing an ABX adds more than one new variable or component to the test. In this case we're adding an ABX, another set of interconnects AND the different component or variable being tested. So in reality it's not only the 2 different amps being listened to but rather there's 2 different amps, an additional set of interconnects and ABX box being listened to. That's where the problem arises.

There's really no meeting in the middle either for most Objs will claim the ABX box is transparent and wires don't influence the sound. Whereas most Subjs will state they don't know of any component that's transparent and wires do influence the sound. To this the Objs retaliate that this is "proof" the Subjs go running everytime a DBT is offered. To which the Subj counter this proves the Objs will only accept a "rigged" test. For those Objs who demand an ABX box be used I'd like to see them provide detailed, documented proof via peer reviewed & published studies that proves thier assertions that ABX boxes are transparent is scientifically supported.

Sometimes a few Objs will pay lip service to allowing a DBT sans an ABX box, but I've never seen a Obj accept the offer of a Subj to submit to such a test. Rather once a Subj states they'll submit to a blind test where only one component is changed. The Objs start asking for previous detailed, documented proof that these Subjs have already passed such a test. Otherwise the Objs are not willing to "waste" their time to come and set up a test they claim they already know the Subj won't pass! Hence the Catch-22 is set.

If a single component or variable was all that was changed I'd agree that a blind test sounds fair to me as well. I see no problem in what happens if in this test you can’t hear the difference between a modest price cable and one that costs as much as a used car? But Tom whether or not someone can or cannot hear the difference between these two cables is not the real crux of the DBT problem. The real crux of the DBT problem is the Catch-22 scenerio I've described above.

Thetubeguy1954

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  • The real crux of the DBT problem. - thetubeguy1954 11:41:04 12/15/06 (0)
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