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I agree ... plus A-B volume matching can only help a comparison

The fact that two components will play music at different volumes can make them sound different for a reason not worth paying a penny for .

For example I had one Sony CD player that played an amazing 3dB louder (at 1000Hz.) than my current Cambridge CD player. That's too large a difference to compare the two without some attempt at A-B volume matching first.

Also, the fact that an audiophile may be itching to buy something new suggests a potential bias in favor of anything new.

For example, when I borrow a component for an audition at home about once a year, I not only decide if A-B volume matching is needed and mark the volume control with tape if it is, I also get someone to flip a coin and hook up my own component or the new component at random.

I have no need to know the brand name to determine which component I prefer, assuming I can hear any difference at all. In fact I believe I would be biased in favor of a new component that had received a good review somewhere (and do I ever audition a component I really know nothing about -- no I only audition components that have received good reviews from someone!)

I do not assume I can always hear differences among components,
because sometimes I can't.

There does not need to be any "test" -- but common sense dictates it will be easier to focus solely on sound quality if the two components are heard at home, playing the same music, playing that music at the same average volume, and their brand names are hidden.

Hiding the brand names can be as easy as having the listener take off his eyeglasses while someone else hooks up the components.

I've done this over a dozen times since 1985.

If I can do it, anyone can.
,
,
,
Richard BassNut Greene
Subjective Audiophile 2007

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