Quote:

Good point Rick, and one I've been wanting to ask as well. Seems many like to reference articles and base everything on math, etc., but have they actually been involved in real world test themselves.

I'm looking at a Russound AB-2 switcher so I can jump back/forth between my Denon and Amps. I plan to invite some friends over for some tests. I'm not even going to tell them what they are testing.


Been there, done that, a fair bit lads.
You would have to search back through many of my past posts (one example here) to see my comments on A/B tests we did. Most of these were single blind tests using a near instantaneous switcher with equalized SPL. I used at least one friend and/or wife and sometimes a fourth (and a TRUE believer audiophile until he built himself a switcher, the very one we used).

Off hand i've compared 4 AVRs (from $100 or less to $1800 retail), 6-8 SS amps (varying from $1200 retail to $4000 including Coda, Anthem, Parasound, Robertson) and at least 2 tube amps (one a relic, one 1980s newer) in the past 3-4 years. I've also compared about 5 or 6 different speaker sets including Tannoys, Monitor Audios, Axioms, KEF, Boston Acoustics and some generic speakers.
Since my friend built his switcher he has also tested several various amps at his house along with an electronic guru friend of his. These boys collect vintage electronics and have a very impressive set of equipment, including a tube amp which recently sold on ebay for over 3k and Krell components. This electronics guru fellow in particular owned an electronics repair store (primarily audio) for 20 years and has fixed more speaker surrounds, static controls, blown caps, tube amps than you could shake a stick at. He has 2 'subwoofers' in his basements, home made that house 2-30 inch drivers!! He is one who has also long believed in the 'difference of amps' hypothesis, UNTIL these boys started using their switcher. As i understand it, their general opinions have dramatically changed from "there are definite differences" to more of an "IF there are differences, they are subtle and alot less than originally heard" point of view.

I'm not out to change one's hardcore belief structure but even that change of opinion is one huge jump for these two long time stereophiles. I didn't do any direct persuasion to put them on that course but my friend also happens to be of a scientific background and after enough conversations about wanting to hear comparisons equally, leveled and blind, he built the switcher for himself, mostly out of curiousity. Needless to say he is a bit saddened that his amp collection does not look as fun and shiny as it used to now that he's honestly settled in his brain with conclusive, self-experienced objective evidence (the best kind) that they sound identical. He told me some time ago that he's decided to sell one of them since there is no point keeping both anymore. He used to use one for some certain type of music (because it was supposedly softer sounding) and the other amp for whatever other type of music he enjoyed.

Never assume that people have not tried A/B testing themselves. Many may not take the lengthy time to post all the details involved in the process. I think many here know of craigsub and his testing with subwoofers and he is certainly one person who has a strong, well thought out methodology (public posted out on the forums for scrutinizing) to reproduce great results in this regard. He could just as easily setup tests for amps, if he hasn't already done so in the past (i imagine he has, Ajax may know).

It is not that hard to setup if you have one key piece: a switcher with gain controls or a similar third equipment piece for gain control. I also own a Russound unit which i'm planning on modifying with a non-stepped potentiometer and banana jacks.

I have to admit that the results of these blind tests can take some of the joy out of wanting to buy another or new piece of equipment. I like changing the aesthetics around or contemplating the idea that there is always a better sounding amp out there for my sweet home stereo system; something to make it that much better. However, to me, doing the A/B testing is as enormously fun as those who like to buy a new piece of equipment, stand in front of it and wow about much better (or worse) it sounds compared subjectively to their previous unit.
I just prefer to do the tests from a more objective perspective possibly because i'm a frugal buyer. (Aren't all Axiom folks supposed to be frugal buyers? )

  • Is that 2k amp really worth $500 more than just a $1500 AVR?
  • Is there really a difference in sound?
  • How can i equalize the factors to make it an objective conclusion so i can decide whether i want to pay that extra $500 for more than bragging rights and pretty lights?


The answer? A/B blind testing
Don't knock it until you try it.
I've had many a fun afternoon doing auditioning tests with this stuff. Wires running everywhere, volume up, volume down, switching components, telling the dogs to go lay down, grabbing a beer, swapping chairs.
Oh ya, tons of fun.


"Those who preach the myths of audio are ignorant of truth."