You are correct. You don't get any "credibility" from taking one test-pass or fail. The point is that he is totally confident in his ability to make valid evaluations. He allowed himself to be baited into taking a blind test. "You will not take a blind test because you know you will fail and be exposed as a liar and a fraud. So passing an ABX did nothing at all to end those allegations.
can I confess I now have no idea where you are on the page? I am not even sure what I am correct on!
The point is that EVERY subjectivist is totally confident in their ability to make valid comparisons. That's why they 'don't need no stinkin blind test'.
Unless you are talking about a different situation (already mentioned I only know of one) HOW was he (MF) 'baited' into taking a blind test? The single one I know of was a group one, IIRC he got 5/5 and JA got 4/5, or so the reports go.
(is this where I was correct?) Yes, if there was a true desire to find out, they should have been taken aside for further testing. And yes, you can make statistics say anything you want. Was it 'fair' to lump their results into a collective? Well, on a global level perhaps, but again if a genuine curiosity were there they should have had extra testing (if they were up for it that is)
.
I think this is half the problem, it is so 'combative'. Never end the allegations??
You seem to be very selective in what you respond to BTW. I specifically asked 'why does him passing ONE test involving TWO ONLY amps somehow translate to meaning he, therefore, ipso facto and supra (
) also MUST be able to hear the results of vinyl demag'? Yet, to you, it does. AND, by your own lights, it cannot be shown he even passed a DBT on the amps anyway, no matter how suggestive it is that something could be up.
I do agree however (if this is part of your thrust) that as a result of that 'treatment' (which was shabby, as was the pear cable debacle) he is not likely to be disposed in doing another.
A pity and a shame, we all lose from that. No one wins.
I did not address this bit before, and you (again) did not choose to respond to the question of linking to the cable test in this forum (nor the withdrawal of your DBT protagonist). Earlier I asked you, and stressed my interest in, your personal reactions to any blind test you had been in.
You had however done a blind test between two audiophile cables and found no difference. Can you tell me your thoughts on it please? Perhaps a little explanation if inclined on the methodology.
You seemd to think because they were 'audiophile cables' that I would have no interest. Not true. What I DO find interesting is that you found no difference. Do you too not find that interesting?
Because this is what I deduce from it. (correct me where wrong). For a couple of very strong reasons I think you must have heard a difference sighted no? For starters, it beggars belief that if you had NOT heard differences that you would, nonetheless, go on to do a blind test between them. I mean for what earthly reason would
anyone do that, let alone someone who is strong in the idea that blind tests improperly result in 'no difference results'??
And further, why would a person who in particular feels blind tests (of any description) very hard to set up and do, be the one to set up and do a difficult blind test between cables he already feels has no difference??
So, that is my reasoning, hope it bears some resemblance to the truth.
So, again, can you tell me your personal reaction to a 'discovery' like that? Did it in anyway make you pause? Or did it simply confirm your thoughts that blind tests are useless (as proven by your own)?
(Orb, I think I kinda covered your points? I know I didn't quote you, but I was not ignoring you either)
(general comments, not directed at greg as such..better clear that up as he is the one I quoted)
All of the above..that any result is only applicable to that person in that situation with those components yada yada (did I cover it well enough?), and all this talk of statistics and interpretation etc, is why I say 'bugger that crap, just do a level matched simple blind test, swap between the two, and see how you go'.
It WILL only apply to you, but it is a damn sight better than armchair theorising and Ivory Tower speculation. It will be a personal experience and reality.
Seriously, it will
at least challenge any notion you might have that you are influenced by
sound only. The upshot is that in contrast to the (almost sure) rude shock you will experience, once past that it is (as it can only be) very liberating and empowering, whatever the outcome you get.
