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In Reply to: Scientific method says listening is only an "observation" - NOT proof posted by Caymus on May 12, 2006 at 14:49:11:
"... I have taken part in over 100 formal blind listening tests. Many of those tests produced null results. But my results also have shown that I could distinguish a) absolute polarity, b) different capacitor dielectrics, c) an interconnect with the ground-shield connection made at one end from the other, d) a solid-state amp from a tube amp, e) many different phono cartridges, e) many different speakers, including correctly identifying a speaker model under blind conditions from my previous experience of it. And so on"Take note of item C, "an interconnect with the ground-shield connection made at one end from the other", pretty impressive don't you think?
I certainly thought so, yet it made little impression on RBG or Pat D. Both were active in the thread, in fact JA's post was in response to one from RBG, yet neither asked for details of any of the tests; something I expect, althought I don't know for a fact, JA could provide as I've observed him to be near anal-retentive in being able to back what he says.
Actually RBG, after being prodded out of somnolence on the issue by your's truly, invented a rather novel means of dealing with the results, he said "I pointed out that 4 positives are expected in 100 tests just from random guessing", hence no need to examine the specific tests!
I always thought that one examined a test upon it own merit, e.g. all the details of how it was conducted, the exact methodology employed, number of trials, etc., etc. ... but apparently it's a simple numbers games involving all tests, forget details ... 4 out of 100 ... fully expected ... ho-hum, move along.
Goodness knows how many more controlled blind tests poor old JA would have to conduct, what the ratio of positives to tests required, such that RBG would *not* discount the positives out of hand! Clever fellow that RBG!
I guess there's a lesson in all this for our friend thetubeguy1954, namely ... he's not just going to have to demonstrate cable differences, he's going to have to demonstrate them over and over again!
LOL
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Follow Ups
- Here's something from a recent post by John Atkinson (Stereophile): - bjh 15:46:12 05/12/06 (3)
- I don’t think there’s any controversy about hearing ground loops! - Caymus 17:51:31 05/12/06 (2)
- Ground loop? - Duster 18:22:06 05/12/06 (1)
- Sorry, no insult was intended - Caymus 22:13:47 05/12/06 (0)
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