i believe i understand what you are saying, i just don't see the importance of the last sentence.
first off, most people don't buy both and then pick one at home after trying them both there, so it never really happens like that. secondly, even if they did do that, and even if they allowed themselves to think they heard a difference simply b/c they aren't blind to the airchain, doesn't mean its in fact, true. i know, i know, perception is reality, but my point is they can't prove it. the standard should be higher than simply what makes them happy or what they feel. the standard should be what can they prove. let me give you an example... at a certain point kbps-wise, almost everyone can reliably tell the difference betwee a low bitrate mp3, and a CD, right? they could do this both if they SAW the source, and if they were BLIND to it. however, at a certain point, almost no one can do that, UNLESS they SEE the source. now, a small fraction of people may be able to, but i would argue this small fraction only could with near perfect equipment and environment, neither of which often exist at home. so yes, some people will "perceive" things at home based on extraneous criteria that isn't truly relevant, but that doesn't make it valid. their perceptions are ONLY valid (to anyone else) if they can RELIABLY PROVE IT in a blind situation. -- MrSinatra www.lion-radio.org using: sb2 (my home) / sbr (parent's home) / sbc (my home) - w/sc 7.3.3b - win xp pro sp3 ie8 - 3.2ghz / 2gig ram - 1tb wd usb2 raid - d-link dir-655 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ MrSinatra's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2336 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=61877 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
