Figures. Good testing of audio equipment UNFAILINGLY shows that starnge mental constructs are more important than reality. I've yet to see a SINGLE double-blind test where ANY "golden-eared audiophile" could tell the difference between any two pieces of equipment, other than speakers or turntable cartridges.
I suppose that wasting money on audio crap is marginally better than spending it on crack.
I'm a real live electrical engineer with a degree and everything. And, I listen to lots of music, mostly classical. And I have a pretty good ear -- I can often accurately identify the conductor when listening to a piece.
Here goes:
Properly designed transistor amps produce distortion that is below the threshold of audibility (0.1% THD). This is really easy to accomplish -- even $200 receivers routinely do it.
Tubes produce very audible distortion, and they clip softly. I'm sure that it would be pretty easy to design a circuit to reproduce this distortion and the soft clipping for the fine folks who enjoy it.
Slashdot Mirror
Figures. Good testing of audio equipment UNFAILINGLY shows that starnge mental constructs are more important than reality. I've yet to see a SINGLE double-blind test where ANY "golden-eared audiophile" could tell the difference between any two pieces of equipment, other than speakers or turntable cartridges.
I suppose that wasting money on audio crap is marginally better than spending it on crack.
I'm a real live electrical engineer with a degree and everything. And, I listen to lots of music, mostly classical. And I have a pretty good ear -- I can often accurately identify the conductor when listening to a piece. Here goes: Properly designed transistor amps produce distortion that is below the threshold of audibility (0.1% THD). This is really easy to accomplish -- even $200 receivers routinely do it. Tubes produce very audible distortion, and they clip softly. I'm sure that it would be pretty easy to design a circuit to reproduce this distortion and the soft clipping for the fine folks who enjoy it.