Originally Posted by
Yomanze
There is a big difference between an ABX test outside of the context of your own system, own room and own music and a more meaningful test where you do something like use Foobar2000's ABX plugin to compare files (where I did find that I could reliably spot the difference between FLAC and 320kbps files, and even between FLAC and AIFF), or conduct blind testing by switching between kit that you know, in your room, with your kit... I know that I couldn't hope to pass an ABX test in an alien environment, but I know 100% that I can spot the difference between level-matched DACs, amps and preamps in my own system blind, because I've tried it.
That's an interesting perspective. There are certain aspects which are so very easy for me to differentiate in my own system & room, eg sound stage width, depth, central focus and lots more. But I don't need a blind test to do this as I know my environment and system so well. Maybe a blind test is more applicable to an alien environment, but it maybe harder to do this well as you say. It certainly takes a while dial into a new environment and if ABX is harder in such an environment there's a dilemma as most of our listening is in our own rooms.
TT 1 Trans-Fi Salvation with magnetic bearing + Trans-Fi Terminator T3Pro + London Reference
TT 2 Garrard 301 with NWA main bearing + Audiomods Series Six 10.5" + Ortofon 2M Mono SE
Digital Lindemann Bridge + Gustard R26 with LB external clock
Pre and Power Amp EWA M40P + M40A
Bass Amp & DSP Behringer iNuke NU3000DSP x 2
Speakers 1 Bastanis Sagarmatha Duo with twin baffleless 15" bass drivers per side
Speakers 2 MarkaudioSota Viotti Tower