Linear vs Switched mode PSU

[Bonky]

Yes I remember you mentioning your mate. That's a nightmare. Glad he got through the original op ok and hope it allows him to beat the big 'C'. Sorry to hear of his other problems and hope he recovers fully soon!

Marco.

Seconded!

R

[PalsHuffMor]

True Marco, but it takes a lot of experience to get expectation bias out of the equation when dealing with things subjectively. Am happy to trust my ears now, but certainly not when I first started out!

That is the gathering of subjective expertise. The more kit you listen to, the more times you listen, the more you experiment with different combinations and tweaks...the more expert you become.

Listening to music...is the one true purpose of hifi. Everything else exists only to serve that purpose. If your belief in electrical theory tells you that two things must sound the same, but your ears tell you they are obviously different, then it is your theory that must be scrutinised, not your ears.

[Bonky]

That is the gathering of subjective expertise. The more kit you listen to, the more times you listen, the more you experiment with different combinations and tweaks...the more expert you become.

Listening to music...is the one true purpose of hifi. Everything else exists only to serve that purpose. If your belief in electrical theory tells you that two things must sound the same, but your ears tell you they are obviously different, then it is your theory that must be scrutinised, not your ears.

..if it's a blind A/B test then yes, of course, you're right.

R

[walpurgis]

That is the gathering of subjective expertise. The more kit you listen to, the more times you listen, the more you experiment with different combinations and tweaks...the more expert you become.

Listening to music...is the one true purpose of hifi. Everything else exists only to serve that purpose. If your belief in electrical theory tells you that two things must sound the same, but your ears tell you they are obviously different, then it is your theory that must be scrutinised, not your ears.

I like that......and agree. Good post!

[walpurgis]

..if it's a blind A/B test then yes, of course, you're right.

R

What's "a blind A/B test" got to do with the ability to discern differences? And don't suggest 'expectation bias'. I trust my ears and ability to judge how things sound. I suspect many others of us do too.

[montesquieu]

What does Naim sound like?
Actually I have never owned anything made by Naim (except a rather naff CD of some bloke with an acoustic guitar), however I have experimented witih their circuits at length and there are some interesting ideas lurking in there. IME experience different implementations of the same basic circuit can sound very different indeed.

On the Radford topic. Yes I have heard the STA25 at length. A fine amp!
I have also owned a Beard P100. Pile of junk - sounds more soild state than most ss amps!
My main amp is a KT88 PP amp.

It's not wise to generalise (but it is fun).

I quite like some Naim source component. But (like NVA) I haven't heard a Naim amp I could be in the same room as. But I guess I haven't heard them all so who knows? I'm also a fan of KT88/90/120 push pull amps, for many real world speakers a decent KT88-family amp is where it's at.

[Starterman]

Applying Jez's logic to himself...
it is not possible to overcome expectation bias (even magnificent-mains-man-Marco cannot do this ) and Jez's expectation bias convinces him that a circuit powered by an SMPS or by a linear PS must sound the same - therefore that's what he hears.

[Starterman]

I quite like some Naim source component. But (like NVA) I haven't heard a Naim amp I could be in the same room as. But I guess I haven't heard them all so who knows? I'm also a fan of KT88/90/120 push pull amps, for many real world speakers a decent KT88-family amp is where it's at.

Funny old game eh?
I've heard Naim amps sound very good indeed, but I've never heard a decent Naim CDP or pair of speakers.

[PalsHuffMor]

What's "a blind A/B test" got to do with the ability to discern differences? And don't suggest 'expectation bias'. I trust my ears and ability to judge how things sound. I suspect many others of us do too.

Agree.

IME blind testing is a waste of time; a completely artificial stress created on the brain.

[walpurgis]

Expectation bias is an emotion to which I am not susceptible.

Like others, my expectations are neutral, so I don't get excited about anticipated results. Logical analyisis and comparison of what can be heard and repeated is all that matters