Re: Best price/value DAC's
Reply #75 – 2016-10-03 17:41:43
This I can understand. Although I am of the opinion that there is a clear difference in stating that "I hear a difference" and stating that "there is a difference". Sure, but it's not always so easy to draw a clear distinction and in other places you can see widespread self-delusion because these people conclude that "I hear a difference" means "there must be a difference in sound" and this is further reinforced by the experiences of like-minded people. In these places confirmation bias and groupthink are not a negative thing, they are desirable or even demanded. Here at HA we try to nip this problem in the bud.From the first statement I would never ever ask prove. Sure, if you just talk about some experience then it would be unfair to ask for proof, but it could still be challenged e.g. if there is reason to believe you're making stuff up. (I'm not saying that's the case here.) For example, while tuning some EQ settings I was hearing differences but later I found out that the EQ was actually bypassed. "The first principle is that you must not fool yourself — and you are the easiest person to fool," as Feynman said. It also depends on how you say it. "I can hear differences between DAC A and B" will be interpreted as a claim that you can discern A and B by their sound .. and either you can or it's persistent self-delusion. A blind test can provide evidence either way. I didn't follow the discussion but maybe the problem is lack of clear language. Also, most newcomers do not make such distinctions and as such the assumption will be made that the person is making claims about audible differences ... which is a very reasonable assumption.