Not having the ability to test either one in my system, prior to purchasing, makes detailed reviews a valuable source.
Not really. The reviews don't magically improve just because you can't test either one in your system.
I understand the value of objective testing and figures that come along with it, such as Amir’s reviews. However, in practical implementation (enjoying and listening to music), they don’t always paint the whole picture. This entire hobby is very subjective and much of that intricate data isn’t even audible. Last thing I want to do is become obsessed with numbers.
Exactly. The key word is "subjective" - we all have our own preferences, taste, perceptions and beliefs. Why would the preferences, taste, perceptions and beliefs of some other person be of any use in judging if something matches my own preferences, taste, perceptions and beliefs? Only through human psychology - we want to conform, we want to be part of something, so we easily adopt and believe the preferences, taste, perceptions and beliefs of people around us.
Even via crappy YouTube audio, I preferred the sound of the Nilai over Purifi, as per the review. I listened to the segments several times and to my ears, the Nilai had more body and soul (whatever that means, coloration, a bit of distortion etc…).
Great example of expectation bias.
So much of the science that applies to audio is psychology rather than physics.