He measured the same DAC but at different settings of the AP555X he just got and posted the results at SBAF.
Though the results are indeed poorer (as confirmed by Amir in this thread) and he was correct in posting it, the thread turned in the usual Amir bashing.
Someone on Reddit picked it up and used non averaged measurements from GoldenOne to make a case. Because of incorrect settings it looked worse. That's got nothing to do with GoldenOne and the critique about the DAC is valid.
Now, you can't expect a young economics graduate to fully grasp how to use an AP555x so he has some things to learn (don't we all ?).
I personally found his MQA bit wonderfully presented and think he is right. I can also understand Amir's admiration for MQA.
The real proof of the pudding would be lab conditions blind tests between MQA and WAV though.
GoldenOne mentioned he would do the blind test anyway and would donate funds he would get from sponsors. I am quite certain he would absolutely fail that particular blind test. no surprise... no public blind test. He probably tried it and failed is my assumption but in that case he learned something which was my goal.
No doubt he is being honest in what he does. So is Amir. At best, under equal circumstances testing the same gear the results from Amir, Marv and Goldenone should be the same.
Differences can come from: Models that are cherry picked vs mass production, tolerances of parts, different test attributes used (Marv), different settings used, different levels used (Marv) or different ways to report.
Amir tries, Marv tries and GoldenOne tries and happen to use the same AP555X
So quickly a few things. Why would it matter about GoldenOne not knowing how to "fully grasp how to use an AP555x" if everyone concludes his critique about the DAC measured is true. Like even if he posted non-averaged measurements - what precisely is the problem? I'd understand if he was trying to compare it to averaged measurements, that's a problem. But it seems the morons that went off with the non averaged results to try and fortify some conflict of interest claims are the ones causing the raucous? Or is GoldenOne with them on their claims?
As for his presentation on MQA, if that doesn't bury MQA with respect to mindshare of audio enthusiasts, nothing will. As for Amir's admiration of MQA, I can agree with you and say "I understand why he has some", I just don't see enough of an argumentative thrust to support willingly, the product they offer. I can admire Apple for instance, because they make the most well-finished mainstream products in the electronics market. But Apple as a company I'd have them jailed (along with others if I was a hypothetical king) generally speaking when their entire business is concerned overall. SO if Amir admires them for achieving what he attempted but for one reason or another was unable to at Microsoft; THAT I can understand. But if he admire's MQA for the product they're actually producing (not the type of product, but specifically their precise product) - that I can't understand, as it stands antithetical to much of how he thinks otherwise.
As for the blind test, I wish that went through. I think whoever was responsible for the ban should have thought about that event that GoldenOne was saying he was going to do. I don't understand why some restraint wasn't shown at least because he was willing to comply with a challenge. But I wasn't around this time, so whatever I guess. Seriously though, why was he banned since he complied with the challenge? Did he make death threats or something disastrous like that?
Is Marv = WolfX? Or is there a third person who got their hands on the AP that I missed?
But yeah, the last paragraph where you conclude about the different parties is what I also feel. It just would seem perplexing to me, to have public personalities playing favoritism games. I expect that kind of garbage from subjective reviewers. Not from people plopping down for test gear costing the better part of a luxury car. So I never assumed any of those sorts of folks are cooking the review measurement books. I have no problem with anyone's measurements, even if they use "wrong" parameters (it seems they're only "wrong" when one wants to do a comparison, it's not like the AP is wrongly spitting out data or something).
Though there is one thing I actually don't like about all AP reviews I've seen. Almost all of them, when you see the output level. When it's tested for 2V or 4V (but especially 4V output), it's heavily inconsistent. Always something like 3.9, or sometimes 4.3. I just don't get it, does the AP not have real-time power readings? Or is it that tough to rotate the volume knob on an amp or DAC and nail a 4.0 (give or take a few microvolts)? I know some devices can't reach 4V, so for those instances I understand. But those weird 4.3v measurements bother me for some reason. Especially when it's being done with 120dB SINAD sort of devices. It's not fair one gets tested at 4V while the other is at 4.3V, seems like that could make the difference between 120dB and 118-119dB SINAD which is HUGE for competitors chasing spec numbers at that level. Just to be conclude and be clear, I am not talking about devices where MAX output is tested for (like some devices that go to like 7V+ just to show what they can do, I'm strictly talking about the 4V spec that's commonly used).
Oh solderdude, btw since I have to contend with nebulous descriptors about the situation. What exactly were the measurements Golden posted that people are taking issue with when comparing to Amir's? And when he was told about "wrong parameters" what was his response?