And that is how Diana Krall sells records.
Okay, taking that to its logical conclusion, why have a pass/fail, or any commentary at all?
I think the other points I raise are equally scientifically valid. If Amir finds that -115dB is the limit for people being able to hear distortion in the most demanding of circumstances, he's absolutely right to point it out, and use that as a pass/fail threshold, I have no criticism.
But if he also knows that people can only hear that distortion at -90 dB (or wherever) in normal listening (sitting and listening to a 4 minute track at normal volume), then isn't that just as valid a pass/fail mark, indeed even more so?
One is not more scientifically valid than the other. Amir regularly cites published scholarly, scientific articles which discuss the differences most people can hear in normal listening.
Guessing you meant 7 preouts there and not 11?For me, An -80dB AVR that has 9 pre-outs is a better AVR than a -120dB AVR that has 11-preouts. Unless I specifically train myself for a time, setup an instant switching environment, and listen to 5 second clips over and over, I'm not gonna hear a difference between -80 and -120.
Good catch!Guessing you meant 7 preouts there and not 11?
Also, each review he's ever made of AVRs that test badly specifically states "do not buy this, unless you need the features provided by this unit". He doesn't say nobody should ever buy them. Also those reviews are very useful to push back against industry players and demand that they do better.
What you describe is not an audiophile.. that is a music lover. An audiophile cares more about the equipment, the music is just an excuse.
I’m the same as you in this aspect. I’m still waiting in a ruler-flat HD 600 with measurable flat bass and < 1% THD across the whole frequency range. That would be the only upgrade it is worth to justify, objectively better transducers for your use case.I want to buy the best that I can afford, in the hope that it'll last years, and only upgrade when the world has moved on enough that I can replace what I have without breaking the bank, and get a significant upgrade.
Even -115 dBFS is too strict of a definition for real-world use cases. For me, everything -100 down the fundamental is going to be indistinguishable from a theoretical pure signal.But if he also knows that people can only hear that distortion at -90 dB (or wherever) in normal listening (sitting and listening to a 4 minute track at normal volume), then isn't that just as valid a pass/fail mark, indeed even more so?
I think most people would struggle at -60dB, in most domestic environments.-115 dBFS is too strict of a definition for real-world use cases. For me, everything -100 down the fundamental is going to be indistinguishable from a theoretical pure signal.
It’s an old trope but there’s some truth in it: music lovers use gear to listen to music, audiophiles use music to listen to gear.
Paying for measurements that are beyond hearing such a -120db is not that far (actually right next to)from paying for expensive speaker wires.Personally, I disagree with the way Amir rates electronic equipment, but I also why understand why he does it, and it's what makes his reviews unique.
For me, An -80dB AVR that has 9 pre-outs is a better AVR than a -120dB AVR that has 7-preouts. Unless I specifically train myself for a time, setup an instant switching environment, and listen to 5 second clips over and over, I'm not gonna hear a difference between -80 and -120. On the other hand, I'll easily hear the substantial difference between 9(Auro-3D) speakers and 7 speakers(Auro-2D). Maybe a bit more controversial)), but IMO a $500 -80dB AVR is a better value than a $600 -120dB AVR, assuming all else is equal.
So, what's an audiophile?
Amir briefly touched in this in one of his videos, he distinguished audiophiles from music lovers.
Well, I'm a music lover, but one who wants his music to sound as good as possible (within certain parameters, like cash), so is that audiophile?
I see people refer to being an audiophile as a hobby. I believe the same people are those who constantly spend money changing one piece of kit for another. Well, that's definitely not me. I want to buy the best that I can afford, in the hope that it'll last years, and only upgrade when the world has moved on enough that I can replace what I have without breaking the bank, and get a significant upgrade.
In (I think) the same video Amir talked about using his skill, knowledge and experience to identify any possible weaknesses, even if most people wouldn't hear it themselves, on the grounds that he wouldn't want to hear something, not point it out as most others wouldn't, recommend the product, and then have complaints from those who've followed his recommendation and who do hear the issue. I think that's fair enough. Elsewhere, Amir has talked about identifying differences (I think between 16 & 24 bit) by playing a small 1 or 2 second section over and over.
Is that what being an audiophile is? Or just an audiophile reviewer?
I'm not dissing anyone. People get pleasure, sometimes in very expensive ways, from some crazy hobbies. It's not my job to tell you what to do with your money!
Absolutely. And yet I still want one of those RME DACs! Why? I don't for one second imagine I'll hear a scrap of difference!Paying for measurements that are beyond hearing such a -120db is not that far (actually right next to)from paying for expensive speaker wires.
That said I always appreciate the data and it is nice to see many budget products excelling beyond the threshold of any possible hearing.
Well, I'm a music lover, but one who wants his music to sound as good as possible (within certain parameters, like cash), so is that audiophile?
I'm a musician too who spends far too much time listening and thinking about gear instead of making music. Sometimes I think it's all just a massive exercise in procrastination (for me) over more constructive things one should be doing (and how many times have i suddenly developed a deep interest in dac filters when there's also washing up to be done).So am I an audiophile in your book? Or a music lover? Both?