Can someone resolve an argument over audio amplifier and wiring theory?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the perceived differences in audio quality between high-end and budget audio amplifiers and speaker wires. Participants explore the significance of specifications like total harmonic distortion (THD) and the impact of cost on perceived audio performance, questioning the validity of claims made by manufacturers and reviewers.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions why a $500 amplifier sounds the same as a $10,000 amplifier if both are functioning properly, suggesting that specifications may not be as significant as claimed.
  • Another participant argues that the cost of audio equipment is often tied to consumer belief rather than actual performance differences, noting that reliability might be the only noticeable difference.
  • A participant mentions a $10,000 blind test challenge to distinguish between amplifiers, highlighting that many individuals have failed to consistently identify differences, which raises questions about the validity of high-cost claims.
  • There is skepticism about the claims made by reviewers regarding expensive cables, with one participant expressing disbelief in the purported improvements of high-cost speaker cables over more affordable options.
  • Another participant reflects on the difficulty of convincing individuals who have invested heavily in audio systems that their purchases may not yield the expected benefits, suggesting a psychological barrier to admitting such a realization.
  • A participant references a review of expensive interconnects and speaker cables, implying that some high-end products do receive praise, which complicates the argument against the perceived conspiracy in high-end audio marketing.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views, with some agreeing on the skepticism towards high-end audio equipment and others defending its value. The discussion remains unresolved, with no consensus on the validity of claims regarding audio quality and the significance of cost.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the influence of psychological factors on perceptions of audio quality and the challenges in conducting blind tests. There are references to specific products and reviews that may not universally apply to all audio equipment.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in audio engineering, consumer electronics, and the psychology of purchasing decisions in high-end audio markets may find this discussion relevant.

HelloAR123
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Hey, I'm sorry to bother you guys but I got a quick question I was hoping you guys could answer. I was just hoping someone had a definitive explanation as to why a $500 audio amplifier that can put out 200 watts per channel will sound exactly the same as a $10,000 amplifier putting out 200 watts per chanel in relation to how insignificant the specifications are of each amp like ultra low THD and as long as they aren't faulty or clip.

Debunking tube amplifiers would be amazing.

Also, if you had any scientific reasoning on why different types of speaker wire mean nothing in relation to $10,000 10 foot wiring that exists.If the information could be definitive and irrefutable it'd be much appreciated.

It'd settle a huge argument, put a rest to things and bring peace lol. :)
And let me remind you this would make like 500 people and possibly more who are utterly lost in placebo land, extremely stubborn and obnoxious re examine themselves.

There are people who spend $100,000 on audio amplifiers, $20,000 on speakre wire and yes, $5,000+ on POWER CABLE. :-/
 
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I find more and more that cost is more to do with what people are willing to pay in order to *believe* they are buying a "better" product. The 10k system likely does have more thought and work behind it, but not 20x. I'd guess the only difference humans can notice between the two is a bit of reliability.
 
Jakeus314 said:
I find more and more that cost is more to do with what people are willing to pay in order to *believe* they are buying a "better" product. The 10k system likely does have more thought and work behind it, but not 20x. I'd guess the only difference humans can notice between the two is a bit of reliability.

Yes but I was hoping for a really scientific, concrete answer.

We already have a guy who offered $10,000 in blind testing if you could distinguish between amplifiers that have normal frequency response and no clipping and thousands of people have never done it. $10,000 amplifiers VS $500 amplifiers no one can give the correct answers consistently.There are people who refute this and say "oh, I could do it" or "but a $300 amplifier even? I don't believe it" yet the test has been performed on thousands of people.So I was hoping you brainiacs had some super scientific reasoning haha or maybe I was hoping for too much.

I mean, these reviewers even go to the extent that a $10,000 speaker cable will vastly improve sound over $100 I mean hundreds and maybe even thousands of people who write articles for magazines praising XLRs, RCAs and amplifiers costing 5 figures with no proof it's a HUGE conspiracy.
 
The thing is you are never going to win an argument with one of these people anyway

They are NEVER going to admit to their spending of $10 - $20K on a system is all just urban legend hype dreamed up by dubious manufacturers who just want to dredge out every last $$ out of their wallets

these discussions over special blue capacitors instead of yellow ones, oxygen free speaker cables etc make me laugh every time I read them

hopefully some one can give you some specifics to work with ... but like I said, some one who has spent a zillion bucks on his system is never going to look like a fool by admitting that it was a total waste of money

Dave
 
If you search google for MIT MI-330 Proline Shotgun interconnects & MH-750 Shotgun speaker cables you will find a stereophile.com review of these $1000 wiring with this quote:

"Summing Up
The MIT MI-330 Proline Shotgun interconnects and MI-750 Shotgun speaker cables are excellent if somewhat expensive products, and their performance in my Wadia/Levinson/Thiel system was superb. Without a doubt, they were a key piece of the best system I've had in my 20 years of listening. Substituting another cable, even a "mismatched" version of the same cable, degraded the system's performance enough to diminish the goosebump factor and make the listening experience a bit less engaging."
Someone's got to get out the big guns and bust open this conspiracy wide open.

If it's good enough, many, many people would reference the reasoning.