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Amplifier and DAC Measurements and How they Correlate to Real World Listening?

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takato14:
I've always wondered about this. In my experience, the headphones that measure the best are the ones that sound the best; why aren't amps that measure good the ones that sound good? Is there something about the process that discredits the measurements? Are there things that we cannot measure?

This is a highly subjective hobby for sure, and everyone has a different opinion for what is good, but there are usually specific reasons for why something sounds the way it does. I personally don't like the HD600 because it sounds too "tizzy" to my ears; I check the measurements on IF, and there's a little bit of measurable tizz on the 300Hz. This lets me know that I'm not just crazy and that there actually is a reason I hear what I hear. Why can't you do the same thing with amplifiers?

Discuss.

Anaxilus:

--- Quote from: takato14 on January 13, 2015, 07:10:11 PM ---I've always wondered about this. It seems like the views on this site regarding headphone measurements are in extreme contrast with those regarding amplifier and DAC measurements. The headphones that measure the best are the ones that sound the best; why aren't amps that measure good the ones that sound good? Is there something about the process that discredits the measurements? Are there things that we cannot measure?

Discuss.

--- End quote ---

You're interpretation is wrong. You didn't read the chatbox prior to posting. You didn't read other similar and duplicate threads.

Marvey:
Once measurements are good enough (below threshold of hearing), other things (which we cannot measure, or more precisely, not easily measure, or not easily present or visualize) come into play. Also, there are many measurement secrets used by people who design DACs and amps that do correlate to sound quality. If you have not made stuff, it would be totally understandable to think of this as voodoo.

Basically, measurements are only good enough to tell you if something is shitty. The basically measurements that you see on this site are very coarse. Many people fail to realize that measurements are wave to visualize extremely phenomena. The very process of having to present something complex in an understandable visual sense results in the throwing away of a lot of data.

takato14:

--- Quote from: Anaxilus on January 13, 2015, 07:13:37 PM ---You're interpretation is wrong. You didn't read the chatbox prior to posting. You didn't read other similar and duplicate threads.

--- End quote ---
Yeah, sorry. Fixed.

Marvey:
That's being said, there is absolutely nothing wrong to look at measurements and buy audio gear based on good measurements. The problem is what measurements and availability of measurements and myopic take on measurements.

There is also nothing wrong in buying products based on how something subjectively sounds to you.

There is also nothing wrong in buying products because they cost a lot of money, are really cool, and you can easily afford to do so.

Again, measurements can tell you if something is really off or shitty. They cannot necessarily tell you if something is awesome.

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