SETUP:

• PWD2 DAC goes to splitter to OBJ2 and Magni. This is not seen in the photo.
• The Radio Shack box is the selector for the amp. Outputs from both amps go through phono to RCA converters to the switch box. Another rca to phono converter goes from the switch box to the headphones. This allows easy switching.
• SPL from headphone output is matched to 0.2 db.
• OBJ2 is using stock opamp. I pulled the LM4562 (I think the OBJ2 sounds better with the LM4562, but minions sayall opamps sound the same, so it should make no difference.)

yay, good source doing this test. super curious about these!

I prefer deaf tests. You just look at both schematics and see if they're clever or not.

P.S. Blind and deaf testing can be combined with mute testing. You perform the test but don't tell anyone about the results!

 

I have a similar radioshack selector. Very cool for making sure youre not biased. Ill save my discovery for another thread

I've added a new twist. Either A or B are split into an X.

Tests have just been completed with Anax as the test subject.

That is not an X. That is a question mark. 

Eagles Hotel CA from Hell Freezes Over
Subject very familiar with this track

A
If this is the O2 I would be shocked.

B
Sounds worse. Lack of imaging and definition. Sounds flatter. More boring.

?
Sounds like A

---

A = Magni
B = OBJ2
? = Magni

---

Rostropovich Bach Cello Suite #1 Prelude
Subject somewhat familiar with this track

A
Better sense of detail. Can hear work on fingerboard better. Less full sounding.

B
More dynamic. Strings more delineated

?
I think B. Not sure, too close to call.

---

A = Magni
B = OBJ2
? = OBJ2

---

Jennifer Warnes Rock You Gently
Subject focused on bass rendition in first few seconds of the track
Subject very familiar with the track

A
No comment. See below

B
Bass extends deeper with more air and space

?
I can't tell

---

A = Magni
B = OBJ2
? = OBJ2

---

Yann Tierson Soir De Fete from Amelie soundtrack
Subject very familiar with this track

A
Good dynamics. Treble has rounded quality but is harsh. Has body and dimension. Clean

B
Hand claps sound more like slapping. String plucks have less dimension. Accordian is more dead. More shill tonality.

?
Sounds like A

---

A = OBJ2
B = Magni
? = OBJ2

---

Avril Lavigne I'm With You
Subject not with track

A
Richer and less strident. More natural. String sounds like string.

B
Flatter. More digital.

?
Tough. Based on cymbal crash, I'd say A

---

A = Magni
B = OBJ2
? = Magni

---

Madonna La Isla Bonita True Blue 24/192 HDTracks

Aborted do to fatigue.