Srajan, I just came across your OnFilter review with its lengthy manufacturer's reply. Because I wanted to comment on it, I then went your feedback section to check whether anyone had beaten me to the punch yet. Quite a few have as it turns out. A bit of a boxing academy in fact. Like many of them, I'm befuddled why a textbook engineer calling critical listening imaginary except for switching speakers on the fly would ever want to cater to audiophiles other than quietly fill the orders he is getting. I'm also bemused that he would take credit for occasions where his device improves the bass but disavows any responsibility when using it instead makes the treble bright. If it's good, my device did it, if it's bad, something else caused it? That's not what I expect from a self-proclaimed scientist who also disavows the possibility that if people report that DC blockers kill their transformer hum, it was not their insertion which did it because transformer hum can have many other causes and DC isn't one of them. It's really odd that he would use an audiophile forum like your site and your policy to allow a manufacturer's reply to demonstrate that he thinks most of us suffer delusions and beliefs in hifi myths. If I wanted to approach a buyer's market that's new for me, I certainly wouldn't go about it by insulting such buyers in public. That said, the simple fact that I'm sitting here typing these lines on my iPad shows that I also found it entertaining enough to take time out to react. For that I must thank the man while otherwise wishing him luck in what looks like a foolhardy pursuit or at least a peculiar way to go about it. Thanks for letting me rant a bit. I feel better now. Cheers, Kip
I had a few follow-on exchanges after he submitted his review comments. I basically questioned how you can make a good saddle if you don't ride; or a great race car if you don't hit the track. How to design for audiophiles who shop by ear if you're not a critical listener like them, instead design purely with test gear and deny the whole 'compare by ear' approach? He said that he's in fact very much working on becoming a critical listener. About which I then asked the obvious: what will he do once he hears things which his measurements can't show, explain or insist are impossible. Will he discount his own experience? Anyhow, this review has stimulated a few comments so from an entertainment angle, it seems to have earned its keep. In the end I still don't understand his motivation. If I were in his place, I'd not touch audiophilia with a 10-foot pole. But he seems dead set on it so let's wish him luck. Srajan
