Doug Self preamp gets rough ride, An example of the destructive effects of unmoderated subjectivism Options

[wakibaki]

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/solid-state...-design-53.html

In the latter half of this thread, moderators defend the right of posters to undermine the reputation of the latest design from this outspoken opponent of subjectivism, based only on unsupported subjective opinion. Well-known designers and respected analog 'gurus' lend their tacit support by participating in the thread.

w

[wakibaki]

The principal author of the libel, one 'owdeo' earlier admitted 'I know this is not double-blind testing' and 'This may not be a scientifically valid test, but I think it was good enough to prove (to me anyway) that the difference in sound quality I was hearing earlier is real.'

Later he claimed 'I've done some blind testing and had no trouble picking the preamp'. When questioned on the subject he also admitted that he had not verified that the amplifier he had built met its design specification.

Owdeo claims 'as an EE' but confusingly said in the same post that he has only basic knowledge of electronics.

Nevertheless he insisted that the design was unsatisfactory, describing it in terms of the usual subjective twaddle saying 'The sound is still slightly "tight" or "overdamped" or something,', 'I know it's purely subjective and unscientific, but the difference is so big I'm sure it must be measureable if you could measure the right thing with the right equipment.'

These occasional smatterings of techno-bullshit and the pretence at blind testing evidently have all but a few at diya completely hornswoggled.

Meanwhile, diyaudio's reputation as a responsible organ (if it ever had one), continues to suffer.

Doug Self, who had earlier contributed to the thread, has ceased to post.

w