I did not see any type of amplifier being excluded. Assuming audiophiles like amps with a full frequency response and have a volume control, you are in with a chance to get yourself a large freebie.
Which ones would you choose?
Challenge From Harbeth - Free M40.1 For Those Who Can Identify Amplifier Differences
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I did not see any type of amplifier being excluded. Assuming audiophiles like amps with a full frequency response and have a volume control, you are in with a chance to get yourself a large freebie.
Which ones would you choose?
Well, it is all my fault by daring to suggest that I could hear the difference between amps and CD players and that started the argument off all over again.
It's what I do and have done for forty years - I help people to hear differences between equipment and sell them (hopefully) what they like the sound of best. Sometimes differences are small/minute and sometimes much more significant and sometimes customers hear differences which they are not prepared to pay for. It's all good fun.
It's what I do and have done for forty years - I help people to hear differences between equipment and sell them (hopefully) what they like the sound of best. Sometimes differences are small/minute and sometimes much more significant and sometimes customers hear differences which they are not prepared to pay for. It's all good fun.
Then take the test and get yourself some free speakers!
Elephantears
Trunkated Aesthete
As I keep saying, I'm up for the test. I want those Monitor 40's. What's with all this 'no-one is taking up the challenge' shtick?
As for Evil Emperor's anti-BBC speaker rant. I've had about 4 or 5 different amps through my Harbeths in the last few weeks. They don't just reveal subtle differences, but completely different philosophies of sound.
Tony L
Administrator
You could stack them.
Surely the point is to prove that Mr Shaw has it wrong. As a retailer, I would have thought that it would be in your interest to do so.
Robert
Tapehead
Response differences are in the vast majority of cases caused by output impedance variations. Nearly all SS amplifiers keep this low enough across the audible range that errors would be <0.1dB, and nearly all line stages will be similarly flat over the same range.
So I'd say that his test would apply to over 95% of amps in use.
Clearly some designs such as SET aren't going to meet the flat criteria, so he needs to tighten his rules a little IMO to exclude those.
The question of EQ is interesting. I mean, suppose a slightly iffy inexpensive amp were EQ'd flat and then sounded indistinguishable when compared to say an expensive Meridian or Krell running with no EQ?
That would open up a far more interesting argument IMO, because the expensive amplifier running flat should walk it. If it didn't........
But a good test, and I'm certain he'll win if challenged even when some marginal amplifiers are used. The history of such testing is firmly on his side.
S/H units are as rare as rocking horse manure.
Most people who get them tend to find that they really are "the last speaker you'll ever buy".
So a S/H pair on the market ought to get a very good price indeed.
Robert
Tapehead
Never had a problem with it.
Gets a bit stalinist at times but the content is excellent and above all, relevant to reality.
joel
Painter of Dragons, Maker of Mirrors
Totally agree - and also agree with your comments re SETs etc and the need to clarify the criteria. The challenge seems to have ruffled a few (preening, audiophile) feathers. Excellent all round.
James
Lord of the Erg\o/s
Better than the lifetime warranty offered by Densen?
really what is this test meant to prove?
That if you make 2 amps perform the same through his speakers at a particular volume level ( appropriate for the lower powered amp ) that they will sound the same?
Duh....
These are not the issues that effects most purchasers of amps, we have a variety of speakers, rooms sizes, source equipment, power supplies, source material, listening levels, sound preferences...etc etc
That if you make 2 amps perform the same through his speakers at a particular volume level ( appropriate for the lower powered amp ) that they will sound the same?
Duh....
These are not the issues that effects most purchasers of amps, we have a variety of speakers, rooms sizes, source equipment, power supplies, source material, listening levels, sound preferences...etc etc
joel
Painter of Dragons, Maker of Mirrors
S'fundamental, actually. Think about it.
Joe P
Memory Alpha incarnate | mod; Shatner number = 2
If I were in the UK I'd be interested in trying Alan's test, as I'd have nothing to lose* and potentially something rather spiffy to win.
Joe
* I lost what audiophile pride I had left when I preferred Rob's trouser press and 30-metre cable loom to a direct mains connection.
Joe
* I lost what audiophile pride I had left when I preferred Rob's trouser press and 30-metre cable loom to a direct mains connection.
no, it just means if we make amps sound the same they sound the same.
Thats not rocket science...
The issues should be, can we make amps sound different, and if so, are there circumstances in which those difference would serve a purpose
The usual shifty stuff. Either we can hear a difference or we can't. Of course there need to be careful conditions imposed, but what I seem to read is people who want to make claims but don't have the guts to test them. What is it the Ameicans say:? 'Put up or shut up.'
So who has the guts to take Harbeth on?
So who has the guts to take Harbeth on?
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