"Don Pearce" wrote in message
...
OK, I've had a bit of a think - and I've written a protocol, which I
believe would be a basis of fair testing of audio components to
resolve such issues as cable sound etc.

I invite all here to read what I suggest, and let me know if I have
either missed something, or am being unfair on one direction or
another.

http://www.donepearce.plus.com/odds/dbt/

I think this could be a way of defusing the vituperation that
currently surrounds the subject.

So what do you think?

Just cruising through quickly...

(1) We always level-matched at 20 and 20 KHz, as well as several places
in-between. Its not hard to hear a roll-off below 100 Hz. Also there is the
possibility of notches in the frequencies in-between.

(2) Note the elaborate listener training that is available at www.pcabx.com
.. It's there for a reason. ;-)

(3) Time-synching does not seem to be mentioned. If this protocol is only
for cables, its unlikely to be needed.

(4) The person who connects the cables does not seem to be fully concealed
from the listener, thus the test is arguably not double blind. Some say that
body language is the truly universal language.

The cable changer should be concealed from test start to finish. He should
do what he does base on non-interactive voice commands from the listening
room.

(5) IMO 16/16 is a bit severe. 14/16 is good enough for me.