"Jim Lesurf" wrote

I also have never found anyone who was able to hear any difference between
one pot or attenuator or another solely on the basis of the sounds
produced
- provided the pots were used appropriately and we make an exception for
variations in balance tracking.


The only differences I've ever heard between pots is noise when they need
cleaning/replacing. What is annoying is that the 'volume' cen come through
erratically (loud/soft/loud) in an unpredictable way when they start to play
up - I've got a radio that is doing this right now.




Interesting that you are never challenged here, Serge. You wouldn't have
to wander far from this group to find a lot people who quite strongly
believe that all components (resistors, caps, pots &c.) can influence
the sound from audio kit.

You could probably say something similar about flying saucers, or various
belief systems...


Sure and there are those who believe the fridge light *really* does go out
when you shut the door!! :-)

(Incidentally, why bother with a switch on fridges? Could anybody say
*categorically* that saves energy/extends bulb life rather than just having
it stay on all the time, especially when the cost of the parts, the
manufacture thereof and fitting the switches is taken into account?)



I have no real knowledge and very little experience, so no strong views
- I always say I think it's possible (even likely) different components
will 'sound different', but is it really *hearable*...???

Can only say that this was one of the areas I tested (repeatedly) when
working on amplifiers, etc. Did this using listening tests on people in
the
audio biz. None were ever able to tell one pot from another by 'sound'.
What would show were tracking variations, or defects like scraping noises
for pots that were badly made or had deteriorated. Or in some cases, RC
roll off effects if the RC effect was unusually bad. Could not find any
signs of anyone who could tell a fancy/expensive pot from a cheap one by
'sound'.


Yet they are manufactured, bought and used - in considerable numbers....???

(See my recent reply to Pinky about cheap pots 'letting go'!!)

The sun's just come out (!!) and I got stuff to do, so I'll just say that
without all this *belief*, *perception*, *self-delusion* &c,, there would be
little point in trying to reproduce music in the home with anything but real
players (heard that phrase somewhere before!) and real intruments - and
absolutely no point whatsoever in watching a movie - war films, westerns and
sci-fi being perhaps the best examples!!