[Scott[_6_]]

On Wednesday, September 25, 2013 9:50:39 AM UTC-7, Andrew Haley wrote:
Audio_Empire wrote:
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I agree that all modern DACs sound acceptable, but differences in
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imaging, bottom-end performance and even top-end performance do
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exist and will only show up on a DBT when the system used for the
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DBT is of sufficient resolving power to highlight these aspects of
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performance. Otherwise, they go by unnoticed and leave the test
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participants with the incorrect conclusion that everything sounds
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the same.
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Of course you have to partner the DAC with high-quality components for
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any test. But without the DBT, the test participants will be left
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with the incorrect conclusion that the units sound different. Better
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still, your claim that some system has better "resolving power" can be
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tested with a DBT. (With proper blinding, statistical controls, etc.
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This should go without saying, but often needs to be repeated.)
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Andrew.

With any test of audibility one has to implement controls for false positi=
ves and false negatives. Bias controls against a false positive are the eas=
y part. Bias controls against false negatives can be a bit trickier. Also o=
ne has to test the test for sensitivity. that is not so easy either.