"Mark Zarella" wrote in message

Not only that, but what if his so-called improvement makes him THINK
it sounds better? Isn't that in many cases the same thing as
sounding better? After all, the human auditory system was never
designed to be simply a measuring device.

Why not just say ommmmm, until we think our audio systems sound
better?

Those of us that "know better" probably won't be motivated by the
power of suggestion. Take a look at the recent (ie. recurring)
amplifier threads in RAC to see that people do indeed think they hear
a difference when a difference demonstrably does not exist (or if the
difference is a product of something else). So, for these people, is
there truly a difference between hearing a difference by power of
suggestion rather than by actual acoustical differences?

The closest I can come is the study of medical placeboes. Some of them seem
to work a very high percentage of the time. Unfortunately, what placeboes
lack is staying power. Six months later the once-happy patient tends to
notice that he's still sick or sicker, dies, or whatever.

Thus, an audio manufacturer that sells placebo equipment may have higher
initial customer satisfaction than one that sells a product that actually
makes a difference. However, that satisfaction level will tend to disappear,
while the product that makes a difference will probably keep on making the
same difference.

This can lead to higher intermediate-term profits for the placebo
manufacturer because he might get a repeat sale based on the higher initial
satisfaction, while the poor guy whose product actually makes a difference,
gets no new sales from the customer who remains happy.