James Randi vs. Anjou Pear - once and for all

Brizonbiovizier, wrong on both counts. Yes, electronic components work, but that does not mean that we really know what variations might improve them. Certainly, to think that resistance, capacitance, and inductance are all that matters is simplistic. What about the geometry, what about the insulation, and what about the impact of RFI and EMF?

You are right about probabilities and statistics being linked at a fundamental level but it is still the case that statistical significance is the proper term, not significance as the single word believes the fact that what is statistically significant may be of little value. If you don't realize that statistical significance can be greatly enhanced by increasing the size of the sample, your understanding is deficient.

Statistical significance center entirely on the question of whether sampling error could mean that our random sample based findings could with a certain probability have come from a population where there was no relationship between the variables in our hypothesis. We are willing to risk type I error and reject our null hypothesis lending credence to our hypothesis if the probability of such an unfortunate sample is below typically below 5 in a 100 samples.

I have a PhD in both political science and psychology where I got most of my methods training both in experimental and sample based research. I have taught research methods and statistics for 40 years and published broadly in refereed journals, not that this really matters.

I still say that your dismissal of the possibility that wires sound different is inherently unscientific and unjustified by anything you mention. Furthermore, I cannot understand why any audiophile would not avail themselves of the opportunity to listen first before dismissing possible improvements.

Brizonbiovizier,
I understand your misperception- most cables are vaguely different at best. My cables are the Active Tesla cables from Synergistic Research and I can tell the difference 100% of the time when the active shields are turned on or off. I had a friend over and we did the blind test- sleeping eye mask on; in every instance I could plainly hear when the Active Shielding was turned on or off. I can also tell from outside my listening room. So much for your "theory".

I worked in RF engineering for many years. Electronic circuits are well understood - the mode of operation is one of design according to theory. It is not guesswork and the limitations are well known as are what would be required to improve them. Usually the active devices in such components. With respect to cables, LCR and the shielding are sufficient to categorize any variation in behavior of the two connected components. No-one has ever produced any rigorous evidence that has stood up to scientific scrutiny that shows otherwise. Therefore accepted scientific theory (which is contradicted by the unsubstantiated claims of the pro-cable argument) has nothing to answer. If such evidence is ever produced then you will have a case. That is the scientific process - which I might add created all of audio in the first place.

As a rule political science and psychology are those fields where statistics and scientific method are most inappropriately applied - much to the merriment of true statisticians - and cables are another prime example. I stated in my post that sample size is important so I am bewildered that you claim otherwise given that it was the point of my post. If I set up a series of trials and assess relative to random expectation then I can calculate the statistical significance of your performance (if any), employing certain controls to assess effects of bias or systematic issues etc etc.

If you can do as you claim then I suggest you step up and claim Randis $1M without making excuses. If you can do it Randi is on the level and will pay you I am sure so what have you got to lose?

high muralman1:

most interconnects do not attenuate the highs . they are either very extended or accentuate the treble.

for example, nordost, synergistic research tesla, crystal cable, virtual dynamics and poema cable, definitely are not soft on top.

as someone who has auditioned and reviewed many cable products, i cannot recall encountering a cable that was rolled off in the treble. can you provide the names of a few ? i will audition them myself, unless of course i have already heard them or owned them.

Muralmanl - I agree. Many of the highest prices offenders deliberately contain anomalously high LCR values solely for the purpose of sounding "different" (in well understood ones) which can then be touted as "better" to justify the price.

Leica - then step up and claim randis $1M! have you considered that this "active device" may just be altering the LCR anomalously to achieve an effect? If it is just some sort of buffer then it is the buffer making the effect not the cable. In like manner beefing up the output stage of a component improves the sound quality often - it is distinct from the cable. In the absence of any real explanation it is impossible to say. Similar claims have been made for various cables in the past and without exception the ability to discern vanishes under blind testing.