If you own an audio device that produces measurable or even audible noise when some “processor load near the DAC” happens, I’d instantly return such a device since it would have a major design flaw or is simply defect.
The “not touch” story in the digital domain is simply dateless. This alone proves the dullness of such marketing approaches.
And keep in mind, the UPnP/DLNA thing integrated in devices is mainly a label/sticker on such which still suffers from issues with incompatibility throughout the industry.
at the risk of getting lots of new feedback, i found this article in Absolute Sound to be quite insightful on the subject and moves away from the simple “bits are bits” discussion to perhaps give some food for thought on what might be going on: New Discoveries in Digital Audio - The Absolute Sound
“Absolute Sound” is probably the last place one should look at in search of anything grounded in facts. It does give decent food for thought as to how marketing works when the consumer refuses to use quantifiable criteria while the seller is willing to say anything, no matter how far divorced from any physical reality.
Tom Martin’s (CEO, Absolute Sound) YouTube reviews can be quite good: thoughtful, reasoned, objective and subjective. It’s quite different from the advertising written as blog articles. As a business, the website is honest about its aims:
The Absolute Sound network provides consumers, manufacturers, and dealers with a broad array of audio coverage including our magazine (print and digital), website, YouTube channel, weekly newsletters, Substack, and podcast. This media reaches over 500,000 audiophiles and music lovers.
Considering they include reviews of power cords that cost thousands of dollars, I doubt there’s anything objective about them. Just an example:
Furutech also incorporates its proprietary antistatic, anti-resonance, NCF process (Nano Crystal Formula is a crystalline material that’s combined with nano-sized ceramic particles and carbon powder yielding high electrical and mechanical damping properties). The wire uses a multi-layer sheath or double-layer high-grade insulation and a vibration-damping layer.
If you have a link to an objective review of any kind, I’d like to take a look.
2 Likes
mjw
(You want nice, supportive? Call a damn helpline.)
30
You are the diplomat!
It is utter nonsense. Prefaced with scientific and engineering jargon, and then describing something (and admitting through language) that it is devoid of any rational thought or reasoning.
Noise matters. Even the noise you can’t hear or measure.
Which begs the question: how do they know that their cables are any good?
@Marian right. His recent speaker reviews are the videos that come to mind where I find myself tolerating reviewer/ influencer vibes. Can’t comment on reviews of products you describe as I’ve not watched them. But it’s fair to say “buyer beware” and to be skeptical of products being advertised. It’s necessary to ask how and why at least 3 to 5 times to drill down to heart of a claim.
I believe we have long derailed from the original topic and kindly ask the moderators to close this thread. Thank you.
mjw
(You want nice, supportive? Call a damn helpline.)
35
I disagree. The early replies to your OP concerned marketing in audio, and that theme is central to the discussion. There is no reason to close the topic at this time.
The thread started with me asking the question about Roon’s/RAAT’s bit-perfect playback, given that PS Audio’s statements might suggest otherwise. This question was nicely and comprehensively answered about a week ago. Then the thread turned into the customary bashing of allegedly unsubstantiated marketing claims by PS Audio or irresponsible/unsubstantiated statements by review publications like TAS.
IMHO, repeating this conversation here does not add value, and most definitely was not what I had in mind when asking the question to the community.
mjw
(You want nice, supportive? Call a damn helpline.)
37
Yet this exactly what you did with your OP. The discussion is neutral and recent replies are responding to a legitimate question raised by @Evgeniy_Khryashkov.
If you do not wish to participate, change the thread notification to Muted.
