Gee, John, I sure hope you're not responsible for anything of significance. I could see you pacing off a few feet instead of doing a site survey or dispensing drugs by pouring some onto your hand until it "feels right." (Yes, a cheap shot. I admit it. )

Seriously, listening to components is a key aspect of making a purchase decision; but this is science, too, and it is IMHO profoundly misguided to praise the subjectivity of frail human hearing and pooh-pooh the realities of circuit design and component choice. As pointed out earlier, therein lies the voodoo of home audio that allows all manner of chicanery and charlatanism to thrive in the marketplace.

So, now that you're a gunslinger, pace off 20 and spin around, pard. Let's test your speed and your aim and settle this like men, not just a bunch of argumentative audio hobbyists.

[This message has been edited by boblinds (edited April 09, 2003).]