Evaluation / Testing

There is some debate about whether reproduction of sound above 20khz (the nominal limit of human hearing) matters. While working on another article, I found a nice analysis of the frequency spectrum of a cymbal when struck in various ways:
 
http://www.e.kth.se/~e92_aan/misc/
 
(click on musak.pdf)
 
I'm interested in other data on instruments, hearing, and audio reproduction at very high frequencies, and invite users to post links to published analyses.

There is significant disagreement in the audio community about what blind testing shows. Some of this disagreement comes from the point of view that it is well known that there are not differences between component (often speakers are excluded from this view). Or, there is the view that many disagreements about what is audible would be solved by ABX testing. To wit:
 

There is significant disagreement in the audio community about whether cables make an audible difference in sound quality. Some of this disagreement comes from the point of view that it is well known that there are not or cannot be differences. To wit, in reply to observed differences between cables:
 
"This is the kind of black magic that makes me shake my head and cry."
 
"I, like many others, am convinced you can't hear a difference"
 

Hi there!
my name is Renato and I'm an MSc student at City University London. For our Interaction Design class coursework we have to design a separate that is supposed to connect wirelessly to other devices and play music in streaming.
As it's gonna be meant for an audiophile audience, I need some help from someone who sees himself as an audiophile, has an hi-fi system, and who can give some precious insight to guide our design.

I would like to make a quick visit to RMAF to evaluate some hugh end speakers.  Unfortunately, I will not have much time.  What days are best to visit?  What times of day are the best?  Do the people who represent the gear allow end customers to play their own music? 
 
Ultimately, though, how much of a sense of a speaker's sound can one get from a show?

 double-blind testing is a cornerstone of the scientific method, and i have difficulty understanding why it is considered so heinous among audiophiles.  if it is difficult to carry out in practice, and many such efforts are flawed, that does not invalidate the technique or its potential usefulness.

I subscribed for several years ending c. 3 years ago and just reread my 3 years of mags.  All that reminded me just how much I like that mag, so...
 
Anyone have backissues they'd like to sell?  I'm missing issues 34, 41, 53, 55, 59-62, 64-68, and 71-73.
 
Pls e-mail me directly at jeffreybehr(at)cox(dot)net if you have any of those you'd like to sell.

Ok, so TAS buyers guide 2010 is out. Their list of TOP Lp's and cd's is primarily based on audio quality and for testing equipment.  Can the general readers and audiophiles recommend their Top 3 or Top 5 or Top 10 LP's that are Great in sound AS WELL AS GREAT IN MUSIC? Music that general public listens to as well.  Not the stuff no one has heard of and not the super hard core classical thats everywhere.  Just general everyday music. It would be of great help in buying LP's(most are $30 to $60 each on average).

This may sound like a silly question, but I'm curious if there is an ideal or a reference db level when setting up the location of the front speakers. I've read many set-up procedures but none have indicated a db level. Just like using 75db to set-up a 5.1 system, I curious if there is a reference sound level in order to obtain the best location of the front speakers.    
When setting up my Focal speakers, I played some clean jazz music and then moved the speakers until I thought I had the best sound for bass, stereo imaging and soundstage. 

 
I LEAVE MY SYSTEM ON  24/7  !!! 
 
CD + TRANSISTOR AMP. + SUBWOOFER
Of course (-) vaccum tube
 
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