How do I verify - or debunk - the claims of The Upgrade Company? - Page 15

Agreed.


Understood. I have lots of experience as a scientific experimenter (outside of audio) and all I want to see is that the testing is blind.

So, while I hope I can attend, I can supply matched pairs of whatever connections are needed in addition to the switch. Of course, it is necessary for all parties to approve these ancillaries before the test so that they do not engage in post hoc arguments about them.

This is great news that Rich, Jeff and possibly others will doing a comparison of a TUC modded 5508 to a stock 5508. I hope this happens as it will be very interesting for many members to have a controlled comparison done. I certainly will be very interested in the outcome as it will put to rest if mods done by TUC are a worthwhile investment. Will there be any peeking under the hood of the TUC modded 5508?

Bill

Pepar and Rich: I am still very much interested in doing this comparison. I am fine with A/B or A/B/X, but I think it would be best to do both, just to eliminate anybody saying that the test was not valid because it wasn't a blind A/B/X test.

You mean, lessen the possibility that they engage in post hoc arguments. There is certainly a possibility that one person can distinguish no difference and the other does. In a common cable test referred to hear on AVS, this was left there without the option of a second listen and a barrage of audio tests in unfamiliar surroundings, and reported no better than a 50/50 outcome and therefore concluded as cables making no difference. That test is flawed in more than one way.

With this much smaller environment, and less time constraint, there should be time to listen intently to a SHORT movie scene over and over again on the same system with describable sounds in effect familiarizing themselves with the subtle nuances of the audio system and the test material. Engraining the sample as much as possible into their memories. Then do the ABX test. And do it again. Give the listeners the option to hear the sample again if requested. There will be new variables in the room with people there and some will not be familiar with the system. Don't change the people in the room, or their positions. Keep the mood steady for the tests.

There still may be a mix of people who can hear a difference and others that can't. But for the one(s) who can determine the correct processor repeatedly, then that would suggests there is a difference, but not necessarily everyone has the capabilities of hearing it. Re: varying human abilities. But still a difference. In that case.

Do it like that. Do it repeatedly. Do it with and without the switcher and compare results. Then you can be fair about it, and put to bed whether there is a discernible difference. If there is a difference, we can argue about how much of a difference it made later. Maybe if they determine they hear a difference then they can try listening to new material only once and see if they can detect the processors.

If it was me, Nature, I'd want to use standard cables for the test. If in fact your upgraded cables are reducing static noise and lowering some of the noise floor, then I would think it would lessen the difference the upgraded processor would noticeably make since from what I understand, it's supposed to do the same thing. Diminishing returns. Just a thought. Maybe my logic is flawed here.

Now that's the kind of sarcasm I do like. Indisputable. Told you terseness is not my strength.

lol. You're on a roll.

Don't worry Rich, your modded processor might not make it out alive but I'm pretty sure this thread is evidence that in your lawsuit you could recover not only the value, but also a hefty bonus for mental abuse.

Perhaps Monica Lewisky can attend. Her Secret Service name was The Jaws of Life.

Wow! I thought that TUC just put stickers on the covers not steel banding.

Bill

That might, or might not, increase our pool.

Don't invite Monica. Her attendance will no doubt result in a hum

Cheers,
SB

Kal,

Given your eminent credibility, would you be willing to do a scientific A/B if I were to purchase a TUC modded 80.3 and sent it to you? You'd, of course, have to buy a stock 80.3, but I bet you could just A/B it with your 80.2 as well. What do you think? Specifically, I would like to either confirm or refute that their mods are beneficial and to see the level of improvement. I have no bias either way, but have an interest in knowing if the mods are truly beneficial.

What do you think Kal?

Thanks,
-Ken

P.S. for the record, I have no issue if you or anyone at Stereophile want to remove TUC stickers and void their warranty. I just want an honest assessment. I am aware that you'd have to keep the unit for some time to allow it to burn-in (if necessary) and to fit this into your busy schedule. Thanks.

Part of the audiophile ethic, as I see it, involves tweaking. So it would be great to see what gains, and at what cost, can be heard in this tech era where mods seem more difficult and ever more expensive.

Agreed. Interestingly enough, the comment in their FAQs that mid-fi equipment tests the same as hi-fi seems to be self-serving. According to them, even though mid and hi fi test the same, "real world" listening results are quite different. I can think of at least one person (Michael Fremer) that might disagree that mid and hi fi test the same, but that's conjecture and supposition on my part. I just want someone credible to put an end to all of the theorizing and postulating on the Integra 80.3 mod in particular.

Kal, I/we really do need your help.

Hummm dead thread since middle of November.... wonder what ever happened in the test ?

It is something that interests me greatly but not something I can fit into my schedule. Perhaps when I retire from my day job, I will have time to pursue such things.

Dunno but I volunteered to assist if it went through.

Kal,

Any chance you could undertake this as a personal project and just report your subjective opinion on this forum?

Have you ever heard any other modded equipment and if so, what were your thoughts?

Thanks.

Color me unsurprised.

Jeff,

Thats too bad that you were not able to pull off the comparison. The TUC modded owner (Rich?) seemed to be a decent guy that was all for doing the comparison. The issue of the passive switch degrading the SQ of the TUC modded unit is total BS. It once again shows that Dave Schulte at TUC is just a scam artist IMO. If there was actual gains in SQ with TUC modded gear one would think he would want to show it through the comparison. But of course he talked the owner of the TUC modded gear out of it. No disrespect to any TUC customer but when does one see how much BS TUC's mods really are.

Bill

By this time it should be obvious to any rational human being that the Emperor (Schulte) has no clothes.

Cheers,
SB

Well then that settles it.

Bill

Apparently, Mr. S continues to be his usual, tactful self.

http://www.meridianunplugged.com/ubb...=148622&page=3