ABX test anyone?

I'm planning on trying an ABx test with a friend's Levinson/B&W system. He's got some bug about a $3000 US interconnect that he bought on ebay and I'm going to test it against a well-made home brew cable. Same for his exotic speaker wires.
I'd be interested to hear if anyone has tried a blinded ABx test with, say, a HiCap and a SuperCap.
Of course, the time switching would be a hassle and there's no accounting for things to warm up or run in.
I'm game to test it at my place! (Somebody would have to supply the Super...)
David

quote:

---

Of course, the time switching would be a hassle and there's no accounting for things to warm up or run in.

---

With a friend doing the switching (obviously some one else has to do this if it is to be a blind test) the time for switchover should be under a minute. And the equipment surely whould keep it's temperature for a couple of minutes when unconnected?

A month ago I did a blind test myself with an LP that was recorded digitally on one side and analog on the other. Result after six tries? Yes, one can safely say there is a difference detectable by me and in my system.

JohanR

From the link above: -

"The actual process of the test was to play 30 seconds of A followed by 30 seconds of B then 30 seconds of X, where X could be either A or B."

In my view this is why they got the results they did!

I know personally I'd need far more time in order to determine such differences, in the order of days.

It should also be noted that their conclusion is misleading as stated; "Our conclusion is that there were no audible differences between the components on test."

A more accurate conclusion would be that the contributors were unable to determine an audible difference, using the methodology presented.

Andy

[This message was edited by Andrew L. Weekes on WEDNESDAY 07 January 2004 at 13:42.]

I agree, 30 seconds is too short and "no difference" should come with qualifiers!
David

quote:

---

"The actual process of the test was to play 30 seconds of A followed by 30 seconds of B then 30 seconds of X, where X could be either A or B."

In my view this is why they got the results they did!

I know personally I'd need far more time in order to determine such differences, in the order of days.

---

I totally agree Andy.

I have found frequently that even compairing vastly different components over a very short period of time it is difficult to determine real differances. It usually takes me a few hours (if not days) with one component before changing to another before I can be confident in my opinion. I had to borrow the CDS3 for a long weekend before I was convinced it was much better than CDX/XPS

But there again I've probably just got cloth ears.