Wire

[FYL]

Agree that basic science -could- explain perceptible differences, but you gotta know what to look for to be able to apply basic science.

Of course.

For instance, under the influence of an external EM field, do same-value components with different composition react differently?

They can react differently - most will. Ditto for all external params.

But if you get back to one of the subjects in this thread and take two nearly identical wires (same gauge, number of strands, overall construction, etc.), one using plain copper and PVC the other silvered copper with PTFE, the latter won't sound brighter. It'll sound the same in all proper double blind tests! Ditto for caps and most other components.

[Structo]

WHAT!?

You mean to say that the two wooden Hi Fi knobs I paid $350 each for won't give me a perceptible difference in tone?

Dang, the guy I bought them from said I would readily hear the difference.

I hope I have time to cancel my order for the $400 power cord.......

[Richie]

Ditto for caps and most other components

Dang me too, just threw out all my mustard caps, tropical fish caps NOS tubes,ahh the list is too long. Now i'll go join the peavey amp forum

[FYL]

I hope I have time to cancel my order for the $400 power cord.......

Get the $2,000 model: your Shun Gow dog rocket amp will sound really better than a Trainwreck Rocket, you'll play better than your guitar heroes, your Chinese Strat clone will sound better than a '57. And telemarketers will stop bothering you.

[FYL]

Dang me too, just threw out all my mustard caps, tropical fish caps

"I really like [tropical fish] as tone caps because they offer a very fat tone, without turning the tone into mud. These caps are no longer in production, so you can find them on eBay or from vintage parts dealers. R.G. Keen from Visual Sound investigated these caps and found that they are standard film caps that are just painted funny -- very similar to the cheap "Greenies" from Xicon, so give them a try."

http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/I ... rt_II.aspx

[ckpop]

I agree I'm going to throw all my resistors, caps, wire away because you can't hear the difference. I also can't hear the difference between between Analog and digital

http://www.scientificamerican.com/artic ... stradivari

Electronics components are still made from organic materials and just because you put electricity into them does not mean they don't effect the tone.

Try your blind testing with someone who has a trained ear

[FYL]

Try your blind testing with someone who has a trained ear

Been there, done that. Oh, and do yourself a favor : try some components in proper double blind tests, your perspective will change...

[Richie]

I appreciated your article very much! I know a lot of people believe.... that a "cap is just a cap"!? After 40 years of building audio and guitar amps....I know better

I'm agreeing with what this guy posted on the link. There are things that matter,and some that won't make much difference, nothing you post or link to, will make me believe otherwise.
In a blind test with who?
maybe go to 18watt.com and read the thread OT shootout, listen to all of them,take the blind test on all the output transformers. See if you can pick the top 2 in both tests, i believe their are 9 or 10 of them.

As i'm sure you have your mind set, that none of this matters.
A transformer is a transformer, and a cap is a cap, a guitar is a guitar,all made of the same materials.

[geetarpicker]

Not that it's a theory based upon scientific means, but it's interesting that in many amplifiers component choices have much less effect to the end result than in other amplifiers. I'll take for example the vintage Marshalls I've owned (or currently own) compared to my Trainwreck. In the Marshalls I have to change all 3 preamp tubes to get the same tonal change that you can get out of the wreck with just 1 tube change. In that mind set it doesn't seem outrageous to me that tonal differences even in wire might be possibly more audible in a wreck compared to other circuits.

Same might go for lead dress, layout, transformers, etc...

[ckpop]

FYL with all due respect if you believe it or not how components can make a difference is not really the issue. If you choose to have that opinion that is fine and I have mine.

I can understand sometimes a part change does not make a difference and other times it does. At the same time I find it hard to believe you can make such a general statement on how components are equal. Any long time builder knows by expericence this is not true.

I build for pro players, major recording studio's, producers and engineer's But I am sure if components did not matter I would not achived the level I have.

[ckpop]

Another thing to remember is in a blind AB test you are not taking into consideration the playing tecnique of the guitar player. Some players know how to use their technique to bring certain qualitys out from an amplifer and interact with it. That could be the difference from hearing the way a component reacts and sounds.

[M Fowler]

Okay I lost track, who is disagreeing with who? Or should that be whom?

[ckpop]

LOL Wire makes a difference and component choice (thats me) LOL

FYL thinks all parts are created equal and you can't hear a difference.

Here is the quote of the day to FYL

" I'm not questioning your judgement..........But you are wrong" LOL

[Richie]

At the same time I find it hard to believe you can make such a general statement on how components are equal. Any long time builder knows by expericence this is not true.

Looking back through some of FYL's posts, going by his replies,he is experienced, and very helpful. Maybe he will explain why he don't believe caps can sound different.

[ckpop]

Last word on this subject of parts sounding the same. Wire, caps, whatever.

A guy walks into a music store and see’s a strat for $300 and one for $3000. He picks up the $ 300 strat and plays it, then he tries out the $3000 strat. After awhile he asked the guy who owns the shop “ Both theses guitars sound the same, Why is one $300 and the other $3000. The owner replied well if you can’t hear the difference for you I guess they are the same. True story.

LOL