I find this test amusing because many of the variables
that give an amplifier it's sonic signature are removed
from the test and only pure circuit topolgy is in question.
Furthermore he adds some resistors to a solid state amplifier
to mimmick the sound of tube amplifiers when someone
wants to test tubes vs. solid state. Someone wanted to challenge
by comparing class d to class a, the reply was sure you
can, but you must limit the bandwidth of the class a to equal
the class d. HeHEE..

To win, you must get all 12 guesses correct.
Two win for the $10k prize, you need 24 guesses correct.
Before the test begins for the big prize, you need
to pass the preliminary 8 rounds.. shhheshh..

Any amplifiers can be tested as long as it meets his
requirements, even home amplifiers are now open to
the challenge.

I never like to play cards with a magician in his own
home when he holds the deck. I don't like playing
games that have a score when the magician controls
the scoresheet. LOL

What does he do to compensate for rise time and damping factor. seems a little silly really. He checks absolute phase of the amplifiers, but in some cases an eq is added to make them the same, hmmmm.

Can you tell flat paint from semi-gloss paint when the color, temperature, thickness and lighting are all scientifically proven to be the same? (I measured ALMOST everything!) Some people would say it's shiny, some would say it has a different texture. Does he really believe that our ears can't do what all of our other senses do constantly?

I guess parts quality and good design have just been rendered unimportant by a couple of resistors and an equalizer. (haven't I heard of this before?) The science in audio is vital, but is all to often used poorly or selectively. If the technician and or the tool are not of consistent and known high quality, you have no meaningful data!

Meanwhile, I shall happily enjoy my great sounding tunes. It just doesn't matter why it sounds so good :)

Thomas

After reading all this (which is new to me), his debate is
...a watt is a watt and all an amplifier does is amplify...
BUT, he does admit that amplifier do sound different,
but to prove "a watt is a watt" he creates those esoteric
conditions - hehe

I don't know but most people DO buy amplifiers because
of those "little things" that give it personality.

His forum is right here;
http://www.carsound.com/cgi-bin/UBB_CGI/ultimatebb.cgi

Richard Clark is a long time car audio celebrity
and winner of many car audio competitions.

Audio IS fun stuff and I know Richard is having fun
with this testing 1000's of people. Even if 100 people
got it correct, he would still be doing the challenge
since 100 is minority - hehe

$100 - $300 to take the test.