It’s tempting to judge gear by specifications alone.
Low distortion, wide bandwidth, ruler-flat frequency response are great goals for an amp but some of the best performing amps don't sound very musical.
The problem is that specs measure isolated aspects of performance, not how the whole system interacts with music. For example, a design that uses heavy feedback might measure beautifully in distortion but sound lifeless and flat. Another amplifier with higher measured distortion might convey greater immediacy and flow.
Measurements matter.
They help us build reliable, consistent products. But they don’t predict musical engagement.
Which is why the final measurement tool is us and our ears.
