Are we all totally bonkers?

 Get an analogue EQ unit (it will cost you about a ton for a second hand professional unit) and experiment with just 1dB and 2db increases or decreases, especially in the midrange, I am positive that you will concur with me that the difference it makes is obvious. 

That's practice not theory!

No, it was the ATC owner's first ever visit to me.

I suspect there needs to be a strong musical connection. We are both big classical fans.

I agree, it's digital all the way for me for classical for exactly the reasons you mention.

Good I am glad we agree as I was starting to get worried! 

I think the confusion here is about the sound of the speaker compared to the competency of the speaker. I can't tell from looking at measurements how it will 'sound' but I can tell whether or not I'd be interested in listening to it. Without measurements I would need several months to do a full assessment (assuming nothing obviously bad jumped out at me from the start).

With measurements a much shorter audition would suffice as I would know in a advance what the possible problem areas are and could use appropriate programme to test to see if those flaws are audible.

I've long said that the 'Go to the dealers with some of your favourite music' approach is a terrible way to choose a speaker, because speakers (and rooms) are so complex. Solely 'trusting your ears' is a woefully inadequate approach to buying a speaker, or designing a speaker for that matter.

macca - I think we are going over the same ground now, so I'll be brief.

Your method for choosing speakers and hifi is great and certainly a good way to do it if you really understand measurements.  The vast majority of people don't understand loudspeaker measurements enough, so I would recommend a home demo in that instance (ideally at least a few days).  Or if they can, to seek advice on the measurements.

If I have time soon, I shall write some posts on some popular speaker misconceptions.

Speak for yourselves, as far as I am concerned I'm the only sensible person I know! 😂

Everyone else is completely whacko.

Lots to unpack there.  I have to collect my daughter from preschool soon, so I'll respond later.

You could perhaps post the question on a thread within the 'Speakers' or 'Arke Audio' sections.  Thread maybe called 'speaker suitability'?

I think it would make sense to do just that, then Jason can respond within the arena where his speakers are already the topic and others can chime in and ask questions should they want to.

Not bonkers at all Andrew. Any SMPS is unwelcome, however 'well designed'.

My Mutec upgrade to linear wasn't subtle.

There is no SMPS of any price that belongs in a piece of serious audio equipment.

You are not bonkers, you are "enlightened"

Never had a SMPS that bettered a LPSU.

Regardless of whoever made either.

I can say with almost absolute certainty, that anyone designing circuits for hifi would not have the equipment required to test for the issues with SMPS, or the set of skills required to do so.

I can also say that using a SMPS is not a SQ decision. It's an ideal solution to the required CE testing certificates for an electronic device that connects to the mains.

It's also an ideal choice for the budget, as it can usually be used for worldwide voltages at the flick of a switch.

It's smaller, it's cheaper, it's universal and it's legally simple. So why would anyone in the industry try and find the issues with it?

You cannot "design out" the issues from SMPS....it's how they work

A reputable, and highly qualified source on the SMPS issues Vs Linear PSUs

"The linear supply is a continuous function unit with no discrete time clocking or switching action. As a result, the output is virtually noise and ripple free, and any noise seen at the load is due to pickup outside the supply itself in the power wiring between supply and load. Using chokes and other filter components as well as careful routing of the output cabling can attenuate this noise. The linear supply itself does not generate any EMI or RFI.

In contrast, the switching supply is inherently a source of noise, with a fundamental at its clock frequency as well as numerous harmonics. Typical
noise levels are on the order of hundreds of microvolts to tens of millivolts. This is unacceptable for many applications where the output voltage is at single-digit levels, or the load is sensitive to supply rail noise.

This switching-based noise can be filtered to some extent but is very difficult to eliminate entirely. In addition to noise on the output cables, there is also noise radiated by the supply, which can induce unexpected and frustrating problems elsewhere in the system. Further, while filtering can attenuate the output noise to an acceptable level, the problem of radiated noise is much more difficult to manage.

Further, the frequency of the switching-induced noise may interfere with other clocked signals, resulting in beat frequencies and other interfering
signals. In some cases, the switching supply’s clock frequency must by
synchronized with the system clock.

Further aggravating the situation, there are increasingly stringent regulatory limits on how much noise a power supply can generate in different frequency bands, both as a function of power supply wattage and global zone. Some switching supplies meet the regulatory mandates
by using spread spectrum clocking, which spreads the noise energy across a wide band. By doing so, the noise does not exceed allowed limits at the clock frequency or its harmonics. While this technique works in the “legal” sense to meet mandatory standards, the supply noise can still affect internal system circuitry.

Every man and his dog in this business can measure noise and distortion, but that's not what the issue is.

"capacitive attachment"

Its effectively RFI that's generated by SMPS that attaches to the signal or data processing devices and causes them to "misbehave"

That won't show on a simple THD+N or SNR measurement.

You are oversimplifying how things work by saying "if it doesn't show on the output, it's not affecting anything"

I've got a tonearm cable here that shows a healthy set of measurements. Yet, plugged into the arm, it doesn't work on one channel.

On the test gear it's fine. Perfect in fact.

The issue is a high resistance joint on the socket to wire connection.

Now repaired....measures exactly the same as when it didn't.

Okay finally found some packing and a carton and my Mutec is winging its way to Alan for his attention . When it get back I already have an LPSU to use with it . Will be fascinating to hear what if any difference it makes . Sadly no real way unless i can borrow another Mutec to hear a before and after but my experience to date gives me the conviction that this is a good thing to do and will only improve the musical sound from my system .