Dave, many thanks for sharing your findings. A really honest and thoughtful post.

One thing I find quite puzzling in many of your points is the 180 that you take. It makes the sound different and or worse and then later it is different and better.

I can't help wonder what psychology and psycho-acoustics are at work here. Having just read some pieces on the latest in placebo science it is clear we don't really know much about how the mental and physical world interact.

I'm not challenging you here btw. I do think it's great when people find good results in what they try.

Personally I think there is always something going on that needs explaining when your initial instinctive reaction is then over-ruled by a longer more focused opinion.

Again...thanks for sharing.

Rgds,
Nick