Stellar thread, Pat. I read all 9 pages in one sitting. Although a relative noob to the home electronics area, I've been working in several automotive development fields for 20+ years, and it's rare to find someone who gives proper attention to procedure from start to finish where R&D and testing is concerned. You obviously have the 'ear', and your descriptions of all the various characteristics and subtleties made me crack a smile more than once. It's always impressive to me when someone uses their gifts to the best of their ability, and has the talent to put specialized procedures and concepts into layman's terms most of us less-initiated can understand clearly. Although in a totally different field, what I was doing involved very subtle and detailed changes trying to get the last ounce of benefit. Do a baseline test. Make 1 change, Re-test. If it shows improvement, go to the next step. Re-test again. repeat until you've gone as far as you can. Then try different theories, parts, tactics and tests...all the while documenting the results. Think flowchart. You will backslide, make mistakes, break things, spend money. But that's what R&D is all about. For every 1 step forward in progress you'll make other steps backwards. It's not all about knowing what works, but what doesn't work, as well.
Granted, this is only one model of one brand you tested on, and while others have valid points about possible different results on other equipment, I give you a textified version of a standing O for your efforts. Others who took issue with your methods or choices probably have valid points as well, but this is your test on your equipment done the way you choose and to your satisfaction. That's all that matters in the end, right? I learned a lot from this, and there is a bookshelf in the other room loaded with tired equipment waiting for attention. I'm subscribed to this post now, and plan to re-read the crap out of it in the future. I may even consider posting something similar when I finally learn enough to make sense. Hopefully it will be as useful to fellow noobs as this one was to me. Thanks!
