Name-calling and bickering aside, this is actually an interesting debate. It seems there are two propositions:
1. A TOTL source chain
must be used to properly evaluate TOTL headphones
I see both sides of this.
Given that most TOTL headphones are revealing of the source chain driving them, an ‘inferior’ chain can easily lead to inaccurate reviews, attributing flawed sound to the cans when the flaws actually originate ‘upstream’. I also suspect that such reviews tend to reduce the differences between ‘similar’ cans.
On the other hand, reviews of headphones as driven by (dare I say) esoteric equipment which the vast majority of listeners will never approach can result in reviews which highlight strengths or flaws in cans which most listeners will never hear.
I believe that reviews which describe the performance of cans out of a range of source chains are most useful. Luckily, most formal reviews take this approach.
2. TOTL headphones driven by an ‘inferior’ (mid-fi?) chain will sound ‘better’ than inferior headphones driven by a TOTL source chain
I firmly agree with this proposition, although those supporting the negative side would certainly argue that l can’t express a meaningful opinion given that my source chain is nowhere near ‘TOTL’. The good news is that once my DSHA-3F comes in I’ll only need to spend $10k more on (say) a Dave to reach TOTL

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