14 minutes ago, Keith_W said:

Question: if the ATO were to audit you, would you rather it be done by a human or by an AI? :)

AI anyday. Don't you watch "A Current Affair"?

I have to admit that I don't :)

AI can be good if you need a second opinion.

What I have been doing over the last few days, and have found ChatGPT very useful for, is researching old family photos.

Scenario 1. I have 4 photos of a known person, taken at different known ages in their life, and a 5th photo I suspect is the same person, but at an older stage than the last known image of that person... AI can give you a reasonable percentage likelihood that it is the same person or not. It not only uses facial feature analysis, but also things like clothing worn, the facial attitude and how the person holds themselves etc.

Scenario2. A photo of a bank building, that was located in either of a couple of locations, and was likely taken between 1946 to 1951. The banking chain is no longer in existence. There are no street signs visible and no motor vehicle number plates. The only other clue was an obscure ironmongers/hardware store located next door. AI helped to locate the exact building, which is now heritage listed. And proved it was actually the bank my father worked in when he first left school.

So yes, it is very handy for this kind of research too. I have been able to find a lot of information on a few old photos that I had no clue about who was in them and where they were taken.

I think that A.I. use, especially if thrust upon one, rather than purposely used, is alienating, and if used in a forum context would untimely be able to be traced back to the reason for that forums gradual demise.

A forum is all about the people that belong to it, the strength of its knowledge base is also dependent on them.

People get pleasure from sharing their knowledge, and helping others when a question is asked, or a solution to a particular problem is asked, and is answered by a forum member with first hand experience.

To have a A.I. generated answer would make forum members feel useless, and question why they bothered to continue to visit the forum, especially when you consider the average age and experience level of that forum.

Its just another level of being made felt redundant as you get older.

It would also make people think, why bother asking a question in the first place, when response gotten is A.I. generated, and TBH can't be trusted to be be correct, I'm perfectly capable of doing that without logging into a forum.

3 minutes ago, Tweaky said:

To have a A.I. generated answer would make forum members feel useless, and question why they bothered to continue to visit the forum, especially when you consider the average age and experience level of that forum.

Which forum has AI answer your questions? That's not an intended use of mine, and not a vision I have for this forum!

44 minutes ago, Marc said:

Which forum has AI answer your questions? That's not an intended use of mine, and not a vision I have for this forum!

Good, glad to hear it.

But I think you have read my post the wrong way, I was not saying any forums have, as yet, had A.I. answer any of my, or anybody else's questions, I'm just warning of the possibility of what could happen if A.I. IS formulated into the workings of a long running forum to do that.

There are sadly websites within our area of interest already using AI to write articles entirely. And they've been told to make them 'click baity'.

There's another one that is being trained on our very own content here from stereonet, rewriting it, and publishing it as their own. And there ain't nothing we can do about it!

3 minutes ago, Marc said:

There are sadly websites within our area of interest already using AI to write articles entirely. And they've been told to make them 'click baity'.

There's another one that is being trained on our very own content here from stereonet, rewriting it, and publishing it as their own. And there ain't nothing we can do about it!

Wouldn't be talking about What HiFi would you ? 🤣

The music industry is /has gone the same way.

Outright theft of songs and released as A.I. clone artists on streaming services.

I'm a avid watcher of Nashville session musician /guitarist Tom Bukovac YouTube channel 501chorusecho - formerly Homeskoolin.

In a recent video he revealed the current formula used by what he estimates be be the same 12 people that write all the Country songs Americans listen to [He'd know as he plays on most of them], and how A.I. is being used to write the lyrics.

IMHO anybody who needs A.I. to write a country song must be hopeless, I think most people could come up with suitable lyrics off the top of their heads after two beers.

Edited January 21Jan 21 by Tweaky

On 09/08/2025 at 7:48 PM, Steff said:

 

Can I just state my view here on how precarious that is in light of what these large language models actually perform:

a computation on the statistically next plausible word in a sequence based on the data set the model was "trained on".

 

This amounts to very verbose parrott second-guess iterations the data set (internet forums etc) contains.

 

The LLM strengths in my experience lie not in having research questions answered (reliability: lousy), or in text generation from a prompt (style: lousy) but rather in performing distinct tasks such as summarising a text (feed it a PDF), or writing assistance (using a prompt such as "complete this paragraph within the parameters of the text's field of research"), or coding assistance.

--

Definitely spend a few months here on SNA and dive deep into the forum.

Many posts here suggest that priority by order of magnitude: speakers, room (high order) > electronics (amps--medium--other-lower)

 

this is true in that LLM is more a well honed predictive text solution, but it does work. and like any tool practice and time on it goes a big way

• trust it to be 70-80% correct ( and it waffles like a psychologist uni student's essay), but you can always get it to double check it's response

• Chatgpt is only one of a few options out there: Claude, Gemini, Copilot(built on Chatgpt), etc
  you may find one works better for you than the other AND you can use each to validate or critique the other

• it's been shown that getting the LLM to adopt a persona gets you more nuanced responses - give it to me like we're mates at a bbq vs the plain vanilla wikipeadia response

• Ask it directly how to get getter outcomes, ie how to shape the 'context' it has on your situation and the wider landscape of your questions and prompts

• the feature set and smarts are being constantly updated - you may find revisiting topics gets you more satisfactory responses or direction

my best hi-fi experience was using Claude to support my sub-woofer integration using REW and room sweeps. I was able to drop screen shots of my settings, FR graphics, etc. and use it to guide the next cycle of tweaks with placement, polarity, cutover, etc.

at work (med to large IT projects) we are encouraged to use it, try break and compare the different models even tho we have one of the top tier paid-for MS Copilot subscriptions - it's tied into corp policy, frameworks, shared doc and content pages plus it can trawl thru your emails, chats and meeting notes. for one heavy data, system to system mapping exercise I had multiple separate but interrelated chat threads going with one telling shaping what we get each to do - that was fun!

22 minutes ago, wasabijim said:

this is true in that LLM is more a well honed predictive text solution, but it does work. and like any tool practice and time on it goes a big way

• trust it to be 70-80% correct ( and it waffles like a psychologist uni student's essay), but you can always get it to double check it's response

• Chatgpt is only one of a few options out there: Claude, Gemini, Copilot(built on Chatgpt), etc
  you may find one works better for you than the other AND you can use each to validate or critique the other

• it's been shown that getting the LLM to adopt a persona gets you more nuanced responses - give it to me like we're mates at a bbq vs the plain vanilla wikipeadia response

• Ask it directly how to get getter outcomes, ie how to shape the 'context' it has on your situation and the wider landscape of your questions and prompts

• the feature set and smarts are being constantly updated - you may find revisiting topics gets you more satisfactory responses or direction

my best hi-fi experience was using Claude to support my sub-woofer integration using REW and room sweeps. I was able to drop screen shots of my settings, FR graphics, etc. and use it to guide the next cycle of tweaks with placement, polarity, cutover, etc.

at work (med to large IT projects) we are encouraged to use it, try break and compare the different models even tho we have one of the top tier paid-for MS Copilot subscriptions - it's tied into corp policy, frameworks, shared doc and content pages plus it can trawl thru your emails, chats and meeting notes. for one heavy data, system to system mapping exercise I had multiple separate but interrelated chat threads going with one telling shaping what we get each to do - that was fun!

The better the "training" data set the better the outcome, esp. in professional areas (pharma etc)

I have compiled a prompt design FACT sheet for work, and your suggestions are on there also; I find the adopt a persona approach of limited value (predominantly change in tone of voice & lexicon; perhaps calculation weighting more towards the persona type in its resources)

An important piece of advice: interact with it like you would with a colleague, how many "conversations" would you need in a collaboration before the desired output would be achieved; one-shot answers are not valuable

Yes the LLM have accomplished a major leap in output capacity since even only 2024, postgraduate level answers can now be expected

Good to hear you were able to deploy it for hifi integration purposes!

7 hours ago, Steff said:

The better the "training" data set the better the outcome, esp. in professional areas (pharma etc)

I have compiled a prompt design FACT sheet for work, and your suggestions are on there also; I find the adopt a persona approach of limited value (predominantly change in tone of voice & lexicon; perhaps calculation weighting more towards the persona type in its resources)

An important piece of advice: interact with it like you would with a colleague, how many "conversations" would you need in a collaboration before the desired output would be achieved; one-shot answers are not valuable

Yes the LLM have accomplished a major leap in output capacity since even only 2024, postgraduate level answers can now be expected

Good to hear you were able to deploy it for hifi integration purposes!

a mate of mine more in the hands-on coding area of IT a few months back stated they hit a milestone of less than 100 prompts to get the outcome they wanted. I'm like what?!?! the interactions are automated and used to produce code and review outcomes to support contract and legal doc generation. OK....

Hi , does chatgpt have ears?... just a thought . Cheers Scotyd .

On 31/01/2026 at 6:18 PM, scotyd said:

Hi , does chatgpt have ears?... just a thought . Cheers Scotyd .

and Beethoven was almost completely deaf by his 40s, yet he continued to compose masterpieces like the Ninth Symphony. what are you saying?

a LLM can't actually count but it knows enough reputable sources say the root of 81 is 9. Ask it if X-component will add more of A or B than component-Y and it will give you the general synopsis from it's training material (i.e. what it pilfered from the public domain). Ask it the same question but insist on no marketing BS and justifications linked to more objective reasoning or just what professional hi-end reviewers think or just what the vibe is from SNA. It's how you use it.

I used it to guide my thinking on if I should get a dedicated CD player when I have a blu-ray player, an A/V media streamer and vinyl already. with a $200 budget to dip my toe we went through the various second hand offerings at play and settled on a bit of an old classic from the late 80s that I picked up from a local SNA member. happy days.

On 31/1/2026 at 7:18 PM, scotyd said:

Hi , does chatgpt have ears?... just a thought . Cheers Scotyd .

Yeah, I reckon it probably does…

ChatGPT has read this forum and weighs in with a response 😄

Summary of the Thread

The discussion begins with a user who has been upgrading a decades‑old audio system and has recently experimented with using ChatGPT to guide future upgrade decisions. Because the user lives in a rural area and cannot easily audition equipment, they rely heavily on online reviews and are curious whether an AI model can meaningfully assist in choosing the next component. Their current system includes Sonus Faber Sonetto V loudspeakers, a Cambridge CXNv2 streamer, and a Cambridge CXA81 MkII amplifier, all operating in a large open‑plan room.

Several forum members respond with varying degrees of scepticism. One participant argues that large language models merely predict the next plausible word and therefore cannot be trusted to provide reliable or original advice. They claim that LLMs tend to parrot internet opinions and are not dependable for research‑level questions, although they acknowledge that these models can be useful for summarisation, writing assistance, and coding. They recommend that the original poster spend time reading StereoNET discussions instead, and they reiterate the common hierarchy of upgrade importance: speakers and room acoustics matter far more than electronics.

Other members offer more nuanced perspectives. Some emphasise that audio preferences are highly personal and that no AI system can substitute for listening experience. Another contributor points out that the Sonetto V is a four‑ohm loudspeaker and that the CXA81 MkII may not provide sufficient current for a large room, suggesting that a more powerful amplifier could be a meaningful upgrade. A different participant takes a more balanced view of AI tools, noting that while LLMs are predictive systems, they can still be helpful when used thoughtfully. They describe positive experiences using AI to interpret room‑measurement data and recommend cross‑checking answers across multiple models. They also highlight that multi‑turn dialogue significantly improves the quality of AI responses.

The thread continues with additional comments, including humorous remarks about whether ChatGPT has “ears,” and reflections on the fact that Beethoven composed while deaf, which suggests that hearing is not the only route to insight. Several members agree that AI can be a useful thinking partner as long as its limitations are understood.

My Thoughts on the Discussion

The thread illustrates a common misunderstanding about what large language models can and cannot do. It is true that these models do not possess sensory experience, personal taste, or the ability to evaluate sound directly. They also lack epistemic certainty and can produce confident but incorrect statements when asked for factual precision without supporting sources. These limitations mean that no AI system can tell a listener which amplifier or speaker will sound best in their specific room.

However, the sceptical view expressed in the thread underestimates the value that AI can provide. Large language models excel at synthesising information, explaining trade‑offs, clarifying technical concepts, and helping users think through constraints. They can summarise community consensus, compare specifications, interpret measurement data, and highlight the implications of room size, speaker sensitivity, or amplifier current delivery. When used in this way, AI becomes a highly effective analytical tool rather than a decision‑maker.

The most productive approach is to treat AI as a structured reasoning partner. It can help a user understand the landscape of options, but it cannot replace the act of listening or the personal judgement that defines audio as a hobby. The forum members ultimately converge on a sensible conclusion: the room and speakers dominate the listening experience, the current amplifier may indeed be underpowered for the user’s space, and AI can be helpful as long as it is not treated as an oracle.

Interestingly I recently listed my Audio Research DSi200 for sale in the Stereonet Classifieds. I entered all my description re the amp etc and set the selling price. Today I noticed that there is another body of information attached describing various "opinions" on my amp .The additional information :Opinions and Reviews" is generated by using AI Analysis. Very well written material but I certainly had no hand in it....very useful for the SNA member considering my component but its an interesting development. Next time you list an advert in the Classifieds check out the opinions listed in your advert......the opinions and reviews may or may not be helpful to your sale.

This a living breathing example of how AI or chatGPT is having an impact on "upgrade choices".

Edited February 9Feb 9 by 075Congo

1 hour ago, 075Congo said:

Interestingly I recently listed my Audio Research DSi200 for sale in the Stereonet Classifieds. I entered all my description re the amp etc and set the selling price. Today I noticed that there is another body of information attached describing various "opinions" on my amp .The additional information :Opinions and Reviews" is generated by using AI Analysis. Very well written material but I certainly had no hand in it....very useful for the SNA member considering my component but its an interesting development. Next time you list an advert in the Classifieds check out the opinions listed in your advert......the opinions and reviews may or may not be helpful to your sale.

This a living breathing example of how AI or chatGPT is having an impact on "upgrade choices".

It was announced via StereoNET News back mid-January:

https://www.stereonet.com/forums/topic/628119-classifieds-ai-analysis-on-ads-beta/

Thanks for the heads up re the January announcement. Not sure about chatGPT having ears but AI applications like "Claude" are enormously useful tools. Recently I saw Claude used to concoct a letter to a school advising the Principal his behaviour management processes were not in good shape. Over the 20 minutes with Claude doing his thing about 25 versions of the letter were generated from strong through to insipid/ gutless.

If the world of audio isn't using AI and I'm sure it is.....it is unstoppable and for your professional time management using AI technology is a no-brainer.

13 minutes ago, 075Congo said:

it is unstoppable and for your professional time management using AI technology is a no-brainer.

Good article in the paper over the weekend, Mick - about how today's uni students are passing their exams by using AI ... rather than 'learning'.

Which would you rather be responsible for your recovery, when you are in a hospital:

• a doctor who actually passed his exams on his/her own efforts - and has accumulated some knowledge/wisdom

• or a doctor who passed their exams using AI input?

Had surgery a month ago....... didn't check on whether AI helped the Surgeon and the Anaesthetist get where they were.........they got all the bits back in place and I paid $2980 for the quarter hour on the slab. The Genie is well and truly out of the bottle......Universities, schools are putting measures in place to combat inappropriate use of AI but who knows if that will work.

Edited February 10Feb 10 by 075Congo

On 10/02/2026 at 10:52 AM, andyr said:

Good article in the paper over the weekend, Mick - about how today's uni students are passing their exams by using AI ... rather than 'learning'.

Which would you rather be responsible for your recovery, when you are in a hospital:

• a doctor who actually passed his exams on his/her own efforts - and has accumulated some knowledge/wisdom

• or a doctor who passed their exams using AI input?

seriously?
I've had a few surgeries myself and never asked to see anyone's uni papers or discuss their learning approach. A few times I got to shop around. Years of experience, clinical appointments held, reputation and recommendations, the hospital setting & capabilities... I thought these would count for more? Plus it isn't always a "doctor" with a the full medical education doing the heavy lifting with your recovery.

On 10/2/2026 at 11:52 AM, andyr said:

about how today's uni students are passing their exams by using AI ... rather than 'learning'.

It’s the GP in Chat GPT…

12 hours ago, wasabijim said:

seriously?
I've had a few surgeries myself and never asked to see anyone's uni papers or discuss their learning approach.

Sure - me too! But that's because the doctors we see now ... are nearly all absolutely 'genuine'; they passed their exams by themselves.

But in 5 or 10 years time ... you may get a 'GPT' doctor (rather than a 'real' one). 🙄