Well no.
You've mentioned a belief in god, well that usually doesn't involve any falsifiable claim, it tends to involve some belief or claim which cannot be tested. God is usually a rather ill defined and abstract concept.
A belief that X product makes a difference to the sound can be tested, that belief involves a falsifiable claim being made. You stated it was a matter of perception and you asked who was right, well if there is a falsifiable claim there then that simply depends on whether the claim can be supported.
I think what you're confusing perhaps is beliefs or claims which can be tested with subjective preferences, like someone who isn't claiming there is any improvement or difference in sound but, for example, just likes having expensive cables/other gear etc... because it makes them feel good etc.... I mean short of an MRI scan you're not going to verify that and indeed I'm happy to accept that it is likely true that people derive some satisfaction from simply owning some of this gear.
As soon as you get into claims being made or a belief being stated about X actually making a difference to the sound etc.. though then you're into something that can be tested.
Problem is the internet, and those raging foromites always wanting to prove something.
I gave up on high end audio because I got sick of the foo and how pathetic the labelling forum members who heard a difference got.
Fact, not all cables are made the same, LCR values are not black and white, and audio isnt fixed 1m runs on a test bench.
Im not a fan of cables, did the high end cables and even Mana racks stuff. I actually cant stand Chord, because plated copper sucks, silver phonos tarnish, and banana plugs bend.
Sold a 4.5m pair of Chord Signature to give my son spending money on a school holiday to France.
Love balanced cables but sick of Krell kit just failing when japanese mid level kit still works flawless.
Yeah one proof was an integrated amp clip point with VDH D352 and the fact that there was a few more clicks on the volume before clipping occured with Naim Nac 5.
Early Naim amps going bang with exotic cables.
So much stuff when everyone was trying to make things sound different or "better".
When all we want when we get older is solid dependable audio kit with simple well made components such as the old Neutrik pro RCA plugs, XLR, and spades.
Im old n grumpy lol
