The teasing must stop!

chadh · « **on:** 17 Jun 2006, 10:17 pm »

I've not had a lot of high-end audio experience. So, when somebody tells me that X makes a big difference for them, I generally accept that they know what they're talking about. After all, they're hearing with their ears! I'm not likely to jump on the bandwagon, but I'm prepared to believe that, for some people, weird little things might make potentially big differences.

Then, every now and again, something comes along that stretches credibility just a little too far. First there were brilliant pebbles; then there was a clever little clock. Now I find this:

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/auc.pl?accstwek&1151032327

My apologies if people have been laughing at this one for a long time. But...WTF?!?!?! I keep waiting and waiting for somebody to pop up and reassure me that the whole Machina Dynamics enterprise is like the magnificent SoniCrocks contribution, but on steroids. But nobody ever does.

You know, it's one thing to tease a guy. But eventually this guy needs some release. Please, PLEASE, somebody assure me this is a joke!

Chad

thorman · « **Reply #1 on:** 17 Jun 2006, 10:23 pm »

I have to agree with you here.This one looks even worse than most. Its amaizing though,some people will just have to have them! The'll put them in and say wow what a difference! Maybe they also have the magic beans in a bag that you hang on the wall for transparency....
"Only in America"

nelamvr6 · « **Reply #2 on:** 18 Jun 2006, 12:40 am »

I think that the problem is that the audiophile community does not police itself.

As was already mentioned, if someone claims to hear a difference, generally audiophiles just simply go along with them.

I think that this is the wrong thing to do in many cases. I realize that I am going against the grain, I risk being branded a heretic, but that's the way I feel.

I think that we as a community have to stand up and say "Enough!".

I'm going to say it: Pebbles in a glass jar and Timex clocks with paper stickers on them are CHICANERY, pure and simple. Audiophile fuses? FRAUD! You're being taken. If you think you hear a difference, you're MISTAKEN!!! It is ALL IN YOUR MIND!!!

It's time to stop and think. The emperor is naked, it doesn't matter how hard you believe, he is still naked.

I can't help but wonder what would have happened if these jokers had tried to sell this stuff back in the 50's or 60's. Audiophiles back then would've run them out of town tout suite!

But now, well we can't call them on it, we can't disagree, we can't question them at all. After all, they're hearing with their ears, right?

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #3 on:** 18 Jun 2006, 01:28 am »

They got to be kidding. Thought that clock device was ridiculous, this tops it all off.

The policing that does not happen is the cause of this kind of non sense, but then, there are many companies that claim many absurd or unproven things about their special products....they also stretch the reality to a degree...

So, is it okay to stretch the truth to a degree but not let run wild as Machina Dinamica does or should all be burn at the stake?

If the later would happen, then, audio would be as exciting as bread and water...not that that is a bad thing.

SET Man · « **Reply #4 on:** 18 Jun 2006, 02:10 am »

Hey!

Wow!

I must have that! Just kidding

Man! what will they come up next?

Oh! guys I got an idea... how about audiophile's audio grade Q-tip!

"Especially rolled with the finest hand picked cotton on the tip. Cyro'd treated. And now available with custom carbon fiber stick handle! Clean your ears before every listening session and be ready for the amazing improvement of the sound! And for the ultimate improvement keep one in each ear while lisenting and you'll be amazed of sound with wider sound stage, more bass and much much smoother high!

Order now only $5 a stick!"

Anyone interested?

25% discount for all AC members.

Take care,
Buddy

R_burke · « **Reply #5 on:** 18 Jun 2006, 04:11 am »

I have some used covers that I will let go for only 50% of retail price. $12.50 each, and you can have as many as you want

I can only accept cash, but trust me, my other car is a mercedez

_scotty_ · « **Reply #6 on:** 18 Jun 2006, 04:56 am »

Alot of this kind of thing falls under the heading of consensus based audiophile reality. This means if enough online audiophiles say a product is good then the product must actually be good in the real world. Consensus does not automatically begat an accurate correspondence to reality no matter what a group of people
may believe. Koolaid drinkers and sheep think the same way.
Machina Dynamica should have this product in a section labeled Audiophile Accessories for Village Idiots.
Scotty

JohnnyLightOn · « **Reply #7 on:** 18 Jun 2006, 05:36 am »

It HAS to be a joke...right?

nelamvr6 · « **Reply #8 on:** 18 Jun 2006, 05:59 am »

Quote from: JohnnyLightOn

It HAS to be a joke...right?

Were the "Brilliant Pebbles" a joke? How about the "Clever Little Clock"?

The guys selling "audiophile" fuses are really serious.

ooheadsoo · « **Reply #9 on:** 18 Jun 2006, 07:21 am »

They are a joke - but they want to catch you if you're stupid enough to fall for it.

JLM · « **Reply #10 on:** 18 Jun 2006, 09:27 am »

But if you're a "real" audiophile can you take the chance that they may improve the sound? JUST KIDDING

Great minds stinking

alike the thought occured to me recently that a glow in the dark wall switch cover plate would be nice to find your way in the dark.

A couple of years back I bought sorbathane footers manufacturered by a fellow ACer (at a reasonable price) but couldn't tell any difference. Later he admitted that, at least with digit amps. he couldn't hear any difference either. Soon after he stopped selling them. When's the last time you heard of that?

I am so not into accessorizing. Maybe I'll change when I feel like the closet is full of wonderful clothes, I mean audio gear and albums.

maxwalrath · « **Reply #11 on:** 18 Jun 2006, 02:42 pm »

it's more believable than the pebbles or the clock. if herbies audio lab made the thing I'd bet a few people would buy it.

Doublej · « **Reply #12 on:** 18 Jun 2006, 03:25 pm »

Permit me to sound like your parents for a moment but you folks never listen do you.

chadh · « **Reply #13 on:** 18 Jun 2006, 03:33 pm »

Quote from: Doublej

Permit me to sound like your parents for a moment but you folks never listen do you.

That's funny. You really do sound like my parents. When they say, "You never listen," I usually have no idea what they're talking about either.

Chad

nelamvr6 · « **Reply #14 on:** 18 Jun 2006, 04:36 pm »

I don't think it would be worth my time to listen, the same way I feel if someone were to claim that trimming one (just one) of my fingernails would enhance the SQ of my system.

If you keep your mind open enough for long enough them some cretin is sure to come along and throw some rubbish in there.

Jon L · « **Reply #15 on:** 18 Jun 2006, 05:01 pm »

I think this outlet cover is actually a useful thing, much more so than Pebbles, etc.

I mean, a "better" outlet cover for resonance/RFI control is not new, and I don't see people going crazy over $200 Oyaide outlet cover.
http://www.tweekgeek.com/product.asp?pf_id=WPCXXX

Recently, I broke my wall outlet plastic cover while changing out outlets (trying some Oyaides actually). When I looked around for a replacement, I realized the dilemma. If you go to Home Depot, you can find the cheap plastic covers, but they can crack easily with the screw tightening.

Home Depot also sells fancy, decorative covers, which appear to be made of steel or even bronze? But would having such metal parts near an outlet make a bad sonic impact? They were like $15-30 each at Home Depot.

Now, I have no idea if the Machina Dynamica covers are actually made of anything special or will change the sound or not. But if there IS a chance some sort of good-sounding resonance-control and/or EMI/RFI control material is used, I personally would tend to try one instead of the ones from Home Depot..

chadh · « **Reply #16 on:** 18 Jun 2006, 07:38 pm »

Quote from: Jon L

I think this outlet cover is actually a useful thing, much more so than Pebbles, etc.

I mean, a "better" outlet cover for resonance/RFI control is not new, and I don't see people going crazy over $200 Oyaide outlet cover.
http://www.tweekgeek.com/product.asp?pf_id=WPCXXX

Oh My Lord! if you'd like me to crazy over that outlet cover, I will most happily do so!

Chad

eric the red · « **Reply #17 on:** 18 Jun 2006, 08:09 pm »

Who buys this crap? A $200.00 carbon fiber outlet cover for god's sake. The shiller does us all a favor and let's us buy just the cover without the $75.00 outlet too: "You can purchase just the wall plate if you like, adding your own favorite receptacle. I haven't tried the plate with any other outlet, but I am sure it will improve anything you are using currently." Well as long as you're SURE it will help, even though you've never tried it with any other outlet, I'll take twenty for the entire house. Coming soon I'll bet: the limited edition carbon fiber Clever Little Crock

nelamvr6 · « **Reply #18 on:** 18 Jun 2006, 11:24 pm »

I hate to break it to the suckers who buy this crap (oh, wait a minute...no I don't! I actually like breaking it to them!!) ...

There's a whole bunch o wires just the other side of that drywall! Whatcha gonna do about them? You better figure out what material those cover plates are made of and then redo you walls using that material!

Better yet, why not just redo the whole house in mu metal? Maybe you could turn your listening room into a Faraday Cage?

Just a suggestion!

JLM · « **Reply #19 on:** 19 Jun 2006, 12:03 am »

Nylon cover plates look like plastic, but are flexible and nearly unbreakable.