Does anyone like me use an audio tweak that they don't really believe in?

eric the red · « **on:** 13 Jan 2007, 07:11 am »

Am a big non-believer in differences in wire, PCs especially. I did a home comparo awhile back between some well known after market cryoed PCs and the stock cords that come with audio gear. Results? No audible differences. Yet I have PS Audio aftermarket PCs on my amp, cdp and power conditioner. What's up with that?

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #1 on:** 13 Jan 2007, 07:24 am »

Yeah, I'm often guilty of that, too.

Fife12 · « **Reply #2 on:** 13 Jan 2007, 07:59 am »

Hey there,
Not sure what equipment you have but I noticed as you get better equipment, the tweaks/aftermarket cables make a greater impact especially if you have gear that is "revealing sounding".

Folsom · « **Reply #3 on:** 13 Jan 2007, 09:36 am »

Do they run into a power conditioner or hospital grade socket? Variables, varialbes! (how good is the power in your house, good brakers?)

ZLS · « **Reply #4 on:** 13 Jan 2007, 01:23 pm »

I read an article of TNT awhile back, that likened Audiophilia to a religion and tweaks and such as talismans and/or fetishes to that religion. Audiophile's continually search for that one tweak that will elevate their system to unprecedented heights.
What I am trying to say is do not look for the answer in terms of logic or reality. The answer lies in the realm of emotion, and that part of the human brain that still believes in magic.

Soundbitten · « **Reply #5 on:** 13 Jan 2007, 02:36 pm »

I like to believe that all single tweaks have at least a subtle effect and they all add up cumulatively to a certain sonic signature . It's all a delicate balancing act .

PaulFolbrecht · « **Reply #6 on:** 13 Jan 2007, 02:49 pm »

Quote from: eric the red on 13 Jan 2007, 07:11 am

Am a big non-believer in differences in wire, PCs especially. I did a home comparo awhile back between some well known after market cryoed PCs and the stock cords that come with audio gear. Results? No audible differences. Yet I have PS Audio aftermarket PCs on my amp, cdp and power conditioner. What's up with that?

Hard to say. I was doubter of PCs as well so I bought ONE and tried it on my CDP. The differences were unmistakable and instant. So I bought more.

I will say that the differences on the pre/power amps are much more subtle. (I would not be confident I could pick them out in an ABX but, as we all know, that doesn't mean they aren't providing any benefit!]

I haven't tried any expensive cords - over $150 - cause I can't buy that you can't make a really good power cord for that amount of money. It isn't rocket-science. The VH stuff is so highly regarded, and has beaten so many much more expensive cords according to many reviewers, I'm not too worried I'm missing anything. For the same reason, my ICs and speaker cables are Anticables, and I have serious doubt now there is any BETTER at any price. Different, yeah.

Observing the effect of the incoming AC on CDPs made me want to sidestep the whole issue with a battery-powered front-end, in the main system, and I did just that.

elcaptain88 · « **Reply #7 on:** 13 Jan 2007, 02:59 pm »

All I'll say is that if you haven't addressed room treatment & speaker placement before these minor tweaks you're missing out big time.

jt1stcav · « **Reply #8 on:** 13 Jan 2007, 03:12 pm »

I agree, treatment/placement arrangements are the best tweaks out there!

I've tried various cables (PC, IC, and SC) from big name and boutique makers and notice only slight differences between them. Not saying there aren't any aural improvements out there, but my less-than golden ears don't really detect them, only very subtle differences, and all I could live with. And I hear no improvements whatsoever between my power conditioner and plugging my gear directly to a standard wall outlet...guess my ears aren't the most acute organs out there.

Early B. · « **Reply #9 on:** 13 Jan 2007, 03:14 pm »

I use isolation platforms. Haven't heard the difference, though. I also buy 'em for aesthetic purposes and because it gives folks the false impression that I'm a true audiophile.

Gonna buy some brass footers for the same reasons.

PaulFolbrecht · « **Reply #10 on:** 13 Jan 2007, 03:43 pm »

"Uh, jazz flute is for little fairy boys." ~ Veronica Corningstone"

Anchorman rules!

And your system page is very cool indeed.

PaulFolbrecht · « **Reply #11 on:** 13 Jan 2007, 03:49 pm »

To stay on topic here (as opposed to my last two posts in the thread), I use IsoNodes under all my sources without ever really "testing" them in an ABX fashion or otherwise. However, vibration control is just common sense and physics. I can't see how such platforms could possibly hurt anything - if they do there's a problem elsewhere - and they're very cheap.

On that note, I'm thinking about trying a Grand Prix rack. It was surprising to me how many knowledgeable people swear by them, including many manufacturers. Many say them bring more improvement that almost any source or amp upgrade. Of course, this is something I WOULD test thoroughly (they have a trial), as they ain't cheap by any stretch!!

Scotty · « **Reply #12 on:** 14 Jan 2007, 12:16 am »

No! If I can't hear it I don't use it.
Scotty

jt1stcav · « **Reply #13 on:** 14 Jan 2007, 12:57 am »

Quote from: PaulFolbrecht on 13 Jan 2007, 03:43 pm

"Uh, jazz flute is for little fairy boys." ~ Veronica Corningstone"

Anchorman rules!

And your system page is very cool indeed.

Thank you very much. And "Anchorman" is the nutz!

I agree with the solid brass cones underneath gear...it can't hurt and it looks good, but I've never heard any difference in sound before installing them and afterwards with them. Even my audio rack has brass cones; maybe with my system sitting on a bare concrete floor it prevents any vibrations from affecting my tube gear and turntable. My right subwoofer is slightly over a foot away from my 'table, and even at high volume my cartridge never skips a beat. Guess I'm lucky in that aspect.

Digital · « **Reply #14 on:** 14 Jan 2007, 01:46 am »

.
I believe in trying a tweak, testing it unsighted with my own ears, then those of friends. If none of us hears a difference before / after, turf it!

Thus far, quality source material, (CD / LP), speaker placement, seating arrangements and room acoustics make all the difference in the world, exotic tweaks such as cables and tiptoes: none. Oh, and that crap about "your system has to be revealing enough" and "synergy between components" is a complete crock: I have some absolutely excellent equipment including PSAudio / Magneplanar / Musical Fidelity and Systemdek that we use for evaluations.

The funniest one is the PSAudio amplifier that has been so highly regarded in the audiophile press, and who's manufacturer [specifically] stated that its 'sound' is "strongly affected by Power Cables" ~ imagine that... they just happen to market expensive power cables ~ yet supply 'standard' power leads with their multi-thousand dollar power amplifiers... imagine that...

Andrew D.
cdnav.com
.

MaxCast · « **Reply #15 on:** 14 Jan 2007, 02:18 am »

All of them...

TONEPUB · « **Reply #16 on:** 14 Jan 2007, 04:44 am »

Cable Towers.

I know everyone says that getting your speaker cables off the floor will make a huge difference
but I haven't really been able to hear it...

gme109 · « **Reply #17 on:** 14 Jan 2007, 06:16 am »

Quote from: eric the red on 13 Jan 2007, 07:11 am

Am a big non-believer in differences in wire, PCs especially. I did a home comparo awhile back between some well known after market cryoed PCs and the stock cords that come with audio gear. Results? No audible differences. Yet I have PS Audio aftermarket PCs on my amp, cdp and power conditioner. What's up with that?

Either you like to throw your money away, or subconsciously you do hear a difference, but your strong pattern of belief, keeps that reality separated from your consciousness. You asked.

Folsom · « **Reply #18 on:** 14 Jan 2007, 07:33 am »

The little spike looking things that you put on top of speakers to make the tweeter's sound waves disperse into other direction instead of creating a reflection from the speakers top...

Those are the coolest freaking things ever! They are not cool because they do anything (they might but no one I know has ever heard the difference, and they have been tested extensively at a local audio shop), but they are the best conversation piece EVER. The fun they provide is AMAZING when audiophiles get together.

kirch · « **Reply #19 on:** 14 Jan 2007, 02:23 pm »

Due to our "illness", a large percentage of us will throw away our hard earned $$ in our quest for even the smallest of improvements in sound, whether it be real or imagined. For example, the past few years, I've found my spending threshold to satisfy this bizarre thirst for high fidelity has increased dramatically. My first "good" system was $1.5K to $2K. The next one was $4K. Of course I still have the first one and the new one, plus a couple other "lesser systems" around the house, because in reality, doesn't everyone need four stereo systems and two wave radios?

Although I fell for the hard maple platforms with the goofy cork and rubber vibration feet from Mapleshade ~ and noticed NO DIFFERENCE ~ I've not spent a "lot" (and we all have our own definition of "a lot") on the smoke and mirror gadgetry, interconnects and speaker cable (ok, I'll come clean here . . . actually, I did spend over $400 on a used pair of originally $1200 speaker cables once, but immediately turned them around when I found absolutely NO improvement in sound), I'm increasing my spending on the components and speakers. There I've noticed a dramatic difference/improvement in the music it provides. But now that I'm into it after spending say, $5-$6K, how much more bang for the buck will I get if I spend another grand, or two, or three or ten . . . Where will it end? (My wife sure's hell wants to know!)

Even as I write this post, I'm considering making changes to the innards of one of my tube amps to make THAT sound "better"!!

Yikes!

I suspect that money would be better spent on a shrink . . . at least I'm keeping my sense of humor.