Snake oil?

2

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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited February 2005
    I've some success with some tweaks. I tried Mapleshades brass cone feet and weights to good success, but they're so hard to work with and scratch the hell out of anything they come into contact with, that I stopped using them. I've also had good results with Vibrapods, but only on the CD Player, they did nothing on my other components.

    As far as cryogenic treatments, medicinal waveforms, and dried african elephant ****...marketing. Someone is laughing all the way to the bank. (with your money).

    I try to stay with tweaks that have reasonable theories behind them, and stay completely away from the magical elixers.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited February 2005
    I just brought two bottles of 151 into work today to free up some room in my liquor locker for QUALITY rum. I got a pure-bred Puerto Rican crew chief that makes his own Coquito (kind of like a PR egg-nog) every year for Christmas, and shoots me a big bottle of it. The 151 is perfect for that application.

    Russ you damn fool,

    Stopped smoking in the house years ago, so the ziplock bags are no longer a necessity. I still leave the cd's in them, and also cram a warm Reuben in with them. I've HEARD it really flushes out the soundstage, and the critical area between 8 and 20 cycles, where real men dwell.

    George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,986
    edited February 2005
    I got nothin'.

    Big bag of NOTHING. I'm talking along the lines of Mantis nothingness.

    So much for Carnegie.

    Cheers,
    Russ
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • BlueMDPicker
    BlueMDPicker Posts: 7,569
    edited February 2005
    Hmmmm... is "burning in" IC's or "breaking in" a piece of componetry, tube, or speaker snake oil? Nearly all of us (present company included) have reported quantifiable "improvements" in these areas.

    I took a break from wise cracking (in my own thread) to play the home version of Myth Busters. I downloaded the suggested software, setup my sweep frequencies, timing and modulation of amplitude. Then, I dumped it to a wave file and burned it to a CD (18 times - hey, why waste good media it's only a 30 second track.)

    Everyone was banished to the downstairs family room and I did a critical listening session on the first two tracks of Keb Mo's "Keep It Simple." Without touching any settings (I really only have one - volume pot on the tube preamp) I ran the sweep frequency through five complete cycles, popped Keb back in, sat back, and




















    ....make your own CD. You wouldn't believe it if I told you. :cool:
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  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited February 2005
    My tweak is to suggest buying Polk speakers. They won't go stale.
    Never Forget
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  • BlueMDPicker
    BlueMDPicker Posts: 7,569
    edited February 2005
    I'll keep that in mind if I ever have get rid of the 6 pairs I already have.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,769
    edited February 2005
    Only one problem with Mike's test.......he's been **** around with his gear as recently as this past Sunday. ;)
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • BlueMDPicker
    BlueMDPicker Posts: 7,569
    edited February 2005
    Uh-oh BUSTED! Yeah, we were fixing some stale SRS's as I recall. :D
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited February 2005
    I will add that whole idea to my list of "Things to do, when I just can't find anything else to do" list.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • BlueMDPicker
    BlueMDPicker Posts: 7,569
    edited February 2005
    Originally posted by dorokusai
    I will add that whole idea to my list of "Things to do, when I just can't find anything else to do" list.

    Save yourself the effort. I peeled the label off your "Smile" CD and stuck it on the brown note CD. :p
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  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited February 2005
    Blue, sounds like you could give Ayre some competition. How much do they charge for their CD?
    Never Forget
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,769
    edited February 2005
    Originally posted by BlueMDPicker
    Save yourself the effort. I peeled the label off your "Smile" CD and stuck it on the brown note CD. :p

    WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • BlueMDPicker
    BlueMDPicker Posts: 7,569
    edited February 2005
    Originally posted by PolkThug
    Blue, sounds like you could give Ayre some competition. How much do they charge for their CD?
    PolkThug,

    I don't know what they charge. A wild-assed guess would be $25 minimum since it contains "other programs."

    Thanks for turning me on to the software. It was a fun exercise! Intellectual curiousity needs a good tickling from time to time.

    The point I attempted to make, which is being passed over by predispositions (pro or con) is you can do the same thing yourself - since PS Audio supplies all the parameters - and draw your own conclusion. I'm making no claim that the results were bad, neutral, or good - as I said, no one would believe me (one way or the other.) Just like the cable swap program, any "tweak" has to be on your turf with your gear in order for you to evaluate its relative merits or miseries.

    It will be interesting to read the reviews on the MW II+. I think Paul McGowan was as straight forward as possible in his comments about it, don't you?

    Mike
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  • polksda
    polksda Posts: 716
    edited February 2005
    This thread reminds me... I need to pick up a DVD-rewinder the next time I'm out so Blockbuster doesn't charge me rewind fees anymore. :rolleyes:

    Reminds me of a company I read about over on Audiogon once that sold wooden volume knobs, claiming it made a difference...
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  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited February 2005
    Originally posted by BlueMDPicker
    I think Paul McGowan was as straight forward as possible in his comments about it, don't you?

    Mike

    I think Bob Stadtherr rolling his eyes at them is more straightforward. ;)

    So, they ran mid-bass sweeps, 50Hz-120Hz and the end result is:

    "It sounded more like the performers were in the room - less like a hi fi, more like reality."

    :rolleyes:

    Maybe my system sounds good because I like to watch the iRobot car accident scene quite often.;)

    Regards,
    PolkThug
    Never Forget
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  • BlueMDPicker
    BlueMDPicker Posts: 7,569
    edited February 2005
    Originally posted by polksda
    This thread reminds me... I need to pick up a DVD-rewinder the next time I'm out so Blockbuster doesn't charge me rewind fees anymore. :rolleyes:

    Glad we could be of service. If you spot one on eBay, be sure to post it so we can all have a shot - and no dibs! ;)

    Reminds me of a company I read about over on Audiogon once that sold wooden volume knobs, claiming it made a difference...
    Really? Hmmm... haven't seen that one. Seems like a pretty cheap and simple DIY project. Did you make your own and try it so as to bust that myth once and for all?

    Matt Polk conceived the SDA effect during his first scuba dive - the whacked out ****! Scuba diving and hifi??? Get the straight jacket!

    John von Neumann had a dream (while trying to sleep through a night time bombing raid of London by the Germans) that became radar and saved untold thousands of lives in WW II - delusional twit!

    Edison "discovered", but could not explain, a phenomenon that (later) became the vacuum tube diode while experimenting with methods of suspending and supporting the fragile filamants he was testing - enough said.

    Thinkers and tinkers seem to me the real catalyst for the advancement of science and technology - God love 'em.

    Minds are like parachutes. Pull the ring.
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  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited February 2005
    Blue,

    If you get more enjoyment out of your system after running a bass sweep, that is all that matters. It doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks, or what the tweak is, it comes down to enjoying music.

    Regards,
    Toby
    Never Forget
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  • BlueMDPicker
    BlueMDPicker Posts: 7,569
    edited February 2005
    Toby,

    Thanks, I realy enjoy my setup. You're assuming I noticed some beneficial improvement from the sweep - I didn't say that. What I'd like to encourage is experimentation, especially when it takes zero cash outlay and 30 minutes of your time.

    Bob McGowan, IMO, is a rarity in the audio industry. I've had a direct conversation with him when I was searching for some info on the PS Audio amp I got from Russ, and several dialogs with him on their site forum. He's a no **** kinda' guy. How many other manufacturers would roll-out a new product feature with that kind of press release? Those who don't believe that power products influence the signal path will never purchase his wares. Those that do will provide some insightful reviews over time.

    How many times have you seen the well respected voices on this forum write: If you haven't tried it, how do you know? I "didn't know I didn't know" how IC's can effect SQ until F1nut brought over a pair of excellent quality wires. I'm glad I was willing to at least try - really glad!

    Mike
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  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited February 2005
    lol, you're right. So, did it help? Not that I would believe you anyway.:D
    Never Forget
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  • BlueMDPicker
    BlueMDPicker Posts: 7,569
    edited February 2005
    WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
    (pulling hair out and LMFAO!)
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  • jmierzur
    jmierzur Posts: 489
    edited February 2005
    PolkThug,

    You are probably right that running bass sweeps though the line level will not improve your system, unless you have an SPL meter in hand and are optimizing the location of your speakers or setting up a sub.

    I am not sure why it was assumed that running the frequency sweep described on the PS Audio site through the line level would be the same as running it through the power supply. Last time I tried a PS Audio Power Plant, it did not have line level connections.

    Ayre gives no indication on their site what ‘frequency’ they use at the line level.

    After about one minute of searching, I found this thread on AA. I am sure there are more threads regarding this topic on the site. Feel free to search further for information.

    Enough said; this thread is stale.

    Edit:

    Another thread.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,769
    edited February 2005
    Stale? I find this topic intriguing enough to at least give it a try before dismissing it outright, shouldn't you?
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited February 2005
    Originally posted by F1nut
    Stale? I find this topic intriguing enough to at least give it a try before dismissing it outright, shouldn't you?

    I ran some frequency sweeps through my computer and this thread became crisp and life-like again.:)
    Never Forget
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  • BlueMDPicker
    BlueMDPicker Posts: 7,569
    edited February 2005
    Originally posted by PolkThug
    I ran some frequency sweeps through my computer and this thread became crisp and life-like again.:)
    There you have it folks - our first testimonial! ;)
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  • jmierzur
    jmierzur Posts: 489
    edited February 2005
    F1nut,

    Topic intriguing, yes. This thread, concluded.
    Originally posted by PolkThug
    I ran some frequency sweeps through my computer and this thread became crisp and life-like again.:)
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,769
    edited February 2005
    Hey, it's snowing here and there's little else to do.......:D
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • BlueMDPicker
    BlueMDPicker Posts: 7,569
    edited February 2005
    Originally posted by F1nut
    Hey, it's snowing here and there's little else to do.......:D

    Uh-oh... you're gonna' get rapped across the knuckles.

    Yep, slow day/snow day. Guess I'll go clean all my wood furniture with a 50/50 mix of Draino and water then polish it up with some pure lemon oil. :o
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  • TN_Polk_Lover
    TN_Polk_Lover Posts: 243
    edited February 2005
    Obviously, if your system is stale, maybe all of your equipment, including your speaker cones needs a fresh coat of Armorall <VBG> . . . . . . .
    Robert
    zombie boy 2000 wrote:
    You are officially in the high-end of the deep-end of the top-end.

    Bonus Room Over Garage:
    Toshiba 27" CRT TV
    Digital Source: Sony DVP-NS3100ES
    DVR: Panasonic DMR-ES15
    Denon 3806 AV Receiver
    - L/R Preamp out to Parasound HCA-1200 Amp
    Polk RTi70's, CSi40 Center, RTi38 Side Surrounds, RTi38 Back Surrounds

    Living Room: (2ch only)
    TV: Sony KV20-FV12
    DVD Player: Sony DVP-NS715P
    Yamaha R9 Receiver Polk RTi38's
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited February 2005
    Originally posted by polksda
    Reminds me of a company I read about over on Audiogon once that sold wooden volume knobs, claiming it made a difference...
    Originally posted by BlueMDPicker
    Really? Hmmm... haven't seen that one. Seems like a pretty cheap and simple DIY project. Did you make your own and try it so as to bust that myth once and for all?
    Blue. just in case you want to try them out here is the link: Silver Rock Signature Knobs
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,986
    edited February 2005
    My buddy Jim, at fmtunerinfo.com has wood knobs on all the gear he builds. Preamps, tunas, dacs, everything. He said he did it for static discharge alone. (ie, walking across the floor in your sock feet in the winter, then reaching out to 'ZAP' adjust your gear)
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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