Archived from groups: rec.audio.high-end (
More info?)
Stewart Pinkerton <patent3@dircon.co.uk> wrote in message news:<i42vc.27224$pt3.9084@attbi_s03>...
> On Mon, 31 May 2004 16:19:35 GMT, "Chelvam" <chelvam@myjaring.net>
> wrote:
>
> >Oh yes! You would be surprised to know how many actually could hear the
> >improvement. See www.altavistaaudio.com and go to the testimonial part.
>
> That would be people who *claim* to hear a difference - not the same
> thing at all!
>
> >The other part on "measurements" , I would say physics is not an absolute
> >science.
>
> You'll injure yourself, sidestepping that far...............
>
Physics absolute science? Or do they call it perfect science? I am no
engineer but as a lay man I am cautious to all scientific study and
measurements. If scientific measurements is the gospel truth than ever
wonder why Formula 1 companies queuing to hire those acoustic experts
(I forgot the exact name but he one with headphones and constantly
listening in the Sub looking for movements) who work in US submarines.
They are hired to hear and tell if something is different in the
engine sound. It is a gift and a lot of training to hear what others
don't.
> >Perhaps, there is some element that is yet to be discovered by us.
> >Isn't it only recently scientists discovered the is another force besides
> >gravity. So maybe, there's is something else that exist but cannot be proven
> >simply because we do not know the existence of that element. I think the
> >measurement of inductance, resistance, capacitance developed over along
> >period of time.
>
> Actually, it developed over a very short period of time, and we don't
> need any new scientific discoveries to take two otherwise identical
> amps, one orifginal and one 'tweaked', and see if anyone can tell the
> difference under level-matched double-blind conditions. Now, if these
> mods really worked, that would be the best possible evidence that the
> designer could use to promote the product. Now, do you see one single
> solitary example of this being done? No? Ever wonder why?
> >On many occassions ( actaully on all occassions), I can't tell the
> >difference btw a $200 and $2000 power cord. But I can tell the difference
> >between a $10 and $200 interconnect.
>
> I bet you $10,000 that you can *not* tell the difference, when you
> don't *know* which one is connected.
Why is it we assume that tweaks should work for all equipments? I dare
to say tweaks only work for budget equipments. Some tweaks probably
work for certain type of music. Maybe the one with extreme highs and
lows. And it takes a few hours before deciding which one sounds
better. So it is no wonder many fail in the double blind test.
I can't tell the diff btw my cabletalk ($20) interconnect and the
expensive Monstercable immediately but after a few days of listening
my preference would be the MonsterCable. Tried all tricks yet I have
correctly preferred the more expensive one (reluctantly using the word
expensive perhaps better designed would be more appropriate). But if
you were to ask me to tell immediately which cable is being played I
would fail miserably. However, I am still unable to tell my preference
when compared with Monster cable and XLO. They are both identical
though the price difference was about 50%. So how do you explain that?
Is your $10000 bet under the abovementioned terms?
The way I pay attention to music is probably different form the way
you listen. Some listen for various instruments or whether they can
hear the back singers rather that the main voice.
My transport which was considered very High End many years ago, came
with its own built-in spike ( one pointed screw at the rear centre)
which supposedly affect the sound. If they got a reason for putting it
there, then Diamond racing cone's claim is believable.
Many tweaks do not work on High End products simply because there is
no room for improvement. None worked for my Amp not even the with
power conditioner if you want to call that tweaking too. But may
negatively.
One the other hand, the reason why I do not hear any diff btwn a $200
and $2000 powercord simply because my cheap equipment is not efficient
enough for it or it is already High End enough that have a proper
power supply built in. Maybe for a $200,000 speakers a $10000 speaker
cable would make a difference. I used MAYBE, because I know this is a
forbidden territory for me. I have never heard one and probably will
never own one.
There are four types of music lover. One those love music for music
and contend with their mini compo. The way they judge music is
different from others. They don't care how high end is the sound
output but as long they can reasonably hear what is being played they
are contend.
The second group is the one likes music and fancy loud and deep bass.
They will be contended with that and would not spend an extra penny
for the so called High End equipment.
And the third, who own expensive equipments just to satisfy their
status ego.
And fourth, the type who believe in the art of setting up the
equipment is to hear difference form one cable and another or a
speaker etc etc.. Their main objective is not to hear music but to
hear the difference. And in this category some will pretend/imagine
hearing the difference and others genuinely do hear.
Mr Pinkerton, with due respect , the fifth category is guys in audio
engineering believe everything is equal under measurement.
>
> > However, my friend who bought and the
> >guy who sold the cable claim they can tell the diff btw $200 and $2000
> >cable. I would like to believe them only if they could take the blind test
> >but they are pretty busy for such childish game. I hope you get my drift.
>
> Childish game? The only positive way to know if there really is a
> difference - you call a childish game? I think we know who is playing
> games here...................
Not me.
> >> Can't you remove the damping material and see if the sound changes back?
> >> Make sure you are listening at the same position, at the same level,
> >> from the same discs.
> >
> >That's the fun part. it is my friend's job to remove all the damping in a
> >month or so without my knowledge. Hopefully, he didn't pull a fast one by
> >removing that by now because as of yesterday, I was still hearing the so
> >called 'improvement'. Otherwise, I have to pay for the foolishness by
> >donating a free CD/SACD and one week free flow at Cheers equivalent on me.
>
> It's lot simpler than that - just get another, untreated, amplifier
Ø and compare the two.
My earlier answer applies to this as well. You can't tell the diff
immediately unless it is as obvious as black and white or day and
night. However, I am not claiming damping a miracle tweak. It sounded
differently and was seeking views from others. It maybe my eagearness
and expectation after spending one day to damp to hear something
different. Probably none. But this time I would say yes. The same way
I discovered that isolating your equipment from the speakers sound
affects the performance. Maybe that too is a myth.
Cheers.
Facebook
Twitter