Thread: The Rock Thread

Posts: 2132
Page: prev 1 ... 62 63 64 65 66 ... 214 next

Post by off the grid March 24, 2015 (631 of 2132)
Hey Ralph, You may want to direct the unbelievers to George Cardas' various YouTube videos. The unbelievers may take the position that the videos are "self serving" but at the end of the day electrical theory is electrical theory and Mr. Cardas has been at the forefront of fundamental cable design and an OEM for several brand names for decades. A very bright man with a history of power grid engineering, just take a look at his site www.cardas.com
The effectiveness of power cords being ridiculed is dismaying as the most important aspect of any piece of AV equipment is the physical and electrical robustness of the power supply within the units. Power cords are an extension of that system. Flimsy noise creating SMPS are an example of poor power supply design. Most effective after market equipment modifications involve replacing/improving the existing power supply section in a piece of gear. A well designed after market power cord and power conditioner act primarily as a resonance control, current stabilizer and filter system. Yes the electricity from the grid sucks but that doesn't mean we can't address that with power conditioners and AC cords as the last line of defense. Arguing this isn't effective is like stating that the murky blend of coffee grounds and hot water floating in my French press every morning will make it's way into my morning mug but no, that murky mix makes its way through a filter and lo and behold rich full bodied enjoyment with no grunge.
By the way the Audyssey scenario that Mark was discussing regarding setting speakers to "small" actually is highly effective in taking the low frequency current sucking load off the satellite speakers and associated amplification no matter how large/small the speakers allowing the 5 speakers to operate at high levels without compression kicking in as a result of bass overload.
I believe there is 256 times more processing power allocated to bass management as well when speakers are set to "small". I questioned this as well until reading Chris K's Audyssey forum and trying for myself. Personally a huge fan of after market power cords and power conditioners. My Isotek GII Mini Sub power conditioner was improved dramatically by adding 20 pounds of mass, reducing resonance audibly allowing for a blacker background and increased micro dynamics. Sorry for the long winded feedback:)

Post by rammiepie March 24, 2015 (632 of 2132)
Neil, thanks for the verification on the power conditioning situation but all I can do is promulgate what I found VERY effective for my various surround systems.

It's nigh impossible to home demo ALL the various conditioners/power cords out there, especially with the paucity (or near non existence) of high end dealers so I do a little reading and try to piece together what's "comfortable" for me.

People will spend thousands on software but neglect the hardware portion of their systems... but such is life.

You have a GREAT system, Neil and appreciate the vote of confidence. Perhaps, in time, others may become enlightened that their systems can sound better through trial and error of better power tweaks and miscellaneous home remedies........none of which is hocus pocus nor voodoo.....a name bandied around by the "unenlightened!"

There is NO cure for stubbornness..........although a few drops of snake oil at bedtime might help ;-)!

Post by Marpow March 24, 2015 (633 of 2132)
off the grid said:

Hey Ralph, You may want to direct the unbelievers to George Cardas' various YouTube videos. The unbelievers may take the position that the videos are "self serving" but at the end of the day electrical theory is electrical theory and Mr. Cardas has been at the forefront of fundamental cable design and an OEM for several brand names for decades. A very bright man with a history of power grid engineering, just take a look at his site www.cardas.com

Neil,
You are a most welcome addition to The Rock Thread. With the Rock Thread it is OK to be learning and I certainly welcome trustworthy people. I am very excited when I come back from Jamaica to go to my McIntosh store with all this info and start focusing on my equipment from the "no glory" side of the equipment.

They have always been very helpful to me and let me carve my own path. But nice to know Cardas has a dealer in SF, two stores are better than one.

And Ralphie, you are the seed planter. The snow will melt and it will be a glorious Spring even though in the land of the micro chip we might only be taking showers once a week soon.

Post by off the grid March 24, 2015 (634 of 2132)
Thank you so much, Ralph, very nice of you to take the time to peruse my system description which is pretty detailed! At the end of the day it's all about getting the left/right main speakers optimally located relative to the room acoustics, same for the listening position. The other speakers are then located relative to the main pair and listening position. Room treatment, cable dressing, resonance control, power conditioning and disc treatment to remove the mould release residue and static charge (I use a Furutech DeStatII and a simple micro fibre cloth)allow for a great deal of sonic enjoyment. This forum is very therapeutic for me and you are a great source of knowledge and entertainment as is Fredblue, Bmoura,tailspin and recent addition Marpow who helps bring back memories of what it was like for me to start to truly understand this engrossing hobby of ours.

Post by off the grid March 24, 2015 (635 of 2132)
Thanks Mark! Enjoy Jamaica just don't fall out of a coconut tree like Keith Richards as the local laws have just been relaxed to allow for a less stressful environment to partake in the local indigenous vegetation:) You will really appreciate your music system when you get back!

Post by Marpow March 24, 2015 (636 of 2132)
off the grid said:

Thanks Mark! Enjoy Jamaica just don't fall out of a coconut tree like Keith Richards as the local laws have just been relaxed to allow for a less stressful environment to partake in the local indigenous vegetation:) You will really appreciate your music system when you get back!

I think I will try the Jamaican Rum also. Hopefully I won't come back with an eye patch and a peg leg.

Post by rammiepie March 24, 2015 (637 of 2132)
Marpow said:

In the land of the micro chip we might only be taking showers once a week soon.

Thank God you're three thousand miles away......;-D! http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/businessman-wearing-gas-mask-isolated-white-34469256.jpg Pretty soon you'll be showering with lots of friends......in the frigid waters of San Francisco Bay!

BTW, have you noticed how our hifaLUTEin amigo, Brett, has jumped ship and is hobnobbing with the classicists........http://www.liberateliberty.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/today-traitor.jpg

Back to Bach and the hell with ROCK!

{I should talk....just added 5 classical SACDs to MY collection this past week).

Post by Lute March 24, 2015 (638 of 2132)
rammiepie said:


BTW, have you noticed how our hifaLUTEin amigo, Brett, has jumped ship and is hobnobbing with the classicists........

Jump ship!? Oh my dear Ralphie, I am always here for you. :)

And a Classicist? It's not often that I am given such a distinction. I'll wear that badge with honor. ;-)
Sometimes I need to go on a Rococo Retreat. It provides me with some solace in this weary world of ours.

Post by rammiepie March 24, 2015 (639 of 2132)
Lute said:

Jump ship!? Oh my dear Ralphie, I am always here for you. :)

And a Classicist? It's not often that I am given such a distinction. I'll wear that badge with honor. ;-)
Sometimes I need to go on a Rococo Retreat. It provides me with some solace in this weary world of ours.

For my VERY favorite Rococo Retreatist, I offer you an album which has been dear to my heart for some time.

On the Immergent Label....MLP 5.1 DVD~A: Rambient: So Many Worlds. Guest stars like Flea and Lizbeth Scott are featured and the surround is to die for. It will Rock your World. AmazonUS currently has one used in Very Good condition for 97 cents. An extremely unusual and diversified sonic experience for the classicist in you.

And welcome back my friend. http://www.diapercakewalk.com/content/images/thumbs/0000596_welcome-wagon-personalized-baby-boy-gift.jpeg

Post by samayoeruorandajin March 24, 2015 (640 of 2132)
And upgraded power cords will do NOTHING considering the FACT that there are miles and miles and miles of degraded electrical wiring that leads up to your house. It's like putting a supercharged engine in a kit car. Nothing will take away from the fact it's a kit car and you snake oil promulgators will insist that you can make a difference with your power conditioners and power plugs. I can guarantee you with blind testing, you would never be able to tell the difference.

You people who push your powerplug agenda on the rest of us have never been able to answer the facts. You just say, "it works. I don't know how, it just works." What utter horse hockey. No matter the wonderful powerplugs you have or the $2000 that you spend on them will change the fact the wire that is in them is the exact same thing as wires in other plugs. Electricity is electricity. It isn't going to be changed by a powerplug.

Page: prev 1 ... 62 63 64 65 66 ... 214 next

Closed