Mo' crystals

[Alex_UK]

We know in our hearts that mumbo-jumbo doesn't really work Special mains cables, one-way interconnects, solid silver wiring etc. etc. are all bunk.

[steveinfrance]

Oh God! I suppose with this and Cillit Bang I'll be asked to take my (totally correct) HiFonoclastic opinions elsewhere.

[Alex_UK]

I think if you said "some" then you might have got away with it! But don't worry, you don't get banned for not believing cables etc. can make a difference, we just have circular arguments until you're brainwashed into believing it... (JOKE - for the avoidance of doubt! ) I don't think they have as big an impact as some would believe, certainly not with the sort of modest system I have - but anyway, we're talking about crystals - and I'm now wondering about an interconnect range with plugs pre-fitted with them... Hmmmm....

[HighFidelityGuy]

Neutrik beat you to it :



They're Swarovski crystals though which I think are man made. So maybe that makes a difference.

[steveinfrance]

I think if you said "some" then you might have got away with it! But don't worry, you don't get banned for not believing cables etc. can make a difference, we just have circular arguments until you're brainwashed into believing it... (JOKE - for the avoidance of doubt! ) I don't think they have as big an impact as some would believe, certainly not with the sort of modest system I have - but anyway, we're talking about crystals - and I'm now wondering about an interconnect range with plugs pre-fitted with them... Hmmmm....

Here you go....
Difficult to get the resonant frequency into the audible range but I suppose that doesn't matter.
Like your setup BTW - had similar TT/arm/speakers in the 70's but gave them away.......
How do I get rid of this pesky smiley? Worse than the bloody paperclip!!

[magiccarpetride]

Alex,
I completely agree re psycho-acoustics. We know in our hearts that mumbo-jumbo doesn't really work Special mains cables, one-way interconnects, solid silver wiring etc. etc. are all bunk. Of course mechanical transducers are subject to improvement by modification although probably the results are marginal. I spent a lot of money on a custom CD transport based on the Philips CD pro with a Buffalo DAC and God knows how many low impedance power supplies etc. etc. My £200 Marantz CD6003 outperforms it probably because Marantz spent a million getting VFM.
When I'm in a grumpy mood I hear the imperfections. In my rare mellow moments I don't. If your crystals make you think the music sounds better then good for you. Who cares how it works.

What's difficult to ascertain is whether all the information is already there, only we're not able to perceive it unless we sufficiently relax. Say you're listening to a familiar tune, and you know it by heart, and you figure you have plumbed all the depths it has to offer. Then you go out and buy a new amplifier, and by god, you now hear details in that song that you've never heard before! The question is: are you hearing new details because your new purchase made you more receptive, more relaxed to listen attentively, or is it really due to the fact that the new amp does indeed offer heightened resolution?

[steveinfrance]

Alex,
I believe it is because you actually listen. I'm listening to old crappy worn out vinyls from EBay and can filter out all the Rice Crispies but still hear wonderful things - a worn out Decca SXL 6220 Gottterdammerung - Fischer Diskau is incredible. Even an ancient Pathé Marconi mono of Edith Piaff (FS 1065) knocks your socks off. All the gloss and plastic of CDs goes and you hear real life stuff, warts and all.
Obviously if you've just paid megabucks for some bit of kit it is going to sound good but I really believe once you get a system that's significantly better than the average clock radio it's what's between your ears that makes the difference, not anything to do with what goes on in the air.

[roob]

Has anyone tried Dilithium crystals?

[Welder]

Nope, but caustic soda crystals work feckin miracles with getting the sound waves to bounce cleanly off the walls.

[Marco]

Yes, but I find that this only works on a Wednesday.

Marco.