Scott, unfortunately you can not listen to the residual soundfiles i recorded and showed in picture on that website. The cable with the best measured result was not the best in subjective apraisal. it had a very strange, dark noise on top of the residual music.
But i agree that small "LINEAR" differences can make or break a comparison.
But i agree that small "LINEAR" differences can make or break a comparison.
A friend of mine is a Michelin Star cook and he made a burger for me. I swear that in a double blind test most people would prefer the Mc Donalds variety.
But that's the point- they can be distinguished.
BW's software is a hoot- the demo with the brass band is a favorite of mine.
SY i got you. Now i understand better. We have a different point of view. I am always searching for improvement so i am not so much interested if there is a difference but more in the QUALITY of that difference. That will get better when i am older and can not distinguish so well any more.
Scott, you are right ! i havend read that text in ages and the way the marketing department deluted my mesage is a joke! anyway, i do not research in cables any more. I just listen to what i like.
Scott, you are right ! i havend read that text in ages and the way the marketing department deluted my mesage is a joke! anyway, i do not research in cables any more. I just listen to what i like.
I am a believer. I have stated this already. I've performed all sorts of tests on myself in the quest to answer this question for myself but none, admittedly, that would stand the scrutiny of an official scientific tester. But those are not my reasons for believing. I want to explain why I do and ask for the honest and hopefully constructive reasons from the skeptics as to why my experiences, though finite, are so consistent.
In the beggining I couldnt describe the differences I was hearing, only that there was "more 'there', there." So I began looking for concrete examples to point to.
One place I began looking was articulation. Ie. figuring out what a performer was actually singing. By playing with different cables I actually did reach a point where I could hear the words more clearly and make out lyrics on recordings I previously had no ability to do so. But, obviously, this could be explained by mere repetition.
But as my hearing became more skilled I began noticing levels of details that friends were not. I'll share some conrete examples......
On the CD "Fundamental Elements of Southtown" by P.O.D. there is a track called "Set Your Eyes to Zion."
When it first came out many fans observed that there was a weird sound coming out of the right channel. Some more astute observers thought that it sounded like a person talking. The band caught wind of this and looked into it. Turns out that during one of the mastering sessions the conversation of a couple of the guys in the booth was picked up somehow. But nobody was ever able to tell EXACTLY what was said. Some picked up particular words but never the entire conversation. So over the last 10 years I've used this track as a rare go to spot for testing changes in my system. It wasnt until I found a particular set of interconnects and speaker cables that it suddenly became clear. Now, I can hear every word they say, in context, and even who is talking. The strange thing is that if you take these cables away it becomes unintellegible again.
Another example. I discovered that on the track "Duke's Place" that can be found on "The Great Summit: The Master Takes" by Armstrong and Ellington there is a very subtle sound that I only sometimes hear. During one of the two piano "solos" it sounds like humming going on in the background. Again, with a certain pairing of cables I was able to distinguish that it is indeed Duke Ellington that is humming along with a couple bars while he plays. Initially I thought it was Louis. But with the right combination of cables it becomes obvious that its Duke. Again, take these cables away and the humming goes away. Even when I'm paying very close attention I'll listen right past the point that I know its at and still miss it.
Last example. On the CD "The Dave Brubeck Quartet at Carnegie Hall" there is another subtle piece of detail that I can only figure out with the right combination of cables.
The track "Castilian Drums" is basically one long drum solo where Joe Morello shows what he can do. This is a fantastic live recording. When listening you will hear all sorts of audience noise going on. But there is one specific point where one of the other three members of the band says something directly to Joe as he plays.
I'm not going to tell you who says it, when he says it, or what he says.
Here is the exact recording: Amazon.com: The Dave Brubeck Quartet at Carnegie Hall: Dave Brubeck: Music
So anyone can try this for themselves.
But here is a unique thing about this specific example. I have two friends who I've helped build systems/ make recommendations for. And there was a point at which both of them were able to clearly, for themselves, figure out what was said in that track. I never told them more than what I've revealed here.
Only after their systems were complete were they able to figure it out. They both use electronics that are of zero feedback design. And they both use speakers that are time and phase coherent. None of the equipment is from the same companies, it just meets these criteria. They do, however, both use the same cable setup. And once they did I got a phone call from each telling me exactly what was said, when it was said, and who said it on that Dave Brubeck track.
Having experienced this has convinced me of the audibility of cables. Its not nearly scientific but it is certainly not coincidental either. And I really am serious when I ask the skeptics in this crowd, "By what mechanism was this possible?"
I ask because I still keep an open mind and ultimately seek only the truth.
Over the last few years I've come up with many examples I can point to where a subtle detail either became more obvious or even appeared out of thin air by simply changing out a set of cables. And when the cables go away, so does the specific detail.
I include these three examples for others to play with, if so inclined.
In the beggining I couldnt describe the differences I was hearing, only that there was "more 'there', there." So I began looking for concrete examples to point to.
One place I began looking was articulation. Ie. figuring out what a performer was actually singing. By playing with different cables I actually did reach a point where I could hear the words more clearly and make out lyrics on recordings I previously had no ability to do so. But, obviously, this could be explained by mere repetition.
But as my hearing became more skilled I began noticing levels of details that friends were not. I'll share some conrete examples......
On the CD "Fundamental Elements of Southtown" by P.O.D. there is a track called "Set Your Eyes to Zion."
When it first came out many fans observed that there was a weird sound coming out of the right channel. Some more astute observers thought that it sounded like a person talking. The band caught wind of this and looked into it. Turns out that during one of the mastering sessions the conversation of a couple of the guys in the booth was picked up somehow. But nobody was ever able to tell EXACTLY what was said. Some picked up particular words but never the entire conversation. So over the last 10 years I've used this track as a rare go to spot for testing changes in my system. It wasnt until I found a particular set of interconnects and speaker cables that it suddenly became clear. Now, I can hear every word they say, in context, and even who is talking. The strange thing is that if you take these cables away it becomes unintellegible again.
Another example. I discovered that on the track "Duke's Place" that can be found on "The Great Summit: The Master Takes" by Armstrong and Ellington there is a very subtle sound that I only sometimes hear. During one of the two piano "solos" it sounds like humming going on in the background. Again, with a certain pairing of cables I was able to distinguish that it is indeed Duke Ellington that is humming along with a couple bars while he plays. Initially I thought it was Louis. But with the right combination of cables it becomes obvious that its Duke. Again, take these cables away and the humming goes away. Even when I'm paying very close attention I'll listen right past the point that I know its at and still miss it.
Last example. On the CD "The Dave Brubeck Quartet at Carnegie Hall" there is another subtle piece of detail that I can only figure out with the right combination of cables.
The track "Castilian Drums" is basically one long drum solo where Joe Morello shows what he can do. This is a fantastic live recording. When listening you will hear all sorts of audience noise going on. But there is one specific point where one of the other three members of the band says something directly to Joe as he plays.
I'm not going to tell you who says it, when he says it, or what he says.
Here is the exact recording: Amazon.com: The Dave Brubeck Quartet at Carnegie Hall: Dave Brubeck: Music
So anyone can try this for themselves.
But here is a unique thing about this specific example. I have two friends who I've helped build systems/ make recommendations for. And there was a point at which both of them were able to clearly, for themselves, figure out what was said in that track. I never told them more than what I've revealed here.
Only after their systems were complete were they able to figure it out. They both use electronics that are of zero feedback design. And they both use speakers that are time and phase coherent. None of the equipment is from the same companies, it just meets these criteria. They do, however, both use the same cable setup. And once they did I got a phone call from each telling me exactly what was said, when it was said, and who said it on that Dave Brubeck track.
Having experienced this has convinced me of the audibility of cables. Its not nearly scientific but it is certainly not coincidental either. And I really am serious when I ask the skeptics in this crowd, "By what mechanism was this possible?"
I ask because I still keep an open mind and ultimately seek only the truth.
Over the last few years I've come up with many examples I can point to where a subtle detail either became more obvious or even appeared out of thin air by simply changing out a set of cables. And when the cables go away, so does the specific detail.
I include these three examples for others to play with, if so inclined.
there is no shame in believing.....what is wrong is when you go around proclaiming to the world you self-found truths and encouraging others to believe as you do...
I swear that in a double blind test most people would prefer the Mc Donalds variety
Wrong audience, meat tastes of what it was raised on and that can't be hidden. I prefer 100% grass fed.
No need to be defensive, you usually quote real (maybe difficult to measure) effects. I usually get riled by the psuedo-science. When you mix and match it just ends up in confusion.
Mr. Salz has several inaccurate/simply wrong statements on his website. My personal opinion of course.
What insight do you get from peeking? How does that make your ears better? Why do the distinctions vanish when you cover up the labels?
We rely on what we know (i.e. learned from past experience). Over a period of time you can detect differences you wouldn't catch in a short blind test. In my opinion people would do much better in a blind test if remove any knowledge of what component they are listening to, except for a simple identification like A or B or C, while they learn the sound. This takes away bias (conditioned reflexes), and they can learn the sound by only responding to the sound. And it could take a month of listening that way.
Then I think people would feel more confident and do better on a test assuming they could detect any differences. This would likely take some practice, which is not much different than learning anything.
I do think that David reads his website as little as i do but he is one of the few that whould paticipate in a bypass test.
I come from a tradition of German researchers that first beleaved in God and than got
atheist and then suddenly saw god in the details. I strongy beleave that we do not know everything. After Heisenberg found his formular he said "God does not like to be watched when he is creating"
I come from a tradition of German researchers that first beleaved in God and than got
atheist and then suddenly saw god in the details. I strongy beleave that we do not know everything. After Heisenberg found his formular he said "God does not like to be watched when he is creating"
You should work for the FBI. Impressive !
You mean FDA? That would be impressive.
Hi John !
I am really sorry about your condition. I had Tinitus because of bad medication. It totally disappeared, i had luck. What was helping me was when i met a friend that is a medical doctor for ears. He said : "think it away". I beleave there is a lot of potential of selve healing in us but that sounds now very esoteric !
I am really sorry about your condition. I had Tinitus because of bad medication. It totally disappeared, i had luck. What was helping me was when i met a friend that is a medical doctor for ears. He said : "think it away". I beleave there is a lot of potential of selve healing in us but that sounds now very esoteric !
As an example, a 1 meter HDMI cable can change the “tint” of an image. In the first place tint is an old analog concept from the days of NTSC (never the same color). If one sat down to think about it this would span all pixels, so now in a digital system the video data for each pixel is now equally different (i.e. wrong) in a correlated way by a simple cable swap. Others have claimed equally absurd things about digital audio IC’s.
BTW 1 meter HDMI connectivity can easily be achieved with 1e-12 BERT with $30 cables.
BTW 1 meter HDMI connectivity can easily be achieved with 1e-12 BERT with $30 cables.
Hi John !
I am really sorry about your condition. I had Tinitus because of bad medication. It totally disappeared, i had luck. What was helping me was when i met a friend that is a medical doctor for ears. He said : "think it away". I beleave there is a lot of potential of selve healing in us but that sounds now very esoteric !
Thanks Joachim, I don't have too much to complain about though. I'm making progress and I have lots of time to spend on my audio hobby. I'm glad your doctor said that ... that's very good. Most Doctors say it's permanent, and this just It really intensifies the condition for most people. Good thoughts allow the sound to loose any significance and that allows one to habituate to the sound. So, that's really not at all esoteric. That's what Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) is about.
oh, i did not know that this is a therapy. It was just a tip from an old friend but it helped me a lot. My motto is now : i never give up !
I wish you good health !
I wish you good health !
there is no shame in believing.....what is wrong is when you go around proclaiming to the world you self-found truths and encouraging others to believe as you do...
What exactly do you mean by this?
I've never read where someone who believes they hear differences in cables really cared whether or not others did. On the contrary, most of their time is spent defending themselves. I dont deny that they exist. I just havent seen it myself, I suppose. Certainly not my perspective.
If you were refering to my post and think that I was somehow trying to convince others to believe as me then you are sorely wrong and need to re-read it. (I know, I do tend to be long winded. regrettably)
I think its pretty obvious that I am earnestly looking for other possibilities to explain my experiences.
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The strange thing is that if you take these cables away it becomes unintellegible again.
But once you know what they are saying it can never be unintelligible ever again. Surely you are judging the intelligibility from a knowledgeable perspective?
But once you know what they are saying it can never be unintelligible ever again. Surely you are judging the intelligibility from a knowledgeable perspective?
Yes, and the more times I listen to it the more of it is recalled from memory and much of it is filled in. But there is enough of it there that I have not memorized the whole thing and when I listen with certain set-ups I am still not able to hear everything precisely.
I fully expect that at some point I wont be able to use this as an example. But for now there are distinct times where I can hear every word clearly and times that I cant, with and without certain cables.
Hi John !
I am really sorry about your condition. I had Tinitus because of bad medication. It totally disappeared, i had luck. What was helping me was when i met a friend that is a medical doctor for ears. He said : "think it away". I beleave there is a lot of potential of selve healing in us but that sounds now very esoteric !
This has worked for me too. As a teen I used to get the occasional tone but could always make it go away by thinking hard on explaining something clearly to myself. It's much like hiccoughs and holding your breath.
Over the last few years I've come up with many examples I can point to where a subtle detail either became more obvious or even appeared out of thin air by simply changing out a set of cables. And when the cables go away, so does the specific detail.
You've pointed out some good examples. I use similar tracks for testing (but not cables).
I believe that some of this can be put down to FR changes. Mess with EQ a little and all sorts of things will come and go. So it would be interesting to measure FR - and maybe noise - of the "reveling" cables vs the others. Not all of it may be related to FR and noise, but I'll bet some of it is.
Using these kinds of tests with speakers is reveling, too. Again, a lot of it is FR, but some of it isn't.
I thought I had that Brubeck CD, but don't.
Here's a test: Compress that track to lower and lower MP3 bitrates to hear if the comments go away.
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