I recently browsed Walker Audio web site. They use black diamond cartridge crystals to reduces the EMI/RFI and static electrical noise. See photo. It inspired me. I had Shakti Stone and sold it. I also have a pair of Shakti Onlines. But I misplaced one so I can't resell them. Personally, I never believed it works. I simply couldn't hear the difference at all. This time, I cut the Shakti online into small pieces and use double side tape to attach it in front of cartridge. To my surprise, it works. Noise level has been reduced.
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Just checking. wouldn't be the first time someone hadn't and heard the expected change from upping vtf.
What is that Shakti made of? And what is its working principle? (I belong to the non-believers horde 
but open to all reasonable explanations)
but open to all reasonable explanations)
In the past I did a very risky thing which I would not recommend to anyone. I attached a small headphone magnet to the cartridge and adjusted the tracking force weight accordingly keeping remaining things same and listened to any changes in sound. Apparently I didn't find noticeable change in sound. But am not denying if anything works in different setup. Taken with my mobile phone, first video is without magnet, second one with magnet attached to headshell screws.
1) without magnet
2) with magnet
Luckily I didn't damaged the cartridge but it was an interesting experiment.
Regards.
1) without magnet
2) with magnet
Luckily I didn't damaged the cartridge but it was an interesting experiment.
Regards.
Lucky you Hiten. MI's could have been severely affected. Not a test to recommend...
Regards
It must be a very impure diamond. Maybe the black colour comes from lots of graphite inclusions, so they act as local RF absorbers? Just one tiny question: how can an RF absorber only a few mm in size couple effectively to RF with much greater wavelengths such as mobile phones and wi-fi?super10018 said:
Your post inclines that your theory is correct. It ain't. It's only mass and those who did benefit from it are happy and reported their findings of crystals.
Regards
First of all, I can't explain why it works because I don't know. Secondly, I am not in the position of explaining or defending other's products.
It works in my case. It is not an opinion. It is listening experience. However, if someone doesn't believe it may work, he may not believe my listening experience. Therefore, it doesn't make sense to argue about this. It is fruitless. All I can say is
1. If you believe it, by all means, try it.
2. If you don't believe it, but you are willing to try it. Read answer #1.
3 If you don't believe it, in the meantime, you refuse to try it because your believing. I have no intention to change your mind.
Audio is a science as well as an art. Something may not be correct in theory, but it may work in reality. Digital audio is far superior to analog audio in theory. Are you guys still listening to analog playback system?
I am not trying to prompt Shakti products. Here is the link you guys may want to read.
Review: Shakti Stone and On-Line Electropmagnetic Stabilizers
It works in my case. It is not an opinion. It is listening experience. However, if someone doesn't believe it may work, he may not believe my listening experience. Therefore, it doesn't make sense to argue about this. It is fruitless. All I can say is
1. If you believe it, by all means, try it.
2. If you don't believe it, but you are willing to try it. Read answer #1.
3 If you don't believe it, in the meantime, you refuse to try it because your believing. I have no intention to change your mind.
Audio is a science as well as an art. Something may not be correct in theory, but it may work in reality. Digital audio is far superior to analog audio in theory. Are you guys still listening to analog playback system?
I am not trying to prompt Shakti products. Here is the link you guys may want to read.
Review: Shakti Stone and On-Line Electropmagnetic Stabilizers
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Black diamonds are pretty much used in industrial processes like drill bits, etc... It is only recently that De Beers started selling them as jewelry. Prior to that, they were just ground up for tooling. You could use lead in place of what you have on the front of the cartridge and it would have the same effect. As one poster in the thread said.. it's just mass....
Someone did something similar with a grado cartridge by sticking a weight on the front and they were pleased with the results.
Someone did something similar with a grado cartridge by sticking a weight on the front and they were pleased with the results.
"It ... has also been shown to measurably increase horsepower when placed on automotive CPUs"
For me it tells everything...
For me it tells everything...
It is trivially simple to experiment with a different material of similar mass. On a a linear tracker the horizontal inertia is big, not sure if a gram will make a meaningful difference.
There is of course the issue of cartridge body damping as well...
There is of course the issue of cartridge body damping as well...
I don’t think moving mass will reduce noise level at all. Please explain to me why 1 gram mass will reduce noise level just as you guys want me explain why Shakti works on cartridge.
In my experience, I reduced head shell weight from 11 g to 6 g to improve track ability. If moving mass can reduce noise level, I should be able to hear it.
Actually, it is very simple to approve if moving mass can reduce noise level. Anyone can do it. Just add 1 gram mass on your head shell, then listen if there is a difference in noise level.
In my experience, I reduced head shell weight from 11 g to 6 g to improve track ability. If moving mass can reduce noise level, I should be able to hear it.
Actually, it is very simple to approve if moving mass can reduce noise level. Anyone can do it. Just add 1 gram mass on your head shell, then listen if there is a difference in noise level.
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You may not be actually getting lower noise. Or you could because the effective mass is changing, which shifts the fundamental resonance. Or you may be reducing chatter in your headshell. Without some data, it's impossible to tell, and this would be specific to your cartridge and headshell.
You are NOT getting any noise reduction because of hocus pocus "crystals." That part is certain.
You are NOT getting any noise reduction because of hocus pocus "crystals." That part is certain.
I believe you would have similar results if you used ZYX TB/SB mass weights instead of shakti.From your photo the ZYX has no mass weights,so,its weight is 5gr and possibly arm/cartridge resonance is on the high side without them considerin the zyx's low compliance.The shakti acted as a mass weight imo.
I use a zyx/sb on my turntable and surely the sb weight was necessary to have a resonance at around 9-10 hz.
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