Does anyone know what is contained in the Russ Andrews Zapperators he sells to attach to the back of speakers? A circuit diagram or just a photo of the insides? Wouldn't mind trying some out but can't find any used and I'm sure as heck not paying £134 for them. Can't be more than a few simple passive components. Thanks in advance!
Most likely “sod all” as you say but that doesn’t stop me wanting to try it out!
Haha yes wouldn’t want it filtering out any musicality!
For the benefit of everyone else, after some extensive Googling, I have actually found my own answer... here is a Zobel network speaker filter that I am almost certain is exactly the same as the RA gubbins DIY PAGES - BUILD IT YOURSELF!
Haha yes wouldn’t want it filtering out any musicality!
For the benefit of everyone else, after some extensive Googling, I have actually found my own answer... here is a Zobel network speaker filter that I am almost certain is exactly the same as the RA gubbins DIY PAGES - BUILD IT YOURSELF!
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Indeed. It does all seem like voodoo be honest but nothing ventured nothing gained. There is a (negative) review of the Zs that says they did make a small difference but not enough to pay £140 for. Yes the cap values and the “schematic” are all there on that site, i’m 99% sure it’s exactly the same thing RA is doing. To be fair, the site I linked to sells them pre-assembled for more than RA charges.
For the alleged benefits see here Russ Andrews - Hi-Fi mains and cable specialist
Why not build an adjustable one, connect it up, and choose the "best" dial setting based on either listening pleasure, or square wave response on an oscilloscope?
here is one possibility for the adjustable element.
The Quasimodo bellringer project has been relatively successful, doing exactly this sort of thing. Most experimenters seem to have chosen their knob setting by looking at the square wave* response on an oscilloscope, but a few hardy souls report success based on listening tests rather than measurement apparatus.
*ok, half of a square wave actually; the "unit step" response.
here is one possibility for the adjustable element.
The Quasimodo bellringer project has been relatively successful, doing exactly this sort of thing. Most experimenters seem to have chosen their knob setting by looking at the square wave* response on an oscilloscope, but a few hardy souls report success based on listening tests rather than measurement apparatus.
*ok, half of a square wave actually; the "unit step" response.
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Yep I’ve found some step by step instructions on how to make an equivalent device for a few quid linked a few pages back, I might even have the parts laying around to build one.
The adjustable one is an excellent idea! Every time I ask a question on here the upshot is “why not try it with a scope” so I really think I need to get myself one!
I was just going to build one to the specs in the DIY link but experimenting with different values would certainly be interesting.
I don’t know why I seem to enjoy building these mostly useless things, perhaps purely because he charges so much for them and I find it satisfying building them and reaping whatever minute benefits they may bring for a fraction of the cost
The adjustable one is an excellent idea! Every time I ask a question on here the upshot is “why not try it with a scope” so I really think I need to get myself one!
I was just going to build one to the specs in the DIY link but experimenting with different values would certainly be interesting.I don’t know why I seem to enjoy building these mostly useless things, perhaps purely because he charges so much for them and I find it satisfying building them and reaping whatever minute benefits they may bring for a fraction of the cost
A skilled EE with plenty of experience on circuit simulators, could reverse engineer the Zappinator from the "white paper" on Russ Andrews' website pdf here. Expect to be charged for about 4 hours of consulting time, times roughly GBP 150 per hour. If you can find nine other people to split the cost, each of you gets Zappinators for less than what Russ Andrews charges.
This is true, alternatively one could split the cost of one “Zapperator” between a few people and then dismantle and copy it...
If he didn't, no one would buy them. They cost a fair penny, they must be good, right?
The wonderful and imaginative Russ Andrews white paper tells us that the Zapperator has wires with "measurably low directivity". That is a relief, given how seriously directional ordinary wires are!
Having quickly scanned the paper, my guess is that the Zapperator is not a Zobel but a something slightly more complex - maybe LCR rather than CR. Much of the paper is just FUD and creative writing. People will expect to get this; you have to get something for your money!
Having quickly scanned the paper, my guess is that the Zapperator is not a Zobel but a something slightly more complex - maybe LCR rather than CR. Much of the paper is just FUD and creative writing. People will expect to get this; you have to get something for your money!
Haha exactly, they're "reassuringly expensive"!
Ooh thanks for the review, that's quite interesting reading actually, perhaps they might give some small benefit after all?
Yes I did wonder if they might be something slightly more complex than a simple Zobel network but all the other similar devices I have found are just a cap and resistor, and I found one reference to someone who had tried an inductor but scoped it and found no measurable benefit so left it out.
I couldn't find anything in the "white paper" other than marketing fluff either
well, he isn't lying when he says its lack of directionality is measurable then because that applies to every piece of wire on the planet!
Now just copying someone else's snake oil is hardly the DIYaudio way. It would be lot more fun to do as Mark suggests and actually make something better. But first you have to have a problem to solve.
Ah, I see these are another Ben Duncan thing (he of AMP01 fame). That explains a lot. RF / Noise Reduction - Page 1 - British Audio Products Online are some more of his.
Ah, I see these are another Ben Duncan thing (he of AMP01 fame). That explains a lot. RF / Noise Reduction - Page 1 - British Audio Products Online are some more of his.
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No don't get me wrong I'm not interested in just producing an exact clone of the product, just taking inspiration from the idea and producing something that works in a similar way.
I am actually quite keen to try that out - and if I find a value that works better then I can always make some with that fixed resistor value (although again difficult without a scope)
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