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Do you believe in Magic?

Audio Magic, that is.

Let's say that Magic is any effect not explainable by known physical laws. Every audiophile is familiar with debates about Audio Magic, as evidenced by endless threads about power cables.

I recently had an experience that made me question my long held skepticism about Magic. On a whim, I bought some Stillpoints ERS Fabric. I installed it in my preamp (which is filled with noisy digital circuitry) and a reclocker (also noisy) and...

Something happened. I don't know what exactly, but something. Two things in particular seemed to change... the decay of notes, and instrument timbres. Both changed for the better. But where did this change occur? In my listening room? Or in my mind?

If the change was in my listening room, then Magic exists. If the change was in my mind, then Magic does not exist.

One of the great Ideological Divides in audio is the divide between Believers and Skeptics. I honestly don't know if I'm a Believer or a Skeptic.

Do you believe in Magic?

Bryon
bryoncunningham

Showing 6 responses by chadeffect

chadeffect
586 posts
 
Bryon,

It isn't magic, all you did was put some shielding around your Pre. If you found an improvement, it just shows how badly designed your Pre is.

Surely the designer should have made some effort to shield noisy or sensitive components?

My experience of ERS cloth is a little goes a long way. It is very easy to kill high freq & dynamics with it.
chadeffect
586 posts
 
Most eloquently put Byron.

But one has to understand & keep in mind the obsessive illness that does dominate this hobby. For some its a frustrating experience as they chase an unknown state. Slightly better is just around the corner.

It is easy to let the gear get in the way of the music. Hense at times it's about the music & at others it is about the gear. It's just about where you are on the audiophile journey. Maybe "humanbeauty" would be a better name?
chadeffect
586 posts
 
Mrtennis it looks like you do believe in magic then!
chadeffect
586 posts
 
Hi Mrtennis,

If that is really true where does that leave science? If we cannot trust our perception how do we observe? So then we are left with magic.
chadeffect
586 posts
 
Point taken & understood Byron.

Sometimes speedily expressing ones self in these little boxes can lead to points that with a little closer inspection could have been worded better.

Much as I enjoy these online communities there is nothing like talking to someone in the flesh. I am sure all the above comments over a beer or tea would result in much less abrasion.

All that to say I can sense sonicbeauty's frustration.
chadeffect
586 posts
 
Bryon,
Count me in for the therapy group. There is a thread right there.

What would be in the therapy room? Obviously the wall would be padded with diffusion devices & bass traps. Soft music playing in the room,but from what system?

Surely it would be a quad ESL? There is something sane & honest about a quad.

P.s sorry for calling you Byron BTW. My typing as hopeless as some of these tweaks!
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