Snake oil and tweaks that work!


This is in no way intended to bring out argument but discussion of tweaks people have tried and have found success with. I know there are at least 50% of you out there that think everything in audio is snake oil, and you are initialed to those opinions. Please don't make this your battle field! If you want to start an opposing thread calling us nuts and getting in arguments please do, it might be fun to have both going. I want this one to be an informational for people who want to try things. I for one have tried a lot of the recommendations in Stereophile each month, most don't work for me, but I have found a few things that do work. #1 tweak: Speaker location. Even a 1/16" can make all the difference. I try to play with this about every six months. A dedicated circuit from the panel with 10ga. wire had a very noticeable improvement. Cables and wires matter, some have been good for my system, some real bad. We have plenty of threads covering this so lets no go there. The "Bedini Ultra Clarifier" works amazingly well for me, I know it's crazy but it works! The Cardas caps I got for X-mas really worked, they produced a more quite background, go figure. Black Diamond Racing "the Puck and the Shelf " have been great improvements, all the different cones I've tried change the sound, I haven't found one I would recommend. The Audio Prism Quiteline filters work great, but power conditioners and RFI/EMI ferrets did nothing. The last thing that has helped me is furniture location, I find if I move something only an inch it can help or hurt. I look forward to hearing others experiences.
128x128jadem6
Jadem6, I'm sorry that you don't believe my statement. George Melior was doing some very unusual stuff in the early 90's. Rather than be arrogant and rebuffing my statement as tripe, look into it yourself. You will find evidense that this was available from Museatex at a cost of $10.00 per cd. I'll be happy to leave your thread alone.
I'm sorry, I have to ask one more question. Would you believe that a group of dutch scientists slowed the speed of light down to 23 meters/ps last year. Further more, just very recently at least two independent groups slowed it down to zero velocity. It happene in both cases, if you can do proper research, the info is readily available.
The Rush erasers and the TI shield were both available from Mike Percy Audio Products, the last time I spoke to him. You can access him on the web at www.bainbridge.net/percyaudio His parts catalog may be downloaded as a PDF, or search for products you are looking for. Mike is a source for many hard to get resistors, caps, binding posts, adaptors, etc. Anyway, he is an honest and fair person, and his prices are good. His phone number, although he is difficult to reach, is 415-669-7181. 10:00 Am to 9:00 PM, West Coast time. If you get him by phone, tell him Albert ask about "Ollie." (It is his pet bird that sits with him during the long hours on the phone.)
It was just a misunderstanding Retroguy. It sounded so outlandish and I jumped. I'm sorry, it's not my normal reaction. I've had it with some of the people on this site and I figured.... I figured wrong, no hard feelings I hope. I've enjoyed your other posts, I should have thought! YES!!!! Is that cool or what. I've read a couple of preliminary reports. I'm not sure I understand ant of it, but the laws of physics are on shakey ground. Stoping (freezing) light! The potential is amazing. Thanks for your understanding. J.D.