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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
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
14,147 posts
 
I'm all for well controlled studies, heck I'm even for blind testing or whatever type of testing anyone wishes to do. Why anyone would think I am not in favor of well-controlled studies is beyond me. Why, it's almost like you think I'm trying to pull a fast one. Lol. But it is not for me, the manufacturer, to do the testing; as I mentioned previously, there should be a competent, independent third party responsible for designing, conducting and providing results of the studies for these controversial devices and tweaks, just as there should be for any other audio speaker, component or cable, etc.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
I would add one final note. I bought four sheets. Successively, on my Reimyo 300B amp, I started with a half sheet. It was awful. I tried a quarter sheet. It was awful. I tried an eighth sheet, same results. Ultimately, I had a 1/2" by 1/2" sheet and still hated it. I removed all of it and put it in a cabinet in my room. Something was still wrong. Ultimately, when I put it in my car, I could not hear its bad effect. I sold all of it. We all are different!
bryoncunningham OP
888 posts
 
03-10-12: Sabai
You and others may wish that there be an explanation for everything out there but that does not mean that there is one.

I agree. IMO, there may be some phenomena that permanently defy explanation. Having said that, I am generally an optimist about the future of human knowledge. The reason: Science.

03-09-12: Ether
my last post in this futile discussion:
- Rather than argue over some "what if concepts" - why don't anyone has yet to agree to a blinded study??

Again - unless anyone, especially Geoff, wants to conduct well control study, let's just stop here.

I understand your feeling that this conversation has taken an unfortunate turn into futility. I, for one, cannot even pinpoint any of Geoff's beliefs on this topic. I don't think he is particularly interested in making himself understood. In any event, the whole point of the thread was to share experiences with tweaks whose effects are difficult to explain. So getting back to that...

03-10-12: Tbg
Ultimately, when I put it in my car, I could not hear its bad effect.

I agree with you, Tbg, that ERS can have a deleterious effect. I liked it in one place: my preamp/dac. I tried ERS in half a dozen other places, and either I heard nothing or didn't like what I heard. I wound up taping the remaining sheets to the inside of the breaker box. But I'm not sure that has any effect. Maybe, like you, I should try it in the car. Was the car in or out of the garage?

:-)

Bryon
sabai
2,027 posts
 
Byron, sorry, my comments above are a misstatement on my part. They should read:

Byron, you are exactly correct, IMO, when you state "A scientific explanation isn't valid because it's intuitive, or plausible, or satisfying."

There are many commonly accepted scientific theories and propositions that have been proven false. They are often successful because they are politically correct. This has been true through history -- the history of science , the history of audio and indeed throughout human history."
sabai
2,027 posts
 
Geoff, I never heard a satisfied customer complaining about "controversial devices and tweaks" -- or demanding "scientific" proof and blind testing. A lot of people are happy to trust their ears and enjoy the music. Who would be deterred from owning a product that gave great results but which was poorly explained?

Regarding science, so-called science has been proven false so many times throughout history that this is where the LOL should often be inserted. IMHO.
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