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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
bryoncunningham OP
890 posts
 
03-18-12: Geoffkait
B C - the supermassive object responsible for bending the light is not a star but a supermassive black hole, like the one in the center of our galaxy, or a collection of black holes, things of that nature. Even a very large star doesn't have nearly the mass/gravity for the effect to show up significantly.

As usual, Geoff, you are wrong.

Einstein published his field equations for General Relativity in 1915. Among the predictions of General Relativity was that light would “bend” around objects of sufficient mass.

In May of 1919, Sir Arthur Eddington, a British astrophysicist, took pictures of a solar eclipse from the island of Principe, where he observed that light from distant stars was in fact bent around the Sun. You can see one of Eddington’s pictures here. The next year, Eddington published a paper entitled:

“A Determination of the Deflection of Light by the Sun's Gravitational Field, from Observations Made at the Solar eclipse of May 29, 1919”

This paper was received as a resounding confirmation of General Relativity.

Note the use of the word ‘Sun.’

Bryon
sabai
2,027 posts
 
Frankly, I do not understand the preference given to insults on Audiogon. While replies to insults are often flagged as provocative the insults themselves are not. I believe if Audiogon allows Audiofeil to insult posters then it should also allow those who are insulted to reply. Otherwise they should not allow his insults to appear on these forums.

Audiofeil, what was unwise was your choice to insult with this statement after an apology was given:

"Lucky for most of us you chose pizza hut not law enforcement as a career path."

Allowing your insults as the last word only encourages further insults and discourages those who are insulted from participating. If my reply is disallowed here then this will be the last time I post to any Audiogon forum.
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,985 posts
 
Fascinating.

I always thought that it was a theory but as long ago as 1919 there was proof that light does bend due to strong gravitational forces.

I need a new rock to live under. One with a better view.
bryoncunningham OP
890 posts
 
03-20-12: Nonoise
Fascinating.

I always thought that it was a theory but as long ago as 1919 there was proof that light does bend due to strong gravitational forces.

Since Eddington's initial discovery, the study of light deflection - what is now called Gravitational Lensing - has led to some remarkable discoveries, such as Einstein Rings, which you can see a picture of here.

Gravitational Lensing techniques are also used in a variety of other astronomical research, including the detection of extrasolar planets.

Science is amazing.

Bryon
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
hi geoffkait:

my advice to you is to keep quiet and ignore further challenges to your products.
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