I Just Don't Hear It - I wish I did


I am frustrated because I am an audiophile who cannot discern details from so many of the methods praised by other audiophiles. I joke about not having golden ears. That said, I can easily discern and appreciate good soundstage, image, balance, tone, timbre, transparency and even the synergy of a system. I am however unable to hear the improvements that result from, say a piece of Teflon tape or a $5.00 item from the plumbing aisle at Home Depot. Furthermore, I think it is grossly unfair that I must pay in multiples of one hundred, or even one thousand just to gain relatively slight improvements in transparency, detail, timbre soundstage, etc., when other audiophiles can gain the same level of details from a ten dollar tweak. In an effort to sooth my frustration, I tell myself that my fellow audiophiles are experiencing a placebo effect of some sort. Does anyone else struggle to hear….no wait; does anyone else struggle to comprehend how someone else can hear the perceived benefits gained by the inclusion of any number of highly touted tweaks/gimmicks (brass screws, copper couplers, Teflon tape, maple hardwood, racquet balls, etc.) I mean, the claims are that these methods actually result in improved soundstage, image, detail (“blacker backgrounds”), clarity, bass definition, etc.
Am I alone in my frustration here?
2chnlben
Shadorne, you say "There is indeed no strong reason to use cable elevators in that there is no credible science behind this concept." This is a very unscientific thing to say. No credible scientist would ever make that argument. Evidence is call for to be dismissive even in science. We are not talking about science here; we are talking about people's preferences. Therefore you comment about global warming is off the topic. No one needs to pay any heed to you nor your willingness by self-selection to serve as a Scam Police.

I am glad, however, that you so starkly set out your position. Most here are pussyfooting around. I also think you and I have previously had this same discussion before with equal inability to convince each other. :)
"That's not to say that any particular tweak that *claims* to achieve these goals actually does. Many/most of them do not. But a few may, and that is what we are looking for."

Or they may, but in some cases the potential problem may not in fact really exist, so even if the tweak works, you may not hear a difference and draw the wrong conclusion.
Mapman, I have been experimenting today with the Acoustic Revive RIQ-5010 quartz disks under components, which are already on top a Halcyonic active isolation bases. Initially and most conveniently, I tried the quartz under the feet of the component. It is most convenient as the quartz disks are only 1/2 inch thick. They had no effect and in fact harmed the sound somewhat.

Previously, I had noted on a component with only tiny feet that putting the quartz disks directly against the component worked quite well. I contemplated removing the component's feet, but this was a pain. Therefore I sought a spacer to go under the quartz disks and finally settled on old Walker Audio lead filled brass ring pucks that were used under his Valid Points. I used three under both my amp and my dac in piles with the quartz disks on top.

The transparency of the sound and preciseness of the sound stage greatly improved in both instances. In both cases I locked the Halcyonic bases so they were not canceling vibrations. In effect they were just heavy shelves. The sound was good, but far short of the sound stage with the Halcyonics on.

As you can see, I pay no attention to the Scam Police. I find their arguments quite unscientific and defensive of existing science rather than pursuing further knowledge. I would love to know why quartz has the effects it does, no doubt related to its being a piezoelectric, but that won't work as sometimes they don't work. We need better science on this, but who will provide it?
Most here are pussyfooting around.

Pussyfoot:
1. "light in the loafers"
2. "foot oder"
3. "kinky sex"

I don't think I like what you're implying.
2chnlben, you are providing these definitions, not me. Actual, "To act or proceed cautiously or timidly to avoid committing oneself, like a cat circling carefuly around something it finds distasteful."