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Cryogenic treatment of an LP?

Is this even possible? I am just thinking outloud here and wondering of the benefits and welcome your comments. I'm unsure if an lp could even survive the process normally targeted at metal components. (Warp factor 10 captain). Ultra freezing and then slowly re-heating a chunk of plastic. Still, one wonders exactly what impact molecular alignment would have (if any).

Through the employment of ultra-low temperatures, 300 Below, Inc. cryogenic processing helps improve all kinds of products by realigning the molecular structure of an object, optimally resulting in items which last significantly longer and perform far better than they were previously designed.
tubed1
mceljo
1,357 posts
 
I would argue that cryo may increas the uniformity of vibration in cables and such, but uniformity isn't the path to less vibration. Sound damping is done with composite materials that have different densities and vibrations don't transfer from layer to layer as well as it does through a single material.

Why should the onus be on the people not promoting a product that is being sold as something valuable? We're not trying to prove it's value.

We can't forget that science has proven that placebo's work. If you believe it can work for you, but you can't prove how or why, just that it does. This doesn't prove, however, that anything actually changed.
theaudiotweak
2,801 posts
 
When a device is cryo'd its molecules are relaxed into their natural atomic state. This new and original state is permanent unless the device's structure is reprocessed again by annealing.

If a trumpet player says his recently cryo'd instrument is much easier to play meaning with less air required and less muscle then this would suggest that the molecular alignment is less random and more focused. It would also suggest there would be more acoustic output and greater vibrational transfer.

If a LP were cryo'd then its molecular structure would be relaxed into its natural alignment providing less inherent friction and greater dynamic range. Tom
mceljo
1,357 posts
 
Theaudiotweak - In your trumpet example your supporting my statement that cryo treating increases the vibration transfer. People go to great lengths to reduce vibration in LPs.

The molecular changes that result from cryo treatment is on an order of magnitude that is far different than a stylus. If the surface friction is reduced by cryo-treatment then the LP surface is changed and there's no way that this could systematically improve the recording. The result would be random.
theaudiotweak
2,801 posts
 
People mistakenly reduce vibration in many if not most audio components. There is a method some use in the collection and transfer of this reactance in the reduction of perceived excess energy. Vibration can be given direction. My preference is to use it and not lose it. Tom
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
The cryo process doesn't actually result in compressing the atoms of the material - the atoms compress during the freeze cycle then expand during the thaw cycle. The result is a more homogenous arrangement of the atoms. The stress relief aspect of the cryo process is important since the manufacturing processes of stamping, bending, drawing, etc. is what produces stress and strain in the metals and plastics. And this combination of more homogeneous atomic structure and stress relief produces less vibration, better performance of materials in general - more durable, less britle, greater strength, greater stiffness, etc.
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