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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
hifihvn
943 posts
 
such as room acoustics and elimination of vibration, that are either overlooked or can't be addressed by the design engineers.

Yes, room acoustics, vibration problems, and other variables make perfect sense. This is still dealing with facts that are known. Coming up with new designs, such as better amps, D/A converters, and other new gear, yes. The same laws will apply in designing new technologies.

Science always worked one way. Changing that is not going to happen.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
You have a keen insight into what others know and appear to have a command of all scientific knowledge and for that you are to be commended. And I suppose this is an appropriate place to thank the original designers of the CD for creating perfect sound forever.

;-)
hifihvn
943 posts
 

01-24-12: Geoffkait
You have a keen insight into what others know and appear to have a command of all scientific knowledge and for that you are to be commended. And I suppose this is an appropriate place to thank the original designers of the CD for creating perfect sound forever.

;-)
Geoffkait (Answers | This Thread)

"Perfect sound forever" Another good example of marketing hype. No science needed here. :-)
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Glad to see you're coming around to seeing it my way.
frogman
7,493 posts
 
**** Knowledge is not an absolute and continues to evolve.**** - Geoffkait

Exactly! Very interesting exchanges here. Thanks Bryon, and I commend
your open-mindedness. As you stated, discussions such as these often
point to a basic dividing line among the participants' mindset: our comfort
level with the idea that we don't yet know everything that there is to know.
I have a strong suspicion that many of these "magical" effects
will have a solid scientific explanation as the understanding of engineers
becomes more sophisticated. When it comes to this hobby, I have always
found more value in giving the observer of a particular unexplainable
effect the benefit of the doubt, than in assuming that because there is no
"scientific" explanation it must be a figment of his imagination.
We continually underestimate the complexity and fragility of the sound of
music, and the processes needed to record and play it back faithfully.

"The hills are alive with the sound....." :-)
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