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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
 
I have to admit, Geoff, I don't understand your comment.
ether
64 posts
 
no, I don't believe in magic.
Bryon - if you want to really hear what is going on, just invite a friend over and ask him to blidfold you while you listen to the music and he "switches" the tweaks on and off.
If you can't get it right at least 70% of the time - it was purely psychological effect. And if you get it right, then you proven that it works and don't worry about the HOW.

(and even if it turns out to be a placebo effect - I am not saying that this placebo effect wasn't worth your money - after all if your brain believes it sounds better, it does sound better to YOU)

We must remember that listening to music is not an objective function - because, music means something to us. It affects us psychologically and emotionally.
I strongly believe that this hobby is about equipment as much as our individual interpretation of music/sound according to our own unique state of mind.

....there is the equipment, the room and your brain.
sabai
2,027 posts
 
I agree that trying to understand their explanations is an exercise in futility. What they say is either way above me or deliberately obscure. Never mind. The main thing is that Bybees work. When I buy audio I don't need to understand everything. As long as my ears are happy.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Byron c - the word Quantum automatically provokes a response, as if Quantum Mechanics is used deliberately by manufacturers to cover up a more mundane, conventional explanation, to protect their invention. Maybe the Bybee device is only a resister. Lol
sabai
2,027 posts
 
Byron c, I wonder if this also includes Synergistic Research's Quantum Tunneling and the Kemp Quantum QA Plugs and the Quantum Physics Noise Disrupters -- all of which are actively bought and sold on Audiogon? I imagine that the word quantum does not have too many negative connotations for the buyers of these products who have found that they add sonic value to their audio systems.
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