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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
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,651 posts
 
Whart, that makes a lot of sense and explains why I liked my old Hornshoppe Horns knowing that the highs weren't as extended as they could be and the lows weren't as authoritative at they could be. My mind filled in the rest since the greater aspect of the mids gave me the 'gestalt' of the music.

Cool.

By the way, if anyone is interested, here's a snapshot view on just how fast our brain processes info:http://www.physicsforums.com/archive/index.php/t-122756.html

I think it furthers the notion that we take everything in only to process out the truth later. Our brains can react so much faster than we are trained to. That's the underlying process in speed reading. We tend to sub vocalize each and every word instead of just scanning it. That is why we tend to forget what we just read and get bored since our brains are screaming at us " faster, faster."

All the best,
Nonoise
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
hi mapman:

there is a reason for all phenomena, but it may be unknown at the time. one is not omniscient.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Mrtennis, you sound like a scientist, not a EE.
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
hi tbg:

i am an economist/psychologist in terms of education. i was an operations research analyst and computer consultant before i retired. i have an extensive background in mathematics and i took a logic course as well.

psychophysics underlies much of what wwe perceive and see.

sometimes it is impossible to provide an objective (measurement) component to explain what we hear. isthat a magical experience.

engineers can measure many things, but not evrything. so, measurement is not always correlated with perception.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Mrtennis wrote,

"psychophysics underlies much of what wwe perceive and see."

Really? How so? Please elucidate.

Thanks in advance.
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