2. analog
  3. 159736-1252

My venture into the world if demagnitizing vinyl. Your results may vary.

Ok, I have been using my hand held demagnitizer (tape bulk eraser) on these particular versions of records in my collection that have accentuated treble ( The Who- "Who's Next" MCA masterphile, "Tommy", "Sell Out" , Ted Nugent "CSF" and the Dixie Dregs "Industry Standard" and the initial results are in. YES! a resounding yes. Positive. Eye opening or should I say ear opening. At first I was skeptical having heard about it from a Michael Fremer review about 8 years ago. The curiosity finally overwhelmed me. Boy I wish I had known and tried this earlier. The single best tweek I have experienced bar none. After treatment every note was the most profound note ever struck until the next one and the next one with me anxiously waiting for that next note. It was like analog on acid with me hearing a whole new sonic landscape. I can now imagine how it is justified by spending 3 grand on a dedicated device. My procedure is as follows with a Radio Shack bulk eraser. To protect the record I laid it on an album sleeve with another sleeve on top to protect the record to get as close as possible with the unit. I used the unit as I would on a tape deck with being slow and steady. I also did both sides.
  Ok ok I'm being serious now. Back to earth and not the way over the top and dramatic description as the above. I might (BEING THE KEY WORD) might have heard a high frequency mellowing on CSF and the Dixie Dregs. Actually on CSF it was a little more than maybe. I'm a little embarrassed saying that and that leaves me open to ridicule. That perplexes me. I know its far out there in pseudo science land but I think or maybe I thought I heard something subtle. Definitely it's not a slam dunk case. The science states that there is practically nothing on the record that would react to any degree with a demagnitizer. I might try a couple more. I would hope some fellow Audiogoners would have an open mind and see if they have any positive results with the procedure above with some treble accentuated records.
I also have diminished hearing and it was hard to tell.
Oh well it was fun.

128x128blueranger
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
So you are demagnetizing your copper or silver cables, that also contain no iron? Interesting.


Yes, it is very interesting. Mine was bought in the 90's to be used on CDs. Figured it was BS. CDs are after all polycarbonate, aluminum, what's to demagnetize? Even way back then though I had already learned a lot of seemingly crazy stuff actually does work and so I figured Radio Shack, $20, just take it back when it doesn't work. Only thing, it did work. Easy to hear. Friend bought one when he heard how well it works. 

Few years later someone said it works on records. Here we go again. See the pattern? Instead of dismissing every crazy idea I actually try them out whenever I can. 

Here's maybe one of the most valuable items of information for an audiophile to know: When you can't get a good explanation exactly why something works, it does not mean it doesn't work. It only means we can't explain it.

blueranger's avatar
blueranger OP
719 posts
 
Well said millercarbon.
lewm
13,017 posts
 
I said "interesting".  I didn't scoff or ridicule you.  There is a company that successfully markets magnetized tubes through which you are supposed to run your AC cord and/or your interconnect, with a view to a positive effect while playing music.  I think they also make a plug that runs AC through a magnet, or something like that.  Their basic idea is controversial too but just about the opposite of demag on a static piece of cable which I assume you do when your system is not in use.
There is another side to this lament of those who adopt them about rejecting tweaks that seem to make no sense.  Sometimes the tweak actually does make no sense. I have no beef with whatever gets anyone through the night, and I would be happy to attend any demonstration of miraculous results.  I prefer a good cognac, however.
I will posit that subconscious bias has a more powerful effect  than any of these fringe tweaks per se.  If you want to hear a difference (consciously or not), it increases the chances you will, and vice-versa.  Also, the reason we are all a bit crazy is that this hobby constantly demonstrates lack of logical outcome.
isochronism
2,893 posts
 
Just make sure you don't get it too close to your magnetic personality ......
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
The effect of subconscious bias is more powerful than any demagnetizer and is the usual explanation when no logical reason exists. It is a cesspool of illogical fancy. The route to an excellent system acknowledges this bias exists and limits resources to fundamental and necessary components of the highest caliber affordable. 
In other word stops wasting money on stupidity and buy a better amplifier.

Lewm, I am having a glass of Remy XO in your honor:)
More to discover