Have you ever solved a high end audio issue using non-audio technology? Or, visa versa?


Sometimes we just have to be creative to fix a problem.  Our "bag of tricks" may go well beyond the usual "audiophile grade" tools of the trade to produce a positive result.

Here's one:

Years ago, I acquired a little British sports car.  This, itself is an unusual story.  I'm a performance car enthusiast with a 835HP vehicle is parked in my garage.  

At any rate, the little 4-cylinder "tractor motor" had solid lifters that sounded like a Singer sewing machinegoing down the road above 3,000 RPM.  It distracted from the driving experience.  I was thinking how nice it would be to quiet them down a little.

Then I remembered the can of Acoustical Magic material I had in the basement.  For those unfamilar with this material, it's used to dampen the vibration/resonance of turntable platters.  I pulled the aluminum valve cover, cleaned and degreased it thoroughly, then applied a generous portion of Acoustical Magic.  After a little curing in the oven and allowing it to set for 24 hours, the valve cover was reattached.

If I had it do over again, I would have measured before/after with a spectrum analyzer. But, my best guesstimate is that there was a 6-9db drop in the tapping sound, and I could hear the sounds around me while cruising.  The driving experience improved exponentially.  Thanks to Acoustical Magic for a cheap, effective solution to my "acoustical" problem.

I have to admit that a year later the true "hot rodder" in me required that I add a turbo to the little engine.  The sound of the off-throttle blow off valve is music to my ears.  And, driving something resembling a real sports car, as opposed to a British commuter car was a plus.

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@boxer12 

A couple of my lamps have gold plated "Neotech" AC connectors on them. It was convenient at the time & they shine bright. One even has a 6 nine's copper cord.  

ok so i have to ask... are those lamps shining brighter??  🤣

Ok can’t resist...My guess is those lamps are now a “Lighter Shade of Pale”

Also, used tile sponges cut in half or quartered, cut slits in the sponges to hold / isolate cables.

I've a four pound rock from the yard inside a preamp to make it weigh more so its spring footers would be more effective when semi-compressed. 

One of my early diy Walsh's cones got attached and interfered with the voice coil.

Dis- and re-assembly would have likely ended up as a worst fail, so I began to poke 'n prod gently...

A 'repurposed' paper clip.

One of the other successful ones cooked its' coil later, but the 'augmented' one sings on...*G*  Go figure....

"Repurposed Beyond The Ordinary"?

Play Loud.

YT Blue Man Group - I Feel Love ;)

Happy Pre-Weekend, J