Why do folks who eagerly provide positive testimonials regarding products, which do not have a clear connection between scientic theory and its application to audio stuff, shy away from specific's in their testimonials.
In my sxperience, products do not exist which just flew into the lab on the wings of a bird. The inventor had to have basic premises (theory) to work on in the beginning, kept endless notes during developement, and in the end not only had a product which worked but could explain exactly how and why.
For some reason, in audio, we have a abundance of products which exist only because of subjective testimonials of end users (and shameless promotion by the manufacturers and their sockpuppets) yet defy any known scientific exploration or direct theory, let alone application. I've always found that curious. In the context of difference in use, exactly what does 'better', 'great'. 'improvement' and the like, mean?
I think the reference to Billy Mays is perfect. If you shout loud enuf, you will divert the attention of the audience which will not note the sillyness of the testimonial of his pitch and what he is actually demonstrating. I just love his 'potential uses' depicted in his sales of some epoxy (which can be found at your local hardware store cheaper). Sure it works well when appropriately used, but for some of the things he demonstrates chewing gum would work as well.
Perhaps RH's description of the effect of the product is correct, and it makes sense that all of his adjectives, when boiled down to a common denominator, clarity of signal, reflect some type of removal of something which interferes with the clarity of the signal and produces a cleaner signal, but should we not expect a specific body of evidence supporting the application of the underlying theory? Not being a scientist I have no understanding of how the addition of a materiel on the surface of a CD can actually effect a change in the underlying clarity of the materiel on the surface of the CD itself. Let alone if there is any long range detrimental effect. Armour All any one!
Perhaps the problem I have with the use of superlatives so often used to describe the effects of many tweeks is I can't understand why, if the effect is so great, why would there ever be a discussion of the products effectiveness in the first place. Just because a person is a cynic doesn't mean they don't have good ears. And just because a person is (potentially) gullible doesn't mean that they can hear.
Time will tell. If it really is as great as RH sez it will have a broad base of continuing support. For myself, when I have read enuf positive and intelligent testimonials by experienced audiophiles I give this a try.
