Clever Little Clock - high-end audio insanity?

Tbg - There is no "lingering presence" of the CLC. The clock can, however, affect the sound in the listening room when it is placed in another room of the house. This could be (mis)interpreted as a lingering effect if someone were to remove the clock from the listening room and place it in another room, thinking that the clock is out of the picture.

Strictly on the Hush Hush: The clock was not demonstrated (by me) at CES for a number of reasons, devising a proper test for the clock, esp. one to satisfy the controlled DBTers, is not as simple as it appears and there is risk of "false failure" (if I can be allowed the expression). This risk of failure increaseth (IMO) when systems with brand new speakers and/or electronics are involved... the CLC can do a lot of things but it cannot correct for such ill-advised set-ups. Of course, new speakers/electronics are the rule at the show, sad to say.

Be that as it may, there were at least two CLCs at CES, brought there by a customer. As I hear thru the grapevine, the clocks went over bigtime in the room where they were located - in fact, the exhibitor (who shall remain nameless) requested they remain in the room for the duration. Of course, this is all on the Hush Hush.

GK

Charlie, then what's your take on the one member in our club who correctly knew when the clock was in or out of the system? Knowing the guy, he was not guessing (he has some of the better ears in the club, especially for tweaks), and in fact told me how he could tell the difference. As I mentioned in the report, he thought the clock adversely affected the sound.

I'm not really defending this product, as I've certainly not felt it makes any difference in my system and I do not subscribe to any of Peter Belt's theories (which have been around for years, by the way)--however, I've seen a lot worse and more expensive items I consider rip-offs and pseudo-science in this hobby (Mpingo discs, anyone? Whose ox have I gored here?). I am surprised that this product is the whipping boy and not some of the others.

*Charlie, then what's your take on the one member in our club who correctly knew when the clock was in or out of the system?*

He guessed very well. In any group there is always one person who through gifted insight or dumb luck (much more likely) to guess (not predict as that is based on fact)more accurately than the rest. It's simply a matter of probability and statistics.
There is no proof, logic, or empirical data to support any evidence that this product works. The manufacturer has been dancing around an explanation for this and "silly pebbles" for a while now.

"on the hush hush".
OK I promise not to tell anybody if everybody else does too.
LOL

According to the Positive Feedback review the effects were so dramatic that it should be easy to carry out a succesful double blind test. Given how improbable this device is, I think the Clarks and Positive Feedback have an obligation to carry out this test to save their reputation. I'm trying to keep an open mind, but there seems to be a excuse to explain away every question.

I'm disappointed about what this says about high end audio in general - manufactures and reviewers are not to be trusted. Seems to me it hurts the industry and it discourages people from getting involved in the hobby.