2. tech-talk
  3. 1287960544

Fun Little Project for improving Dynamics

Fun little project, or Tweak that will improve system dynamics, soundstage, frequency extremes.

Try using Amethyst crystals. Get them in small sizes and unprocessed. I bought a pound on EBay for $10 including shipping.

To clean the unprocessed crystals prior to use, I soak the crystals in distilled water with Aquarium salt. Mixing it to become a strong sea salt mixture and letting them soak for about 8+ hours.
Then pour off the sea salt and soak the crystals with 90% or better alcohol for about an hour. After that, drain off the alcohol and rinse well with just distilled water.
Finally, let the crystals dry in a bowl in the sun.

Start with placing small amounts (25-40 crystals) in the plastic baggy things and tape the bag over your Circuit breakers to your system or on top of power cables IEC/Male end.
You can even buy at Radio Shack small project boxes. When using these types of boxes I put a lot more of the crystals in them.
You can use Blu Tack or 3M tape to stick these project boxes to outlet strips, junction boxes, over outlets, etc.

For reasons still unclear to me, it may take a few weeks (perhaps as much as 4 weeks) to sound good.

But, when it does, the dynamics will improve and so will the overall sound stage and frequency extremes.

Please note:
Too much of the crystals may actually surpress the dynamics, but with the baggies you can experiment with how much of the crystals to use.

I have experimented with all kinds of different crystals, from Topaz, to Tourmaline, to Quartz and etc. The Amethyst crystals seem to work the best.
ozzy
cbw723
89 posts
 
Sebrof, as I said, I'm a natural skeptic. But I'm experienced enough to know that I don't know everything about how everything works. Google "qx4 stereophile" and read about a completely nonsensical device that apparently works. Then search on "quantum qx4" in the forums here. It doesn't make a lot of sense, but the results are apparently reliably reproducible.

So, crystals? Sure, why not?
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,477 posts
 
"So, crystals? Sure, why not?"

Of course, why not. I have noticed that my system has better highs on the upper floor (logical) and better bass in the basement. I keep it on main floor as best of both worlds but this effect can be used to tweak the system. I'm sure I will try stones after I'm done with the placement. I wish I could move it from the basement to upper floor dependent on the music played but it is way to heavy.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,997 posts
 
"For reasons still unclear to me, it may take a few weeks (perhaps as much as 4 weeks) to sound good."

It's possible I suppose that the crystal structure of amethyst or other minerals in crystalline form might effectively limit or disrupt EM field emissions from power cords which can have the effects claimed.

If so, I would expect immediate results assuming everything is set up effectively from the start.

A 4 week delay in noticing results would seem to make it difficult to associate cause and effect with certainty though.
rhyno's avatar
rhyno
649 posts
 
i dont doubt for one moment that ozzy heard something.

the problem i have is that its nigh on impossible to state that 2-4weeks hence the improvement in sound is a fxn of crystals or some 'takes weeks to stabilize tweak'.

truly, the only way to know is install, leave it for a month, and then swap out. ---if things change, you'll know why, and you'll also know its not an effect limited by break in or stabilization as after 4 weeks everything is operating properly.

if you hear no diff, then there wasn't one.

(i'm doing this w/ Maher's CBFs---it takes forever to audition them. but they do something, some good, some bad)
cbw723
89 posts
 
A 4 week delay in noticing results would seem to make it difficult to associate cause and effect with certainty though.
Agreed. I'm too impatient to wait that long for results. Any component that demands 1000 hours of break in to sound its best is just begging to purchased used.
More to discover