|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
205.188.116.7
I have a feeling that I'm gonna get burned more than William Holden in "Towering Inferno," but here goes. Those of you who've read my posts over the years know that I'm into tweaks. Sometimes they've worked, sometimes they haven't. But I've been on a winning streak lately: Extreme SST, Herbie's Grungebuster2, RealityCheck, and, perhaps most controversal of all, Machina Dynamica's Magic Pebbles and Clever Little Clock. Let me cut to the chase--the much-maligned Pebbles and Clock work as advertised, at least in my system. Lest you think I'm some disciple of Geoff Kait, I'm not. I don't own, nor have I owned, any of his isolation platforms, and I had absolutely NO luck with the Intelligent Chip, which he also sells. I'm the furthest thing from a techie, so I have absolutely no clue how these things work, but they do in my system. I auditioned two clocks and two bottles of large Magic Pebbles. First the clock. My reference track of late has been "Water of Love," off Dire Strait's impeccably recorded first album. Burned onto a CD-R using George Louis' RealityCheck, it sounds as good as I've ever heard it. Enter the clocks. After listening to the track sans magic timepieces, I placed the clocks in my listening room, one on a windowsill and the other on my computer desk. I then replayed the track. Damned if I didn't hear an immediate improvement--and I mean an IMPROVEMENT, not a change. At the beginning of "Water of Love," there's a very low-level percussion part that lasts for about 7 seconds. With the clocks in place, I could more easily discern the rhythm being played. In addition, Mark Knopfler's vocals became clearer and weightier. Dynamics improved as well. Again, don't ask me how these wascky things work, but they did. And I'm not imagining it, either. I pride myself on having pretty good ears--maybe not golden, but at least burnished copper :)--and I know what I heard. And it was repeatable. Next, the Magic Pebbles. Per Geoff's suggestion, I tried them in the rear corners of my room first. Nada. Then I tried them in the front corners, next to my tube traps. Mas nada. Frustrated, I moved them to 3 feet behind my speakers. Bingo--bass response improved across the board, getting more "powerful" and seemingly even quicker than it was. To test what I was hearing, my wife and I simultaneously picked each bottle off the carpeted floor. As soon as we did, the bass lightened up. Putting the bottles back in position restored the added weight. I know this is REALLY hard to believe, but I know what I heard. Like that of the clock, the effect of the pebbles was repeatable. The liberal arts major that I am, I can't explain ANY of this. But I trust my ears, implicitly. These tweaks worked for me, but that's no guarantee they'll work for everyone, especially since no one is seemingly able to explain why they do what they do. Anyway, I fully expect to get flamed Human Torch style, but that's OK. My system has taken a nice step foward with the addition of the Clever Little Clock and Magic Pebbles. As long as I know that in my heart--and I do--I don't care what anyone else thinks. Color me a believer.
Follow Ups:
... which would then require some equivalent to "Magic Pebbles":- "Super Sand"?
- "Great Grit"?
- "Dynamic Dust"?What I find amusing and somewhat curious is the thought-process used to come up with these "twendy tweak" ideas.... Then add the element of "what shall we call it?".... Great comedy!
Some alternative names that were possibly considered for the "Clever Clock" and discarded:
- "Super Sun-Dial"?
- "Chronic Chronometer"?
- "Timely Time-Piece"?So, what's next?
A. "Marvellous Metronome" (when placed on CDP, improves PRaT?)
B. "Gorgeous Garden Gnome" (as for A. above but with more WAF?)
C. "Scary Scanner" (one on each speaker improves "imaging"?)Keep the comedy coming, lads - we can use something to smile at occasionally...
NT
Both these devices work by altering the RFI in the environment. The amount of RFI can vary between the sensitivity of your gear and their RFI emission, as well as the general environment (proximity to radio/TV stations, etc.) The effect will be more noticeable in environments where there is more RFI present, although the pebbles also work in the presence of large amounts of EMI, hence the audible effect of placing them close to your powerful speaker magnets, especially the woofer.
Incorrect, but an excellent guess nevertheless :-)
Bring that Clever Clock into a concert, and see if the sound improves there.... [-;
As a sworn tweaker, I guess this is my limit. No matter how much I try to be open-minded, I just can't get myself to cross the faith barrier and try the Lil clock and brilliant pebbles. The clock I understand originates from Peter Belt's ideas. I did try Belt's rainbow foil and such without success in past :)
My editorial skills were a little rusty at 11:00 pm and after three glasses of wine. :)
my own powers of discernment go straight to hell.Hmmm :-)
Then there was the time I told everyone who would listen that the "Little Rat" phonostage from Radio Shack really sounded good. And that was cold sober.
My view of the world was so rocked that I needed a drink. :)
next audio show and watch the reaction of the people in the room. If I'm not mistaken one of these tweaks claims it only needs be in the same room. Put it in your pocket.
Perhaps you missed this part: "These tweaks worked for me, but that's no guarantee they'll work for everyone, especially since no one is seemingly able to explain why they do what they do."
.
nt
You spent money on a questionable tweak you want to hear a dif. so you do.Easy to fool the human eyes or ears why TV or stereo sound works.
Who knew?["You spent money on a questionable tweak you want to hear a dif. so you do."]
When is a tweak not questionable to you? I do agree that money can be manipulative. However, I do believe that people can sell themselves on a notion without it.
a
I too expected many flames, but they seem subdued.I still have the original clocks, the EAU-1, as well as one of the RS clocks from which it was made. I bought it to see if it gave the same improvement. It did not. Later Tice copied it. I must say that I would personally have to hear the improvement to buy the Clever Clock.
I did hear such an improvement at CES with the Intellegent Chip and for the Murata Supertweeters. While the Ultra-high frequency tweeters and the Magic Pebbles were in the room where I heard the IC demo, they were not demonstrated. I did not buy them either, lacking such a demonstration. A friend did, however, and still likes what they did for his system.
I did boldly go where no one should go and auditioned the Halcyonic active isolation base. I tried it under my universal player and under my turntable. After doing that I bought two of them. I guess that kind of ends any of my experimentation for some time.
...is not the same type of device as the Tice clock.
Tweakus Fidelis
This means that the impact cannot be by way of the electrical circuits.
nt
I believe, and I could VERY easily be wrong in this belief, that the Tice clock operated on some type of electrical conditioning premise.The Machina Dynamica website states that the Clever Little Clock operates by "concepts and products originally developed by PWB Electronics".
Note that the Tice Clock plugged into an electrical outlet whereas the Clever Little Clock is battery operated.
Tweakus Fidelis
Perhaps the earlier devices were conceivably more potent. I misunderstood the point of your initial query. Your presumption is others may be unaware of design features that might impact their impressions as they have yours.
I haven't seen any evidence to may me think they are comparable in any way other than that they are both clocks.Here's a link to my commentary on the Clever Little Clock effect.
Tweakus Fidelis
"...the much-maligned Pebbles and Clock work as advertised, at least in my system."
That's all that matters, and even if they don't appear to work in one million other systems it won't affect the sound of your system.
Best Regards,
Chris redmond.
I haven't tried all the tweeks you metioned but the RealityCheck is one thing that I use daily. My unit does not make that much fan noise, I do keep it on 24/7, it sits on a Vibraplane next to my pre and it's only when I'm within a few feet that I hear it. Maybe it's a unit to unit variation, who knows. The Magic Peebles work also, although to be honest I don't use the brand name, it's easy to go to 2 different stores and make your own for no money. Kitchen Etc sells the same glass bottles, in different sizes for $3.98 to $5.99 each. Pier1 Imports sells bags of smooth rocks and peebles of different colors and sizes. Fill the jars with a mixture of each and give it a try. Clark Johnson brought the origianl Magic Peebles up for a listen and when I made these "copies" there was no differnce. Don't just place them in corners, try them all over your room. Another good item, you don't hear much about, but works to good effect, is the Quantum Symphony unit. Once plugged into an outlet you will never take it out, IMHO.
HAPPY LISTENING,
Steve
If you were using the Nimbus vice Vibraplane you would hear the difference :-)
Do you live in a noisy urban area? I can easily hear mine from 30' feet away.
Single family home, dedicated audio room. Some of it is do to the fact that it sits on a Vibraplane and I have 3 Walker weights on strategic locations, IMO. Also as stated before, may be unit to unit variations. I own 3 computers and one is just about noise free, the other 2 are very noisy.
d
n
He'll never say.
...I don't care about gear very much, only about what one can *do* with it. Plus I'd hate to put the rest of you to shame. Even more plus, I have regular access to three systems better than mine.And finally, I prefer to write about music and my record collection. Why don't you ask who my favorite composers and performers are?
Put us to shame.We're ready.
nt
Tweakus Fidelis
d
Got to have faith if you are a true believer than any miracle is posible.
You're freakin' me out with that clock thing.
If it works as you report it does, that kinda destroys what I thought we know about our world. There are a lot of people who won't like it if that happened. Do you think you could tell whether or not it's there just by listening, if you couldn't see it? Would you try that?
g
`
N/T
*** This hear hobby is one fine hobby indeed...a passion ***
BTW, are Magic Pebbles the signature version of Machina Dynamica's Brilliant Pebbles?
;-)
Tweakus Fidelis
......Hi Quint,It is good you are happy with your tweaks. It is your money, your equipment and your enjoyment so if you are happy with the “IMPROVEMENT” then you have made a successful purchase.
At the end of the day YOUR opinion is all that matters to you.
I must say that I find the positive results of the clocks and pebbles unbelievable. However, I will concede, what I or anyone else thinks is totally irrelevant to you and I give you credit for posting your beliefs.
Smile
Hi, Sox:I'll be the first to admit that not even Tim Burton could dream these things up; they're that strange. But, for whatever reason, they worked in my system. I'm not telling anyone to rush out and buy the pebbles or clock. I was a skeptic, too, but, as you said, it is my money, and I decided to take the chance. Thanks for being open-minded enough not to set me aflame. :)
T.S.,I have to diligently and dutifully (but not diametrically) disagree.
I believe that we have to listen to and obey all opinions and that our own personal opinions are secondary. That is why you see such few posts by me (!)
And this place never lets me down. I swear someone could make a killing by publishing a comedy book consisting of nothing more than posts made to the Asylum.
which is the best player through the best speakers via the best amp from the best pre through the best cables on the best support given the best outlets.And a seperate thread debating which tape is better - TDK or Memorex...
I love AA.
*** This hear hobby is one fine hobby indeed...a passion ***
NT
............You can disagree with anything you like. I don’t care what your opinion is because I think you are an idiot.As I have asked you before, Please don’t respond to my posts.
Now fuck off and annoy someone else.
Smile
NT
in that BLOB of letters, i will never know. there needs to be some paragraph breaks every thought or two. that is a waste of bandwidth.edit it and resubmit and it might be worth reading.
...regards...tr
I would take a long look at your post before you criticize me for poor editing skills. A third-grader could've written what you wrote--perhaps better. And that BLOB of letters, as you so cutely put it, serve a function. They take the place of italics, which I'm not going to use, as they require writing my post in Word and pasting it here. Too much trouble for me. Sorry. I would advise a careful look through the Chicago Manual of Style, and then you can resubmit YOUR post.
that i finally passed third grade. Quint, i would likely be interested in what you had to say but cant keep my place in the thing without my finger under the word.its constructive criticism. i choose not to use caps except for my own desire to emphasize. i suppose i could cut and paste your post and put in my own paragraph breaks but i am not motivated to do so today.
if you want to get the message out, try making it more readable. my new fourth grade teacher told me that.
...regards...tr
I was going for a stream-of-consciousness approach, which is as valid as any other, but obviously you don't like that style of writing. Sorry for making it so hard. I'll try double-spacing next time.
We didn't know.Did you get Ms. Padgett or Mrs. Frick for fourth?
axolotl
Like most others, my time here is limited. I take one look at a blob like that and I don't even bother. Could be the cure for cancer or free money, I won't be hearing about it.Use paragraphs, with space between them like this. No excuse not to, and more folks will read your posts. Isn't that the point? I like your posts. I would read more of them if you used paragraphs.
Meanwhile, you don't have to import from Word to get italics, bold, etc. See below, from the asylum's own faqs.
nt.
Ideally, you would want to use italics. See my post above.
I should have known never to post a reply before my morning coffee. Lesson learned.
;-)
Tweakus Fidelis
the expression of my drivel can be discerned without them. typing is NOT one of my skills.
...regards...tr
agree with you, that post was unreadable.
nt
was not to be read. :-)
nt
e
I could easily criticize your writing style, but I don't. Different people have different approaches to the English language. How's life in that glass house of yours? :)
one sentance at a time and usually less than 10 words. That makes his "style" beyond criticism. :-)
...a book, several short stories and loads of poems. You think I should waste more time here, just for you guys?
I'll let you decide.
x
broken up by words for our benefit (!)
Seemed like a good style at the time.
nt
Tweakus Fidelis
.
axolotl
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: