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In Reply to: RE: Now all you need are the "Magic beans' And it's a GO. nt posted by Elizabeth on June 19, 2014 at 12:09:42
Looked at the pics, laughed a bit, wrote it all off.
"It's all fun and games until someone doesn't pick up on the sarcasm"
Follow Ups:
Never heard of them. Checked out the website, looked at the pics, laughed a bit, wrote it all off.Yup, you're right - it's always good to keep an open mind.
Even though it seems fairly mild by the standards of this forum, I'd accept that WS's somewhat hyperbolic review might put people off. But I'd also argue that he's essentially correct. Several months ago, I tried a couple of MSA's free-sample disc things but heard no difference wherever I tried them and forgot about them. MSA later published a "design" for a rudimentary DIY power cord using the freebies so I made up a lead for my power ampifier. The change that made to the sound was very much as described and very striking, especially considering how small the device was. I therefore ordered parts to make a PowerPurifier+ (PP+) and found that it too was very effective. I won't bore you with everything I've done since with the technology but rest assured that it works essentially as MSA (and WS) describe.
Where I diverge from WS's report is that my experience has been that fitting the devices is not as straightforward as he suggests. If, say, you add more than one PP+ to an outlet ("socket" in UK parlance), the effect is as likely to be deleterious as beneficial though the likes of a PP+ on a power amplifier and a couple of "kegs" in the lead to a DAC with both powered from the same socket can work well. But it is IME easy to "overdo" things.
You need also to ensure that power cables are not too close together or positioned where they can (do) degrade the sound. A PP+ I fitted to the PSU for a USB-to-I2S converter certainly made for greater clarity at the frequency extremes but also made the sound lifeless in the mid-range. Dressing the cable to move it away from low-level analogue circuitry fixed the problem. Though I've not tried the recommended teflon-coated mains cable, I did find that lighter-guage cable sounds significantly better than heavier guage and that the "plaited plait" DIY power cables (roughly à la mode Kimber) I'd used hitherto did not work at all well in conjunction with PPs. Which is a pity as I now have a box full of the things.
At least one other experienced audiophile confirms my findings not only insofar as they concern the general effect but also the need for a little patience to get the best from the devices. Finally, I have to confess that, tone-arms aside, I've never bought a high-end audio lead in my life and certainly not a power cable though I do, in accordance with industry-standard practice, use dedicated mains circuits for audio, one for analogue devices and another for digital ones, both fitted with pro-audio mains filters. But I'm a stranger to crystals, cable elevators, rhodium-plated mains plugs, audio-grade fuses and even (promise not to tell) fancy outlet covers. There - I said it.
Edits: 06/20/14
Your analysis is excellent. Yes, we can over-do anything with 'too much' of a good thing, and need to be careful in that regard. Wise counsel, indeed, on countless levels.
Your concern with the new entry-level MSA cords about the addition of the PP++s or other devices being 'too much' is only for those who add such devices to the cord, as it does not come with a PP or PP+ or PP++, it is simply a power cord with a single set of modified MSA 'Kegs' on it.
(I believe that two modified "Kegs" are present on the "First" power cord, which have some very low-power flexible magnets in them to enhance performance over standard "Kegs", and these modified Kegs are the ones on the line and neutral, while a regular Keg goes on the ground wire, at least as I understand things.)
Only the MSA top-of-the-line power cord (the "Neo") comes with a PP attached (and a set of the very powerful neodymium magnet-based "Mag-Kegs", which the "First" also does not have), and as I said in the review I have not heard that MSA offering.
Thus, I believe the usage of the entry-level MSA cords is much less likely to result in a "more is less" outcome based on what you experienced and discussed. At least that was my humble finding. YMMV, as always.
But 'balance' is everything in our chosen hobby, and so your cautions are ALWAYS wise counsel: be careful what you add, as it can sometimes take you 'over the edge'.
Finding that crucial balance is tough, but it's what we have to do as audiophiles. A real PITA, no doubt, but when it all comes to together, it's beautiful!
Thanks again for posting.
Cheers,
WS
Glad to know you can tell sonic performance by looks alone.
I've never had that ability, but sadly must rely on the far less precise method of actually listening and comparing.
Having done so, I find the cables extraordinary, if not the last word in stylishness. But looks can be very important to certain people, and I cannot be critical of others who may have different priorities.
YMMV and all that.
Cheers,
WS
I laughed at a lot of the pics.
"It's all fun and games until someone doesn't pick up on the sarcasm"
Why did you think the pics are funny?
Edits: 06/19/14 06/19/14
I must be missing something. Looks like a pic of a cable. What is funny?
Really?
Nobody here in the office can see what you are talking about.. And if your penis looks like this, even remotely, you should see a doctor.
...... and if your power cord looks remotely like this. Get it now?
Right, I get it. There was nothing funny. You were just mocking.
Audio jewellery this ain't. Some folks like stuff that looks pretty. I don't mind what things look like, more interested in what they sound like.
Let's see: The owner's credentials - or I guess credential in this case - is tinkering with audio for 40 years. The cable looks like it was thrown together by a kindergarten class. I know, I know, I hear you protesting - 'Who cares as long as it sounds good'. Well I do, because this does not instil any confidence at all. If the owner of the company doesn't care about the appearance of his product, it kinda' says it all. Doesn't it?
I question his basic motive, but I must admit I'm with WS on this one. Appearance means NOTHING. You're a sucker if you buy something based on looks. A commercial product shouldn't look sloppy, but it can look odd, which this PC certainly does. It seems well made, just too lumpy to be taken seriously. Maybe the builder seeks a distinctive appearance. Mission accomplished, but bordering on weird. They are Mad Scientists, after all!Peace,
Tom E
Edits: 06/21/14
but I was actually referring more to the dots balanced and who knows what attactched on I/Cs that made me laugh. The power cords looked like garage-work but I would listen to them. When I see more magic pebbles type things on a website, it significantly tempers my interest in things that might actually be of value, like the P/C.
"It's all fun and games until someone doesn't pick up on the sarcasm"
Those black discs look silly perched atop cables and jacks. I am skeptical of all such gizmos and doodads. The biggest turnoff for me is any description of a product or its effects that uses the word "magic," even in jest.
Peace,
Tom E
..... sort of like you and your posts on the subject.
Give it a break, guy. You've made your point long ago. Everyone heard you.
You're not interested. Fine.
Time to move on.
Cheers,
WS
But Winston, you're a friend of the Mad Scientist owner, and he wanted you to review them. Do you not suppose the average reader doesn't see a bit of bias there? I know you want your friend to do well, but this is a touch too obvious. Tone the hyperbole down next time to achieve some modicum of credibility.
This was long ago and far away in another land. Someone asked what anyone thought of a product. I had heard it and did not think it was very good. I said I heard it once. and did not like it.
The 'owner' of the company blamed me personally for the failure of his product in the marketplace. Tried to threaten me with a lawsuit.
So you always have to be careful of owners and thier offer of auditions. LOL
Mainly for the mad scientist types..
What on earth has this got to do with this thread? You are getting close to slander here. Someone could easily construe the statement "I said something negative about a mad scientist friend owner" as being about a friend who owned a mad scientist product.
Yes you go on to say "long ago" which rules that out as Mad Scientist Audio is a new company.
So your post basically says "I auditioned a product that I didn't like once and the seller didn't like my review" So what. My reply: I once knew a dog that smelled real bad, and her name was Liz, so watch out, anyone called Liz might smell really bad.
Not that there's any danger of me sending you a review sample. I'd rather stick hot needles in my eye.
Hey UB-
Your point is very well expressed and well taken. Thanks.
Gosh, I wish you could have been there for the comparisons! It was pretty crazy. these silly looking little power cords just transforming the system with each one introduced. Hard not to get pretty enthusiastic about something like that.
But you're correct. Even if what I heard is absolutely 100% accurately conveyed by what I said, if others find such descriptions impossible to believe, how have I helped the manufacturer?
Ahhhhhhhhh, but there's the rub! I didn't write it to 'help' the manufacturer, I wrote it to convey my excitement at what I feel is an excellent new product that offers a superb value/performance ratio.
So, even with the bull shit I've had to deal with after this post, I wouldn't write it any other way. That would be pandering in order to 'make a sale', or to 'reach' audiophiles who might be more prone to be doubting Thomas'. Sorry, but the review wasn't written for that. It was written to share what I heard and how this new product affected my system's performance. And that's what you got.
Nevertheless, your post was, as said, well written and polite. Thank you for your opinion.
Cheers,
WS
Please note that I have not let Winston have one of the top-of-the-range cords. I'm scared that someone might get hurt by a flying adjective ;)
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