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In Reply to: RE: System Degaussing posted by stehno on October 18, 2014 at 22:28:58
Stehno,
Not a fan of licensed track downloads of SACD layers known as 'Hi-res' since their quality is so variable and provide a poor basis for consistent sound quality comparison with Redbook CDs. 'Hi-res' was contrived to sell more DACs. Sound quality comparisons between recordings on different occasions of the same work by the same artists should lead to the SACD DSD layer always being better but differences of venue and engineers can tip the balance decisively back to Redbook.
Sometimes we just have to read up on a subject like EMI (ElectroMagnetic Interference) on the Internet, bite the bullet and invest in a de-magnetizer like the Walker Talisman ($215 delivered). Demagnetizing the detached cable ends, speaker terminals and AC wall outlets produces a sound improvement at least as good as the optimum difference between a Hi-Res download and Redbook or using the $400 Shunyata Venom Digital Power Cord on a Mac Mini to my ears.
EMI creates low-level distortion that hides musical detail (much as component corruption shared over ground creates distortion and hides musical detail). Only when the distortion, against which the music is being defined, has been substantially reduced do we become aware that another level of subtle musical detail has emerged from the recording to be heard against the new quieter background. So addressing distortion whether from EMI or shared ground component/ domestic corruption introduces us to a more intimate and enjoyable level of detail with a sound/ tone quality that is closer to live performance and noticeably less fatiguing to the listening ear/ brain. No rocket science required, just faith and persistence! (I started with a solid, digital wall of 'muzak' and complete ignorance of all things audiophile four years ago.)
DG
Follow Ups:
DG, thanks for your response and your take on some of the licensed track downloads of some websites, their questionable quality, etc. and I agree with that.
This is the first I've heard that "hi-rez" may have been contrived to sell more dacs. Nothing in "high-end" audio surprises me. Curious if you have any sources on that.
Also agree with the other variables between redbook recordings and hi-rez, except that it seems most tend to lean toward a preference of the hi-rez rather than redbook and then call the differences "huge".
So based on your other notes about degaussing, I get the impression that you consider the sonic benefits of degaussing as positive but small to mild.
That's all I was looking for from the other guy.
And yes, I'm familar with numerous distortions, their sources, and often times their remedies. The most severe of which we never hear audibly, but raise the noise floor so high that only a small percentage of all the music info processed remains above the raised noise floor while the vast majority of the music info remains inaudible below it.
Thanks,
Stehno,The improvement to my ears is LARGE. Having watched what happens to the credibility of postings written in the first flood of enthusiasm, my objective is to under-promise and over-deliver. However I suspect that you will never make the investment in a demagnetizer unless the scale of the improvement is apparent. I used mine for ripping 10,000 CDs and then considered it largely a waste of time until this tweak transformed its value for my audio system. If it were a small improvement, I would sell the Walker Talisman as I cannot be bothered with regular efforts to effect small improvements. No, this is large and more than worthy of our time.
As you say, distortion is clandestine and its effect often recognized only by its partial elimination unlike vibration whose overt presence is manifested by hollowness in and haze over the musical notes. Do get a Walker Talisman - you'll be pleased with the large positive effect on your sound when using it as described in this tweak.
DG
Edits: 10/19/14
You can use virtually any degausser.
Geneva company made a hand held unit claimed to have 2800 gauss power, the strongest hand held machine they claimed. They no longer make it but you can find a occasional unit over on Ebay. Original price was $75 for reference.
I use the Geneva.
Mostly, though, on ebay i find Radio Shack tape erasers. They are relatively cheap and work well. average price about $35.
FWiW and YMMV
Uncle Stu,
True. I owned and sold both The $35 Geneva and the far more professional $79 Han-D-Mag by R.B. Annis before purchasing the $210 Walker Talisman. In my opinion for most applications and users the Walker Talisman is a great deal more user-friendly and effective because the distance at which it should be held from the object is far less critical.
Dry Ginger
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