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In Reply to: RE: Another DIY project (AC Filter) posted by pixelphoto on September 02, 2015 at 19:31:50
OK, I checked my notes and garage.
The quartz sand Al Sekela used was a brand called Repti-Sand, which is available at pet stores in 1 lb. bags for reptile tanks.
The silica gel I used was a brand called Flat Crystals Kitty Litter. It is definitely dessicated silica crystalline in form.
Follow Ups:
Silia Gel is definitely NOT silica in crystalline form. In fact it's specifically non-crystalline - it's a dried out gel. It's micro-structure is totally different to quartz crystals, even in quartz sand form. Same as diamond and graphite are different forms of carbon.
Also note that the crystalline structure of quartz is what gives it piezoelectric properties, not the fact it's made from Silicon Dioxide.
Interestingly, if people say that Cat Litter provides the same sort of audible benefits as quartz crystals, then this casts doubt on the mechanism being based on piezoelectric effect, as is often stated as if it were proven.
Listen, I recall reading years ago, when researching many crystalline forms that were piezo and pyro electric, that silica gel was one of them. Trying to even find those lists now on Google is wasting a lot of my time to prove a point.
So here's what I'm going to do: stop saying that silica gel has piezo properties. Hope that satisfies your concern.
Meantime, at NO time did I say that kitty litter has any of the same sonic properties as quartz! I wouldn't even imply that one in my wildest dreams. I said only that one form of kitty litter is silica gel and that I had read that it was piezoelectric. I was also clear, I hope, that I didn't get any noticeable sonic impact from it alone, though it didn't hurt anything either. I suggested it primarily as a filler, not as a filter. Maybe I wasn't clear enough about that.
Do with it what you will.
I tested a lot of crystals, mostly silicates, in my days and used my system and Al's system. Completely different systems, but the impact was generally replicable in both, whatever and however strong that impact was on the sound. It certainly varied widely. If you are doubtful, go try it yourself and see.
So "keep your powder dry", and silica gel might help with that!
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