michael fremer - Gizmodo

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How To: Calibrate Your Turntable For the Best Possible Sound
Audiophile Test: Speaker Wire, AC Power Cable, Record Demagnetizer
Why We Need Audiophiles

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twistfunk
04/18/09

In reply to How To: Calibrate Your Turntable For the Best Possible Sound
How do I set it up so that it doesn't skip when people walk close to it?
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suburbancowboy
04/18/09

@twistfunk: put anti-vibration feet under the tt.
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bosskev
04/18/09

@suburbancowboy: or anti-grav plates under the people
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bosskev
04/18/09

In reply to How To: Calibrate Your Turntable For the Best Possible Sound
My microwave oven has a built-in turntable, but every record I've tried to play there sounds terrible. How do I calibrate it? Or am I just supposed to use a steak knife instead of a phono cartridge?
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daxomni
04/17/09

In reply to Audiophile Test: Speaker Wire, AC Power Cable, Record Demagnetizer
"Tests are worthless if they aren't double-blind."

I really couldn't agree more.

The fact that they avoided anything resembling an objective test here makes you wonder why they bothered writing this article at all. I see all these pleas to believe that "something" was different yet no effort was made to actually prove it. Double blind testing, with the chance of the same source being played back to back would go a long way toward showing a genuine interest in actual reporting. But that might anger the audiophile tribe and we can't have that. Otherwise they might not invite us over again to partake in the next round of Power Snake Oil's Monster Jam.
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
04/17/09

@daxomni: I think the point being made was, even if there was a tangible difference, it wasn't really worth the $20,000 difference in price tag.
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bosskev
04/17/09

@daxomni: "...an objective test here makes you wonder why they bothered writing this article at all"

Did you actually read the article? John made it pretty damned clear (to anyone paying any kind of attention not filtered through "I've got an axe to grind") that this was NOT meant to be an objective or scientific test.
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lostarchitect
04/17/09

@bosskev: seems like people just like to hear themselves talk.. or.. see themselves type. you know what i mean.
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
04/17/09

@lostarchitect: What do you mean nobody cares what my biased and unsubstantiated opinion is? I can spout buzzwords like double-blind dammit! I know what I'm talking about, because I know it to be so. Like, how there is no god other than the FSM!
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
04/17/09

@Lite: does not like fishsticks...: Here's something that will make you cringe even more. Consumer Reports, the magazine on quality rating that everyone loves to hate because they have anecdotal evidence to the contrary has this to say about speaker wire.

"Inch-diameter speaker cables made of exotic materials. If your speakers were hundreds of feet away from your sound system, heavy cables (click on image at right for a closer look) would make sense, as the resistance of thin wire causes power loss and can affect the sound. But, for home use, anything short of a 50-foot cable run needs only the thinner 14- to 16-gauge cable that sells for about 50 cents a foot at your local Radio Shack."
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FightingChance
04/17/09

In reply to Audiophile Test: Speaker Wire, AC Power Cable, Record Demagnetizer
About the power cables: doesn't every reciever/amp have a block inside where the current is massaged anyway?

All of this is such bollocks. If ears were more like eyes there wouldn't be any of this - where are the videophile grade TVs? There aren't any because people can't hide behind their 'superior' seeing and not get called on it.

You know, there's an interesting question to wring out of all this: Are you *happy*? Isn't the point of listening to music to listen to music because you like it? With this high buck stuff, aren't you robbing yourself of the ability to enjoy the music by creating an invisible quality ceiling you can never really reach?
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
04/17/09

@FightingChance: Not really. Ever heard alternator whine from an amplifier installed in a car?
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Dave Lindsay
04/17/09

@Lite: does not like fishsticks...: That has absolutely nothing to do with this. Most of the time when you hear alternator whine in your car, it's because you did a lousy job installing it and the EMI from your power cable is getting directly transmitted to your speaker wire or source wire.

I agree with FightingChance that the power cable test is total bunk. And the tests are useless if not performed double blind.
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
04/17/09

@Dave Lindsay: Right, and these power cables cannot work to isolate this in homes with crappy wiring?
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slaughter33
04/17/09

@Lite: does not like fishsticks...: Again, most people with this setup have put money into their electrical system. As far as video, eyes are no different than ears. A study was done a few months ago, 1 in 5 couldn't tell the difference between HD and SD.
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
04/17/09

@slaughter33: Ah, I can generally tell the difference by looking at it, but then again I sold TVs for many years and picked up on all the little annoying things that TVs can do. (IE: DLP rear projection TVs and their screen door effect) that many people just don't notice.

People are willing to overlook a lot of crap if they don't know what they looking/listening for. I love music a lot, I go to a lot of concerts, I also have had hearing damage from the age of 3. I know better than to spend *too* much on audio gear because I cannot hear the difference.

That having been said, there are people who are able to taste the difference between various nuances of food, but we don't ridicule them. There are people are able to taste the difference between various nuances of wine, but we don't ridicule them. Yet if someone can hear something differently than you, you ridicule them?

Most audio comes down to personal preference and what you find pleasing. High-frequency audio hurts my ears, so my systems tend to be a little mid/bass heavy when I've tweaked them. Which is in no way ideal for others. Just ideal for me.
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
04/17/09

@FightingChance: If ears were more like eyes? Uhm, how many people around you do you know that wear corrective glasses, contacts, have had surgery, or simply have bad eyesight and refuse to do anything about it due to pure stubbornness?

Do you know how many people whose TVs I see adjusted so that people's skin tones are PINK?

What someone hears, or sees, is not universal. A good example of this was my wife and I shopping for art. We were looking at some fractal art. I was wearing my polarized sunglasses and she wasn't wearing any. Things that looked "muddy" to her looked like beautiful ocean scenes to me. She didn't understand until I had her look through my sunglasses.

Unfortunately I cannot hand you my ears to have you experience what I hear sounds like.
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
04/17/09

@FightingChance: The invisible quality ceiling bit... Well, it's a law of diminishing returns. Past a certain point, you have to pay a lot more just to get a small improvement in quality. Which is generally where the audiophile community sits. I'm sure some people truly can hear the difference, and some people just dabble in the area because they need something to be elitist and snobbish about.
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closhedbb
04/17/09

In reply to Audiophile Test: Speaker Wire, AC Power Cable, Record Demagnetizer
As far as the uber expensive power cable goes, hwo is it that an average power cable makes a difference in the power's quality, but the shit cables running throughout the house don't? The cabling for the power to get from the plant to your stereo stretches for miles. Can it make a difference to spend $20,000 for that power to run on magical cable for only 6 feet of that journey?
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closhedbb
04/17/09

@closhedbb: Aaaaand I have to call shenanigans on myself.

After RTFA again, I understand it's being used to filter out the shit from the power grid.

If I'm an ass, I can myself on it.
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Nick
04/17/09

@closhedbb: so that applies to the bud light comment too? =P
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zenpoet
04/17/09

In reply to Audiophile Test: Speaker Wire, AC Power Cable, Record Demagnetizer
This is all well and good, but I have enough money that I just pay the musician to stand next to me a play every time I want to hear their song. It kind of limits my musical selection to living artists, but that is the price I pay for perfection.

I can always answer the questions, "is it live, or is it Memorex?"

In all seriousness, I would have to think that there would need to be at least some minuscule quantifiable advantage to this equipment, no matter how small, for someone to buy it. I know we all believe that the insanely rich have no basis in reality when they make purchases, but is there really a market for a $25K gadget that does absolutely nothing?
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Nick
04/17/09

@zenpoet: is it good or bad that i am quicker on the draw?
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Monty
04/17/09

@Nick: Since all commenters at Giz by definition are geniuses, I would take it as a compliment.
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Nick
04/17/09

@Monty: i concur, however, facebookers do seem a bit rough around the edges.

now, my concern was more to the point of being quicker with the comment and it's relation to FPS and you know. wink wink. you know.
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zenpoet
04/20/09

@Nick: If I had not decided to elucidate on my other thoughts, I would have beat ya, but alas, thus is the danger of the long drawn out, overly wordy, and down right verbose post that I am so well known for.

Anywho. Great minds think alike, and all that jazz.

I would have to make one point of clarification on Monty's observation though, that being that not everyone on here is a genius, only those that we like. Others are simply commentards that have not yet been banned.
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Nick
04/17/09

In reply to Audiophile Test: Speaker Wire, AC Power Cable, Record Demagnetizer
and out of curiosity has anyone shared with the owner that for the price of his equipment he can get many of these bands to play for him live? heck, i think even the dead artists can be brought back to life if the money is right.

i respect his passion, but the sticker shock is hard to get over.
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Monty
04/17/09

In reply to Audiophile Test: Speaker Wire, AC Power Cable, Record Demagnetizer
Regardless of whether the equipment is worth the money, it certainly takes up considerably more space and advertises to every visitor that you are a geek about this stuff. Admittedly, I used to run additional somewhat unnecessary gear (harmonizers, filters, etc) in my audio systems to "improve" the quality of the sound - but, I admit that there was also part of me that loved the attention it got when folks came to visit and asked what the heck they were for. Sometimes we did "before" and "after" tests, and they could usually hear the difference. Was it worth having spent the extra money on the gear for the audio differences? Probably not. But, since this was my lonely teenage years, it was very much worth the geeky discussions it created.

So, I do not doubt this stuff makes a difference, but I also suspect that there is part of the audiophile psyche that enjoys waxing poetic about the virtues of this equipment to improve sound quality.
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jepzilla
04/17/09

In reply to Audiophile Test: Speaker Wire, AC Power Cable, Record Demagnetizer
Tests are worthless if they aren't double-blind.
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
04/17/09

@jepzilla: Anecdotes are also meaningless unless you know what actually constitutes a double-blind test. Even then, someone will find a way to find fault with your methodology.
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bosskev
04/17/09

@Lite: does not like fishsticks...: Methodology is also meaningless unless you open with an anecdote. I like the one about the rabbi, the priest and the lady mud wrestler.
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
04/17/09

@bosskev: I prefer the midget priest, the apple store clerk, and Stephen Colbert that features inter-species erotica.
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Nick
04/17/09

@jepzilla: I can get a good look at a T-bone by sticking my head up a bull's a**, but I'd rather take a butcher's word for it
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s0crates82
04/17/09

@bosskev: ...finish the joke!
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bosskev
04/17/09

@s0crates82, @iheartpornhub hearts bacon!: Sorry, I can't, not here. As you might guess, the lady mud wrestler part means it's a dirty joke.
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bosskev
04/17/09

In reply to Audiophile Test: Speaker Wire, AC Power Cable, Record Demagnetizer

"...a set of $200 cables from Monster (here, playing the unfamiliar role of bargain choice) "

Another home run article, John. And when I got to the line quoted above, I laughed audibly--nice turn of a phrase!
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philibuster
04/17/09

In reply to Audiophile Test: Speaker Wire, AC Power Cable, Record Demagnetizer
Vinyl is not a ferromagnetic (or paramagnetic) material. That demagnetizer is snake oil.
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GitEmSteveDave_ForgotNametag
04/17/09

@philibuster: Correct. But the dye used to make it black contains some iron. I believe this is akin to the iron in tattoo ink and the MRI thing. Of course, given the MASSIVE magnetism a MRI puts out, it has no affect on the iron in tattoo ink, so I fail to see how this would do anything in the small power it has. Of course, it could also heat up the record a little, which I would imagine could affect the sound.
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Nick
04/17/09

@PETAKillsKittens_GitEmSteveDav...: so what about the purple vinyl i have seen? any difference there?
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closhedbb
04/17/09

@philibuster: Have you ever run a plastic comb through your hair and then put it near a light stream of water coming from a faucet?

Most materials can hold a static charge. A static charge can create a light magnetic field can affect the needle.
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R2B2
04/17/09

@Nick: Oh, for purple vinyl you'll need to purchase a separate depolymerization quantum realignment mechanism... I happen to have one right here for the right price my friend!
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philibuster
04/17/09

@closhedbb: Static electricity is different from magnetism.
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
04/17/09

@R2B2: Actually, Purple Vinyl can only be cured by a personal blessing from his holiness, Prince. And even then, it will last just long enough for him to serve you pancakes after kicking your ass at basketball.
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
04/17/09

@philibuster: A polarized charge, is a polarized charge. Regardless of whether it is permanent or temporary. The effects are the same.
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GitEmSteveDave_ForgotNametag
04/17/09

@philibuster: Luckily, Giz debunked this almost two years ago. The makers then claimed it worked on CD's and DVD's as well! [i.gizmodo.com]

As for magnets, I will using them for something better. Making my wine taste better by aging it through the power of magnets, so I can drink more, and not worry about the sound!

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Nick
04/17/09

@R2B2: i'm listening
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Nick
04/17/09

In reply to Audiophile Test: Speaker Wire, AC Power Cable, Record Demagnetizer
that's why i drink bud light bottles. when you get draft it tastes different at every bar you go. that bothers me a whole lot. bottles are more consistent and most people can't tell the difference. sorry to relate beer to gadgets, but it's what i know.
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
04/17/09

@Nick: That and every beverage tastes better when poured from a glass bottle. This is why Coke in a glass bottle, is far superior to coke from anything else, except maybe a properly calibrated fountain unit.
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jepzilla
04/17/09

@Lite: does not like fishsticks...:

Coke in glass bottles is made with cane sugar. Coke in cans is made with HFCS. Not the same stuff.
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
04/17/09

@jepzilla: Actually, you're thinking of coke imported from mexico. You can get HFCS coke in 8 oz glass bottles still.

Not to be confused with Passover Coke.
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TheHairyDrummer
04/17/09

@Nick: Comparing@closhedbb:

Seconded.

In full disclosure: I am a self-admitted beer snob.
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chauncy that billups
04/17/09

@Lite: does not like fishsticks...: I have a professionally tuned $350,000 coal filtered soda fountain which generates carbonation using pure carbon from ground diamonds and binds them with 2 oxygen molecules using advanced catalyzing processes.

I can definitely tell a difference -my coke tastes much richer that store coke. I can taste the nuanced flavors in a full 3-d space on my tongue. The sweetness materializes a full 3 CM farther back on my tongue!
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Nick
04/17/09

@TheHairyDrummer: oh, i agree. i love a variety of beers, but when i am out on a friday night it's a cold, freshly brewed but light that hits the spot for me.

plus, in texas they put a picture of the state on the label.
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GrossGreg
04/17/09

@Nick: But light? At least spring for Bud Light.
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
04/17/09

@bilups: If coke could taste anything like music can "feel", I'd buy a setup just like yours.
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
04/17/09

@bilups: I don't know about you, but not only can I taste the difference between a soda poured from a plastic bottle, a fountain, a glass bottle, or a can, I can smell them and tell you which one is which.

I can even tell people which soda is diet from sniffing it.
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b0bcat
04/17/09

@Nick: It could be the 'sanitizer' they use on the glasses. I've started asking them to rinse out the glass before I get a draft (draught?) beer. It might not eliminate it, but it could make it less noticeable. Also, I heard the 'sanitizer' causes cancer, but who knows.
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Nick
04/17/09

@GrossGreg: it's a tough economy brother
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Nick
04/17/09

@b0bcat: you're absolutely right, but don't forget some bars don't clean their lines as frequent as others. there are really a few factors involved. heck, sometimes when they are done doing glasses and they grab me a beer it gets on the bottle too.
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
04/17/09

In reply to Audiophile Test: Speaker Wire, AC Power Cable, Record Demagnetizer
So, what you're saying is that for those who have the money, it does make a difference, but not enough for those who don't have the money to go out and stab someone over it?
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
04/17/09

@Lite: does not like fishsticks...: I've had Monster demo cables for me, and I could tell a difference to a point (Hearing damage) but not enough to convince me that I need the $300 per foot cables over the $2 per foot cables.
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bosskev
04/17/09

@Lite: does not like fishsticks...: "...not enough for those who don't have the money to go out and stab someone over it?"

What he is saying is that you can stab someone to take their audio equipment but you won't hear a difference if you don't first demagnetize the knife.
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
04/17/09

@bosskev: Ah, so the magnetization of the dye in the handle is throwing off the pitch of the screams of your victims?
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bosskev
04/17/09

@Lite: does not like fishsticks...: Not so much the pitch of the screams but a degradation in their 3D spatial presence.
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
04/17/09

@bosskev: So, because of that distortion your victim actually is a little less than a real person?
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bosskev
04/17/09

@Lite: does not like fishsticks...: No, it's not that either. A properly demagnetized knife moves the scream spatially from directly in front of you to a sidewalk in Detroit where, of course, murderous shrieks belong.
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NeoAkira
04/16/09

In reply to Why We Need Audiophiles
Talkie Walkie >>>>>>> Moon Safari
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balls187
04/15/09

In reply to Why We Need Audiophiles
Freaking great article, Giz!

MOAR MOAR MOAR, keep em coming.
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