Crystal infused audio cables costing thousands of dollars

[HalSF]

It's not the metal microscopic structure but rather a regular cable surrounded by crystals

So my guess is now the second link in my post above — Mineral Crystal cables from Alchemist Wires

 

[Surfrat]

The black turd is a crystal ... Owner confirmed it improves the sound

 

[Chrispy]

Curious, why would you go to such a demo in the first place? I would have started laughing my ass off with such a demo....

 

[Surfrat]

Curious, why would you go to such a demo in the first place? I would have started laughing my ass off with such a demo....

I wanted to listen to a much better system than mine. My setup is very entry level. Also wanted to see if my bullshit meter is strong enough to deal with the extraordinary claims

 

[pinger]

I wanted to listen to a much better system than mine. My setup is very entry level. Also wanted to see if my bullshit meter is strong enough to deal with the extraordinary claims

You said it yourself . Total bull$hit

 

[Chrispy]

I wanted to listen to a much better system than mine. My setup is very entry level. Also wanted to see if my bullshit meter is strong enough to deal with the extraordinary claims

Nice systems are nicer when not adulterated with bullshit No giggling at all?

 

[PristineSound]

I have gotten too the point that I would go into these rooms to get a good laugh.

I remember Ted Denney of Synergistic Research was at CAF, I went into his room and he had a new lineup of snake oil products, I just sat there to observe his new bullshit and con-artistry and laugh inside for a good entertainment. Then I left.

Don't take these con-artists too serious, it's not good for your health.

 

[dualazmak]

LOL, LOL,,,
I definitely never use Crystal Infused Audio Cables.
But, I do use so called Crystal Glass －thick, heavy, high-density random-fine-diamond-cut clear Bohemian glass－ in my audio setup;

Spoiler

If you would be interested, please visit my posts #912, #921, #926, #927, #929 and #931on my project thread.

 

[LTig]

So my guess is now the second link in my post above — Mineral Crystal cables from Alchemist Wires

Yeah, that's the one with the infused crystals:

 

[Sir Sanders Zingmore]

Yeah, that's the one with the infused crystals:

Is that the actual holy grail?
Or is it just banging two coconut halves together

 

[Chrispy]

Is that the actual holy grail?
Or is it just banging two coconut halves together

Does the king approacheth?

 

[Proud Audiophile]

On the weekend I was at a presentation on crystal infused audio RCA interconnects, USB cables and power cables. They seem to be well made with good quality components. On speaking to the creator he mentioned things like "buttery sound" etc. I asked to look at an unterminated cable to see inside and was told "No, it's a secret". I told him I was an engineer and sceptical about his claims, and he said I should trust my ears.


He then proceeded to do a demo of two USB cables he had made, the only difference being the type of solder paste used on one connector. Each demo was about a minute long with a gap between them, so no instantaneous switching, and he narrated what to listen for both before and during each pass. He knew I was a sceptic, so he asked me specifically if I could hear a difference and I said no. He then asked for a show of hands, 80% said they could hear a difference, the rest said they were not sure, and I was alone with my "no".


Throughout the afternoon my bullshit meter was in the red. We left on good terms and agreed to disagree, with a few well-meant jabs at each other. The great part is, he had an awesome sound system.


The question from me is: has anyone here managed to get a cable manufacturer, making claims like these, to produce actual measurements, or to agree to a properly level-matched ABX test? And if so, what happened?

You went to the presentation?? Note much to do I take it. I hope they at least had popcorn.

 

[Chrispy]

You went to the presentation?? Note much to do I take it. I hope they at least had popcorn.

At that kind of presentation I'd expect really good scotch and fine chocolates and some other enticing stuff....

 

[KenMasters]

I read through the comments by the Hi-Fi club that held the event Surfrat attended. It's on a private forum, not viewable by non-members.

Very frustrating to read how convinced people are of the effectiveness of the cables. The forum is strongly subjective by nature, so not a big surprise unfortunately. It's the first AV forum I ever joined, so I stick around regardless.

Stark, highly reflective listening environment as well.

 

[Ruediger]

I asked to look at an unterminated cable to see inside and was told "No, it's a secret". I told him I was an engineer and sceptical about his claims, and he said I should trust my ears.

A "Trust me Bro" situation. Classic.

What I expect at such a demo is a plethora of sales tactics. The product can be anything esoteric and expensive. Money making is universal.

 

[DonH56]

I have thought for a long time how often PTFE (Teflon(r)) is touted as a great insulator when it is one of the worse for dielectric traps that can cause low-frequency noise effects. Inaudible, but if you are going to spend a fortune making a cable, why not choose something better? And just how exactly do "mineral crystals" make a better dielectric? What minerals? Do the crystals sing?

 

[fpitas]

View attachment 558573

The black turd is a crystal ... Owner confirmed it improves the sound

Heck yeah! I placed crystals by my horn amp. The difference was night and day.

 

[KenMasters]

I have thought for a long time how often PTFE (Teflon(r)) is touted as a great insulator when it is one of the worse for dielectric traps that can cause low-frequency noise effects. Inaudible, but if you are going to spend a fortune making a cable, why not choose something better? And just how exactly do "mineral crystals" make a better dielectric? What minerals? Do the crystals sing?

You might be amused reading about his journey of discovery - or not:

About Ramsey | Handcrafted Audio Cables by Alchemist Wires

Meet Ramsey, the craftsman behind Alchemist Wires. Listening-led, hand-built audiophile cables with mineral-crystal noise control from South Africa.

alchemistwires.com

 

[Speedskater]

My notes from 2024 on Teflon insulation for wires:

Teflon 2024
Sy / SIY
Ironically, one of the very worst combinations for triboelectric issues is the fashionable Teflon and silver. I actually got bitten by the once, but in low impedance circuits, it's a pretty minor deal.
Use cheap copper and vinyl and problem averted.

BR52
Please don't mix up PTFE with PVDF this is partly crystalline and has a huge PIEZO effect. Its a common mistake.

Sy / SIY
Trust me, I know the difference. Tribo and piezo are different things. PVDF only becomes piezo if you pole it. Teflon and silver have a large tribo effect. I mean, one of the worst combinations you can pick. PVDF is better in that respect, but vinyl and polyolefin are cheaper and even better.

Sept. 4, 2024

Triboelectric effect, microphonics, etc.

I am reading elsewhere, in posts what often say, “Everything Matters,” that people are even mounting Enrriq dirt boxes on Seismion “Reacto” anti-vibration platforms. How much of an effect, if any, do vibrations have on ICs? I could envision that a plastic diaelectric could be different than a...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Cbdb2]

On the weekend I was at a presentation on crystal infused audio RCA interconnects, USB cables and power cables. They seem to be well made with good quality components. On speaking to the creator he mentioned things like "buttery sound" etc. I asked to look at an unterminated cable to see inside and was told "No, it's a secret". I told him I was an engineer and sceptical about his claims, and he said I should trust my ears.


He then proceeded to do a demo of two USB cables he had made, the only difference being the type of solder paste used on one connector. Each demo was about a minute long with a gap between them, so no instantaneous switching, and he narrated what to listen for both before and during each pass. He knew I was a sceptic, so he asked me specifically if I could hear a difference and I said no. He then asked for a show of hands, 80% said they could hear a difference, the rest said they were not sure, and I was alone with my "no".


Throughout the afternoon my bullshit meter was in the red. We left on good terms and agreed to disagree, with a few well-meant jabs at each other. The great part is, he had an awesome sound system.


The question from me is: has anyone here managed to get a cable manufacturer, making claims like these, to produce actual measurements, or to agree to a properly level-matched ABX test? And if so, what happened?

You could have asked him, after a few minute break, to plug one cable in and than ask the crowd which one there listening to. That might open some audiance eyes. Even better, you do the switch and have him tell you which one.