Cybershaft Platinum Review (External Clock & PS)

[thegeton]

Cybershaft, the name alone says it all:

CYBER cy·ber, adjective
Relating to or characteristic of the culture of computers, information technology, and virtual reality. "The cyber age."

SHAFT /SHaft/, verb
Treat (someone) harshly or unfairly. "I suppose she'll get a lawyer and I'll get shafted."

Because the device's effect is only virtual, it stands to reason that the end user is being virtually shafted at point of sale.

 

[Crohnic]

I feel bad for the guy that bought this and the SMSL VMV D3 but glad he sent them to you for review. That's a lot of money for pretty mediocre performance/no improvements...

 

[KaMiKaZeCATS]

 

[Xulonn]

no illusions of Hi-Fi — especially once it gets sucked through YouTube’s compression.

That's also true with the stupid, ridiculous audio "reviews" where some idiot plays his audio system and uses a microphone(s) of unknown quality to upload his supposedly superior sound to YouTube where it is compressed and stored. Then, when played via internet streaming via your computer and its audio system, you are supposed to be able to hear the superior HiFi quality of his system or loudspeakers on your desktop system or whatever computer speakers you are using.

Beyond ignorant!

 

[DonR]

Looking inside the oscillator would be great. I bet it's a standard OCXO module you can pick up for $50 on digikey.

 

[phoenixdogfan]

It is funny, but some systems get really stressed out when there is extra money lying around.

Amir, any plans to test audio system therapists?

Maybe there could be a unit that plays affirmations as part of the system's start up.

Something like "I'm low distortion enough, I've got dynamic range enough, and gosh darnit, people like my soundstage."

 

[kopczas]

what data do you have that makes you think that?

http://amorgignitamorem.nl/Audio/Jitter/Detection%20threshold%20for%20distortions%20due%20to%20jitter%20on%20digital%20audio%2026_50.pdf

 

[dtaylo1066]

Really, when was the last time jitter was a problem on a decent CD player or DAC? A solution in search of a problem that does not exist.

 

[aj625]

And people claiming in "GS review of Bartok" thread in DCS community that bartok brightness goes away by using multi k$ external clock of DCS.

 

[Madjalapeno]

http://amorgignitamorem.nl/Audio/Jitter/Detection%20threshold%20for%20distortions%20due%20to%20jitter%20on%20digital%20audio%2026_50.pdf

In order to determine the maximum acceptable size of
jitter on music signals, detection thresholds for artificial
random jitter were measured in a 2 alternative forced
choice procedure. Audio professionals and semi-professio-
nals participated in the experiments. They were allowed to
use their own listening environments and their favorite
sound materials. The results indicate that the threshold for
random jitter on program materials is several hundreds ns
for well-trained listeners under their preferable listening
conditions. The threshold values seem to be sufficiently
larger than the jitter actually observed in various consumer
products.

So even in 2005 these devices were not needed.

 

[Kagemusha]

I have a noisy clock, I guess I could connect the cybershaft cable to the Cuckoo nest.

 

[sarumbear]

http://amorgignitamorem.nl/Audio/Jitter/Detection%20threshold%20for%20distortions%20due%20to%20jitter%20on%20digital%20audio%2026_50.pdf

I asked for the data, you sent me a research paper? Do I have to remind you what data is?

 

[Chester]

Great review as always @amirm. The highlighted audiophile reviews are comedy gold, this should become a regular feature

 

[Tks]

I know I'm missing something blatant, but how does this clock work to sync multiple devices with just one output?

 

[amirm]

I know I'm missing something blatant, but how does this clock work to sync multiple devices with just one output?

Usually a distribution amp is used to achieve that.

 

[ayane]

Wow this clock is a steaming pile of garbage, especially for that money!

Seeing these fully grown adults (who should know better) talk about audio stuff like they're some kind of supernatural enhancements used to be funny when I was starting this hobby, but now it's just sad to me. If they really mean what they say, then they're in too deep in a cult. If they know what they're doing, then they're just misleading impressionable people to waste money on nonsense that lines the pockets of those people selling this snake oil, but I have to wonder why their demographic is so tiny. At least it's not like the fitness industry where products are harmful and the targets are teenagers and young adults...

I seriously cannot understand why, in this day and age where we have cold hard evidence in the form of measurement data, that people can be convinced and led astray.

The best way I can wrap my head around this audiophile behavior is as if audiophiles have disordered cognition, maybe like anxiety disorder or restlessness, and they semi-consciously feel like maybe buying this product will make me feel better! Just makes it sound more predatory... I guess there's a lot of money among ignorant audiophiles.

 

[Madlop26]

Obligatory question: But did you listen to it @amirm?

... yes, I'll be posting this on every review without a listening test now Sue me

i hope you don't expect Amir to do a blind listening test in every device he test. Blind tests are too time consuming, AB test are not that reliable and also time consuming, and subjective tests is as we know meh...

 

[Ron Texas]

Snake oil I suppose. Reminds me of Harvey Gizmo Rosenberg and his uber expensive capacitor coupled tube amps. Thank you @amirm

 

[BDWoody]

I know I'm missing something blatant, but how does this clock work to sync multiple devices with just one output?

The few pieces of Motu gear I own that have an input for a word clock also have an output. I haven't any that are dead ends.

 

[brandonhall]

This is just sad. No other word. We're talking about $1500.