Extreme Snake Oil

[gluugsnergluug]

I was willing to take that chance, when I spent $10.31
I was asking to find out what the threshold of being a sucker is.

I think it's well beyond $10.31. In my opinion, you have to buy extra zs and brilliant pebbles and directional network cables and power conditioners and magic pyramids to get into the sucker ... uh, excuse me ... audiophile community.

 

[xanalog]

I think it's well beyond $10.31. In my opinion, you have to buy extra zs and brilliant pebbles and directional network cables and power conditioners and magic pyramids to get into the sucker ... uh, excuse me ... audiophile community.

It does have 3-strikes against it, though: 50cm audio cable surely does not need ferrite or shielding... or for that matter, unidirectional electron flow[?].

 

[gluugsnergluug]

It makes one wonder what "golden plating" is, really. Is there, like, real gold in it? Or is it the "goldish composite of nuclear weapons testing materials and melted down high school class rings" that I'd expect?

 

[mhardy6647]

Even McIntosh did it -- significantly before even "Datsun" (Nissan) had their first Z-car!

The Vintage McIntosh Experience: A Musical Ride With The MX110Z Tuner/Preamplifier and the MC30, MC225, and MC240 Amplifiers

Vintage McIntosh - The MX110Z Tuner/Preamplifier and the MC30, MC225, and MC240 Amplifiers

positive-feedback.com

The MX110z tuner-preamp.

 

[mhardy6647]

As usual, leave it to Dartmouth College alum* T. S. Geisel to up the game, Zed-wise.

_______________
* I think he managed to graduate... but, even if he didn't, he had the last laugh with Dartmouth, too!

Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth

geiselmed.dartmouth.edu

 

[mhardy6647]

riffing off of my Seussian reverie for only a moment (I promise!)...
I really, truly wish that the architecture of the T.S. Geisel School of Medicine had leaned into its muse...
Perhaps something along these lines:

The image above is in fact from Amazon and is an screenshot of the illustration from On Beyond Zebra for the letter Nuh which is (in case this isn't self-evident) needed to spell Nutches. Nutches, of course, live in Nitches, as shown, which are somewhat like hutches.

https://ia801803.us.archive.org/7/items/dr-seuss-banned-books/Dr.%20Seuss%20Books%20%5BBANNED%5D%20%5B3_3_2021%5D/On%20Beyond%20Zebra%20by%20Dr.%20Seuss.pdf

PS I love On Beyond Zebra. It got branded as "politically incorrect" somewhere along the line (although I am not entirely sure why), but I still love it.

 

[JP]

Primary feature: it adds the letter 'z' to places where it doesn't belong.

Edit: sorry mhardy6647, I think we're on the same track here.

I can't help but to feel cheated that they didn't call it zupreme.

 

[Alan O]

It breaks my brain to think that there's a population of people who would rather throw $15k at snake oil instead of spending 2 minutes online or talking to a sane person about how networks work

Oh, it's worse than that. I'm an ex-network techie (software, protocol dev), and I come across technically clueless people happy to spend great lengths of time... arguing with me that I'm wrong, because they can hear things that I can explain are impossible.

 

[JP]

Ego. Identity.

 

[Thighsofsteel]

Oh, it's worse than that. I'm an ex-network techie (software, protocol dev), and I come across technically clueless people happy to spend great lengths of time... arguing with me that I'm wrong, because they can hear things that I can explain are impossible.

That is because audio use of networks is outside the laws of physics and standards set by the IEEE. It uses magic and spells from Harry Potter.

 

[Adis]

That is because audio use of networks is outside the laws of physics and standards set by the IEEE. It uses magic and spells from Harry Potter.

Nonsense, it's from Willow.

 

[Audiofire]

Steals your money

 

[Truth Ness]

You mean "Anotherz Audioz Groupz Denmarkz Anzuz zignaturez technologiez".

Good to know that Zs are apparently indicative of how powerful the signature technology really is. I'm blown away. Really.

Is it a coincidence that snakes (aka znakez) make sizzling Z-sounds?

...

 

[Truth Ness]

I'm a network engineer and wow. The idea that network cables are directional, that a network switch needs a 60 day break in period for best sound, that 10gbps Cat 8 network equipment will somehow make a 10mbps (1000x less bandwidth than the network max) stream sound better. It breaks my brain to think that there's a population of people who would rather throw $15k at snake oil instead of spending 2 minutes online or talking to a sane person about how networks work.

Are you familiar with the Lexicon scam of ~15 years ago?

Lexicon BD-30 Blu-ray Player (Oppo BDP-83 Clone) Review

We discovered the Lexicon BD-30 is an Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Player with a $3k premium. We prove this with pictures, measurements and an official response from THX. Lexicon no longer sells this product.

www.audioholics.com

Hehe, no i didn't knew about that scam. What a disgrace! I thought it is an honest and reputable company but that's a shame.

 

[gluugsnergluug]

Hehe, no i didn't knew about that scam. What a disgrace! I thought it is an honest and reputable company but that's a shame.

I'd love to have transcripts of the meetings with Lexicon and OPPO.

 

[gluugsnergluug]

I'd love to have transcripts of the meetings with Lexicon and OPPO.

That's assuming there were meetings. That whole thing might have been Lexicon buying a few pallets of OPPO goods without OPPO knowing.

Feels like we need another OPPO (hey, we don't look like you but we can engineer the sh*t out of this and make you hear things you've never heard before for cheap) to blow into the high end streaming world.

 

[「 ✦ JIM ✦ 」]

Ok, I have for a few years now had Shunyata as the "King" of the snake oil sellers. They represent the worst of the worst. They have it all. Marketing material that is pure rubbish and techno nonsense by the bucket full. I always wish someone with deep pockets could sue them out of existence. Then I foolishly looked at some Audio rags, I mean mags yesterday and saw an ad for Synergistic Speaker Wire I think it was. $28,000 for an 8 foot length. I now have put them at the top tier with Shunyata as both companies need to be hounded out of business. They represent the worst of the audio world. I know I should not be surprised, but I still am at the overwhelming amount of rip off and scam artists that are dominant in the audio industry. Just thought I would mention it today.
Our "hobby" is dominated by low life's, criminals and scammers of the highest order. They are true professionals at their tr

Ok, I have for a few years now had Shunyata as the "King" of the snake oil sellers. They represent the worst of the worst. They have it all. Marketing material that is pure rubbish and techno nonsense by the bucket full. I always wish someone with deep pockets could sue them out of existence. Then I foolishly looked at some Audio rags, I mean mags yesterday and saw an ad for Synergistic Speaker Wire I think it was. $28,000 for an 8 foot length. I now have put them at the top tier with Shunyata as both companies need to be hounded out of business. They represent the worst of the audio world. I know I should not be surprised, but I still am at the overwhelming amount of rip off and scam artists that are dominant in the audio industry. Just thought I would mention it today.
Our "hobby" is dominated by low life's, criminals and scammers of the highest order. They are true professionals at their trade.

A while ago I started building all of my own cables and thought I would look at some of the obscene prices that these companies are charging. Turns out, I've been using the exact same RCA connectors that Shunyata use for thiers! From a company called 'Viborg' who have been discussed in this forum. Really good quality and price

Ok, I have for a few years now had Shunyata as the "King" of the snake oil sellers. They represent the worst of the worst. They have it all. Marketing material that is pure rubbish and techno nonsense by the bucket full. I always wish someone with deep pockets could sue them out of existence. Then I foolishly looked at some Audio rags, I mean mags yesterday and saw an ad for Synergistic Speaker Wire I think it was. $28,000 for an 8 foot length. I now have put them at the top tier with Shunyata as both companies need to be hounded out of business. They represent the worst of the audio world. I know I should not be surprised, but I still am at the overwhelming amount of rip off and scam artists that are dominant in the audio industry. Just thought I would mention it today.
Our "hobby" is dominated by low life's, criminals and scammers of the highest order. They are true professionals at their tradDid y

Ok, I have for a few years now had Shunyata as the "King" of the snake oil sellers. They represent the worst of the worst. They have it all. Marketing material that is pure rubbish and techno nonsense by the bucket full. I always wish someone with deep pockets could sue them out of existence. Then I foolishly looked at some Audio rags, I mean mags yesterday and saw an ad for Synergistic Speaker Wire I think it was. $28,000 for an 8 foot length. I now have put them at the top tier with Shunyata as both companies need to be hounded out of business. They represent the worst of the audio world. I know I should not be surprised, but I still am at the overwhelming amount of rip off and scam artists that are dominant in the audio industry. Just thought I would mention it today.
Our "hobby" is dominated by low life's, criminals and scammers of the highest order. They are true professionals at their trade.

Did you know that Shunyata use Viborg connectors in a lot of thier overpriced cables? I realised a while ago that I have been using the exact same RCA connectors in my DIY builds. They are really well made and pretty cheap. Viborg has been discussed a little throughout this forum so some of you may be aware.

 

[mhardy6647]

Viborg sounds like the name of an evil alien species from a not-particularly-good sci-fi paperback of yore.

 

[mhardy6647]

That's assuming there were meetings. That whole thing might have been Lexicon buying a few pallets of OPPO goods without OPPO knowing.

Feels like we need another OPPO (hey, we don't look like you but we can engineer the sh*t out of this and make you hear things you've never heard before for cheap) to blow into the high end streaming world.

Don't you think it was just a case of badge engineering?
Parts Express sold sells a "Dayton Audio" branded amplifier that was also at one time sold under the Emotiva brand name.

Dayton Audio Stereo / Bridgeable Amplifier 150 Watt APA150

Dayton Audio Stereo / Bridgeable Amplifier 150 Watt APA150 Dayton Audio APA150 150W Stereo / Bridgeable Amplifier The Only Amplifier You'll Ever Need Amplifiers today need to be multi-faceted to keep up with the task at hand, and versatility is the foundation upon which the Dayton Audio APA150...

www.parts-express.com

Emotiva Audio Products :: BPA-1 Audio Power Amplifier

Review and Measurements of Dayton Audio APA 150 Amp

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Dayton Audio APA 150 power (speaker) amplifier. It is on kind loan from a member. It costs USD $168 from Parts Express including free shipping. If the specs of 75 watts/channel are true, you are getting a stereo amplifier for about $1 per...

www.audiosciencereview.com

And then there's the infamous "Monoprice" hybrid vacuum tube amplifier, which has been available for many years, all around the world, under a bevy of brand names!

see also:

Review and Measurements of Monoprice Hybrid Tube Amp

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Monoprice Hybrid Tube Power and Headphone Amplifier. It is on kind loan from a member who sent it to Monoprice to be fixed twice. It costs US $199 from Monoprice direct. I can't find it on Amazon but there is a "Rockville" amp that looks...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Badge Engineering.

 

[Audiofire]

Viborg sounds like the name of an evil alien species

So they were from the municipality of Viborg in Denmark? When did you visit or did you come from their planet?