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Snake Oil Department, Top This

I attach RCA connectors as needed to RG-58U coax. Works like a charm, and izz cheep. I can make the cables in lengths no longer than needed to connect the equipment together, with some cable pairs being just a bit over a foot long. Result is lower capacitance due to cable shortness and a clean, uncluttered look behind the equipment. Cables are all about R, L, and C, nothing more. There's no magic based upon materials used or construction technique used. It's easy to get it right.
 
egellings said:
I attach RCA connectors as needed to RG-58U coax. Works like a charm, and izz cheep. I can make the cables in lengths no longer than needed to connect the equipment together, with some cable pairs being just a bit over a foot long. Result is lower capacitance due to cable shortness and a clean, uncluttered look behind the equipment. Cables are all about R, L, and C, nothing more. There's no magic based upon materials used or construction technique used. It's easy to get it right.
Click to expand...
I generally make up my own cables. Speaker cables were bought unterminated - I cut them to length and fitted Neutrik Speakon connectors at both ends.

Interconnects are balanced - XLR and 1/4" TRS terminated. Again, all Neutrik. Cable is Van Damme Tour Grade XKE Miniature Starquad Microphone Cable. I pushed the boat out and went with a yellow and black braided sleeved version.

As you said, when you make your own, you can customise the lengths to keep things tidy. I kitted out my whole rack for less than the cost of a single pair of "audiophool" cables.
 
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As for the cable part of a cable (connectors are another ballgame)
Analog RCA cables are about shielding
Analog XLR cables are about symmetry and shielding
Digital RCA & XLR cables are about Radio Frequency Characteristic Impedance
Loudspeaker cables are about total end-to-end resistance, and a very few about inductance or capacitance.
 
Speaking of snake oil - this is one of my favorites:

damino.co.kr

[Furutech] SK-II : Accessory

Product Infomation Now Furutech brings this incredible product to audio and home theater lovers of the world.The SK-II uses only the finest goat hair. Hard to come by and extremely soft, the goats hair used on the SK-II is perfect for cleaning dust out of those precious LPs and will not leave...
damino.co.kr damino.co.kr

Furutech SK2 Electrostatic Brush

http://i622.photobucket.com/albums/tt309/themainsman/Logos/ebay-logo-new-brands.jpg The Furutech brush is typical Furutech technology, its expensive but it does the job! Main use is to remove surface dust from your treasured vinyl and static, it also has lots of other areas where it is...
theartofsound.net

It has been known to all those concerned with high end audio and home theater for many years now that by removing electrostatic charge from audio and visual media a great improvement in sound and picture quality can be realized. But until now removing electrostatic charge has always been a costly exercise, both in time and money. Developed by SFC of Japan, the patented electrostatic brush SK-II has arrived brought to you by Furutech.
This revolutionary product, so simple to use, will change your listening or viewing experience for good. See and hear a difference can be realized in minutes. Experience what the product that has become such a great hit among Japanese high-end audio and home theater fans.

Now Furutech brings this incredible product to audio and home theater lovers of the world.

The SK-II uses only the finest goat hair. Hard to come by and extremely soft, the goats hair used on the SK-II is perfect for cleaning dust out of those precious LPs and will not leave the slightest mark on CDs, DVD or projector lenses. Very portable, easy to use and comes with a clear plastic cover to keep the bristles of the brush well protected.
...
When disk media is played in the statically charged state, generally sounds are clouded, vowel sounds become thin and lower range sounds cannot be heard to their full potential.
...
By using the SK-II and lightly brushing the surface of LPs, CDs or DVDs in a circular motion, the sound quality of LPs and CDs will be improved and the image quality on DVD replay will also improve.

The reliability and effectiveness of the SK-II’s ability to remove static charge is well known to and used exclusively by the meticulous Japanese Police Force in their crime scene investigations, brushing away the aluminum particles to reveal fingerprints. The SK-II is their trusted choice.

And now the SK-II is sure to become an indispensable item for all audio and AV fans.


I can't read this ad without picturing a dedicated Furutech employee chasing a rare goat with an electric shaver.

Unfortunately it has been replaced by a new version, without goat hair:

Furutech ASB-2 ion High-Performance Antistatic Brush with built-in Ionizer | Hi-Fi Heaven

hifiheaven.net hifiheaven.net
 
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Ageve said:
Speaking of snake oil - this is one of my favorites:

damino.co.kr

[Furutech] SK-II : Accessory

Product Infomation Now Furutech brings this incredible product to audio and home theater lovers of the world.The SK-II uses only the finest goat hair. Hard to come by and extremely soft, the goats hair used on the SK-II is perfect for cleaning dust out of those precious LPs and will not leave...
damino.co.kr damino.co.kr

Furutech SK2 Electrostatic Brush

http://i622.photobucket.com/albums/tt309/themainsman/Logos/ebay-logo-new-brands.jpg The Furutech brush is typical Furutech technology, its expensive but it does the job! Main use is to remove surface dust from your treasured vinyl and static, it also has lots of other areas where it is...
theartofsound.net

It has been known to all those concerned with high end audio and home theater for many years now that by removing electrostatic charge from audio and visual media a great improvement in sound and picture quality can be realized. But until now removing electrostatic charge has always been a costly exercise, both in time and money. Developed by SFC of Japan, the patented electrostatic brush SK-II has arrived brought to you by Furutech.
This revolutionary product, so simple to use, will change your listening or viewing experience for good. See and hear a difference can be realized in minutes. Experience what the product that has become such a great hit among Japanese high-end audio and home theater fans.

Now Furutech brings this incredible product to audio and home theater lovers of the world.

The SK-II uses only the finest goat hair. Hard to come by and extremely soft, the goats hair used on the SK-II is perfect for cleaning dust out of those precious LPs and will not leave the slightest mark on CDs, DVD or projector lenses. Very portable, easy to use and comes with a clear plastic cover to keep the bristles of the brush well protected.
...
When disk media is played in the statically charged state, generally sounds are clouded, vowel sounds become thin and lower range sounds cannot be heard to their full potential.
...
By using the SK-II and lightly brushing the surface of LPs, CDs or DVDs in a circular motion, the sound quality of LPs and CDs will be improved and the image quality on DVD replay will also improve.

The reliability and effectiveness of the SK-II’s ability to remove static charge is well known to and used exclusively by the meticulous Japanese Police Force in their crime scene investigations, brushing away the aluminum particles to reveal fingerprints. The SK-II is their trusted choice.

And now the SK-II is sure to become an indispensable item for all audio and AV fans.


I can't read this ad without picturing a dedicated Furutech employee chasing a rare goat with an electric shaver.

Unfortunately it has been replaced by a new version, without goat hair:

Furutech ASB-2 ion High-Performance Antistatic Brush with built-in Ionizer | Hi-Fi Heaven

hifiheaven.net hifiheaven.net
Click to expand...
Dude.
Goat hair is the GOAT.
(Greatest of All Time)

Plus, it grows back.
:cool:
Just one GOAT goat -- what a goldmine!
 
egellings said:
I attach RCA connectors as needed to RG-58U coax. Works like a charm, and izz cheep. I can make the cables in lengths no longer than needed to connect the equipment together, with some cable pairs being just a bit over a foot long. Result is lower capacitance due to cable shortness and a clean, uncluttered look behind the equipment. Cables are all about R, L, and C, nothing more. There's no magic based upon materials used or construction technique used. It's easy to get it right.
Click to expand...
You can't be serious! Everyone knows that there is plenty of magic in cables. The magic of a warm cable vs a cold cable, a chocolaty mids cable vs an airy treble cable. I just don't think you are prepared to believe! OK, I am a smart aleck, but that is a great post you put up.
 
The mag with reasonably priced equipment—Sound&Vision—ended publication this month after 66 years in print. (Appropriate age to go, yes?) Audiophiles prefer the freak shows put out by Stereophile and TAS. Even though only 10% of the readership can afford those toys, 100% of them still like to read about them.
 
RonLev said:
The mag with reasonably priced equipment—Sound&Vision—ended publication this month after 66 years in print.
Click to expand...

Sad! :(

RIP Julian Hirsch and Stereo Review

STEREO REVIEW: Consumer audio and music magazine beginning in 1958

Stereo Review was an American magazine first published in 1958 by Ziff-Davis with the title HiFi and Music Review. It was one of a small group of magazines then available for the individual interested in high fidelity (the other major ones being Audio and High Fidelity) It featured a blend of...
www.worldradiohistory.com
 
I'm sorry if this story is not entertaining/extreme enough but I just come back from a shop where I went to listen to some speakers.
I came with my preamp and when I handled my standard AC cable the dude was like "oh lord" half jokingly.

After 3 tracks he said "let's change the AC cable" and I was like "I don't think it's necessary" but he insisted and I am not a conflictual person so I shut up.

He changes it for a thousand bucks Atlas cable.

Obviously I don't hear any difference. I'm there, silently, wondering if he's gonna say something about it, cringing at the idea, hoping that he won't.

And then he said "mmm... doesn't make much difference I must say".

Then after a few tracks, changed the speaker cables, for some that cost 6 000 (more than the speakers !)

And then, same thing : "can't really tell the difference".

I didn't reply anything but I guess I was a little surprised! What was that? Who sales snake oil and doesn't even pretend to believe in it?
 
polocolo said:
I'm sorry if this story is not entertaining/extreme enough but I just come back from a shop where I went to listen to some speakers.
I came with my preamp and when I handled my standard AC cable the dude was like "oh lord" half jokingly.

After 3 tracks he said "let's change the AC cable" and I was like "I don't think it's necessary" but he insisted and I am not a conflictual person so I shut up.

He changes it for a thousand bucks Atlas cable.

Obviously I don't hear any difference. I'm there, silently, wondering if he's gonna say something about it, cringing at the idea, hoping that he won't.

And then he said "mmm... doesn't make much difference I must say".

Then after a few tracks, changed the speaker cables, for some that cost 6 000 (more than the speakers !)

And then, same thing : "can't really tell the difference".

I didn't reply anything but I guess I was a little surprised! What was that? Who sales snake oil and doesn't even pretend to believe in it?
Click to expand...
Good sales person waited for cues and tells from you ;) when these never came , he tried an 180 turn ?
 
AdrianusG said:
Especially the part about the police force LOL
Click to expand...
download (52).jpeg
 
xray said:
Maybe he was setting you up for the 10,000 speaker cables. There's a threshold you know ;)
Click to expand...
omg, I almost regret that didn't happen. The theatricality! "it doesn't make much of difference... maybe we should take it up a notch". Plugs 10K cable : "Omg, here you go, night and day!"
 
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