| Columns Retired Columns & Blogs |
August 29, 2006 - 5:41am
#1
Aphex Aural Exciter System
| Loudspeakers Amplification Digital Sources | |
Analog Sources Accessories Featured | |
Music Columns Retired Columns | |
Show Reports | |
Features Latest News Community | |
Resources Subscriptions |
© 2024 StereophileAVTech Media Americas Inc., USA
All rights reserved
"...love is a nose but you better not pick it..."
I've always wondered how, in the analog domain, that Exciter worked.
What is was supposed to do is add harmonics to the sound that went in it. It must have been like a reverb and parametric equalizer in one package, or something.
But how would an analog electronic device know how to add harmonics?
Anyway, I used to wonder if maybe this device looks at some cut-off frequency that was commonly used and then adds harmonics to that frequency to give you the impression of greater frequency extension.
I have no clue if that's true. I'd love to see someone 'splain it properly.
I also used to like pondering the DBX 3BX, but it was easier to figure out.
Given the compression of today's pop mixing, it may be time to introduce a new generation of dynamic expansion and "contraction" DBX-like devices to our new pieces of "perfect sound forever."
In fact, I have an old 3BX in a box somewhere - I wonder, with a disc like that Santana CD described in Stereophile, if I could get blacker blacks and whiter whites?
Ah, but that would mean having to buy that disc. Sadly, that's a deal killer.
Well I've answered my own question, sort of. Through the wonders of the internet I did a search for the "Aphex Aural Exciter System" and lo and behold what should pop up but Aphex's website with infromation on their latest and greatest version on the Aphex Aural Exciter.
the following is taken from the PDF of the User Manual for the Aphex Aural Exciter. The entire manual and other information can be obtained by following this link:
Aphex Aural Exciter
Send me the 3BX and I'll let you know. I've already wasted my money on the Santana disc.