Listening #107 Contacts

Sidebar: Contacts

Acoustic Revive, Sekiguchi Machine Sales Co., Ltd., 3016-1 Tsunatori-machi, Isesaki-shi, Gunma Pref. 372-0812, Japan. Tel: (81) 270-24-0878. Fax: (81) 270-21-1963. US distributor: Acoustic Revive USA., Mooresville, NC 28115. Tel: (704) 230-0029. Web: www.acousticreviveusa.com.
Kimber Kable, 2752 South 1900 West, Ogden, UT 84401. Tel: (801) 621-5530. Fax: (801) 627-6980. Web: www.kimber.com.
Nordost Corporation, 200 Homer Avenue, Ashland, MA 01721. Tel: (800) 836-2750, (508) 881-1116. Fax: (508) 881-6444. Web: www.nordost.com.

ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
JohnnyR's picture

"There is, however, one glaring absence: Where are all the really affordable cables?"

Uhhhhhh people can easily MAKE their own. For those that can't or won't there is Blue Jeans Cable. http://www.bluejeanscable.com/ for a LOT less than the ones you quoted.

Oh now come on!......a Schumann Resonance device?  It doesn't even connect to your system either I see. Magic stuff. Wouldn't a subwoofer tuned to 7.8Hz have a bigger affect? That little box can't do squat. Having said the above, what proof or measurements were done to see if the cables or little box did as claimed?  That test with your daughter was very badly done by the way. A true SBT would have been better.

Sorry but I don't trust the way you "test" cables and little boxes. No controls and no real testing.

internethandle's picture

I'm confused as to where user "JohnnyR" presumed this column was meant as some sort of semi-scientific treatise on the empirical benefits or lack thereof of audiophile RCA interconnects, thus voiding the entire actual point of the article re: hifi industry grandstanding and badmouthing and related musings on entry level hifi gear.

Anyway, I personally thought this was a timely column and well-said - particularly in the burgeoning computer audio arena where hifi companies seem to just be giddy at the prospect of successfully one-upping the competition's conception of a successful USB implementation, as just an example. As a consumer, much of this is pretty off-putting and adds to the inherent confusion as to what I should be purchasing, not to mention it continually devolves into pettiness and personal insults in a variety of vitriolic hifi internet forum debates. I hope other companies will soon adopt an ethos such as that of the new and popular entry level hifi company Schiit in refusing comment when asked about competitors' gear and/or not comparing themselves to said competitors in the first place. I know, at least, that my decision to invest in Schiit's newest DAC was not in small part influenced by that policy.

Soothsayerman's picture

Art,

Do you have a thing for racoons? or do you find they have an affinity for you?  I've noticed they somehow seem to find their way into your writing from time to time.  Your article was enjoyable and informative as always.

ps - Happy Thanksgiving!

JohnnyR's picture

"I'm confused as to where user "JohnnyR" presumed this column was meant as some sort of semi-scientific treatise on the empirical benefits or lack thereof of audiophile RCA interconnects, thus voiding the entire actual point of the article re: hifi industry grandstanding and badmouthing and related musings on entry level hifi gear."

 

He talked about cables and silly Schumann devices like they are the holy grail or something also. Oh I never thought it was semi-scientific since it was only subjective mumbo jumbo

Soothsayerman's picture

I don't think he talked about them as if they were the holy grail.  He only related how they appealed to him.  You exaggerate. Distort. Ultimatlely hoist yourself upon your own petard.

JohnnyR's picture

Now you are talking "dirty" hahahaha

soulful.terrain's picture

Enjoyed the read Art.

mrplankton2u's picture

The increased hyperbole and lack of respect among competitors in the audio component industry is directly related to the lack of innovation and achievement industry wide. These days, marketing hype, false claims to "new, patentable technology", failures to achieve claimed specifications, and in many cases, a complete absence of objective, scientific testing to back up wild performance claims  - all have become the norm.  In that environment, it's hardly surprising that a thin veneer of respect and humility has given way to bold stupid claims, bashing, and outright lies. To change the landscape, companies that boast an amplifier rise time of 700 nanoseconds which actually measures several times longer than that figure, for example, really need to be taken to task and questioned on the subject. Or when a speaker company claims that its "anti resonance" trap is new or patentable, it needs to be made to explain how its design is different from the anti resonance traps used extensively in industry for years by companies like PMC. Instead of blaming members of industry, perhaps Stereophile could look more objectively at its role in holding companies accountable for claims and trash talk and whether or not it has met its obligation in the grand scheme of things. Everyone wants a share of the limelight and recognition for the work they do. When those responsible for shedding light on these claims/achievements fall down on the job, food fights and bad behavior are inevitable.

DetroitVinylRob's picture

I truly believe Art that it is not your job as a reviewer/writer, but your duddie as an audiophile/music lover citizen to continually poke fun at the industry at large, the unofficial members of our crazy hobby, your fellow colleagues both past and present, yourself (obviously), and of course the odd little furry creature that tries like hell to continue sharing an existence with the rest of us smarter(?) souls.

Maybe someone(s) needs to be reminded to play nice or a time out, in the corner, with a pointy cap, on a one legged stool will be in order.

Happy Listening!

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