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Advice on....Snake Oil

So, I get it. You purchase something and other claim it's snake oil. Or they purchase snake oil and you lay claim to the adage. 

My one question,

What is the general consensus a reputable brand would spend considerable time, resources and finances to create a product that is or what some would call "snake oil". 

My belief is that a lot of brands (PS Audio, Isoacoustics, Audioquest) would probably better spend their time developing and creating an impact rather than making a questionable product. Any dialogue to be had or am I off base?
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Showing 10 responses by djones51

djones51
4,947 posts
 
Is there a difference between cutting LPs and consumer amplifiers as far as vibration and leveling? I think you're comparing apples to sardines. 
djones51
4,947 posts
 
They spend their time thinking up new science sounding gobbledygook it pays better.
djones51
4,947 posts
 
I agree that some amplifer, speakers, TT, DAC  etc..manufacturers might exaggerate a tad on measurements and perhaps innocently I only see the crazy snake oily type thing in tweaks. From magic magnetic mats for your breaker box to rocks taped on wires. As for cables it's each person for themselves if they want to believe an competent designed ethernet cable for a few dollars a foot can't transmit data as well as $100 a foot cable no skin off my nose. 
djones51
4,947 posts
 
You'll find forums and comments on websites, reviews and fanboys claim miraculous  results  but you'll not find any declarative statements that tweak "x " or cable "y" improves the sound in every instance made by a manufacturer of said tweaks or cables. There's a lot of vagueness and personal experience by consumers of these things in the comment section. I mean why would they claim their product is miraculous for everyone, you think they want to be sued? 
djones51
4,947 posts
 
If lawsuits against snake oil products were effective you couldn't buy homeopathy psuedo medicine at the store. Lawsuits against the type of deceptive practices employed by by some of these marketers isn't worth the time or effort. It is very hard to prove and claiming since noone has sued them they must therefore work is fallacy. 
djones51
4,947 posts
 
Yeah that's right, my time here doesn't cost me anything.  I guess I could file one first I would need to find a manufacturer who claims their product always works and no refunds. You know one? I'll buy a product from them and file a complaint. 
djones51
4,947 posts
 
I had my wife much to her annoyance read through a few cable sites. Never found one where there was a snowball’s chance to even bother the consumer protection agency to much vagueness in their claims. So yeah I did spend a little time looking into it but as I said she told me to forget it. 
djones51
4,947 posts
 
Of all the cable websites I've read I can't recall ever seeing them claim that their cables will definitely make your systems sound improved. I only read that stuff here and in reviews. They claim some wild stuff and offer nonsense reasons but as long as they stay away from making definitive statements of guaranteed success then they have CTA. 
djones51
4,947 posts
 

Why would they be frightened by something as simple as filing a complaint with a consumer protection agency? Every state has one.

If you're asking why I haven't it's because my wife is an attorney who explained to me why it would be a waste of time.  I explained it above but you choose to ignore it.

but as long as they stay away from making definitive statements of guaranteed success then they have CTA.

It's very hard to prove if it was easy as I said noone would need to wade through the homeopath meds in the drug store. Some of them have been sued and the homeopath drug makers win. Does that mean they work? It means it's almost impossible to prove intent which is required in civil lawsuits of fraudulent practices. 


djones51
4,947 posts
 
I think my analogy held up as good as comparing an LP cutting lathe to an amp. Difference between tube and SS I can see the relationship and relevance the other still seems like apples and sardines. 
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