Aether Audio Black Box or Nuforce Magic Cube ???

Dear Rcwortman,

I would like to clarify things a bit based on your comment regarding 1/f noise. I realize that for the most part the following is a bit academic and likely of little interest to most readers, but for the occasional individual that is technically minded I will go ahead with the clarification.

Specifically, the Aether Audio Black Box / NuForce Magic Cube does not provide system improvement via a reduction of the latent 1/f noise in the cables and/or the equipment connected to them thereby. Rather, they address the physical "mechanism" inherent within the conductors that also "just so happens" to give rise to 1/f noise as well. If you were to read the following white paper, it will help to explain: http://aetheraudio.com/Sub-Debye%20Phase%20Distortion%20rev1%20.pdf

You see, noise voltages arising within conductors is an important field of study in the fabrication of LSI & VLSI integrated circuits. In some applications, these devices use very small amounts of metal as conductors internally for the transport of signals from one area/transistor array to another. The metal (usually aluminum) is vapor deposited and then etched via a lithography process, which leaves behind extremely small conduction pathways. As a part of an ongoing quest to miniaturize these devices and/or compact an ever-increasing number of circuits within them, all forms of noise along with a multitude of other effects at microscopic levels become of increasing importance. As a result, much research has gone into identifying the various mechanisms involved, and much has been learned in recent years.

The upshot is that the cornerstone of this research has to do with what is termed "thin film" samples of various metals. By applying a very thin film of a given metal to a stable substrate, any effects manifest by said metal are "amplified" due to the much higher bulk resistance such samples exhibit. This then makes any processes involved (noise, charge migration, etc.) much easier to detect and study. As a result, a preponderance of evidence has been observed that indicates there are numerous processes involved and specifically, some of the processes giving rise to 1/f noise (as well as others).

To be sure, if we were actually talking the 1/f noise generated by a conductor… there wouldn't be much to discuss. If metals were significant sources of self-noise energy, why… we could "tap" them and us them as batteries by converting the noise to usable power! Quite to the contrary, the "source impedance" of this noise is extremely high and therefore the noise only manifests as a barely detectable voltage. This being the case, it simply cannot "source" any significant current such that it could ever be audible in the operation of an audio system.

But… when current flows through a conductor from an external source (amplifier) to a load (loudspeaker), another variable has been added that changes the scenario significantly. Specifically, it is our opinion that phonon vibrational energy, ever present in the form of ambient heat within the conductor, is the culprit.

As an example, it has been scientifically shown that impurities and crystalline defects (stresses) within a given sample of metal are a primary source of 1/f noise. At the microscopic level, such impurities and defects also behave as phonons (quasi-independent "virtual" particles)… along with the underlying crystalline lattice and just about any other physical feature at those dimensional levels. It has been shown that when impurities and stress defects are reduced, so too is the 1/f noise in direct relationship. Anecdotal observations also tell us this in the audio world, as "high 9s" purity of conductors is greatly sought after for use in various cable formulations.

In closing, it is not the 1/f noise "per se" that our devices are directly addressing, but rather an underlying "electrical current modulation" mechanism that is present (and apparently audible), which also happens to be the source of 1/f noise as well.

I hope this helps and doesn't come off sounding like pseudo-science or snake-oil. If you do the research to find the many existing scientific papers concerning the subject as I have, you'll eventually see what I mean.

Take care,
-Bob

Just recieved a demo pair of the Nuforce Magic Cubes.
It took a few days for the units to open up.
But when they did, I hear a deeper soundstage, with a very nice center image and better frequencey extremes.
But, I did not have the Filter plugged into it.
What does the SS Filter do?
There are no markings as to which way to install, left or right, does that matter?

Thes units may be a keeper.

Ozzy,

Thanks for your input. I'll do all I can to help.

For those that don't know, the NuForce Magic Cube is provided as a two-piece system consisting of a "base" unit called the Smith Cell and a docking filter network. The filter can be purchased as one of three different versions intended for use with three different basic forms of amplifiers. The "smallest" filter (SCTH) is intended for use with small, low-power (mostly) tube amplifiers. The next up in size (SCTL) is for larger tube amps and the largest (SCSS) is for solid-state amps.

We recommend that the SCSS only be used with solid-state amps, but the others can be used on SS if one finds that the SCSS "softens" the sound a bit too much. Basically, you can use any of them on solid-state amps, but you should not go in the reverse - using the SCSS on tube amps.

Similarly, if the SCTL seems to soften the highs a bit on a larger tube (push-pull) type amp, you can go "down" one level and try the SCTH instead. If you are using a SET type tube amp, you should only use the SCTH filter... or none at all.

Regarding your question as to which way the filters should be plugged into the Smith Cell? - It makes no difference whatsoever. Seeing that music is an "AC" signal coming out of the amp, all components used in speakers or devices such as the Magic Cube are not "polarized" - meaning that reversing the polarity will cause no harm or benefit. Well, unless we're talking about reversing the polarity of one speaker compared to the other... but most of us know that already.

As far as what the filters do goes... they help to reduce the effects of stored electrical energy within the speaker causing negative interactions with the driving amplifier. The amp and speaker are really a "system" and it can be a very complex one at that. The amp has enough "work" to do in sending the signal to the speaker to begin with. If it also has to contend with delayed energy being sent back to it from the speaker, that energy can cause the amp to make new "errors" (distortion).

By helping to relieve this burden from the amplifier, one will often find that the filters offer a smoother, lesss fatiguing and more natural sound coming from the speaker - particularly from upper midrange to the highest frequencies. At the same time, there should actually be an increase in detail and resolution. If when using a given filter, you find that detail and resolution seems to decrease or the highs seem almost "too soft," try using the next smaller filter. Again, their size "range" from small to large is: SCTH - SCTL - SCSS... in that order.

Just as a side note, the Aether Audio Black Boxes/NuForce Magic Cubes are being reported as benefiting from a few days of burn-in. I'd say that about 100 hours would be the most... if that much. As most folks know, burn-in is a controversial issue and opinions as to how much is needed vary widely. If anybody out there has any observations regarding the matter, we would be most obliged if you would be so kind as to comment.

I hope this helps :-)

Thanks all and...

Take care,
-Bob

Bob, Thank you so very much for the much needed info.
It’s funny, how you described the SS filters, I feel that with the SS filter in the cube the music lost its 3 dimensional sound and yes the upper treble lost much of its air that was so beautiful without the filter in.

So, I prefer it without the filter, but perhaps I should try one of the other filters.
Which one would you recommend?

By the way, I am using a Pass Labs X350.5 Amp and Andra 2 speakers with Synergistic Apex Bi-wire speaker cabling.

As far as what the filters do goes... they help to reduce the effects of stored electrical energy within the speaker causing negative interactions with the driving amplifier. The amp and speaker are really a "system" and it can be a very complex one at that. The amp has enough "work" to do in sending the signal to the speaker to begin with. If it also has to contend with delayed energy being sent back to it from the speaker, that energy can cause the amp to make new "errors" (distortion).

Thanks for your explanation Bob, I found it very helpful in understanding more about how your product works. Regarding the above quote, is what you are describing here known as EMF or back wave? I use a set of pig tails made by Creative Cable Concepts that I place on the positive binding post of both the amp and speaker. Their purpose is to reduce EMF/back wave energy. I have noticed a lowering of the noise floor and smoothing out of the sound as you describe.

Another question, how does your product differ from products like the Walker speaker filters? I use a DIY version made by a friend of mine and the effects are positive, similar to the effects users of your product describe. I'd be curious if your product operates on similar principles.