Cable Elevators

Had a pair of totem forest when I first tried this (2007)...wow...even wife heard a clarity that wasn't there before...never looked back or questioned it again.

I just use tennis balls to lift the cables.  I was using Wilson tennis balls but I've found that Slazenger balls work better.  Also, yellow balls seem to be the balls you want.  No white.

Using 24 Shunyata DFSS dark field elevators they are the best by far.

Since they took down the pylons between the electricity substation and our town, and buried the cables instead, the sound quality of my system has changed for the worse.  Guess what?  Looser bass, narrower soundstage, and slower guitars!

Regarding the SR cable risers at 4 for $400, I hope you have two foot cables to each speaker or your gonna need at least a couple of packs of them.

Yep, another ripoff aimed at the gullible, if you REALLY!!! believe it makes a difference, you can get 100 of them for $20!!!! At least this rubbish is in the correct forum.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/353393544686?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=705-139619-5960-...

Or take your pick
https://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1313&_nkw=Plastic+Pizza+...+

Cheers George

Ah, there he is.

Anyone has experience with AQ Fog lifters. I want some aesthetics :-) Don't intend to spend $$$$. The current handmade wood lifts look slightly out of place now.

Great luck using stacks of $dollar bills. In the long run I may be saving 💰 of cash!

It's time to cut through the crap about whether things work or not. 

Remove the cable elevators from one side of the system. Listen. If the system does not sound imbalanced, and if the tonality, center image, etc. is correct, then you have proven that cable elevators are not efficacious, a waste of money. If you need reassurance, swap the baseline and tweaked channels. 

Also do this with power cords if you have mono amps. I suspect that with two different power cords you will notice a skewed effect in tonality, output, center image shift, etc. If so, you have proven that power cords make a difference. 

I suggest owners of fancy tweaks also check out those pizza box lifters! Put them on one side of the rig, and the fancy cable risers on the other. See if you notice any shift, skewing, tonally, dynamically, frequency extension, output, shifting of center image, etc. If it doesn't sound right, or that it has changed, then you have some evidence that the fancy risers are doing something. If it sounds the same, well... then you have a product that is not efficacious. 

Remember, if you have to strain, work at hearing a difference, then the product fails my Law of Efficacy, which demands that changes be immediately obvious. If you struggle to hear a difference, then the product is not worth using. Only use changes that cause dramatic, important, easily heard differences, or else you are wasting your time and money. Never accept a pissy change to a rig. There are many large improvements, usually found in the power and signal paths. 

I won't make a prediction, as I have not done this particular test with cable risers. Who knows; I could be surprised. I have, however, with power cords, and attest that this is an easy way to demonstrate the audible changes when different power cords are used. I plan on doing a comparison such as I have described with cable risers.  It would be a problem for the tweak sellers if the system performed properly. 

What of all the hand waving and big talk if the system does perform properly with such purportedly important tweaks removed? Then, you have discovered some of B.S. in this industry and community.  :) 

Rushton, I understand your dismay. It is the profound level of stupidity that induces such comments from people like myself. Cable elevators are a fashion statement. Nothing else. They are another example of lay instinct run amuck. The people who think they hear any difference are deluding themselves, every last one of them. 

Please visit my system page https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/8367

Please note the Cable Elevators used throughout.

Please read the comments from Deborah:

During the middle of one song (I had my eyes closed) ,Chuck took the cables off the Cable Elevators; I immediately heard the sound become distorted and muddy.

This is what happened: In the middle of one song I quietly went around the outside of the left speaker (so as not to interfere with the sound) and carefully one by one removed the cable elevators. Only got the first two on the left out before she heard the change and opened her eyes. This was a totally unexpected totally double blind test. Literally blind!

I’ve done this a bunch of times, always the same result. The effect is not subtle. Everyone always hears it. Everyone always prefers with cable elevators.

Look, I totally get there are guys who call themselves audiophiles who can’t hear a thing. Cripple kids play basketball, so why not? Also get there’s people just want to argue and complain. That’s life. Stubborn, cheap, know-it-all. The reasons run the gamut.

But please, if you don’t want to look a total fool, see if you can find one to dispute that isn’t so chock a block full of proof you do not know what you are talking about. Please.

The big ham fisted audiophile sitting in A first reflection point had no impact on the sound on the other hand.  The preponderance for lengthy speeches makes me wonder about the ability to be silent and not communicate actions. A

Please read the comments from Deborah:

During the middle of one song (I had my eyes closed) ,Chuck took the cables off the Cable Elevators; I immediately heard the sound become distorted and muddy.

BS, it was you or whoever wandering around between the speakers doing it that caused the change in sound

Georgehifi, meet ausaudio. You guys have a lot in common. What you have in common with audiophiles I don't know. But you seem to have a lot in common with each other. 

Hate it, don't you when your shown to be just another snake oiler, with nothing but voodoo products to offer here to the gullible.

Michael Fremer’s tour of the Audio Research factory is accessible on YouTube. When he gets to the listening room, he notices the cable risers (the same ones I use) being used by Warren Gehl, ARC’s chief listening engineer.   

https://www.analogplanet.com/content/analogplanet-visits-audio-research-corporation

Fast forward to 31:24

Frank

The cable elevators experiment seems immune from a charge leveled at so many tweaks that are castigated as "snake oil" -- as albertporter and other point out, you can try this yourself, with anything you have at home.

So why the vitriol? With expensive tweaks, you can imagine folks getting hot under the collar that someone is trying to filch their money; but with a nearly free one -- no reason to get bothered.

The only reason I can imagine I'd be bothered is the idea I might try it and not hear something that others hear. That would mean I was deficient in either hearing ability or listening ability. I've tried to pull myself back from this by remembering that those who can hear or listen better than I can may also write about it and give me something to reach for.  I remain open to this idea until I get no results.

The higher the resolution of the system, the more subtle changes can be heard. 

Frank

That's part of it Frank, for sure. Then again it was fairly easy to hear even back in 1994 when my system was nowhere near where it is today, and neither were the cable elevators. Don't forget, mine are tricked out with rubber bands and TC.  

If people are so sure about what they hear, why does what other people say about it bother them? Why do they then feel compelled to discredit others if they do not tow the line? One reason could be they got something to sell. No way to know for sure in these parts so just beware.  Lots of clues. 

Why would those with experience have anything to concede, to those with theories?    Especially: given the plethora of variables, in this hobby.

Since one cannot know the extent of another persons experience, it’s not accurate to assume what they say is based solely on theory. Too many variables in play as you correctly point out. Better to take what people say for what it’s worth and move on.

Cable risers are expensive snake oil junk.

Get a mate to shake or tap your speaker cable while listening see if you can tell if stops or not!!

So, as a long time Audiophile I have tried so many tweaks, cables, and equipment through the years my wife thinks I own stock in UPS, USPS, Fed Ex etc. Some products produce results, some don’t, and some just add a aesthetic highlight.

When it comes to footers, I have always consider them with one eye open wide. Most of the ones I have tried had no audible benefit. And, I have tried most that have been mentioned in this thread.

But, I must add that the Audioquest Fog Lifters do improve clarity, not by much but they definatly help. Also, they helped coordinate the cable mess I once had.

And, I think they look pretty cool. The price for them is really not too bad compared to others.

ozzy

In your opinion that is...

ozzy

Mine are in to stay

That is it Ozzy, if you think they look cool they are more likely to "sound" better to you. Like I said before they are a fashion statement.

 I prefer to see cables organized and hidden. Cables are a messy eyesore. A perfectly clean installation is a beautiful thing. IMHO spending money on "cool looking" audio stuff is...a waste of money.

And... they cost $150 for 8 of them!
The AQ Fog Lifters use a very simple design that probably could be duplicated by an ambitious DIY selfer. However, perhaps would not be so cool looking.

But, they do add clarity, enough to make it worth the price.
IMHO that is.

ozzy

I could make a gorgeous set out of cocobolo but frankly, I have better things to do and all my cables are hidden anyway.

If you don’t like my pizza box cable risers at 100 of them for $20 (too cheap to sound good, yeah thought that)
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/353393544686?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=705-139619-5960-...

Go for my super hiend building slab reinforcing mesh risers at 100 for $50, and they come in different heights, for different sound differences
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/173838868105?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=705-139619-5960-...

I’m sure none of them will do anything for the sound, to prove it get a mate to tap your speakers cable while listening blind see if you can detect anything! Then tell yourself,       "I am a snake oiler"!!!

Cheers George

Yep. $300.00 foam blocks. $195.00 plastic cubes with a V cut...etc.

All of this and I have yet to see any measurements of a change in sound coming from a speaker. You can buy speakers and some manufactures will supply measurements such as the actual wave length...such as these.
http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/SRM2/srm2meas.html

How about some before and after there by cementing the benefits (or not) of magical blocks of foam and plastic.

Measurement: The last refuge of the incompetent audiophile. 

They work. Read the comments.  https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/8367

It not PV=nRT but rather I+V/R1 and Electromagnetism is a factor (caused by many things) for us in the land of chasing down clean playback. Who doesn’t like getting elevated?

Rugs pick up the diffraction from the variance in moon phase and sun polarity. This diffraction is converted to electrical energy that is released and penetrates the insulation on your cables. It contributes to the imperceptible noise floor that destroys your soundstaging and can cause anxiety. The EMI field thus generated, with the dielectric effect, causes aural confusion and irritation. Do not use synthetic materials for the cable risers, only fossilized wood will do.

Didn't read the comments, did you?

Hey guys, I tried to keep it real with 10c cable riser’s that will do as good as $400 ones WHICH IS NOTHING!!!

Don’t give this thread any more bumps, as it’s just more mileage for the "snake oil" company that pioneers this BS, and we all know who that is.

Cheers George

1- Go to the Walmart website.

2- Look up Grip-Rite Plastic Rebar High Chairs.

3- You will be offered a bag of 20, $8.92 delivered. I found them in my local Walmart for even cheaper.

4- Spend the $ you saved on music.

I tried elevators a few years ago and couldn’t hear the difference. I think it depends on what cable and what carpet you have. Worth trying.

I have my cables on Ikea glass candle holders that sell for about $.49/each. It's been that way for a long time now. After reading the dreck that usually pops up here, I remembered Pierre Sprey (Mapleshade) having something to say about them. 

Looking it up, he's of the mind that cables should be at least 8" off the carpet to be free of it's effects. Already having a 6" 4x4, I went to the local hardware store and got four more cut to the same length for a whopping $10! Someone call the cable riser nannies! 

It took about half an hour for the cables to settle in from the moving but there is more clarity now, even more than the 1 1/2" Ikea glass candle holder afforded. 

This is a very cheap thing to try for yourself, so what's all the hubbub about?

All the best,
Nonoise

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/173838868105?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=705-139619-5960-...

These are the best at just 50c each, if your stupid enough to think they make a difference.

As they have 6 different heights you can choose from, and they have the bottom v groove for speaker cable and the top grove for interconnects for long interconnects to monoblock amps between the speakers.

Cheers George

No, if you're stupid enough to think that anyone here respects your opinion after you ran and hid from Ted Denny, then dream on.

All the best,
Nonoise

If you have thick static inducing carpet, I found elevating your cables does make a difference. With a hard floor probably not.

It's not just cables, getting your power strip/distributor off the carpet and onto its own isolation platform also helps reduce noise.

You can attack those high priced audio cable elevators, while at the same time benefitting from the concept of cable elevation.

Allnoise and no substance from a Ted Denney disciple, "he’s been exposed" as a snake oil charlatan.
Had all 3 threads he started deleted, and 10 of 13 posts deleted, that says it all https://forum.audiogon.com/users/ted_denney

As for cable risers, you be the judge.

$400 for 4 https://www.synergisticresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/NewCableElevatorwithCable.jpg

$2 for 4 https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/5wgAAOSwNuxXYuhz/s-l500.jpg

And then there’s the fuse con.

Cheers George

You must spend an inordinate amount of time here waiting to pounce

Only on "snake oil" shillers like you sunshine, if there's any snake oil/voodoo to be pushed your right there shuving it from behind.

Georgie, you can go and complain to the mods all you want when you've been proven wrong and get others posts deleted, but it doesn't change the fact that you're lying, again. 

What did you do for the last several hours? Did you go thru all my posts on fuses only to discover that you did lie?

All the best,
Nonoise