Is there any interest in a discussion about home-made formulae that can significantly enhance audio quality? After reading some recent threads here, it appears that one company which had been involved in this aspect of audio is no longer in business, and has no immediate plans to reopen. I would not be making this offer if that company was still operating. My recent experiments in this area are extensive, and most of it is unique. The experiments are not influenced by the products of any other company. I would like to share the results, if it's not too controversial, and if such a discussion would not cause difficulties for anyone actively involved in the business. I certainly don't want to hurt anyone by revealing and discussing what I know. On the contrary, I would like to help open minded readers get started on some very cost effective, radical home-made solutions. I can describe in detail the steps necessary to create some home-made formulae which have proved to be very successful in my own system. I'll await reaction before I continue.
Quick question. How do you know the effects are anti-static related and not something else? I came to that conclusion after I painted my turntable mat with the antistatic mica/graphene paint. The effect was similar to, but much greater than the Furutech anti static SK-Filter which I also use. The effect of the SK Filter can also be greatly magnified by taping home-made anti-static painted tape to the arm, and to the base.
Since it's along these lines does anyone think these coatings are similar to the PPT products? I don't really know how commercially successful those products were but if they were, the field is wide open.
Static is not a problem at all. You just lead it like a child to ground. I can get all the pot I need for chemically enhanced listening. Unfortunately it makes my heart race which I find annoying. Static is produced by the stylus rubbing the groove. You have to short it out while the record is playing. Unfortunately having a grounded platter does not work. Only a grounded sweep arm does the job, one with conductive bristles. The one I currently use cost a whopping $20.
My product, no longer available, Sonic Tonic, an anti-static spray, lasts at least one month. You guys need to use the right stuff, not just any stuff. Not to mention most of the advantage of elevating cables is that you’ve isolated them from the vibration on the floor.
When I was a kid about half past three My ma said, "Daughter, come here to me" Says, "Things may come and things may go But this is one thing you ought to know"
Oh, 'tain't what you do; it's the way that you do it 'Tain't what you do; it's the way that you do it 'Tain't what you do; it's the way that you do it That's what gets results
My discoveries are made via practical experiments, not scientific theories.
People would be surprised how often this is the case. Synergistic Research Element series cables were not the result of theory but came about when Ted Denney simply decided to see if there were metals on the periodic table of elements that had been overlooked. He simply made up wires and had people listen. Tungsten it turns out has awesome midrange. Practical experiment. Not theory.
Tekton is another one. Just look at the boobs can't believe the reviews simply because they can't get past the theory that says there must be comb filtering or whatever. So there definitely is an advantage in just trying things and finding out what works. Only wish more of these wanna bee losers would stop boring us with their "that can't be" BS and shut up until they know - which they only will by trying.
Static is a much bigger problem than is generally realised. On cables, a massive problem. Static spray doesn't cut it.
Right. Been saying that for years now. I spray and it definitely makes a difference but it also definitely only lasts a very short time. Not even hours but minutes. This is in a room where static electricity never seems to be a problem. Never a zap or obvious static charge. Yet its there and yes it is mostly on the speaker cables. Not nearly so much on other stuff. Also that is why cable elevators work, as it can be shown it is not just the distance above the floor but the electrical insulating properties of the support that matters most.
Everything matters and so its actually kind of easy finding stuff like this that makes a difference. Its even fairly easy finding stuff that makes a difference for the better. What's hard and takes so much time is figuring out how to get it just right so the improvements are balanced and organic across the full range of audio performance. The vast majority of what's out there is not all that. So a list of ingredients is all fine and wonderful but its the ratio and method that makes all the difference.
And another thing - electrical static charge is almost a non-issue for home audio except for a few certain limited things. One is cabling, which can be elevated and or treated with anti-static spray or rubbed down with Bounce anti static sheets. Two, LPs and CDs which can also be treated with Bounce anti-static sheets or anti-static spray such as what Nordost sells. None of those are actually amenable to treatment by the means you’re suggesting, if it’s a mat. Electronics are probably not amenable to external treatment (like a mat) either since the static charge - if any - is inside the component. Perhaps anti static foam. And the chassis is grounded. Audiophiles have been using those methods for what, 30 years?
There are long lasting sprays and there have been audiophile anti static devices for eons. I even have two products myself. I’d opine it’s a non-starter but I don’t want to discourage you. Plus I’m not 100% I would use China as an example of anything these days.
Thanks
whostolethebatmobile. I find this very interesting. And I think a reasonable person will make a reasonable decision regarding stuff like this. So I do not think it hurts at all to discuss some things that have worked for somebody else. One thing I have done is a combo of some others ideas. I made a wooden 1x2 2' long, put 3' legs on it and then hung cotton string down with cradles and put behind my rack. The string and cradle hold up my cables individually. Keeping them all separate, and I think slightly isolated from vibration. Anyway it works better than cables laying on the floor. Thanks again for sharing
I have active grounding on my SR Galileo SX cables. They are greatly improved by even a small piece graphene/mica antistatic material, taped anywhere on the surface of the cable. It appears to me that active grounding has no effect on the static charge of the cable. It does however have other major beneficial qualities.
That may that may very well be, but wouldn’t it be a lot easier and cheaper to just eliminate electric static charge to begin with? Then you won’t have to deal with it. That’s why there are industrial grade anti static sprays and room humidifiers.
The Chinese military uses graphene/mica mix for anti static paint. Graphene/mica creates an incredibly powerful anti-static effect when the graphene is intercalated between the mica particle layers. It needs to be thoroughly mixed for maximum effect, which is why I use nanoparticles which are able to penetrate the mica layers.
Quick question. How do you know the effects are anti-static related and not something else? I’m not 100% but I don’t think either mica or Graphene are anti-static. Wouldn’t it be a lot easier to use a good anti static spray or reduce static electric charges in the room with a humidifier?
^^^No thanks. This is a recipe for trouble. I am a retired process chemist with 35 years experience and I wouldn't do what you are doing.
You may be correct. On second thoughts I do not advise anyone else to undertake the experiments I have done myself. But at least you now know something about the weird world of audio chemistry. Such as the incredible anti-static effect of graphene mixed with mica.
" Other effects are more mysterious, and I won't attempt to explain them because I don't understand the precise causes. My discoveries are made via practical experiments, not scientific theories"
No thanks. This is a recipe for trouble. I am a retired process chemist with 35 years experience and I wouldn't do what you are doing.
OK- Here is an amazing anti static paint for cables and equipment chassis. Mix PVA glue, white tourmaline powder, titanium dioxide, graphene nanoparticles, synthetic mica, natural mica and barium titanate.
To create a mat from the anti-static paint, apply the mixture to the rough side of aluminum oxide sandpaper. Paint the reverse side with carbon black/PVA (or shungite powder/PVA) and dry in the sun. You now have a powerful mat. Stack several together, and you now have a very very powerful audio mat.
@whostolethebatmobile Why the somewhat clandestine approach? Simply start a thread or a website and spill the beans. (I have argued that many of the technologies to which you may be alluding are already available in industrial applications using graphene etc. However, I have not experimented.)
GK, I’m not teasing. I just want to give an opportunity for people to nix the idea before I dive in. If there is a good reason.
noromance - I have zero interest in charging anything, or making a product. I would be happy for people to make their own batch using my formulae. And very happy if it works wonders for them. And very, very happy if another reader tells me something useful I didn’t know already.
Thanks sgordon1 for your interest. - By solution, I meant answer, as in the resolution of the problems of underlying noise, various electronic interferences and static. Some of the formulations are solutions (liquids). - The creations do involve the combination of substances, and their application to sensitive parts of the audio equipment and surrounds. - The creations (I won't call them products because they are not for sale) enhance sound quality in a similar way (but with different strengths and emphasis) to other solutions such as bricks, demagnetizers, mats, conditioners, cards, pastes, etc., etc. - One effect of one formulation is to decrease static on any surface to which it is applied. Other effects are more mysterious, and I won't attempt to explain them because I don't understand the precise causes. My discoveries are made via practical experiments, not scientific theories. - After application or treatment, listeners would hear things their equipment had never before revealed, in most recordings.
One of the benefits of some of my solutions compared to commercial products, is they are comparatively very cheap to make, and sometimes more effective.
Bat, how bout starting with a definition of terms.
By "solution" do you mean "answer" or are you referring to a liquid or creme? And "chemically altered," does that simply mean you combine two or more substances together?
What do your creations do that effect the reproduction of music? What will sound different, after "application" or "treatment?"
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