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I Just Don't Hear It - I wish I did

I am frustrated because I am an audiophile who cannot discern details from so many of the methods praised by other audiophiles. I joke about not having golden ears. That said, I can easily discern and appreciate good soundstage, image, balance, tone, timbre, transparency and even the synergy of a system. I am however unable to hear the improvements that result from, say a piece of Teflon tape or a $5.00 item from the plumbing aisle at Home Depot. Furthermore, I think it is grossly unfair that I must pay in multiples of one hundred, or even one thousand just to gain relatively slight improvements in transparency, detail, timbre soundstage, etc., when other audiophiles can gain the same level of details from a ten dollar tweak. In an effort to sooth my frustration, I tell myself that my fellow audiophiles are experiencing a placebo effect of some sort. Does anyone else struggle to hear….no wait; does anyone else struggle to comprehend how someone else can hear the perceived benefits gained by the inclusion of any number of highly touted tweaks/gimmicks (brass screws, copper couplers, Teflon tape, maple hardwood, racquet balls, etc.) I mean, the claims are that these methods actually result in improved soundstage, image, detail (“blacker backgrounds”), clarity, bass definition, etc.
Am I alone in my frustration here?
2chnlben

Showing 8 responses by jimjoyce25

jimjoyce25
215 posts
 
And they do. And money-back if they don't work in your system.
jimjoyce25
215 posts
 
Marigo Mystery Feet provided an immediate, highly significant and positive audible difference in my system.

Marigo Ultra 5 power cords provided an immediate, highly significant and positive audible difference in my system.

They even let you audition for 30 days money back.

Oh, right, they're not a big-rep audiophile brand. Forget I mentioned it.
jimjoyce25
215 posts
 
Yes, the price on the Marigo feet is definitely an issue, especially if you find it works in your system.

One set for the preamp, another for the cd player, one more for the phono stage if your's is separate, then one or two more for your amp(s), that's real money. And that's not even mentioning two set of four for your speakers.

So, maybe the best strategy is just to keep Pandora's box shut tight!
jimjoyce25
215 posts
 
Cruz: I don't know that anyone besides the inventor really knows how they work.

My friend (who is a preamp and cd player designer) and I did a direct comparison of the Marigo and Equarack footers (I had previously purchased two sets of the Equaracks, and he had several sets of Marigos).

Based on the manufacturers' explanations of how they worked, he expected the Equarack footers to come out on top, but the Marigos did, and it wasn't close.

He has asked Marigo how they work, and the answers he got didn't make things any clearer.

There's apparently something like 30 parts in each footer, each of which needs to be hand- or machine-finished, which probably explains the high cost.

Full disclosure: Based on his experiences with the Marigo products (cd mat, power cords, footers, tuning dots) my friend became a Marigo dealer (very small-time, no meaningful profit: Since the Marigos work on the equipment he designs, he is able to provide the Marigos to those of his customers who want them). ---However, the reason to try these is because there is no risk---if they don't work out, you get your money back.
jimjoyce25
215 posts
 
Not out to insult anyone's intelligence. Not out to offend anyone's sense of what amount is proper or improper to spend on a footer.

The question was asked: Can a tweak make a big difference?

I provided an example of a product that is under most radar, and which offers a money-back trial period. It works for me.

For those who wish to try it, I'd be interested to hear what your experience is.

For those who do not, it's your time, money and belief system. You're entitled!
jimjoyce25
215 posts
 
When my friend and I did the comparison between Equarack and Marigo, we were hoping that Equarack would come out on top, since their footers are half as expensive.

No such luck.

My friend's wife listened and immediately and enthusiastically noted the difference made by the Marigo footers.

Even otherwise uninterested spouses of other friends who tried the footers noticed the difference.

Maybe it's the word "Mystery" in the name: Marigo Mystery Footers. Women are attracted to that sort of thing.
jimjoyce25
215 posts
 
Why should it be surprising that some tweaks have material effects?

Suppose that RF in a system has a significant distortion effect. We know that A/C is a major source of RF. Wouldn't it make sense that a power cable that materially reduces or eliminates RF transmission from the A/C would have a material and positive effect on your sound?

Similarly, suppose that component vibration has a material adverse effect on sound qualify. Wouldn't it make sense that a footer that actually does reduce vibration would materially improve the sound?

That's not to say that any particular tweak that *claims* to achieve these goals actually does. Many/most of them do not. But a few may, and that is what we are looking for.
jimjoyce25
215 posts
 
Let's put the point somewhat differently:

Let's suppose the audio issues tweak manufacturers are trying to solve are indeed material ones, so that their solution would produce a material improvement in sound.

Let's also suppose that the problems are very difficult to solve.

Wouldn't we expect the majority of tweak manufacturers to fall far short of the goal? And therefore that most tweaks would have only a marginal positive effect, if any? But that perhaps a small group would actually solve these problems, producing great results?

If that were in fact true, that would explain the fact that most of the posters on this thread don't report great results with the tweaks they have purchased, but some have.
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