The Clever Little Sharp


After following the clever little clock thread to its current uselessness, I had come the conclusion that the whole concept was total nonsense. The fact that this product’s effect can’t be explained in literature and is, in fact, almost secretive leaves me suspicious. But like many curious audiophiles, I just couldn’t resist doing an experiment.

Before I go further, I must say that I was willing to chalk my findings up to a small personal victory not meant for publication. This is primarily because I didn’t want the negative responses pointing at the fact that I was either crazy or was hearing things that were self-induced.

Over lunch last week, I decided to go to the local discount store and purchase a battery operated clock. I proceeded to the clock counter and proceeded to make a $9.95 cent purchase into a major buying decision. Battery operated w/cord?, LCD or LED display?, black or silver case?, atomic auto setting?, etc. etc. There were probably more than 15 models between $7.99 and $14.99. I ended up with the Sharp LCD atomic clock w/day & date for $9.95. I have no idea whether any of these features are detrimental to the end result, and I doubt if I will ever buy 12 different battery clocks to find out.

I waited for the clock to automatically set itself and set it on a computer table in the room. While I played a few selections waiting for the system to totally warm-up, I thought I noticed a more palatable nature to the sound – actually more musical and warm. There you go, I thought, hearing a change because you want to. I left the room and took the clock outside and laid it on the concrete patio behind my home. About ten minutes later, I returned to listening and darn if something wasn’t missing. This is beyond crazy. I put the experiment on hold.

Later that evening, my son came over for a visit. He is no audiophile, but has the virtue of having 26 year old ears. He has called changes in my system in the past with relative ease and I consider his hearing above par. I asked him to sit in the sweet spot and evaluate if there was a change. I played a selection from Dan Siegel’s Inside Out CD for a reference and then brought the clock in and hid it behind the computer monitor. I requested that he keep his eyes closed and did not let on to what, if anything, I was doing. Midway through the same selection, he smiled and asked “what did you do?” I asked “Why, what are you hearing?” He went on to say that the midrange opened up and is more airy and the bass is more defined, tighter and deeper. I must admit that I thought I was hearing the same thing. I laughed at this point and said to wait until we do this a couple more times. After running back between the patio and listening room a few more times, I finally showed him what I was bringing into the room. His reaction was NOooo! NO WAY!

Even after this, I though that there is no chance that I will post this to Audiogon. It’s like seeing a UFO (not that I have) and trying to convince someone who hasn’t that it is real. Must be a blimp, right?

I decided to enlist my long-time audio friend Jim J. to see if my son and I were both crazy. Now, his ears are variety 1945 (or so – he won’t admit his age) but they are golden by audiophile standards. I proceeded to pull the same trick on him, not letting on to what if anything I did. I will tell you from past experience, he will call the session exactly like he hears it. This means that he will also not say that there is an improvement or any change if it simply is not there. He is as close to the perfect candidate that I would find or trust.

A similar thing happened, but rather than a smile, it was a sinister grin. “What are you doing?” He said. “What is that thing you went and got? It isn’t radio-active is it” he joked. “Well it is atomic” I said as I laughed. COME ON, what is the deal with this? I joking replied that it was top secret, but admitted I really have no idea. What did you hear? He replied that the overall openness and air around each instrument had improved as well as a cleaner, more defined presentation.

I’m sure that many will think we are all crazy, but I thought the open-minded would appreciate the information. I have no idea why it works, nor what the difference is with the supposedly modified clever little clock. I do know that for $9.95, a stock Sharp will enhance your listening. And if it doesn’t, return it to Walmart.

That's my story and I'm stickin to it.
128x128tgun5
Fascinating results from your experiments! Can you tell if the clock puts out any sounds? like, perhaps a high pitched, nearly ultrasonic whine? Have you tried putting a padded box around it?
To answer some of the questions;

I haven't tried to put anything around it - padded box, etc. I have put it in different locations within the room and it is consistant in each location. I haven't tried other rooms

I have not tried to fool any of the listeners by pretending to bring something in and did not. I probably should have but since 1) they didn't know what I was bringing into the room 2) that it wasn't related to the system since it was on the opposite side of the room 3) I could have been bringing in nothing, or a rock just to play a game on them. These factors lent credibility to the test.

I have not tried multiple clocks as of yet. I was hoping that many of you would take this to the next step and do more experimenting.
You should see if the guys over at The Upgrade Company would mod it for you. I hear the SE version is better.
Try putting it on Vibrapods and using gold plated batteries. Also, by setting the clock ahead one hour will provide more PRAT while setting it one hour behind makes things more musical. :>)

Come on..... BUT, if it works for YOU then that is all that matters. The mind is a wonderful thing.
Vibrapods are good, but, what "The Clever Little Sharp" really needs is a Siltech Ruby Mountain Signature G6 for the battery recharger. A serious power conditioner, dedicated rack, Poly Crystal cable towers, Shun Mook Diamond Resonators, Shakti EMI Diffusor Stone are just some of the tweeks that will get your "Clever Little Sharp" on its way, at least untill your willing to get really serious about really getting the most out of your investment. Oh and don't forget "Peter's Belts".