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The molecular level explanation of "cable burn-in"

According to one cable seller

"The insulation (or dielectric) will absorb energy from the conductor when a current is flowing (i.e. when music is playing). This energy-absorption causes the dielectric's molecules to re-arrange themselves from a random order into a uniform order. When the molecules have been rearranged, the dielectric will absorb less energy & consequently cause less distortion."

So it’s the plastic polymer (as dielectric insulation) to undergo some sort of molecular rearrangements to minimize the distortion. Probably one of the greatest scientific discoveries ever!

“Many premium AC cords constrict or compress the audio transient as their characteristic impedance restricts the transient current.”

We all know impedance restricts current but how possibly “many” premium AC cords constrict/compress the audio transient (when not carrying audio signal)? Then again is it achieved by this molecular rearrangements of the cable insulation?

Unfortunately there are no measurement data or mathematical formulas to be found to back up this amazing scientific discovery. Simply “it happens”. So I came up with a formula for them.

∆E = P - SoT

∆E: energy absorbed by dielectric

P: energy (power) drawn from wall outlet

So : Smake Oile

T: Dielectric Transition Temperature

classicrockfan

Showing 1 response by retrocrownfan

retrocrownfan's avatar
retrocrownfan
128 posts
 

Sorry for extending our weekly cable exercise, but here’s way for everyone to sleep at night without worrying about the last electron’s alignment.

One of the running jokes of my 40 years in graphic design end of the ad agency business is the never ending stream of client side comments like “can you just res-up this 80k jpeg to use on my 40 ft bus graphic?”

There is no res-up magic on a raster file. Period. The digital information is not there. We do employ very talented desktop designers. They can create a vector file based on the image in your thumbnail. BUT, we will charge you the “Rembrandt Rate” and it will be a super-realistic original creation.

Fast forward to our hobby, and the journey a recording takes from the time players and singers perform a song and when an electrical signal vibrates a surface that vibrates a listener’s ear drum.

Perfect reproduction is an impossible dream. In the audiophile world, each stage of signal capture, voltage reduction, voltage amplification and sound wave creation is subject to somebody’s skilled “Rembrandt Rate” applying their expertise to the creation of something that moves the electrical footprint forward in a way that best preserves the impression of the sound waves created for the recording. Just like an oft copied page run through as a copy of a copy of a copy, each step reimages the original.

My point is the same as Paul from PS Audio. Even as a maker of high end gear, he clearly states “nobody hears the signal” and the single most important investment in your system is your speakers, because they create the sound pressure that moves your ear drums.

Everything. All of it. Is in the ear of the beholder. The value of each piece of gear in your system is not an absolute. It is some company’s commercial effort to interpret (not reproduce) a performance that a buyer values as pleasing and accurate. Uber cable or lamp cord. Transparent bright or warm big baffle speaker. Every version of the “Rembrandt Rate” is out there. The actual value of that investment exists only in the space between your ear drums and your brain,

 

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