[cdacosta]

For kicks and giggles I removed all of my rochelle salt for ac filtering (invented by @cdacosta) today. Instantaneous collapse of soundstage, diminished detail and micro detail, a big dynamics drop, a flatter and less amusing and engaging sound. This really is a must try tweak for all that didn’t already try it in some way or another. It transforms a good sounding system in a stellar sounding system!

Yep, best bang for the $ tweak I have come across. For best results one must tune (as I have noted before) for individual system and taste. Before I experimented with the concept, I would not of thought our home AC wiring was picking up and collecting EMI/EMF noise the way it does. And how much the collected high frequency noise effects our audio and video systems. And can be addressed for the price of a decent meal.

 

[dougms3]

@Jake2

Is there a particular way of using these things?

 

[Jake2]

@Jake2

Is there a particular way of using these things?

I did hardly any googling on the 'how' to use em, just followed my nose by placing em on components, starting with placing em on top of my OCK-2 where they all stayed. Most effect there vs other components: OCK-2 > DAC > power amp IIRC. Suspect the level of surface area contact may be a factor.. with your large oval rather than flat shapes you might want to try some sort of slightly formable/compressible layer between them and your component lids etc to increase the contact area (I'm using fo.Q and graphite sheets). If the vials contain crushed/smaller fragments try both in the vials and directly on lid (yes potentially messy, but give it a go).

There is an really old thread about use of crystals that In sure will have more guidance.

 

[dougms3]

I did hardly any googling on the 'how' to use em, just followed my nose by placing em on components, starting with placing em on top of my OCK-2 where they all stayed. Most effect there vs other components: OCK-2 > DAC > power amp IIRC. Suspect the level of surface area contact may be a factor.. with your large oval rather than flat shapes you might want to try some sort of slightly formable/compressible layer between them and your component lids etc to increase the contact area (I'm using fo.Q and graphite sheets). If the vials contain crushed/smaller fragments try both in the vials and directly on lid (yes potentially messy, but give it a go).

There is an really old thread about use of crystals that In sure will have more guidance.

I guess I'll to just test it out in different locations.

Something sounds different though. Not a huge difference but it does sound different.

I haven't changed anything in my setup for a while so I notice when something changes.

 

[cdacosta]

I guess I'll to just test it out in different locations.

Something sounds different though. Not a huge difference but it does sound different.

I haven't changed anything in my setup for a while so I notice when something changes.

I have experimented with crystals in the past, when they were first a thing in Hi-Fi around late 2008 or so. Like exotic wood, it seemed to me that crystals on top of enclosures and electronic parts change the oscillating frequency of said enclosure or electronic part. This in turn changes what you hear slightly. Used for tuning.

 

[kenincalgary]

I went back and forth many times before finally accepting that having this in the fridge did improve the sound of my system (not the fridge). It's quite subtle, the Rochelle salt and hBN are much more effective when used as directed. Haven't tried those in the fridge yet

 

[Jake2]

I went back and forth many times before finally accepting that having this in the fridge did improve the sound of my system (not the fridge). It's quite subtle, the Rochelle salt and hBN are much more effective when used as directed. Haven't tried those in the fridge yet

Love it!

 

[cdacosta]

I went back and forth many times before finally accepting that having this in the fridge did improve the sound of my system (not the fridge). It's quite subtle, the Rochelle salt and hBN are much more effective when used as directed. Haven't tried those in the fridge yet

What is that? Looks like a small black crystal.

 

[kenincalgary]

It's a quarz crystal, I have no idea if size, shape etc have any bearing, it's what I had on hand.

With it on a shelf in the refrigerator I can hear better separation/less fuzz in the fine treble details. I was intent on proving it to be hogwash, so much for expectation bias.

 

[cdacosta]

It's a quarz crystal, I have no idea if size, shape etc have any bearing, it's what I had on hand.

With it on a shelf in the refrigerator I can hear better separation/less fuzz in the fine treble details. I was intent on proving it to be hogwash, so much for expectation bias.

I would have to experience that to believe it. Although I do believe you think you hear a difference. Cannot wrap my mind around how a crystal on a shelf, inside the fridge can effect sonic reproduction of an audio system.

 

[kenincalgary]

Me neither.

 

[MattSPL]

5kg of Magnetite arrived.
While I wait for everything else for the ground box I terminated a 4mm sq piece of Van damme speaker cable onto an xlr connector.
I then stripped about a foot of the cable separated some of the copper strands and buried it into the bag of Magnetite, then plugged the xlr into the AES input of my Dac.

This crude test setup is easily worth the cost and surprisingly good already.

 

[cdacosta]

This is almost exactly what I share as the simple test/experiment to experience what a passive ground box will offer. In the past I called it a jimmy rigged version. What you are experiencing is about 30%-ish of what a properly built box and cable will provide.

 

[MattSPL]

This is almost exactly what I share as the simple test/experiment to experience what a passive ground box will offer. In the past I called it a jimmy rigged version. What you are experiencing is about 30%-ish of what a properly built box and cable will provide.

If this is only 30%, I cannot wait to experience the rest.

 

[Jake2]

If this is only 30%, I cannot wait to experience the rest.

To be fair I'm not sure if anyone has yet been awarded a 100% rating from @cdacosta , he is a tough marker!