Greenleaf7
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
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The purpose of this thread is to call out the most blatant snake oil audio products regardless of price.
The idea is not to ruin anyone's enjoyment of audio, or inflame subjectivists in any way, but to separate mythical products from those that actually make a difference to our listening experience.
The marketing for such items can be extremely persuasive. While it may seem like Nirvana, the claims are nearly all completely false. So if ever a salesperson attempts flog you with any of these items, you’d know better to say no.
I believe that the list of Snake Oil items listed in this thread will help audio enthusiasts make better informed decisions when purchasing new audio gear.
[size=10pt]Here's a list of (highly possible) snake oil equipment in the audio industry. If you know of any other similar equipment, please feel free to share them![/size]
[size=14pt]Monza LP Stabilizer [/size][size=10.0pt]http://www.furutech.com/2013/02/03/1631/[/size]
[size=10.0pt]Piezoelectric effects are the key. Furutech’s employs these nano-sized polycrystalline ferroelectric ceramic particles exhibiting electro-generative properties with carbon powder that exhibits thermal-conductive characteristics that interacts with the electrically [/size]charged ferro-ceramic particles converting their energy into heat that’s conducted away and released from the surface of the material and in doing so making the connection between electrical and mechanical oscillation. The mechanical and electrical damping effects occur while “interconverting” thermal, mechanical, and electrical energy acting as the perfect weighted surface for your LPs.
[size=14pt]SK-II Electrostatic Brush[/size] [size=10.0pt]http://www.furutech.com/2013/02/02/1788/[/size]
[size=10.0pt]By using the SK-II and lightly brushing the surface of LPs, CDs or DVDs in a circular motion, the sound quality of LPs and CDs will be improved and the image quality on DVD replay will also improve.[/size]
[size=14pt]LP Flattener DF-2 [/size][size=10.0pt]http://www.furutech.com/2013/02/02/1790/[/size]
[size=10.0pt]The DF-2 provides controlled-heat perfect flattening for all your warped records, even those with only slight irregularities just enough to unsettle your cartridge and cause mistracking.[/size]
[size=14pt]De Mag [/size][size=10.0pt]http://www.furutech.com/2013/02/02/1792/[/size]
[size=10.0pt]The only way to achieve top performance is by demagnetizing your problems away! There are no other demagnetizers on the market that can be used in such a versatile and effective way. The deMag Demagnetizer can even be used on metal-based accessories like CD stabilizers or speaker terminals.[/size]
[size=14pt]AudioQuest NRG WEL Signature Series AC Power Cable[/size] [size=10.0pt]http://www.audioquest.com/power-cables/wel-signature[/size]
[size=10.0pt]COUNTER-SPIRAL GEOMETRY: WEL Signature AC power cables have an inner circular array of positive conductors spiraling in one direction. Around this inner group are the negative conductors spiraling in the opposite direction. Even while the positive and negative conductors are crossing each other instead of being parallel, the relationship between the positive and negative groups is fixed and non-changing. The result is an astonishing clarity, like focusing a camera lens you had no idea was so far out of focus.[/size]
[size=14pt]Cable Elevators[/size] [size=10.0pt]http://www.musicdirect.com/p-971-cable-elevators.aspx[/size]
[size=10.0pt]Use Cable Elevators[/size] to support long runs of interconnects, power cords and speaker cables for huge improvements in detail, focus and dynamics. Creating an instantly noticeable and undeniable audible improvement, Cable Elevators are one of our all-time, best-selling, most effective accessories we sell. 100% Money Back Guaranteed!
[size=14pt]PS Audio Noise Harvester[/size] [size=10.0pt]http://www.musicdirect.com/p-7419-ps-audio-noise-harvester-in-black-ea.aspx?source=igodigital&[/size]
[size=10.0pt]Eliminate noise right at the source. The PS Audio[/size] Noise Harvester is the world's only device that actually eliminates line noise from your home's power lines. Only the Noise Harvester removes AC noise and converts it to another form of energy, light! Give your power conditioner a nice head start by lowering your noise floor in the first place.
[size=14pt]Quantum Base QV2 AC Line Harmonizer[/size] [size=10.0pt]http://www.musicdirect.com/p-48752-quantum-base-qv2-ac-line-harmonizer.aspx[/size]
[size=10.0pt]Qv2[/size][size=10.0pt] applies QRT technology directly to your AC line, simply plug the Qv2 into any spare outlet on your power conditioner (or the same power line that your system’s connected to) and your music or movies will take on a new sense of space and immediacy, clarity and presence. It really is that simple.[/size]
[size=14pt]Audio Desk System CD Lathe [/size][size=10.0pt]http://www.musicdirect.com/p-6975-audio-desk-cd-sound-improving-system.aspx[/size]
[size=10.0pt]Designed to “true” the shape of the CD to reduce mechanical jitter, the ADS[/size] also trims the edge of the CD to a 38° angle to reduce laser scatter. This new edge is then treated with the included black marker. This 60-second process results in pronounced improvements in focus, transient attack, detail and transparency.
[size=14pt]Spiral Groove - Strange Attractors: Decouple [/size][size=10.0pt]http://www.musicdirect.com/p-85110-spiral-groove-strange-attractors-decouple.aspx[/size]
[size=10.0pt]Strange Attractors[/size][size=10.0pt] act very similarly to a diode, which allows energy to only pass one way and not return. Strange Attractors[/size] remove both internal and external sources of vibration, hold your components very, very still, allowing your components to finally deliver all the music in your recordings. The effect is absolutely stunning; background noise vanishes, harshness and hash are banished, revealing a gorgeous tonal purity and dramatic dynamic range.
The idea is not to ruin anyone's enjoyment of audio, or inflame subjectivists in any way, but to separate mythical products from those that actually make a difference to our listening experience.
The marketing for such items can be extremely persuasive. While it may seem like Nirvana, the claims are nearly all completely false. So if ever a salesperson attempts flog you with any of these items, you’d know better to say no.
I believe that the list of Snake Oil items listed in this thread will help audio enthusiasts make better informed decisions when purchasing new audio gear.
[size=10pt]Here's a list of (highly possible) snake oil equipment in the audio industry. If you know of any other similar equipment, please feel free to share them![/size]
[size=14pt]Monza LP Stabilizer [/size][size=10.0pt]http://www.furutech.com/2013/02/03/1631/[/size]
[size=10.0pt]Piezoelectric effects are the key. Furutech’s employs these nano-sized polycrystalline ferroelectric ceramic particles exhibiting electro-generative properties with carbon powder that exhibits thermal-conductive characteristics that interacts with the electrically [/size]charged ferro-ceramic particles converting their energy into heat that’s conducted away and released from the surface of the material and in doing so making the connection between electrical and mechanical oscillation. The mechanical and electrical damping effects occur while “interconverting” thermal, mechanical, and electrical energy acting as the perfect weighted surface for your LPs.
[size=14pt]SK-II Electrostatic Brush[/size] [size=10.0pt]http://www.furutech.com/2013/02/02/1788/[/size]
[size=10.0pt]By using the SK-II and lightly brushing the surface of LPs, CDs or DVDs in a circular motion, the sound quality of LPs and CDs will be improved and the image quality on DVD replay will also improve.[/size]
[size=14pt]LP Flattener DF-2 [/size][size=10.0pt]http://www.furutech.com/2013/02/02/1790/[/size]
[size=10.0pt]The DF-2 provides controlled-heat perfect flattening for all your warped records, even those with only slight irregularities just enough to unsettle your cartridge and cause mistracking.[/size]
[size=14pt]De Mag [/size][size=10.0pt]http://www.furutech.com/2013/02/02/1792/[/size]
[size=10.0pt]The only way to achieve top performance is by demagnetizing your problems away! There are no other demagnetizers on the market that can be used in such a versatile and effective way. The deMag Demagnetizer can even be used on metal-based accessories like CD stabilizers or speaker terminals.[/size]
[size=14pt]AudioQuest NRG WEL Signature Series AC Power Cable[/size] [size=10.0pt]http://www.audioquest.com/power-cables/wel-signature[/size]
[size=10.0pt]COUNTER-SPIRAL GEOMETRY: WEL Signature AC power cables have an inner circular array of positive conductors spiraling in one direction. Around this inner group are the negative conductors spiraling in the opposite direction. Even while the positive and negative conductors are crossing each other instead of being parallel, the relationship between the positive and negative groups is fixed and non-changing. The result is an astonishing clarity, like focusing a camera lens you had no idea was so far out of focus.[/size]
[size=14pt]Cable Elevators[/size] [size=10.0pt]http://www.musicdirect.com/p-971-cable-elevators.aspx[/size]
[size=10.0pt]Use Cable Elevators[/size] to support long runs of interconnects, power cords and speaker cables for huge improvements in detail, focus and dynamics. Creating an instantly noticeable and undeniable audible improvement, Cable Elevators are one of our all-time, best-selling, most effective accessories we sell. 100% Money Back Guaranteed!
[size=14pt]PS Audio Noise Harvester[/size] [size=10.0pt]http://www.musicdirect.com/p-7419-ps-audio-noise-harvester-in-black-ea.aspx?source=igodigital&[/size]
[size=10.0pt]Eliminate noise right at the source. The PS Audio[/size] Noise Harvester is the world's only device that actually eliminates line noise from your home's power lines. Only the Noise Harvester removes AC noise and converts it to another form of energy, light! Give your power conditioner a nice head start by lowering your noise floor in the first place.
[size=14pt]Quantum Base QV2 AC Line Harmonizer[/size] [size=10.0pt]http://www.musicdirect.com/p-48752-quantum-base-qv2-ac-line-harmonizer.aspx[/size]
[size=10.0pt]Qv2[/size][size=10.0pt] applies QRT technology directly to your AC line, simply plug the Qv2 into any spare outlet on your power conditioner (or the same power line that your system’s connected to) and your music or movies will take on a new sense of space and immediacy, clarity and presence. It really is that simple.[/size]
[size=14pt]Audio Desk System CD Lathe [/size][size=10.0pt]http://www.musicdirect.com/p-6975-audio-desk-cd-sound-improving-system.aspx[/size]
[size=10.0pt]Designed to “true” the shape of the CD to reduce mechanical jitter, the ADS[/size] also trims the edge of the CD to a 38° angle to reduce laser scatter. This new edge is then treated with the included black marker. This 60-second process results in pronounced improvements in focus, transient attack, detail and transparency.
[size=14pt]Spiral Groove - Strange Attractors: Decouple [/size][size=10.0pt]http://www.musicdirect.com/p-85110-spiral-groove-strange-attractors-decouple.aspx[/size]
[size=10.0pt]Strange Attractors[/size][size=10.0pt] act very similarly to a diode, which allows energy to only pass one way and not return. Strange Attractors[/size] remove both internal and external sources of vibration, hold your components very, very still, allowing your components to finally deliver all the music in your recordings. The effect is absolutely stunning; background noise vanishes, harshness and hash are banished, revealing a gorgeous tonal purity and dramatic dynamic range.
