[Wodgy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif Further, everyone involved in the field eventually turns out to be a hoaxer, scammer, lunatic, etc. Cables are just another field of the paranormal, though rarely recognized as that.

Ah yes, Rick at VD is no stranger to the supernatural. I remember four years ago when Virtual Dynamics was running ads for their cables with the tagline "Connect with God, He will bless you for it."

These cables are obviously imbued with mystical power of some sort.

 

[manaox2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ask yourself this, how can a piece of wire affect thousands of different power supply designs the same way? They can't. Even if a power cord did something to one particular supply, it probably wouldn't to any of the thousands of other supplies the same way. Taking into account component selection and house wiring, there are as many variations as there are people. Something that makes the same change across millions of examples is not possible. The simple answer is placebo and mass delusion. Power cords are like Bigfoot; they sound plausible at first. But when you get down to it, hard evidence vanishes. Further, everyone involved in the field eventually turns out to be a hoaxer, scammer, lunatic, etc. Cables are just another field of the paranormal, though rarely recognized as that.

I agree with you on most points. I will not hit the point soon where I think a high end power cord over $50 is economically advisable compared to other upgrades. That comes somewhere after $3000 in a rig to me. I also don't think it affects all power supplies the same way. It is more likely to be analogous to analog cables, some equipment responds more dramatically to an interconnect change then others. I admit, I don't understand exactly what is going on with "micro-vibrations". Many I know thats even tried the cable has told me it made a noticeable difference on their music, which is odd, even for placebo. It is worth trying a DIY one IMO. It could be that its only the upgraded connectors as far as I know. If you try it and still don't think it makes any difference after a reasonable trial (even an hour long comparison between), surely someone gullible in your eyes might like to have it. It shouldn't really matter though as long as your happy.

 

[bigshot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy Camper /img/forum/go_quote.gif As to the UL/CSA certification, how many products sold relating to this hobby are?

Look them up on the Underwriter's Lab site. Everything I own that plugs into the wall is certified. That's what those little paper tags on the power cords mean.

See ya
Steve

 

[bigshot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by manaox2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I will not hit the point soon where I think a high end power cord over $50 is economically advisable compared to other upgrades. That comes somewhere after $3000 in a rig to me.

The price you paid for your audio equipment has nothing to do with whether a high end cable will be more effective in your system than a standard cable. You could have a $200 stereo or a $20,000 one and if you live next door to an AM radio transmitter tower, you are going to need more shielding than most people. Likewise, the most expensive cable in the world isn't going to make your system sound better if you don't need any more shielding and conductivity than you can get through a standard Radio Shack interconnect. For the vast majority of people, high end cables are overkill with no added benefit at all.

See ya
Steve

 

[plainsong]

So is all of headfi becoming the cable forum now?

 

[KUNFUCHOPSTICKS]

"But honestly, if you spend $300 on a power cable, you know, deep down, that you're pretty much throwing your money away, so you shouldn't be too surprised."

that's pretty much it. The sad thing is people here actually know things compared to regular consumers that get ripped off by $100 Monster HDMI cables; but they still fall for that!?

 

[pez]

Uh, guys you should no better, they have a sticky that says we don't discuss this kind of stuff about cables...Because it (is) leads to debates/arguments.

 

[shigzeo]

I am quite sure it is totally fine to be duped about audio especially here where much of our upgrades are either based on companies proclaiming to be better at a larger price or a smaller one. Somehow though as long as a person is happy with her purchase why should it matter.

Placebo comes in many forms and we are all effected by it - some more than others. If we live in a rather free Market economy why bother worrying - companies that generate interest will always have customers who either buy from gullibility, true interest or a desire to prove wrong.

In the end, very little at all matters. VD seem like a company that know how to play the Market and at least do it in a non-threatening manner. Perhaps a little mad and hypnotic but at least gentlemanly.

Final effect - I am indeed worried for U of T if there is much they will publicly publish or bother to back up of positive research in VD.

 

[slwiser]

Quote:

Originally Posted by plainsong /img/forum/go_quote.gif So is all of headfi becoming the cable forum now?

No, just laughing-stock for the rest of the Internet world for airing some of our inter-community squabbles. Everyone here is now branded as being crazy, no exceptions.

 

[Kirosia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by slwiser /img/forum/go_quote.gif Everyone here is now branded as being crazy, no exceptions.

We're members of a forum dedicated to headphones, that's well past crazy.

 

[scompton]

Yeah, my friends think I'm crazy. But they come to me when they want to buy a headphone.

 

[hempcamp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif Have you ever heard the effect of vibrations in your car stereo? Probably not. Unless you performed extensive upgrades, you car has similarly cheap wiring as Virtual Dynamics uses, with no vibration control. Your car is subject to orders of magnitude more vibration than your home is, so if vibrations make no noticeable difference in your car, they won't at home.

Did you hear the one about the audio enthusiast pulled over for speeding?

"But officer, the vibrations in my car are causing quantum pulses which are making my digital speedometer show a slower speed than I'm actually going! Science has nothing to do with it! I trust my eyes and only my eyes!"

--Chris

 

[gotchaforce]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shigzeo /img/forum/go_quote.gif Final effect - I am indeed worried for U of T if there is much they will publicly publish or bother to back up of positive research in VD.

U of T students were involved so basically U of T has nothing to do with virtual dynamics they are just using the name to try and add some credibility and swindle people.

obviously it works (no offense) since a lot of people think its true... however it requires some time and effort to look into their findings to understand what U of T really had to do with any of it.

 

[Wmcmanus]

I've moved this thread from the Member's Lounge to the Cables forum.

People seem to be much more comfortable in arguing (err, discussing) inane topics endlessly here in the war zone. However newsworthy the initial post may have been, its informational content has now been efficiently impounded into the market. The real fun now is in watching the vultures as they circle their (long since dead) prey.

 

[Febs]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpeezy /img/forum/go_quote.gif I didn't read the thread intensely or anything, but I thought that "last post by the author" was actually made by VD themselves. Am I misunderstanding the VD response?

I went back and checked the original thread after seeing that comment by VD. It is a shameless mischaracterization of the last post by the OP in that thread.