Any thoughts on this?

[edmann]

If this guy is right - many of us may have been spinning our wheels -


http://www.vansevers.com

I welcome all commentary

Ed

[Killahurts]

I'm taking it seriously because I want to obtain "sonic nirvana".

[faeflora]

He's making money from hype. Nothing extraordinary. Audiophiles are everywhere. The world would be a better place if they shut the **** up.

[Jason Poulin]

all power is dirty and of course you'll get cleaner with a conditioner but...

We're doing fine without it!
No need to worry!

If you can't perform wearing dirty underwear, than it's not worth to perform at all... make sense? of course not!!! haha


Jason

[edmann]

keep it coming people this is helping me tremendously

Ed
----------------------------
mac? still mac? leaning toward PC? Where's the hype stop? Why do my old Mackie mixes sound so good? Is God a fixed or floating point entity?

[quasimodonyc]

This guy is seriously nuts. The pocket rocket? A $275 piece of wood that you put in your pocket that helps you play your instrument better? I wonder if you stuck it up your ass what would happen, you'd start making sense?

[Jeff Goodman]

Power cables with resonators! That's ****ing brilliant! He's opened up a whole new world of fake products. How about pitch tunable kleenex, or...or pens designed to only write music charts.

What a ****in nutball!dfegad

Jeff

[caughtup]

I've got some moldy wood in the garage that is aged quite nicely. I'll chop off a hunk with my titanium camping hatchet tonight and stick it in my ears; this un-doubtably will make my head resonate to the same timber of my Old Dahlquist 905's, vastly improving their "punch" and "definition".

Has anyone seen the "mothra" website??? it's a beautiful parody of this vein of thinking..

http://www.mothraresearch.com/


Jeff party on Garth.. party on Wayne.

[borut]

150 dollars for a power chord


If this guy sells any of it he is ****ing brilliant

He should sell it on the shopping channel every household needs one

[Killahurts]

Originally posted by borut
He should sell it on the shopping channel every household needs one

Yeah, maybe he could get Esteban to attach some of those resonator thingys to his guitar- the "units sold" meter would go off the scale!

[box]

Green Mamba Power Cord
Our Price: $375.00

We don’t know for sure why it works, just that it does!

thats good enough for me!!!!

by the way i take this stuff called yohimbe bark. dont know how it works but i can go all NIGHT LONG!!

[Dot]

Some of this stuff may be nuts and there's other factors of it that are more than they appear at a cursory glance. I don't know what kind of systems most of you guys have here, but for the most part I'll bet they're not really "critical listening" environments. I'll bet you also take all your pricey outboard gear and bolt it all down nice and tight in racks - and by doing so turn the whole rack and all of the components into a huge vibrating mass - that can affect every parameter of every piece of gear in your rack.

Some of the audiophile world is definitely out there - but the real stuff that really does make a difference is probably 20+ years ahead of the pro audio community.

How many of you have isolated racks - or isolate the individual outboard components? How many of you isolate your monitors?

I've been working with a combination of pro audio and audiophile theories and practices. There's one recording studio I've been designing, the racks are isolated on spikes, each outboard component - rather than being bolted into a rack - rests on three brass cones. There's also an audiophile listening room next to the studio that has a MartinLogan 5.1 system powered by Conrad Johnson amps.

I have audio and power cables here made by Danny McKinney of Requisite Audio. They're pricey - and they make a noticeable difference. info here at this link. I don't think Danny is off his rocker, and I don't think anyone who's used his products thinks so either.

I also work with some Michael Green products. I think rather than automatically dismissing something - that's obviously way over your head - as bullshit, you might do yourself a favor by actually doing some of your own first-hand investigation.

[Jeff Goodman]

"...and by doing so turn the whole rack and all of the components into a huge vibrating mass - that can affect every parameter of every piece of gear in your rack."

My racks in particular are not a huge vibrating mass, I can't speak for anyone else obviously, but unless you're working with absurd levels of bass and volume, or the place you're doing your listening is very badly built, why would anything in a studio be a huge vibrating mass. A little overstated, wouldn't you say? And please explain how that can affect every parameter of every piece of gear in your rack.


"...but the real stuff that really does make a difference is probably 20+ years ahead of the pro audio community."

I'd say that's a matter of opinion. You've got yours and I've got mine.

"How many of you have isolated racks - or isolate the individual outboard components? How many of you isolate your monitors?"

I've been in ALOT of recording studios in my life and have NEVER seen individual pieces of outboard gear isolated. My racks are shock mounted and my near fields are always isolated from the console meter bridge with at least a piece of 1/2" machine rubber matting. Most of the recording engineers that I know do the same or similar. What's your point?

"I've been working with a combination of pro audio and audiophile theories and practices. There's one recording studio I've been designing, the racks are isolated on spikes, each outboard component - rather than being bolted into a rack - rests on three brass cones. There's also an audiophile listening room next to the studio that has a MartinLogan 5.1 system powered by Conrad Johnson amps."

Again, what's your point? Sounds more like a clean room than a working recording studio. I'm sure it sounds nice in there, but it sounds more like mastering suite that a studio.

"I have audio and power cables here made by Danny McKinney of Requisite Audio. They're pricey - and they make a noticeable difference. info here at this link. I don't think Danny is off his rocker, and I don't think anyone who's used his products thinks so either."

I'm not arguing that audio cables can make a huge difference, I know they can. But having a studio full of $1,000 mic cables is unrealistic at best. Not to mention that that $1000 buys you small small increments. Is it worth it? I'm not convinced. I've used Tara Labs, Van der Hul, and others. Good cables, all of them. Requisite Audio makes great gear, and I'm sure great cables. I still make my own cables out of Mogami and I never feel cheated, sonicly or otherwise.

Power cables, I'm not so sure about. I have some friends that swear by Tara Labs power cables, like $600 a piece. I can't buy in. What about the other 300 ft of cable in the Romex in the walls? If you run that really expensive cable all the way back to the breaker box, then maybe. But what about what the power co feeds you. If you're gonna tell me that the last 6 ft of cable changes everything when the xxx ft before it are the same ol' crap then I gotta say your kidding youself. If all the power cable in the whole facility is of that quality, through power conditioners and isolation xtransfomers, then maybe you're on to something. I've listened to the 6 ft $600 power cables plugged into the romex stuff and I don't buy in.


"...I think rather than automatically dismissing something - that's obviously way over your head - as bullshit, you might do yourself a favor by actually doing some of your own first-hand investigation."

Firstly, I don't automatically dismiss things without investigation.

Second, Slick, don't assume that anything's over my head. You don't know me or anyone else here from jack. The kind of blanket 'I know more than you idiots' statement you just made, is foolish at best. It'd probably do you better to ask why any of us think this way instead of putting your foot in your mouth right out of the gate.

This guy is selling power cables with resonators on them. That makes him a charlatan in my book, or a nutcase. This is my educated, investigated opinion.

Something else to consider: All those records that the HiFi crowd likes to ooh and aah over on their $100,000 home stereos; they were recorded with regular mic cables and regular power cables through dirty power and mixed on NS-10s. Deal with it.

Jeff

[Dot]

Jeff, didn't mean any "I know more" type of attitude. More like, "I have personally investigated some of this, and there are areas that can make a difference". I was also questioning why the people here are so quick to jump on the "that guy's nuts" bandwagon - or dismiss a pricey AC cord. But I don't have a problem making a blanket statement that the pro audio community is lagging a pretty good distance behind the audiophile community.

---But having a studio full of $1,000 mic cables is unrealistic at best.

Why?

And what would be wrong with creating a mastering-studio level of quality in a recording studio?

What if money has nothing to do with the equation and you're simply wanting the best environment possible?

---I've been in ALOT of recording studios in my life and have NEVER seen individual pieces of outboard gear isolated.

So?

[box]

my addiction to high end gear comes from the experience when it can spark creativity with great sound and ease of use. for me that is what it is all about creativity and great sounds. i don't doubt that a $350 power cable will make my DC30 sound better than a generic cable, but for me my, concentration and money [at this point] is better spent on creating music.

i do see the attraction to creating the perfect setup, in the perfect room, with the perfect cables, and the perfect ........ at the point where i have the resources to do so: money, and someone to spend the time researching all the elements that will make up the perfect and correct studio so i can spend my time creating music and buying the fun stuff. i will

that is my poorly written opinion. do with it what you will

[Jeff Goodman]

Hi Dot,

well if you don't want people to think that you're taking a 'I know more' attitude than you should probably avoid statements like "...that's obviously way over your head..."

I'm glad you have investigated and some of your points are well taken. As to the 'he's nuts' thing: he's selling power cables with resonators on them. Come on now, that's not very clear proof of either his honest intentions or his perception of what makes good audio.

I will definitely admit some better qualities in the audiophile world, but the prices are absurd.

Certainly in most cases, for a working studio that needs at least 50 or more mic cables, $1000 a piece is unrealistic. And that isn't even counting all the patch cables, adaptive cables, etc.

Having a mastering quality monitoring environment is an ideal aspiration, but again how practical is it? Space constraints and comfortable working environs for musicians are just some of the mundane reasons why that may not often be an attainable goal. Most mastering rooms I've been in are not really musician friendly. And most are just too pristine for me to feel comfortable in for a day to day working environment. That's probably just me though, I need to spread out a little (ok, alot).

If money were not an object, than yes it would be great to incorporate all the best features. But really, how often and for how many is money not a option?

I've built a few and they always seem to cost alot, usually more than anticipated, but if really can cost less than I think, well then I say: onward and upward.

Jeff

[Jeff Goodman]

hmm, that smiley was supposed to go after the last sentence not after my name. oh well.

Jeff

[Jeff Goodman]

...but for me my, concentration and money [at this point] is better spent on creating music

Another point well taken.

[jwh1192]

i have forty yards of Digital Carpet for sale ...

has firewire connector and USB 2.0 ...

the colors are out of this world ...

the pile is high enough you might need waders to get through it ...

and all for just 35.00 a yard ...

please send cash only to PO box in butt fudge Nevada and i will DHL you your Digital Carpet Kit ...

Kit includes:

amount of carpet you order, a firewire, USB and 275.00 power cable. and if you act now i will send a crock of shit to the first 25 people, free of charge, thats right free of charge ...

residents of any state of mind you are in please add state sales tax and 900.00 for shipping.

rush orders or overnight delivery please add additional 450.00 and a lock of your hair ... DNA is going to be currency in the new millenium ...

just like Cameltoe was the cleavage of the last millenium ...


i must be tired ...

good night all and sleep tight, don't let the freaks bite ...

peace john

[Dot]

Originally posted by Jeff Goodman
Another point well taken. referring to, ...but for me my, concentration and money [at this point] is better spent on creating music

Ah, c'mon, I don't wanna' hear it. : )

Ah, Jeff let's keep talking here. This is good.

Ok, this thing about money vs performance; I'm not even that old, 42, but I come from an age not too long ago that even to get into something like an MTR-90 2" deck was $95K. That's ninetyfive****ingthousanddollars! Yowsa! And then you needed a few other things, too, to get a real studio going. And the Otari decks were just good mid-level workhorses - not even the pricey stuff. For $95K today, you can build the baddest-ass private studio - and that includes even being able to wire it with pricey audio and AC cables if you find they make a diiference.

Folks, this is the HIGH END forum! Irregardless of cost - the question is; Do some of these seemingly wacky and esoteric products and practices make at least even the slightest margin of an improvement in sonic performance? Do they allow for more accuracy? And the big-picture question, IMO; Can they be used as tools to deliver more emotional impact to the listener??!! If they possibly can, then we have to give them credit each on their own merit. Small steps in high-end audio can be expensive - but as long as the steps are more forward than backwards, they're in the right direction.

[Jeff Goodman]

Ah, c'mon, I don't wanna' hear it.

Why not? If I had the best musicians playing great songs with great arrangements then I could use hangars instead of mic cable and it would still be great. Mic cables don't make great songs, great musicians playing great sounding instruments do. I'll put my money down on that anyday.

As for 95 grand for an MTR 90, well that was just a manufacturer taking advantage of their being the flavor of the month. It was a sellers market at that time. Post houses were buying those things up like crazy. An MTR 90 was never worth that kind of money, and you can buy a new one now for a lot less (ALOT less). And what does that have to with money vs. perfomance anyway?

and $95K will not buy a badass private studio, a nice home/project studio maybe. But not a real studio, private or otherwise. Even a small place with floating walls/ floors, decent isolation, decent control room design will cost you that much before you get into cabling and equipment. I have easily well over $100k worth of outboard alone and I'm always finding that I'm missing something. I don't even own a tape machine or a console anymore. $95k will get you started nicely, but if you're dealing with full bands, then that's all it is...a nice start.

the question is; Do some of these seemingly wacky and esoteric products and practices make at least even the slightest margin of an improvement in sonic performance?

The answer is... maybe. As I already stated at the end of one of my other rants in this thread:

"All those records that the HiFi crowd likes to ooh and aah over on their $100,000 home stereos; they were recorded with regular mic cables and regular power cables through dirty power and mixed on NS-10s. "

My point is that if they can hear all the detail on their expensive audiophile systems then it must have existed on the original recordings. So who's fooling who here?

Good tools are essential, and everyone here gets to decide for themself which tools are essential for the work they do. My biggest complaint towards this type gear is the price. There is no cable worth $1k/ 20 ft. When a manufacturer sees demand outweigh supply then they can decide to raise prices as they see fit. But to decide arbitrarily that $10 dollars worth of parts will sell for $1k to audiophile geeks that won't question their real value, seems pretty stupid to me. I know that Tara Labs, Van der Hul, Requisite and some others have cable made very specifically for their lines and that might cost a bunch more, and that's fair enough. But if you look at what this VanEvers guy is selling, well I'm not convinced. Look at his power cables. Those are regular stock plugs, get'em at Home Depot. Different color tec flex as covering. I use it to. and I'd bet a dollar that what's underneath is Carol Co. 14/3 or equivalent. Is that worth 300 clams? I don't think so. And let's not get into the whole resonators on power cables thing again. This guy is selling magic powder. Are all that sell these types of things selling fakes? NO. This guy seems like a crackpot to me. My opinion.

Small steps forward are indeed still steps forward, but at what price and for how much gain? Is this ratio acceptable to you? Tens of thousands of dollars to make a few tenths of a percent difference, seems a little lopsided to me. I'll wait for the prices to come down, and will probably still make my own cables even then.

Gotta go now. Hmm... Passover dinner soon.

See Ya,
Jeff

[box]

Small steps forward are indeed still steps forward, but at what price and for how much gain? Is this ratio acceptable to you?

well said!

hey dot, and anyone else who is spending money on this kind of stuff. check out this link:

www.electronluv.com

this is a friend of mine who is doing very well building and selling custom $20,000 tube amps to audiophiles around the world. pretty cool stull, and yes sounds amazing!

[Jax]

I put a couple of rocks from the backyard atop my monitors and they sound much more earthy now.

[edmann]

Originally posted by Jax
I put a couple of rocks from the backyard atop my monitors and they sound much more earthy now.

actually a nice medium-heavy rounded rock in a bass drum does sound nice

[box]

actually a nice medium-heavy rounded rock in a bass drum does sound nice

really! how much? how much? do i order through you? do you have a web site?

[edmann]

Originally posted by box
actually a nice medium-heavy rounded rock in a bass drum does sound nice

really! how much? how much? do i order through you? do you have a web site?

I am serious -

and they are free

[Killahurts]

Originally posted by edmann
I am serious -

and they are free

Yeah, but I bet we have to pay shipping, which would be a lot for a rock. See, it's always something...

[edmann]

Originally posted by Killahurts
Yeah, but I bet we have to pay shipping, which would be a lot for a rock. See, it's always something...

The next time you are recording a kick drum and you want significantly more umph out of it - get a 10 lb rock, wrap in in a blanket or foam, and put it in the kik. It adds to the mass of the drum, and you hear it. Because the rock is quite dense - the mass is focused rather than dispersed.

They are free - available ay many locations near you. Also completely disposable with only positive ecological impact.

[Jeff Goodman]

I just realized that I wrote Passover at the end of my last post. Sorry to all my fellow Hebes. It's Rosh Hashanah. Well, back to the family. Now back to your previous programming.

Rocks, huh? I use a 10lb. weight on a pillow usually. I have some extra if anybody wants to buy one. I developed a special coating for them that enhances all the good kick drum frequencies. Only $1599.00 a piece. Get'em while they last.

Jeff

[duaneadam]

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Prices begin at $1.49 , (oops, sorry, that's what we pay for them), I mean $799.00 per socket and each socket implements isotoner technology which is similar to that used by our astronauts as well as by Jack Lalane. These wall sockets produce a strong, rippled wave form when measured by our experts.

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Thanks,

SOCKET2M Technologies