130 replies to this topic

[mello yello]

ajm, on Feb 22 2011, 08:35 PM, said:

What do you want Al?  You bitch and moan saying no one will do anything then bitch and moan when someone tries something.

Really not enjoying seeing you get like this.

ah relax Toto, just because hes disagreeing with you  

and you were doing so well too

[ajm]

mello yello II, on Feb 22 2011, 09:37 PM, said:

ah relax Toto, just because hes disagreeing with you  

and you were doing so well too

Just kinda sad seeing Al stoop to my level is all.

[mello yello]

MLXXX, on Feb 19 2011, 09:23 PM, said:

Recently we've had two monster sized threads on DTV Forum about the benefits of specialised power cords:

Multi-Channel Audio Systems / Advice On Power Cords
2-Channel Audio Systems / Bt At Kajak

The first thread was theoretical, and included requests for blind test evidence.

The second began with a report of an informal 4 or 5 trial blind test, which was not taken beyond the 4 or 5 trials because participants considered the differences made by the change in power cord were too obvious. (The device that had its power cord changed during the trials was a custom built DAC.)

In this third thread on power cords, I invite uploads of recordings of the output of power amplifiers or other audiophile devices playing the  same excerpt of music, where the only difference in playback conditions is a change in the power cord of an audiophile device.  This should allow all interested forum members to conduct their own private double blind ABX test using an ABX player such as foobar 2000. [Note, the ABX functionality for foobar 2000 may need to be added after installing the basic player.]

I am assuming that comparative sample recordings do not already exist on the web. Certainly I have noticed no sample recordings on websites of manufacturers of specialist power cords. If they already exist, they could shed light.

I suggest recordings be made at a sample rate of 48KHz to keep file sizes manageable. Recordings at a bit depth of 16 would be ok, but some people may prefer to record at 24 bits (provided of course the stereo ADC allows it).

With each pair of recordings I would suggest that the musical content of the two files be time aligned to the nearest sample, and the aligned files trimmed to identical lengths.  (This can be done, for example, using the free software, Audacity.) Files should start with a short period of silence in order to facilitate later ABX comparisons. A fade in may be appropriate. The silence and any fade in should be identical for both files.

It is the practice on some forums to limit links to recordings of non public domain material to excerpts of no more than 30 seconds. I myself cannot provide any advice whatsoever about copyright and any other legal issues regarding uploads. Members should consider these matters.

I suggest that unless you can hear a difference when you play your recorded files back and switch between them (say by using the mute and solo functions in Audacity), it may be sufficient to report that outcome to the forum, rather than uploading files that sound the same.  On the other hand, if you find material differences when inspecting recorded waveforms, then despite the differences being inaudible, an upload could well be of interest.

If recording the stereo output of a power amplifier connected to speakers, an attenuator will probably be required, as line level inputs to ADCs usually cannot tolerate high signal levels. For example, an 8 ohm speaker when driven with a sine wave at 8 watts will have 8 volts RMS across it. A series resistor, in conjunction with a shunting resistor across the ADC input, may do the trick. This is entirely at the risk of forum members. Warning: Don't treat loudspeaker level voltages lightly. They can deliver an electric shock, and incorrect connections can damage an ADC, or the power amplifier itself.

As for myself, I have no power amplifier with removable power cords.  About the best I could offer to do would be to make a pair of recordings with the presence or absence of a lengthy extension cord in the mains supply to a power amplifier, as the only variable.


Cheers,
MLXXX

P.S. There's a lot of scepticism regarding alleged improvements by special power cords.  Below is an example of that from an April 2010 thread on AVS Forum titled: Will a new power cord actually improve performance?

The OP asks:


At post #15 of the AVS thread, a person claiming 34 years in the Electrical Contractor industry states this:

It's a scam, and people who should know better still fall for the marketing double-talk and parrot the information as if it's true.

Think about it, even with a $500 micro-strand 24K gold-conductor diamond-encrusted power cord, you're still plugging it into a residential builder's grade wall receptacle with tiny contacts in a house that has old Romex or knob-and-tube wiring, getting power from a cheap $5 circuit breaker in a panel that's getting unclean power from a transformer somewhere in your neighborhood that's getting it's power through a regulator in your utility company's local substation which gets it's power from a power plant that's possibly hundreds of miles away from your house.

Do you honestly believe that simply changing the last few feet of cable between your wall receptacle and your TV or Audio system will suddenly make your equipment look and sound better? The answer is NO.

It is only with hard evidence that this type of scepticism can be overcome, if indeed hard evidence can be found! If and when it is found, we may wish to explore what caused the audiophile equipment to perform differently.

MLXXX with all due respect but this whole thread sounds like just an exaggerated vehicle for you to just put forward your opinion that corresponds to the same opinion you had in Power Cords  I and II

especially the highlighted excerpt at the end where you just forward another similar opinion to yours

couldnt this all have been kept in the Kajack BT thread ?


and


even if you succeed in accomplishing getting sound files on this forum how is anyone going to be able to distinguish any difference coming from regular PC speakers...not that mine are regular PC speakers but I still wouldnt be able to discern any subtle variations at any stretch

[mello yello]

ajm, on Feb 22 2011, 08:41 PM, said:

Just kinda sad seeing Al stoop to my level is all.

you are indeed a GOD  

which denomination however is the real question  

[ajm]

mello yello II, on Feb 22 2011, 09:47 PM, said:

you are indeed a GOD  

which denomination however is the real question  

Dyslexia playing up again Mello?

[Drizt]

mello yello II, on Feb 22 2011, 09:46 PM, said:

even if you succeed in accomplishing getting sound files on this forum how is anyone going to be able to distinguish any difference coming from regular PC speakers...not that mine are regular PC speakers but I still wouldnt be able to discern any subtle variations at any stretch

PC + Burner = CD -> 2ch rig

[mello yello]

ajm, on Feb 22 2011, 08:52 PM, said:

Dyslexia playing up again Mello?

no

which denomination ?

is the real question

maybe my grammar, but certainly not my dys  

[mello yello]

Drizt, on Feb 22 2011, 08:53 PM, said:

PC + Burner = CD -> 2ch rig

oh ok  burned and played separately

yeah that could work

[ajm]

mello yello II, on Feb 22 2011, 09:57 PM, said:

no

which denomination ?

is the real question

maybe my grammar, but certainly not my dys  

Is Buddha considered a God?

What's your granny got to do with it?

[mello yello]

...so what would that prove ?  

[mello yello]

ajm, on Feb 22 2011, 09:00 PM, said:

Is Buddha considered a God?

What's your granny got to do with it?

ooo wow now you are getting way a head of yourself

I was thinking somewhere further ...south of the border  

[mello yello]

...like Tasmania  

[mello yello]

Drizt, on Feb 22 2011, 08:53 PM, said:

PC + Burner = CD -> 2ch rig

mello yello II, on Feb 22 2011, 08:58 PM, said:

oh ok  burned and played separately

yeah that could work

mello yello II, on Feb 22 2011, 09:00 PM, said:

...so what would that prove ?  

Edited by mello yello II, 22 February 2011 - 09:10 PM.

[:)]

ajm, on Feb 22 2011, 09:35 PM, said:

What do you want Al?  You bitch and moan saying no one will do anything then bitch and moan when someone tries something.

Really not enjoying seeing you get like this.

Sorry no I see a stupid thread here completely ignorant of all the variables being introduced.

And then thers the..Yeah let's hook up speaker outputs on a power amplifier to a recorder  duh

All I see is yet another display of a arm chair know it all, that believes others should do all their handy work for him.

Yeah let someone else blow up their equipment and electrocute themselves for his benefit  

Give it a rest ajm  

Expect a bit more for you for a start. If this was a thread of someone actually trying out a power cord for themselves for a change I'd give it some credence. Rather than this which is another soap box for someone wh.o can't get off their fat @rse.

[ajm]

mello yello II, on Feb 22 2011, 10:01 PM, said:

ooo wow now you are getting way a head of yourself

I was thinking somewhere further ...south of the border  

Tweed Heads?

Wodonga?

[mello yello]

ajm, on Feb 22 2011, 09:10 PM, said:

Tweed Heads?

Wodonga?

try

Useless Loop

[:)]

mello yello II, on Feb 22 2011, 09:46 PM, said:

MLXXX with all due respect but this whole thread sounds like just an exaggerated vehicle for you to just put forward your opinion that corresponds to the same opinion you had in Power Cords  I and II

especially the highlighted excerpt at the end where you just forward another similar opinion to yours

couldnt this all have been kept in the Kajack BT thread ?


and


even if you succeed in accomplishing getting sound files on this forum how is anyone going to be able to distinguish any difference coming from regular PC speakers...not that mine are regular PC speakers but I still wouldnt be able to discern any subtle variations at any stretch

You hit nail on head, but Yep treb called it first, it's a soap box from someone who'd rather have a whole thread for themselves to push their barrow. And yeah why actually listen to anything to explore it, let's get someone else to do all the hard work, and then we'll sit behind our computer and pass judgement.  

[Drizt]

Al,

You have been harping on and on about fat arse's and know it alls, perhaps its time for a chill pill, or 10   Forum's are chock full of all kinds of people.  Some you would call KIA's and some that would call you a KIA.  Relax.

This thread was not getting much coverage until some people started jumping up and down and having a go at the the OP.  Perhaps just move on from threads you don't like ???

:), on Feb 22 2011, 10:09 PM, said:

Sorry no I see a stupid thread here completely ignorant of all the variables being introduced.

And then thers the..Yeah let's hook up speaker outputs on a power amplifier to a recorder  duh

All I see is yet another display of a arm chair know it all, that believes others should do all their handy work for him.

Yeah let someone else blow up their equipment and electrocute themselves for his benefit  

Give it a rest ajm  

Expect a bit more for you for a start. If this was a thread of someone actually trying out a power cord for themselves for a change I'd give it some credence. Rather than this which is another soap box for someone wh.o can't get off their fat @rse.

[ajm]

:), on Feb 22 2011, 10:09 PM, said:

Sorry no I see a stupid thread here completely ignorant of all the variables being introduced.

And then thers the..Yeah let's hook up speaker outputs on a power amplifier to a recorder  duh

All I see is yet another display of a arm chair know it all, that believes others should do all their handy work for him.

Yeah let someone else blow up their equipment and electrocute themselves for his benefit  

Give it a rest ajm  

Expect a bit more for you for a start. If this was a thread of someone actually trying out a power cord for themselves for a change I'd give it some credence. Rather than this which is another soap box for someone wh.o can't get off their fat @rse.

Seems no matter what you ask for it's all just too hard, too complicated or (it seems) too dangerous.

[mello yello]

yes its all gone_bushs fault

http://www.dtvforum....&...t&p=1677036

gone_bush, on Feb 22 2011, 06:44 PM, said:

Now let me see if I've got this correct. We are going to compare A1, B1, A2 and B2? *

As we all know, B1 & B2 are the names of characters on an ABC kids show. Since they are bananas, I can only assume that A1 & A2 are apples from some rival show.

So how are we supposed to compare apples and bananas?

* Yep, I'm taking the p1ss as all I can see happening is that this thread becomes another behemoth of irrelevant crap.

[mello yello]

...lets get im    

[:)]

ajm, on Feb 22 2011, 10:18 PM, said:

Seems no matter what you ask for it's all just too hard, too complicated or (it seems) too dangerous.

Yeah too hard to actually plug in a power cable and listen if it makes a difference  

If someone was actually interested in if it's something that makes a difference for them on their system very ironically it's just this simple act that will have them an answer. But it's too hard ..no...

At least your making the effort to hook up with spearmint to explore. Others rather argue about it let's face it ...

[mello yello]

ok folks back to the bt at kajack thread   ...nothing to see here

I heard its gone stealth and only triple by pass memberships can view and post in it

[:)]

mello yello II, on Feb 22 2011, 10:22 PM, said:

yes its all gone_bushs fault

http://www.dtvforum....&...t&p=1677036

The irony from dubya(bushy..not yourself mello) there is deafening  

[mello yello]

:), on Feb 22 2011, 09:26 PM, said:

The irony from dubya(bushy..not yourself mello) there is deafening  

I know its uncanny, its almost like two diametrically opposed entities
...one a dubya and the other an anti-dubya...both intent on bringing the planet to its knees with both positive and negative anarchy

...which cant be good for the planet