62 replies to this topic

[audioquest]

data_mine, on 20 July 2010 - 07:58 PM, said:

But there actually IS difference between those types of water (mineral vs. spring is probably just two names for the same thing however). It is easily scientifically tested and proved, and many can tell the difference.

I don't need scientific prove to tell if the water is different, may be some need scientific prove to tear them apart by science and yet they still can't tell the different by using their own taste bud and yet it is scientifically different. Anyway sorry, we are not talking about water here. Sorry to gave this example it is not relevant. I try to think of something else as example.

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Does the rolling on the thighs of virgins make Cuban cigars better, or is it just a cool story that increases sales? Any actual difference in the product is due to different input materials, nothing to do with the fact it may or may not have been rolled on some poor young lass.

No comment on this, never try it yet on a Cuban cigars. But will try it if given the chance. I am smoker, I always prefer the tobacco to be tight when I smoke. It taste better this way.

[tarquineous]

I have the Proburn devise and it does work to help break in cables, connectors and other parts. The improvement is slight but noticeable. I bought it as a demo unit from a dealer, so got it at a much reduced price. Would I recommend it at full retail price, to members here ? No, unless you have lots of extra money to spend. I don't know what your budget is. Many products for high end audio are way over-priced. I think it is unethical, and needless to say; greedy.

There are two other similar products that I am aware of, and would recommend those over the Proburn, because of what you get for the money. One is the Fry Baby, which retails for around 200 US Dollars. Does not have may connections, but you can make your own adapters at low cost. The other is the Cable Cooker which retails for around 800 US Dollars. This one is much more substantial, and comes with many hook ups for different types of cables. Again, adapters can be made for less common connectors, if needed. This one has gone through more R&D, and has many satisfied customers.

There are a few people on this thread, like a few other forums, that offer negative or sarcastic comments. These people rarely try the product in question, and pretend to have a scientific background. Judge for yourself.

Regarding the contact cleaner, again it is overpriced, but a good product. It is not "just alcohol" or "just contact cleaner". It's their own formula, that they believe is optimum for treating contacts and connections. But my opinion is similar to some who have suggested to buy solvent in bulk. What you can do is buy a half Litre, or pint, or quart of Isoprophyl alcohol, and a small bottle of ProGold, mix a small amount of the ProGold with the Alcohol for corrosion protection, and you will have enough to last a few years.

You will still have to buy cotton swabs, brushes, small containers, etc, so this is what makes buying a designated product more convenient.

[TMM]

My favourite audio snake oil story was where someone got a several hundred dollar power cable (wall plug to IEC plug) and dissected it only to find it was made of a piece of garden hose covered in techflex, filled with sand with a regular power cable inside. LOL.

Also there was a guy who swore black and blue that the same power cable added warmth to his headphone amp - regardless of the several kilometers of "normal" cable between his outlet and the power station XD.

tarquineous, on 28 January 2012 - 03:56 PM, said:

I have the Proburn devise and it does work to help break in cables, connectors and other parts. The improvement is slight but noticeable.

So how does it work? Magic electrons migrate into your copper cables? lol.

There is nothing special about interconnects. Yes you can design very expensive ones which have marginally lower impedance, capacitance and inductance, but unless the out/input stages of your hardware are fundamentally flawwed it's not going to make a measureable difference. For short runs a coat hanger will sound just as good as a $1000 cable. You don't need to burn in cables, they are just strands of metal. There is some merit in burning in speakers because the soft parts soften up after some use however i've never found it to be a significant difference - just wire them up and enjoy them straight away.

I only spend enough on interconnects to get ones that have adequate sheilding, can withstand physical abuse, and look aesthetically pleasing. Most of the time this means getting $1 gold RCA plugs off ebay and cable from Jaycar:

Edited by TMM, 28 January 2012 - 05:34 PM.