ldj325

Does anybody have experience with one of these?: (Picture and text about 2/3 down the page) awards Furutech deStat

Thanks for the additional instructions. My Zerostat is probably close to that age but the tester is long since gone. And I still have some of those tapes, although I don't really know why.

Why don't you guys go start an "I Hate Vinyl and I'ts A Waste of Time and Money" thread and quit dumping on my OP. You can all go over there and congratulate your selves on your wisdom and your great ears. When digital hits 36/384 I hope that I will be able to join you. All the hopping up and down to change the record is making me muscle bound. On an on topic note I think I'll take my Zerostat into my audio dealer next time I visit and see if it is working compared to his Zerostat. In my OP I was thinking that something that would possibly effect magnetic charge would also ground out any static charge. Does anyone know if that would be likely aside from the magnetize/demagnetize issue? Perhaps that is the effect that the believers in those devices are hearing.

I also forgot to mention that, generally, the higher quality the cartridge the less harsh and intrusive the surface noise.

Geez, ask a technical question on vinyl, and even then it degrades into an uninvited love it/hate it debate. Now if someone can only tell me how to get rid of the static on this thread (the whole forum would be much too much to ask for) I'd be most appreciative. Several times I have shot my Zerostat at the opening page of Head-Case but it doesn't seem to have any effect. For those who don't appreciate vinyl, please leave me in my ignorance. I've been afflicted by this vinyl madness for far too long and somehow it works for me. Besides it keeps me off the streets (my parole officer is appreciative) having to turn over the record every 20 minues and brush off the new side and apply stylus cleaner, not to mention the time to clean each record before it ever hits my TT. (That's right all you CDP, perfect sound forever guys, leave all the vinyl for me.) But then again I actually listen to the music as a full time activity, rather than have it drone on in the background while I do something else. (I've got a CDP for that. ) For all those who've offered positive input, I appreciate the information. Static is not an issue with most of my vinyl, but there are some older records that just have too much to enjoy them. I was thinking that a demagnetizer would handle the static charge, which is really what I'm after. Does anybody know of an unbiased person who has actually used one. (Voltron, I used to use the Zerostat that way. Then someone suggested releasingthe trigger away from the record. Either way I perceive little change in static charge on highly charged records, as super scientifically documented via the record ever the hair of the arm test. And my Zerostat is very old, so maybe it is no longer working properly.)

Does anyone have experience with effectively demagnetizing vinyl and how? I have Nitty Gritty record cleaning machine and this helps some. I use a carbon brush on each side of play. I also have a Zerostat (slow squeeze in near the record and then discharge away fro the rrecord) but I hear little effect with this. I know there are a several of machines, one in the $300-400 price range, which I'd consider if it was truly effective. I am looking to cut down on the crackling and/or static type of noise. Am I correct in attributing this noise to static charge?

I absolutely agree with the necessity of a record cleaning machine. Most of the time, the used American pressings are pretty acceptable, especially if I get an original American pressing. And even the Warners/Reprise reissues are good. And occassionally you get something that has got too much surface noise, and there is nothing to do but dump those if you've really cleaned them well. Modern audiophile vinyl, while expensive, is generally very quiet and should be no problem. Experimenting with interconnects from your phono pre to amp can make a big difference and be one way to dial down the impact of surface noise. Lastly, I sometimes play a little mind game with myself. I imagine that the surface noise is the sound of the fireplace I am sitting by in my imagination. This helps me to not be so resistant to the noise. If you focus on and obsess about the noise it will drive you crazy. But if you relax, let the surface noise intrude when it does and yet keep focusing on the wonderful natural, warm rightness of the vinyl sound then you'll be OK. Its working for lots of people and I'm sure most of us would prefer a dead silent background.

Yeah its a rip off, yeah its a bummer, and yeah it is lining up to be a very good meet. Do you want to miss that? Pack you headphones, a toothbrush and come. It always good to see you at meets.

Indra, Congratulations. I know you have wanted these for a long time. And I am sure you will enjoy them for a long time to come.

Some of us SoCal guys have made several trips to Bay Area meets to harass the locals. So this is your opportunity for some payback I would be great to see a number of you down here. I know more NorCal guys than I do SoCal guys--and I don't want to be lonely. You could carpool in one car and tow a great big trailer behind for all the gear. And David, I already counted myself in on the other site.

What was your experience when you listened to the Tributaries?

I don't have any higher end unblalanced cable to compare these to. But I did listen to Monster Cable Interconnect 400 as well as DIY Mogami quad core 2534. The Tributaries were definitely better than those in a number of ways. So I'm happy with them as interconnects, very especially at $30.

This morning I watched the event that is what looks to me like ballet with twirling ribbons with a little baton throwing added (I don't know the name). Very beautiful, but I am somehow having a hard time seeing that as a sport as it looks more like a performance art to me. I do want to watch Bolt run again, simply amazing.

Tributaries - Silver Series SCV C Component Video Cable-Audio Advisor I don't know anything about this cable's performance. But I just got a set of 3 and they look nice and appear well made. They are Tributaries listed priced at $330 for a set of three (originally intended as component video interconnects). Audio Advisor is selling them for $30 + shipping either 1M or 2M lenghts. The wire is silver coated silver. They are described as 75 ohm cable and connector (but there is some controversy about if an RCA can be a true 75 ohm connection.) The cables can also be used as standard audio interconnects. I'll be trying them as interconnects soon. Perhaps others more knowledgeable in cables can comment on the deal aspect of these. From what I'm finding the wire alone might worth $30.

There's a bit of shit hitting the fan over the Chinese "women" gymnastics ages. It seems that there is now an official IOC investigation into the age question. Interesting timing on the part of the IOC. I mean come on, they've already know that several of those girls are underage. But when this was brought up before the Olympics the IOC found nothing to investigate. Why now? Maybe just to get Bela to shut up. In which case it will probably be a quick sweep it under the carpet investigation to give the illusion that due diligence was done. My personal feeling is if the IOC didn't have the balls to do a real investigation before the Olympics and call it then, they should let it go now. Whatever the age, those Chinese little girls did a great job and should not be victims to all the political machinations. Just my feeling.

Thanks to both of you for the resources. Take Five has a great selection, too bad the Canadian shipping will either be slow or expensive to me in LA. Earlier I'd been on the Sonic Craft site but couldn't find any product info. It good to know that they have the UP-OCC. I await a response back from them.

All the stuff in that link is cable, the cheapest being $33+ meter. All the other stuff on the site I see at smaller than 18 gauge is silver. And I have an application where I need 22 gauge or smaller.

Thanks. Do you know a source for UPOCC 22 gauge copper (only) wire. I can't find it in the places I'm familiar with--VH Audio, Percy, Markertec

Recently I built a set of 5 strand braid of 18 gauge Jena cryo treated wire for XLR interconnects. They sound great in my system. I have seen references that the Jena wire is considered pricey ($5 ft.) for copper cable. I am wondering is there is a less expensive alternative that still maintains the quality of the Jena wire. I would most like to hear from members who have listened to the Jena as well as any recommended alternatives. But if that is too restrictive, then comments on wire you have personal experience with is fine. I'd rather that the discussion focus on the sound quality of the various cables and bypass discussion of any other recent controversies with Jena. And I'd rather avoid the "wire is all snake oil" discussions cause we all know where that discussion leads. Thanks.

Thanks. Do you or anyone else know if when I'm at the lower end there is any degredation for audio? Or is this where the osiloscope comes in?

How much undervolting are we talking about? I've got a UPS on my computer set up that shows the voltage (can't say for sure how accurate it is). Its often showing 117. Maybe I've seen it down to 114. Whatever the value it is, it seems fairly stable and doesn't show wide fluxuation at any particular time. It is an older house.

Recently Fry's Electronics has had WD Greenpower (needs 40% less power) 1TB internal for $159. And Newegg has them for $169, which is still a pretty good price. But the best I've seen elsewhere is here for $139: Centrix-intl.com - Western Digital WD10EACS Wholesale Price, Ships Same Day! But I don't know anything about the rep of this vendor.

Man, I would love to make that meet. But I'm not sure I can make another trek up to NorCal so soon. ldj325 on Head-fi.

The selection at Pacific Radio will be like a toy store for you. The only bad thing is that they seem to be list price on everything. FYI the Hollywood Guitar Center sells Mogami 2538 for $1 per foot whereas Pacific is $1.23 ft. But there is nothing like walking in and getting just what you need, connectors & all right off the shelf. And thanks again for the tip on the Mogami, it has become my everyday cable.

Pete, If you are making a trip into LA proper, Pacific Radio Electronics (one in Hollywood and one in Burbank) has these in stock. I just bought one about 3 weeks ago from there. And in case you are not familiar with them they are a big parts supply place for the studios. So they have a lot of DIY goodies like Neutrik, Canare, Switchcraft connectors and a lot of different types of cables, including the Mogami 2538 cable you like.