Re: [ARSCLIST] Mostly for laughs

[Peter Hirsch <punto@xxxxxxxx>]

This topic has been raised and debated on the list for hornplayers that I also
subscribe to. There are repair shops that will cryogenically treat entire
instruments in hopes of aligning the crystal structure of the metal. The
upshot, as I recall, was that some claimed that they could tell the difference
between before and after and some couldn't. Some of the metallurgically
inclined on the list cited facts to prove or disprove claims of the process'
efficacy, but no clear conclusion was agreed upon (big surprise). It is agreed
that there is a measurable effect on the metals, but whether or not that
amounts to a hill of beans when the metals are used and measured acoustically,
is highly debatable (that's what listservs are here for, right?)

So, I am glad to have fully cleared all of that up <wry, wincing grin>. If
anyone is particularly interested in this angle, contact me and I can search
the hornlist's archives for the actual postings.

Regards,

Peter Hirsch

On Thu, 19 Oct 2006 09:51:42 -0400, Richard Warren wrote
> lol -- How about Marshmallow Fluff, in Halloween colors ?  -  Richard
> 
> At 07:14 AM 10/19/2006, you wrote:
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
> > > [mailto:ARSCLIST@xxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Steven C. Barr(x)
> > > Sent: Wednesday, October 18, 2006 10:45 PM
> > > To: ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Mostly for laughs
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "phillip holmes" <insuranceman@xxxxxxxxxx>
> > > > Cryogenic treatment is the idea.  Some clowns have asserted that you can
> > > > stick them on a block of dry ice or in your freezer.  I know that
> > > > cryogenics, when done right, will change the crystal structure of
> > > > metal.  It's main application is with cutting surfaces, engines,
> > > > transmissions (think NASCAR and NHRA), very critical high stress
> > > > applications (where you'd magnaflux as well), etc....  I don't know if
> > > > I've ever heard a difference, though I've heard excellent systems that
> > > > had cryogenically treated cables, plugs and outlets.  It could be that
> > > > it sounded good because the system was incredibly expensive and the room
> > > > had been treated for diffuse sound.  If I could hear a difference, it
> > > > should be apparent with low output moving coil cartridges where you are
> > > > dealing with microvolts.  Freezing cables will do nothing.  I can see
> > > > where it would help the moving parts in a stereo.  Cryogenic treatment
> > > > relieves stresses and increases wear resistance.
> > > >
> > > Okeh...this should start a few rumours...
> > >
> > > We know that any bend in a conductor will have a certain value of
> > > inductance (which can be calculated)...and that the reactance of
> > > this inductance is frequency-dependent, so a sound-carrying cable
> > > with any bends or curves in it may affect the frequencies as measured
> > > at the output end (vs. the input).
> > >
> > > Thus, sound systems should be set up so that a straight-line path
> > > exists between any two terminals that have to be connected to one
> > > another...and we should use solid and straight pieces of a highly
> > > conductive metal, rather than wire, to connect our audio devices.
> > >
> > > Guaranteed 1) somebody will try it, and 2) he/she/it will report
> > > back it made an audible difference...
> > >
> > > One never knows, do one?!
> > >
> > > Steven C. Barr
> >
> >Listeners report improvement when a "special" green liquid is applied to the
> >rim of a CD to keep the light from leaking out. Perhaps some absorbent
> >material could be applied to the rim of a phonograph record to keep the
> >sound from leaking out. :-)
> >
> >Jerry
> >Media Sciences, Inc.


Peter Hirsch
punto@xxxxxxxx
(212) 569-8716 - home
(212) 714-8570 work (NYPL)