Re: [ARSCLIST] Aren't recordings original sources?

[Clark Johnsen <clarkjohnsen@xxxxxxxxx>]

On Fri, Oct 17, 2008 at 9:18 AM, Bob Olhsson <olh@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> -----Original Message-----
> From Tom Fine: "... Bottom line, I highly doubt
> what sort of power cord
> you use as long as you're using properly-spec'd gauge wires, matters in any
> of this..."
>
> Bob Olhsson:



> I've heard power cords make a surprising difference especially shielded vs.
> non-shielded.


Yes! I had forgotten that parameter.


> Tying every neutral in an audio system together at one point
> makes a bigger difference as does cleaning and tightening every single AC
> connection all the way back to the power pole. Doing both in my experience
> has reduced the effect of AC cords considerably.


That may well be, and indeed is a factor overlooked in many installations
both professional and amateur. (Still, we haven't seen any measured data or
ABX comparisons on this, so I guess we''ll have to challenge your
observations...)

>
>
> You can ask anybody in the touring sound business and they'll talk your ear
> off for an hour about the incompetent power supply and grounding design
> found in most of the past 40 years worth of so-called "pro" audio gear and
> there is no reason to expect consumer audio to be any better.


Oh so true, so true!

But who can believe roadies? And where's their data?


> When you
> consider how little AC wiring has even been touched in a half century and
> how poorly designed most gear is,


Waitaminnit! I was just told that most gear is "properly designed". Now you
come along and... well...


> it shouldn't be surprising that anything
> that alters the frequency response of an audio grounding system may well be
> audible due to different flavors of RFI.


RFI is a mos' def' player here.


> Obviously if you can hear anything
> change, all flavors are wrong but those of us who hear this stuff aren't
> lunatics and at least some of us are pretty happy with a heavy duty, well
> shielded $20 power cord.


And I happen to prefer vanilla ice cream.

But there's high-end ice cream out there too, with real vanilla extract, not
synthetics, although tests show that most folks can't tell the difference.
Which is why they're sold the cheap stuff. And the price makes them happy!

Likewise strawberry ice cream can have real fresh strawberries in it, or
sugared frozen juice concentrate. I can tell the difference, but then I've
had my palate educated.

I count myself lucky.

clark

>
>
>
> Bob Olhsson Audio Mastery, Nashville TN
> Mastering, Audio for Picture, Mix Evaluation and Quality Control
> Over 40 years making people sound better than they ever imagined!
> 615.385.8051 http://www.hyperback.com    http://www.thewombforums.com
>