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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbatt!ihnp4!houxm!hound!rfg
From: rfg@hound.UUCP
Newsgroups: rec.audio,sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Solid state rectifiers degrade sound ?
Message-ID: <1945@hound.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 11-Feb-87 15:24:47 EST
Article-I.D.: hound.1945
Posted: Wed Feb 11 15:24:47 1987
Date-Received: Thu, 12-Feb-87 19:23:21 EST
References: <598@rna.UUCP> <978@ihlpf.UUCP> <1663@uwmcsd1.UUCP> <1669@uwmcsd1.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Holmdel
Lines: 44
Summary: Oh, Joy! Oh, Joy! Another Controversy in a teacup!
Xref: watmath rec.audio:601 sci.electronics:246


Ive been away from net.audio for a monthy or so because the feed was
disrupted when the net was reorganized. Today's is the first really
sizeable set I've received this year.  And what do I find? Another
insane controversy has arisen. Oh, Joy, Oh, Joy! Just like the good old
days of nut.audio!!! How I have missed it!!

And it's just what I needed to cure the depression brought on by
reading a national audio mag last night that recommended buying a
special audio Power Cord to improve the sound of a "dream system."
"Don't knock it," they said, "Buy it and listen if it doesn't
improve the sound."

THe dream system only cost $30,000.00.

Anyone with $30,000.00 to spend on an audio system (should, shouldn't)
spend any of it on an audiophile power cord. Choose one. What difference
does it make anyway?

Well, one difference it makes is that when the poor slob with $277.95 to
spend starts worrying about the power cord (or the design of his
rectifiers) it becomes a really sad situation and all you greedy little
audio dealers and two-bit manufacturers can (should) go to hell for it.

It is a fact that compared to vacuum tubes, solid state silicon
rectifiers are one of the few nearly perfect devices.  I am sure that it is
possible to screw-up sound quality with a carefully misdesigned power supply,
or one with some components failed, but silicon rectifiers do make it
harder to accomplish that end.

Now, let's go back to a discussion of burning candles next to the turntable
to improve disc reproduction. THAT is something I've actually done and seen
work. But it all depends on what the candle is made out of, and where can
you buy pure beeswax today? ...There is a REAL subject for discussion.

(I will admit, however, that no one ever made a more beautiful rectifier
than a mercury vapor tube. Combined with just slightly gassy 2A3's the
result was ... ineffable.  Who needed the music?)

Cheers!  Onward, nut - er - wreck.audio!

-- 

"It's the thought, if any, that counts!"  Dick Grantges  hound!rfg