Question for KeithL or anyone - Voodoo or not?

[dabrown]

Have a pair of Stealth 8s plugged into CMX2s driven by a DC-1.

2 ponderings

1. would upgrading to the Emotiva reference power cables make any likely difference for the Stealth 8s?

and

2. would upgrading to Hi Fi Supreme Tuning fuses make any difference for the Stealth 8s ($60 fuses)?

 www.thecableco.com/Product/Supreme-Small--20mm--75--Slow-Blow--T--Type

Or is this magical voodoo bs?

Any input really appreciated!!

[monkumonku]

Apr 19, 2015 16:57:58 GMT -5 dabrown said:

Have a pair of Stealth 8s plugged into CMX2s driven by a DC-1.

2 ponderings

1. would upgrading to the Emotiva reference power cables make any likely difference for the Stealth 8s?

and

2. would upgrading to Hi Fi Supreme Tuning fuses make any difference for the Stealth 8s ($60 fuses)?

 www.thecableco.com/Product/Supreme-Small--20mm--75--Slow-Blow--T--Type

Or is this magical voodoo bs?

Any input really appreciated!!

Both voodoo. Neither will make one bit of difference unless you are easily influenced by placebo effects.

[redog]

It will sound as good as you want it to, but no more than that...

[dabrown]

Thanks, Monku

What I suspected, but I've read of people who thought they make a sizable improvement. As someone who teaches research methods, I recognize the placebo effect and if spending $120 for two slo-blow 4 amp fuses I know I'd want to hear a marked difference.

PS - Thought your review of the Stealth 8 was very accurate too!! I'm very happy with them!

Still any other thoughts by anyone?

[garbulky]

The answer is no.

[geebo]

Monkumonku KNOWS what he's talking about. He's saved me a lot of money on ridiculous items but did tell me the best color Magic Marker to paint the edges of my CDs with as well as the best material to use for DIY cable elevators.

[bub]

I bought a pair of rca 's on Audiogon. The guy said they retailed for $1400. Sold them to me for $1000 . Night and day difference . Like a veil was lifted. Etc etc.

[audiosyndrome]

Right or wrong everyone above gave you their opinion, not fact.

Russ

[LCSeminole]

Apr 19, 2015 16:57:58 GMT -5 dabrown said:

Have a pair of Stealth 8s plugged into CMX2s driven by a DC-1.

2 ponderings

1. would upgrading to the Emotiva reference power cables make any likely difference for the Stealth 8s?

and

2. would upgrading to Hi Fi Supreme Tuning fuses make any difference for the Stealth 8s ($60 fuses)?

 www.thecableco.com/Product/Supreme-Small--20mm--75--Slow-Blow--T--Type

Or is this magical voodoo bs?

Any input really appreciated!!

While I can't answer to what you may or may not subjectively hear and observe, I personally have not bought into tuning fuses but I do have a few of the Emotiva reference power cables. No I didn't buy the power cables because I wondered if they would somehow improve the sound(they didn't change the sound at all), but because they were a great buy at one of the EmoFest events and because they happen to be the exact length of cable needed. Getting back to the tuning fuses, do you get your money back if they make the Stealth 8's sound worse? Just curious.

[dabrown]

Don't believe so, LCSeminole. Nor, if there is no difference.

Just getting thoughts from anyone - opinion is ok. Fact-based or at least experience-based even better.

 

[bub]

I placed a WTB ad with a max of $1000 for a pair of interconnects. Got 400 responses in first hour. Bought 10 pairs. Willing to sell my extras for $999. I'll eat the loss to give someone the opportunity to hear. No returns.

[Dark Ranger]

I wouldn't bother with either if you're trying to get an audible SQ improvement. Although I do own a few Emotiva reference (X-Series) shielded power cables, I bought them to replace the stock cables as an experiment to reduce some of the unavoidable EMI in my system. No, my room was not filled suddenly with beautiful mermaids singing sweet music while the stars blazed brightly overhead. No extra-wholesome blueberry muffin flavor was added to the bass. And no, the extended highs did not kick me to my well-formed derriere. I did not notice any improvements, anywhere, with the upgraded power cables. They look nice, but if I had to do it over, I would have saved the money.

As for hi-fi tuning fuses, well, I haven't tried any, but physics tells me it shouldn't improve audible SQ. I wouldn't waste your time and money with that option. My own personal feeling is that it's snake oil. Treat yourself to another CD or LP or tasty dinner at your favorite restaurant instead.

[LCSeminole]

Apr 20, 2015 9:56:27 GMT -5 Dark Ranger said:

I wouldn't bother with either if you're trying to get an audible SQ improvement. Although I do own a few Emotiva reference (X-Series) shielded power cables, I bought them to replace the stock cables as an experiment to reduce some of the unavoidable EMI in my system. No, my room was not filled suddenly with beautiful mermaids singing sweet music while the stars blazed brightly overhead. No extra-wholesome blueberry muffin flavor was added to the bass. And no, the extended highs did not kick me to my well-formed derriere. I did not notice any improvements, anywhere, with the upgraded power cables. They look nice, but if I had to do it over, I would have saved the money.

As for hi-fi tuning fuses, well, I haven't tried any, but physics tells me it shouldn't improve audible SQ. I wouldn't waste your time and money with that option. My own personal feeling is that it's snake oil. Treat yourself to another CD or LP or tasty dinner at your favorite restaurant instead.

Sound advice indeed, though I thought I detected a hint of a banana-nut bread flavor and not the blueberry variety. Then again it was breakfast time and I did have muffins in the oven, so maybe as Monkumonku pointed out above, a placebo effect or just the olfactory senses taking over.

In all seriousness to the OP, something like room treatments will be so much more gratifying and with objective results.