Are They Having a Giraffe?

[ESP2009]

This week I have mostly been checking out Atlas cables...courtesy of the nice chaps at Weymouth HiFi. On a sale or return basis, I have one Opus digital coax cable, two Navigators and two Titans. All are, as I type, approx 45hrs into the recommended 48hrs burn-in period (although Atlas go for 72hrs - ‘a weekend').

And here's the ‘fun' part. In the box for the Navigator I/C Atlas include a tailor-made burn-in CD. Not music, mind you; oh no, nothing quite so prosaic. There's a whole range of weird sounds lurking at the periphery of my hearing whenever I enter our otherwise quiet living room. Even with the volume turned to zero I can still detect the whistles and warbles. I'm surprised the Other Half hasn't commented since she claims better hearing (why else should I need to turn the volume up to listen to music when she's perfectly happy with muted sounds?)

Anyway, Atlas claim that "The nature of the signals on this CD derives some inspiration from nature, particularly bells, which like cables undergo changes in their metallurgy or dynamic modulus over a period of time that subtly affects their tones." Er, yes, but bells are not exactly natural.

They further claim: "The signals have been generated mathematically according to rigorous criteria for frequency content and rate change of both frequency and amplitude. The disc will also give a significant demagnetising effect due to the way in which signals develop and decay, ultimately fading to zero. Magnetism in audio systems occurs because of the asymmetric nature and relatively sudden stops and starts of real music, but these signals have been kept carefully symmetric (over a short time-span) and only change gradually. However, as with any demagnetisation track, it is essential to play to the end of the track for full effect. In fact interrupting play in the middle of this track (or any other technical or music track) is one of the best ways of magnetising a system!"

Now, I'm an open-minded sort of chap and the CD was free so I've popped it in on repeat for a couple of days. But (de)magnetisation of my system?!? Are they having a larf? Yes, I know that some of you out there will think I'm gullible enough to think different cables make a sonic difference and that a burn-in period is a valid procedure prior to evaluation of said cables, but is this demagnetisation lark for real or a step too far?

 

[bluebrazil]

so thats why my cutlery is drawn towards my cd player

 

[Anonymous]

Well, if nothing else it's a great source of amusement!

 

[ESP2009]

Hmmmm, only if you can stand 10 minutes or so of noises to make a dog's hackles stand on end! No wonder our ferrets have acting strangely (sorry, make that more strangely than usual) over the past couple of days.

 

[ESP2009]

bluebrazil:so thats why my cutlery is drawn towards my cd player

Yeah, remember the scenes from 'Close Encounters'?

 

[Bodfish]

Are they having a laugh...possibly not. Densen (who also make fantastically good hi fi) have had their DeMagic disc on sale for years.

I have a copy (I think it was a give away with a subscription) and it does actually seem to make a difference - at least to my ears anyway.

 

[ESP2009]

Bodfish:

Are they having a laugh...possibly not. Densen (who also make fantastically good hi fi) have had their DeMagic disc on sale for years.

I have a copy (I think it was a give away with a subscription) and it does actually seem to make a difference - at least to my ears anyway.

Yes, I did see the DeMagic somewhere along the line. Maybe they work, maybe they don't - I will reserve my judgement at this point. What I will say is that after approx 48hrs of burning-in, there is no step-change in sound quality. I have set the system back to repeat for another day. Does the Atlas Navigator plus Opus combo beat the Merlin Chopin Mk3 and Compass equivalent? Certainly not yet. As for the Titan - waiting in the wings.

 

[wireman]

ESP2009:...so I've popped it in on repeat for a couple of days.

I think you misunderstand - you only need to play it once, at moderate/high listening volume - preferably whilst you've taken the dog for a walk or gone out shopping. To have that on repeat for a couple of days just isn't sane! Apart from the Densen disc, there is (at least there was) one done by Isotek called "The Full System Enhancer and Rejuvenation Disc", and another variant done by Usher. They're a great way of speeding up the burn-in process for new equipment (especially amplifiers and speakers/subwoofers), and also to excercise existing systems from time to time. I use them periodically on both hi-fi and home cinema systems, and they do IMHO work a treat. I know both Densen and B&W have used these discs to 'warm-up' new equipment before exhibitions. What benefit these type of discs have on interconnects though is anyones guess.

 

[ESP2009]

Well, I have to admit that some would call me just a little 'touched'.

However...the literature that comes in the Atlas Navigator package states quite clearly: "Use the disc for about 72 hours or an entire weekend on repeat. There is no need to turn up the volume." Which is precisely what I did.

No, I haven't done a scientific comparison of results, but it can't have done any harm - can it? Foo? Foolish? Well it costs nought in terms of money or my time. And if it improves the sound, so much the better.

Now, it it were costing yer akshual dosh, I might be far more reluctant to try it.

Yet I still wonder...

 

[bretty]

After reading this thread, I googled a bit and it seems that the Denson Demagic is thought to be the best of these 'demagnetisers'. I thought the theory behind them sounded like it at least could have merit. So, I got a copy, played the three minute track, which sent the dogs nuts, and chucked a test disc on. There does seem to be an audible reduction in grain.

 

[ESP2009]

bretty:After reading this thread, I googled a bit and it seems that the Denson Demagic is thought to be the best of these 'demagnetisers'. I thought the theory behind them sounded like it at least could have merit. So, I got a copy, played the three minute track, which sent the dogs nuts, and chucked a test disc on. There does seem to be an audible reduction in grain.

I feel sorry for the canines in your household - the Atlas version was bad enough for me at zero volume!

It is reassuring to read a post that affirms the theory. I see from a brief Google that the Densen version costs as much as £11.95 (not much in the grand scheme of hi-fi weirdness) and comes quite well-rated.

Thanks, Bretty, for taking the time and money to give it a go. The best of all, is that it is not just a one shot and helps burn-in new kit every time.

 

[bretty]

ESP2009:
bretty:After reading this thread, I googled a bit and it seems that the Denson Demagic is thought to be the best of these 'demagnetisers'. I thought the theory behind them sounded like it at least could have merit. So, I got a copy, played the three minute track, which sent the dogs nuts, and chucked a test disc on. There does seem to be an audible reduction in grain.

I feel sorry for the canines in your household - the Atlas version was bad enough for me at zero volume!

It is reassuring to read a post that affirms the theory. I see from a brief Google that the Densen version costs as much as £11.95 (not much in the grand scheme of hi-fi weirdness) and comes quite well-rated.

Thanks, Bretty, for taking the time and money to give it a go. The best of all, is that it is not just a one shot and helps burn-in new kit every time.

I've been doing a little more looking on t'internet. It does seem that the Densen disc had lab testing done on it. It was proven to work, which is brilliant, because with products of this ilk, that can be lumped into the 'snake oil' category, it's easy to think that you're being duped and imagining any change to the sound of your system. If only the same testing could be / would be done on interconnects and speaker cables!

 

[ID.]

Quite a few years ago I picked up a densen demagic. I was skeptical but the store said I could bring it back if not satisfied.

It does seem to work, particularly on the higher frequency performance. Seemed to bring a bit more clarity and detail to the treble. Not so sure about the mids. Seemed to make no difference to bass.

I considered whether it was tuning my ears rather than my system, but it is a fairly short thing and I always left the room/house so didn't listen to it.

The demagic wasn't for burn in as far as I could tell and they recommended running it about once per month.

 

[bretty]

ID.:
Quite a few years ago I picked up a densen demagic. I was skeptical but the store said I could bring it back if not satisfied.

It does seem to work, particularly on the higher frequency performance. Seemed to bring a bit more clarity and detail to the treble. Not so sure about the mids. Seemed to make no difference to bass.

I considered whether it was tuning my ears rather than my system, but it is a fairly short thing and I always left the room/house so didn't listen to it.

The demagic wasn't for burn in as far as I could tell and they recommended running it about once per month.

Yep, that's what I found, too. There's a definite change to the treble.

 

[ESP2009]

bretty:

I've been doing a little more looking on t'internet. It does seem that the Densen disc had lab testing done on it. It was proven to work, which is brilliant, because with products of this ilk, that can be lumped into the 'snake oil' category, it's easy to think that you're being duped and imagining any change to the sound of your system. If only the same testing could be / would be done on interconnects and speaker cables!

Well said - if only!

 

[wireman]

ESP2009:...the literature that comes in the Atlas Navigator package states quite clearly: "Use the disc for about 72 hours or an entire weekend on repeat. There is no need to turn up the volume." Which is precisely what I did.
Just checking the Atlas web-site, it does say that their disc is primarily for cable burn-in, but with regular use will also help to demagnetise a system.

Checking my Densen DeMagic disc, it does claim only to demagnetise a system, although I've been for a Curry or two with the guy who used to run Densen UK (he lives up the road from me), and he said he always used to use it to burn-in systems at shows.

Checking my Isotek disc (which is the disc I use most), this claims to cure all system ills - including "warm-up and burn-in", "high-stress burn in", "restore", and "demagnetisation" tracks.

I also found another variant in my CD racks: This is a disc published by A. N. Other hi-fi magazine back in 2005. Called the "System Tune-Up Disc", it contains 13 tracks running 66 minutes. This disc seems to crib tracks from both the Isotek disc and the Usher/Masaeus one for burning in, warming up, restoring, demagnetising... one track called "hearing refresher" and another called "speaker shakedown", a track for testing loudspeaker imaging, and another for headphone imaging... and then there are frequency sweeps for identifing in-room rattles and resonances! Heck, it seems to be a complete hi-fi first-aid kit on a disc!

So it maybe seems that these discs aren't all intended to do the same thing. At least your Atlas disc certainly seems to have a different purpose to that of the DeMagic. Of those discs I've got here, it's the Isotek one that seems to work the best for me in terms of blowing away the cobwebs, and removing a layer of fuzz from the system.

 

[ESP2009]

Wireman, thanks for the in-depth response. It's interesting to read your experiences and views on the efficacy of these strange discs. I suppose I really ought to re-attach my pre-Atlas cables and see if the system sounds any different after the cobwebs have been blown away.

I'll keep an eye open for the Isotek product. Should at least entertain the ferrets and neighbours.

 

[wireman]

To be honest I wasn't sure if the Isotek disc was still available, but checking the Isotek website just now, apparently it still is. I also saw this:

"2006 What Hi-Fi? 5 Star Winner, IsoTek Full System Enhancer CD"

Your ferrets will be pleased

 

[ESP2009]

Well, perhaps they can save up their pocket money and fork out the £17.50 for my Father's Day present.

 

[pwiles1968]

Just decided it was about time to Rip my Densen Disc to iTunes as I have not had the CD player on for months, Just played it on the PC with iTunes linked up to the Front Room, Dining Room and Kitchen, 14 speakers in 4 rooms

Wife was not too happy

 

[idc]

 

[Anonymous]

What a timely post. I have just launched my new 'demag-fork mkII'. Although it just looks like a normal fork from the kitchen, our new demagnetising fork will not only help increase your listening pleasure by demagnetising your system but also now generates low frequencies to help with your digital connections too. You just place it on the floor in front of your hi-fi.

As everyone knows, digital signals use 1s and 0s. The low frequencies generated by our fork have been designed to vibrate so that any 1s stuck in any corners or tight bends of your digital cables are moved along - creating a clear path for your 1s and 0s to roll along unhindered. Giving you a clearer, more open sound.

Available directly from me for only £19.99. Makes cheques payable to 'hometapingiskillingmusic', and don't forget your £9.99 P&P.