As I know that there are quite a large number of our customers who do not have access to the Internet, I have compiled another selection of 'postings' which have appeared on the P.W.B. Internet Discussion Group over the last few months.
I feel sure that this selection will be of interest as an addition to this P.W.B. Newsletter.
The P.W.B. Internet Discussion Group can be accessed via:-
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PWB/
21st October 2004 from V.R. Sola USA.
Subject: -Morphic messages/out side the home
Morphic messages outside the home.
Last year I treated my friend's home with the basic Beginners package and added lengths of Spiratube. We made between 2 -3 hundred Morphic messages which my friend's daughter patiently wrote in her beautiful handwriting on clear tape with the Red 'x' Pen.
These were stuck to every perforation to the perimeter of his house including windows, doors, entry points for ducts , pipes, out side lighting, fence poles, utility poles, mail box, property boundary stakes, storage shed for tools, pool chemical drums and anything we considered as toxic chemicals in the home such as oven cleaners etc.
The Morphic messages are generic, not related to audio as per their religious beliefs ( He is a Jain- religion/faith) Some Sanskrit words, some picked up from getting cards such as peace, prosperity, happiness, health etc. Most of the words are well used words.
His daughter believed intent and belief of the person who writes these messages is more important than the paper or ink used.
She objected to some Morphic message such as - sound has priority - and changed it to - prosperity and health has priority -.
This year Most of the Red 'x' Pen written messages faded out. The plastic paper shrivelled and aged. As an alternative this year we used copper foil and ball point pen , cheap -2 dollars for 8-12 " sheet available at many craft stores such as Michaels.
It is also available as a self adhesive tape. ( more money) We wrote the same Morphic messages with a ball point pen or the wooden stylus that came with the copper foil package and again wrote in the grooves made by the stylus with Red 'x' Pen.
Some places where the copper foils draw attention we used clear nail polish. (adopted from Feng Shui) One can write large letters and they are nearly invisible.
Also used some symbols such as OM in Sanskrit or Tibetan, some Reiki symbols. I see nothing wrong in using symbols as P.W.B also uses them on Morphic liquid bottles and on some Foils.
Do they work?
Give them time --- yes they do. Of course not suitable for DBT. Takes lots of time.
There is no deterioration in the audio quality. These generic Morphic messages do work.
No untoward events happened in their life - they are as happy and healthy as they can be.
V.R. Sola
24th October 2004 from P.W.B. Electronics. UK.
Subject: Morphic messages outside the home.
There are a few points in V.R. Sola's posting which I would like to go into more thoroughly.
Yes, as he has written, one can achieve good results by writing Morphic Messages in normal handwriting. However, there are many things to take into consideration and I would not recommend that everyone writes Morphic Messages in their normal handwriting.
Firstly. Yes, the actual words and their meaning 'tap into' already established Morphic resonance energy patterns and the more the beneficial words used are in common usage - the stronger the Morphic resonance (a la Sheldrake).
Secondly, everyone's normal handwriting is different, looks different and there will be many occasions when someone's handwriting will be close to a scrawl ! The letters of any word could also be regarded as an actual symbol. We therefore always recommend that people write their Morphic Messages in capital letters. Take, for example, the word PEACE. If everyone writes the word PEACE in capital letters, they are more likely to coincide with everyone else's written word PEACE in capital letters and therefore create the strongest Morphic Resonance energy pattern, whereas if everyone writes the word 'peace' in their normal lower case handwriting, there will not be many which firmly coincide. So, these are the two things to consider. By using the beneficial words and their meaning one 'taps into' the Morphic resonance energy pattern of these words and, in addition, by writing the words in capital letters, there is a better chance of a strong linkage and a strengthening of the Morphic resonance pattern further. One exception to this is a person's personal signature. Each time a person writes their own signature, practically every time it will be the same.
However Mr Sola, your friend's daughter is correct when she believes the intent of the person who writes the messages is important and the care and patience she herself takes in the writing of the messages is important. Having the person who is writing the Morphic Messages 'treated' (by having a photograph of themselves in the deep freezer) will be in addition to the actual intent and care and patience put into the writing of the messages.
The other point I want to go into more thoroughly is our Morphic Message "Sound has Priority".
This wording of our Morphic Message "Sound has Priority" Label was chosen for a specific reason.
Peter and I believe that the sense of hearing existed long before the sense of sight evolved. We believe that when the early sense of sight was developing, Nature made use of some of the pathways in the brain used by the sense of hearing and that when the sense of sight proved so successful (from the point of view of aiding survival) then Nature gave priority to the sense of sight. We believe that when the brain finds itself having to cope with many adverse conditions, then the sense of sight is still given this priority over and above the sense of hearing. I touched on this concept in an earlier posting where I illustrated our concept with the parallel of where a person can suffer serious (and painful) injuries but the brain can't block off' the pain signals and give priority to concentration on survival and when survival has been successful, the pain signals are allowed to resume. So, it is known that the brain is capable of putting things on 'low power' when it chooses or has to. A practical parallel from the everyday world is when the electricity power station experiences overload, the engineers will put the domestic areas on low power and give priority to the essential areas such as hospitals, police stations and the fire service.
We therefore chose the words "Sound has Priority" to 'tap into' that specific Morphic resonance energy pattern which existed before the sense of sight developed. Obviously, we were concentrating on achieving improvements in the perception of sound whereas V.R. Sola's friend's daughter was obviously concentrating more on improving their overall feeling of well being.
Kind Regards,
May
24th October 2004 from V.R. Sola. USA.
Subject: Re: Morphic messages outside the home.
Thanks for your kind comments;
As usual they are very informative.
The word peace is written in Sanskrit, in Sanskrit script – Shanti three times as used traditionally form several centuries. The reason I feel is that " peace " as used by the politicians and various religious groups today lost its meaning.
Most of the messages must be used by several people to be really effective. Hence the old Sanskrit words and commonly used words in greeting cards. The person (Who Works in our garden) who helped us in sticking some of the labels made his own version-- for his home like from Psalms like "Lord is my shepherd I shall not want". It is his belief system.
Every thing she wrote in capital letters, nice hand writing every thing - one can find used from several centuries is written in Sanskrit script as her father can read and write Sanskrit language. All these messages are outside- on every perforation in the perimeter- A kind of "safe hole" concept. Security for the people living in the house. Having lived through several hurricanes she made these changes. These are non-audio related messages.
The three Foils, which come with the Beginner's package and a few others, I shared with them are inside the home on the audio equipment. We tried to balance the age-old traditions and the modern trends.
They are originally from the same state in India where Rupert Sheldrake lived for a year and half.
The Beginners kit and the few other Foils I shared with them improved all the three systems in their house including the cheap portable Kitchen equipment we believe that these general Morphic messages and the specific audio related labels do have a symbiotic effect.
Regards
V.R. Sola
6th November 2004 from Bernard Knoop. The Netherlands.
Subject: EMI/RFI
Hello.
I wonder if there is a P.W.B. treatment that will get rid of EMI/RFI. Like transformers within pre-amps ,amps power conditioners.
Thanks for answering.
Bernhard
22nd November 2004 from P.W.B. Electronics. UK.
Subject: Further video talk by May Belt.
Hello everyone,
As many of our customers know, I gave a talk to a group of P.W.B. enthusiasts in 1998 with a promise that I would give a further talk at a later date. Unfortunately, time went on without a further talk being organised.
Following a suggestion recently by a member of the Chat forum, that I do not wait any longer to organise a group, that I do my further talk 'to camera', without a group.
This I have recently been doing.
The digital camcorder I have used takes one hour tapes and I realised that I could extract sections from my proposed further talk, sections which last one hour each section. I have concentrated first on the "Cable Controversy" and this part of my talk lasts approx one hour. This talk on the "Cable Controversy" is then followed by a number of one hour sections of a more extended talk.
The "Cable Controversy" section is followed by me concentrating on "The percentage of importance which people put on things", and then on to "Reading/sensing the environment".
What I plan to do is the following.
1) Explain to people that I have done a talk - that I found it difficult to do a talk without having a group of people present because of the difficulty of assessing immediately whether people are understanding fully. Whereas with a group of people, they will start asking questions if they do not understand, and one is able to assess whether one is going too quickly or too slowly.
2) We hope to be able to put my talk onto a series of DVDs, to be either viewed via the computer or, if we can select the correct International format, onto DVDs which people, anywhere in the world, can view on a standard DVD player.
3) And, for people who are not able to view via DVDs, to have my talk available on video tapes for the people who have the facility to view a video tape made within the UK system.
4) That once people have viewed my talk, they can respond with comments, they can ask questions and we can conduct an ongoing "group at a distance" type of seminar.
If we are successful and can format the DVD correctly, I will continue further with my talk - in one hour sections and gradually make them available.
If you are able to view a DVD on your computer and would like a copy of the first section of my talk (the Cable Controversy) please let me know and I will send you a DVD copy. With regard to making a DVD to view on a normal domestic DVD player, we still have to work out what International format to use for each different country. Any information regarding "standards" would be appreciated.
If you wish to have a video tape copy of my further talk so far, please me know. But, please remember that it is a video tape which has been made within the UK system. If anyone can convert this UK video tape to their own National system, please let us know. You are welcome to a copy of the VHS video tape made within the UK system.
Kind Regards,
May
23rd November 2004 from Arkie Martherus. The Netherlands.
Subject: dvd info
Re: dvd formats
It's a formidable initiative to distribute talks on DVD's!
Here <http://www.thetechlounge.com/article.php?directory=dvd_article>
I found useful information. My conclusion is that DVD+R is the future, but, in these changing times, you never know. Here in the Netherlands DVD-players are cheap (E40 - $40 - 25 pounds) and they play all formats.
A summary:
DVD-R/RW
- compatible with most DVD players
Due to the amount of time that DVD-R/RW has been out, many more stand alone DVD player are likely to support them (90%). It is advised to use this format if you intend to create home movies, and other applications that would run from a stand-alone DVD player.
DVD+R/RW
The new format is DVD+R/RW, which happens to be based on CD-RW technology. This format is becoming increasingly popular. The compatibility rate of this format however is not as high as the older format on stand-alone players (85%). The format also allows for a mix of information on the media, such as not only video, but also data files.
Currently most DVD+R media are capable of writing at a maximum of 8x where as DVD-R is still at a 4x specification. The DVD+RW Alliance is the official supporter of this format.
DVD-RAM
An older format, contained in a cartridge, mostly used for PC applications. Does not play in home DVD-players.
Other:
There exist double layers DVD's, but these are not yet available to consumers.
Conclusion
Given the benefits, the DVD+R/RW format would be more appropriate for computer usage. Either format will be acceptable in most readers. When it comes to use for creation of videos, with the intent of playing on a stand-alone player, either will work with newer players. To sum it up, if you are in the market for creating home movies and want to distribute them to friends and relatives, the DVD-R/RW will be your best bet. Otherwise I would recommend using the DVD+R/RW format, as the features offered for PCs are more beneficial and it is becoming more widely accepted in stand-alone players as time passes.
Arkie
29th November 2004 from Geoff Kait. USA.
Subject: Re: Further video talk by May Belt.
Crossword puzzle fans take note of this "evidence" of Sheldrake's "Morphic fields." This is a test of the concept that the more people that have learned something the easier it will be for the next person to learn it.
Impress your friends with your crossword puzzle-solving ability. The "trick" should also work for Today's crossword puzzle if you do it late in the day -- the later the better. The crossword puzzle selected should be in wide circulation (syndicated) to maximize the number of persons who have already solved/attempted the puzzle. (Interesting how the words just pop into your head.) In the US it seems like there is one, unique xword puzzle that a great many newspapers carry each day - that is the one you want! Washingtonpost.com (among others) carries that particular xword puzzle (you will need to register to access the daily xword puzzle.)
- Geoff
(Quotes by R. Sheldrake)
"Space does not allow summarizing all the work that is happening at present. I will just mention one experiment done recently. It is not, in fact, the best experiment, but it is the easiest to explain. This was done with crossword puzzles in the psychology department at Nottingham University. The young woman who did it, Monica England, reasoned as follows: If Morphic resonance is happening, it should be easier to do today's newspaper crossword puzzle tomorrow than it would have been yesterday.
So we managed to persuade a London newspaper, The Evening Standard, to supply its crossword puzzle in advance for the purpose of this experiment. Students were tested in Nottingham the day before and the day after the crossword was published in London. They were also tested with a control crossword which was not published during that period. This of course involved testing different groups of students before and after. The control crossword gave a measure of each individual's ability to do crossword puzzles of that kind.
It turned out that students' performances on the test crossword did indeed improve by about 25 percent after it had been published, compared with the control crossword. This result is statistically significant and is, of course, very interesting."
Geoff.
30th November 2004 from Mark Kirby USA.
Subject: RE: Further video talk by May Belt.
Thank you May.
I look forward to seeing the dvd when it's available in the U.S. Standard format. None of my computers currently has a working dvd drive.
Mark
6th December 2004 from Arkie Martherus. The Netherlands.
Subject: Re: EMI/RFI
Hello Bernhard,
As you will know, you cannot 'get rid of' EMI/RFI with P.W.B. products.
I suppose you mean "which product helps us to deal with EMI/RFI- disturbances". Of course you already know that creaming, foiling and using the Red 'x' Pen will alter the properties of transformers, antenna's, telephones etc. in your house.
I'd like to add one P.W.B. like treatment I found on a Dutch site. The science is about the shape of things: biogeometry. Chosen out of thousands of possible figures, the so called L-shape has remarkable properties. Dr. Saskia Bosman uses this figure to visit peoples houses and get rid of EM-disturbances by... applying - drawing!- this figure on all electrical appliances! This sounded so P.W.B-like, that I conducted an experiment immediately. If she can decrease the negative influence of EM-fields in our house, just by drawing a symbol... would we, audio fanatics, hear any differences?
I printed this L-shape on an A4 with 24 mailing labels.
<http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/amartherus/album?.dir=f3e6&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/amartherus/my_photos>
These labels I attached to anything that generates an EM-field.
The television, amps, CD-player, lights, the telephone base station. Remember, this is only an experiment. With the labels attached, I detected that in loud passages, all instruments were far easier to follow, and that an amount of rubbish disappeared. With the labels removed, the sound in loud passages was a little more congested again. Relatively spoken then. Most of my stuff is already Belt-treated.
After the experiment, I printed two figures on every label so that I could stick smaller figures on 'invisible' places e.g. the inside of battery compartments, or the underside of the TV Etc.
There are a lot of articles and experiments with this particular shape going on in the world.
A second 'danger' I would announce here, is the use of a so called DECT telephone. This is a cordless, handheld phone, with a base station. Very popular these days. This station includes a digital sender with an enormous strength! About a million times stronger than what is healthy for us, and a million times stronger than 'external' EMI/RFI! (And this is something you can measure.) Don't worry that your speaker cable acts as an antenna and picks it up. Worry that your body also acts as an antenna!
Arkie
9th December 2004 from Bill Hunt. UK.
Subject: Season's Greetings to one and all....
Hello, good people...
This note is just to announce that I have just joined this group as a novice in P.W.B "treatments", having tried the Rainbow foils with success and subsequently recently purchased a "Beginner's Pack". I will no doubt be asking a few questions as time goes by!...
With the "Beginner's Pack" May forwarded the latest newsletter and recent group correspondences, which has certainly given me a lot to read and ponder over... I was a little surprised to receive a Christmas card, described as "a device". What I can say without reserve is that this has definitely improved the quality of the music heard in my listening room. Even the previously rather dismal playback from the Traxdata CD-recorder has been transformed into a pleasantly palatable listening experience....
For that, May, you have my heartfelt thanks...
Bill
10th December 2004 from Andreas Makrides. Greece.
Subject: RE: Season's Greetings to one and all....
Hello Bill
As a "dogmerle", you should try maybe, the four leg device!
Joy
Andreas
10th December 2004 from Bill Hunt. UK.
Subject: RE: Season's Greetings to one and all....
Hello Andreas,
I like your sense of humour.....
At present, am trying to sensibly organise my available time between freezing and thawing everything and trying to apply foil and cream to various object in various locations in a way that will allow me to understand the results achieved at each stage.
Though in terms of allocating time this process can be inconvenient, I am getting positive results. As a result, I just have to resign myself to being patient!.....
Have happy times!
Bill
15th December 2004 from P.W.B. Electronics. UK.
Subject: DVDs of May's Talk
Dear All,
Regarding the DVDs of the first part of my latest (November 2004) talk (which some people have already requested and received).
The people living in the UK have reported success in being able to play the DVDs on their equipment. Both computer and DVD player.
The people living in Europe have had success in being able to play the DVDs on their equipment but there has only been partial success from people living in the USA.
One person in the USA has had success in playing the DVDs on their equipment but another person has experienced failure in being able to do so.
It looks as though there is still a hurdle to overcome regarding world-wide compatibility. The DVD recording method we are using is DVD+R.
However, if anyone else is wishing to view the three DVDs of the first part of my latest talk and would like to receive them before Christmas, please let me know as quickly as possible so that I can post them before the Christmas post deadline.
Best Wishes,
May
3rd January 2005 from P.W.B. Electronics. UK.
Subject: Work during Christmas
Hello everyone. A very Happy New Year to you all..
Even though I repeatedly tell people that some of our earliest products are still very worthwhile to have and are extremely versatile i.e. such as Rainbow Foil, Cream-Electret, Spiratube and the Red 'x' Pen, I have personally been pleasantly surprised this Christmas break.
For these last few days of the Christmas break, I have been preparing a part of our kitchen for a replacement cooker and have exposed some older, hidden, cabling and gas tubing. This cabling and gas tubing had received (long ago) early P.W.B. treatments which included some sections of the 12 mm diameter and 6 mm diameter Spiratube. This treatment must have been done well over 15 years ago. Simultaneously with my discovery, a customer of ours in the USA has just e-mailed me to describe how he had just experienced spectacular results by treating some aluminium conduit pipe with our new Morphic Green Cream. So, here we have older P.W.B. treatments and modern P.W.B. treatments still providing superb results.
I am now poised, ready, awaiting delivery of a new cooker, with the long time products of Spiratube and a Gold message label written with the Red 'x' Pen plus the newer Morphic Green Cream to carry out quick treatments before everything is again hidden - but, I confess, I will secretly be leaving on the cabling and piping (for nostalgic reasons) some of the previously applied (but still very effective) early devices - to be hidden away again.
May
5th January 2005 from Richard Graham. UK.
Subject: Re: Work during Christmas
And a Happy New Year to you May, or should we call you Delia?...
It seems to me that there are fascinating aspects to P.W.B devices, such that old and new devices work independently, yet synergistically. What is more astonishing is that after, say, a heavy bout of applying 'Retro' foil, one can be amazed at the efficacy of Spiratube, Red 'X' Pen, or even the seemingly ordinary Rainbow Foil. It almost seems like one habituates or gets used to a particular effect, and another seems fresh. But more to the point, freed from the vicissitudes of a nasty 'flu virus, you have energised my mind in the direction of pipes - Copper ones too. Given how many pierce and pervade our home, they remain quite troublesome objects. And many are concealed. I think a small smear of Green Cream is probably ideal, given the issue of inaccessibility. It is also great for such hidden cables as the earthing wires often attached to pipes. I guess in a rather early Newsletter there may be a reference to the treatment of pipes, although I suspect the piece will be in those ghostly missing editions. Still, the combination of Spiratube, Electret, Violet and then Green Creams would probably be the ideal, followed of course by a Re-Clipping, with Retro Cream on Clip and Tweezers. Now where did I put my Clip?...
Richard
5th January 2005 from Kevin Kehoe. UK.
Subject: Re: Work during Christmas
I am delighted to say that I agree with May and Richard regarding earlier P.W.B Devices. I recently purchased a budget turntable to use with the PC for the purpose of transferring some of my vinyl to CD. As well as the P.W.B Foils and Creams I already have, I ordered a Belt Device I had not yet tried in order to treat the new turntable. Sol-Electret is what I ordered and it has been around for many years now. It was John Peter's article in the latest Newsletter that sparked my interest in the first place and then reading up on it's uses, found that it could be applied to turntables at various points including replacing the bearing lubricant. As soon as it arrived I could not resist trying it out on my Linn - my main turntable, as per the supplied instructions. The result transformed my Christmas! Next to be treated were mains plugs, then interconnecting leads, PU cartridges, CD player - Working through the whole instruction book and all the time listening to various music tracks. In short, what I got from Sol-Electret is at least the equal of some of the more expensive recent P.W.B Products. Whether it's a synergy effect with other P.W.B Devices in use I do not know but at £25.00 for a syringe full I have no problem adding this to the list of P.W.B "Blasts from the Past"
Best wishes to Everyone for the New Year,
Kevin
6th January 2005 from Richard Graham. UK.
Subject: Re: Work during Christmas
Kevin,
I am always astonished by how good the oil is, and it's effect is way beyond the cost. I no longer use a turntable, but little 'spots' on unusual electrical contacts, e.g. on light bulbs or batteries, hinges and screws, and a drop in the car engine oil all amaze. Perhaps we could almost have a New Year quiz as to the most unusual place to apply Sol-Electret? I dare say May might have a culinary example.....
Richard
8th January 2005 from Richard Graham. UK.
Subject: Out of the blue
We were due to go to the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden last night to see the start of the new 'Ring' - 'Das Rheingold' - and indeed we did. I planned to take a few bits along, as the last time we went, to see an appalling 'Don Pasquale', the sound of the voices was not pleasant. Then I discovered, on 6th January, that the BBC were recording the event, for radio broadcast on 17th January. There wasn't much time, but I planned a few things. Then when we arrived, I was looking around and noticed TV cameras!
This is potentially more exciting than the recorded 'Jenufa', because often the BBC TV broadcasts make it to DVD.
I will post more later as to what I did, but suffice it to say, whilst it wasn't an absolutely great 'Wagner night', it was very, very good, with the most beautiful Wagner singing I have heard. Indeed, I don't think I have heard voices sounding as 'transparent' and beautiful in that house before. The production is visually stunning, with almost 'rock concert' dazzling lights for the 'Rainbow bridge' at the end, with all 6 scored harps playing away.
It was very good.
And I will post later on how the application of two strips of foil 45 minutes in transformed everything.
We have some tickets for 'Walkure' in 2 months, and I am really hoping that will be recorded, with us and therein P.W.B there as this has the potential to be a really great cycle.
Richard
8th January 2005 from Kevin Kehoe. UK.
Subject: Re: Working through Christmas
Richard,
It's of great interest to me your mention of treatments to the car in your last post. A few years ago I watched the first May Belt video lecture with a group of friends, including my brother. Since that time I have, on various occasions, applied P.W.B Treatments to my Brother's car. Those included some Foils, Electret Cream and some clipping. He spends a great deal of time on the road and I thought his car would be the best place to treat in order to demonstrate the sonic benefits that might come about. He did indeed think that the sound got better over the past year, but it also had a habit of "going off" for no apparent reason. I think one of the reasons for the variable sound perception is to do with his line of work. That is, the development of car security.
The car is used as a test platform for various bits of electronic prototypes including infrared devices etc. which differ from month to month. But, it is what happened when he received his new car that really got him thinking. It is a much better car than the previous one and, with a far better sound system fitted - or so he thought! The sound system itself is indeed very good but he found the sound somewhat flat and uninteresting compared to the previous one. The experience has inspired him to part with £50 to put to my next P.W.B order to come up with something to put the life back into his listening pleasure. I will report on progress in the coming weeks - I especially look forward to trying the Sol-Electret both in our car and in his.
Regards,
Kevin
9th January 2005 from Richard Graham. UK.
Subject: Re: Working through Christmas
Don't forget a bit of Sol-Electret on other parts of the car is great e.g. the fuses, and all the other things one can do. There is a lot of glass to attend to, upholstery etc. etc.
Richard
9th January 2005 from Richard Graham. UK.
Subject: For later reference
I am posting this now, so that if any of the recordings of the recently attended 'Das Rheingold' show changes, I can predict some of them now without having heard or seen the result. Firstly, I clipped all keys and the contents of my wallet before going in. I then took a jar of Green Cream, the Electret disc, the Clip and a couple of bits of Foil.
Before anything, I put a strip of Inside Foil under each of our seats, topped it with Green Cream, and clipped the seat. Electret disc was exposed. When the music started, I applied Green Cream to the back of the two seats in front, just as the Rheinmaidens started to sing. Then, just before the Rheingold was revealed, I clipped the backs of those seats.
I was then wanting to enjoy the results, and the music, and so did little until scene two, and here came the biggest change for me. Just before the giants take Freia off, after Loge has sung his piece about 'no treasure compares with woman' I applied two strips of Real Foil to the rears of the seats in front, mainly so I could enjoy the thrilling music that accompanies the descent into Nibelheim. This was an extraordinary change, with everything appearing to 'snap into focus' visually, and more brilliance in the music.
I applied a little more Green Cream, notably to the backs of our seats as Erda appeared. Indeed the beauty of Erda's sung warning sent shivers down the spine.
As before, this was a very lyrical account, certainly more human than the more dramatic recordings of, say Solti, but very satisfying on reflection. Indeed I wish I were going again, to think about the details of quite a busy production. As the lights were the best seen there, it should remain a visual feast, even for those allergic to Wagner. And you kind of get to see where Tolkien might have got his ideas.
So lets see what happens on the 17th January first. I will record it from satellite, and may be able to put it on CD-R, for the devoted.
Richard
10th January 2005 from Arkie Martherus. The Netherlands.
Subject: Question: speaker filling
About: speaker wadding.
After reading the recent Newsletter, I got the idea of replacing the wadding of my speakers. They are now filled with BAF, i.e. bonded acetate fibres. This seems to be a material to what we react adversely. Until now, I am very, very satisfied with the sound of my system (I think every part is 'Belt-treated'); the only 'drawback' is the bass. The quality of the bass in my system is very hifi-ish: very tight, deep and not overblown. It is not bad, but I would like it to be more resonant, musical, analog, living. Has anyone done some treatment to his speaker stuffing? Should I replace the BAF with a natural product like sheep wool? My speakers are a self-made, two way, bass reflex design.
The tweeter consists of a textile 1" dome, the bass-mid a 7" kevlar unit.
Greetings,
Arkie
11th January 2005 from Barry Carmody. Australia.
Subject: Re: Question: speaker filling
In the late eighties a British Hi-Fi magazine suggested the controversial tweak of removing the speaker filling. Speaker manufactures were unhappy; they claimed that according to their theories the speakers sound far better with the filling. I tested the tweak and there was significant improvement in sound quality.
Barry
10th January 2005 from Kevin Kehoe. UK.
Subject: Re: Question: Speaker Filling
A Martherus,
I was about to post yet again - three postings in as many days must be a record for me - when I saw your question.
About six years ago when I began to hear big changes to the sound using the new range of Foils and other P.W.B Devices, I removed the speakers from their mountings in my Mission 733's in order to treat each driver and the crossover assemblies. I used Magnadiscs, various Foils, Spiratube and Electret Cream in this process. I was aware (by way of P.W.B) at the time that certain types of internal damping could be a cause of sound degradation, so I took the drastic step of leaving it out altogether - banishing it to an outer shed - before refitting the speakers. The resulting sound was much more satisfying to me in all areas. The material has long since been consigned to the dustbin and never been missed. You could always leave it out as an experiment, but do remove it out of the room before listening. Better still, off your territory. If it doesn't work for you, you could always put it back. Hope this is some help to you. It was a territory thing I was about to post about. Like May, we too have been doing some DIY about the house - quite a lot in fact. Having completely refurbished the bathroom and some of the kitchen, we recently ordered a builders size skip to dispose of all the waste tiles. wood, old heater, copper pipes, motorised extractor and all manner of junk left over from the work. We telephoned the skip company this morning and when I arrived home it was gone. Now here's the scary bit. Notwithstanding the wonderful sound lift gained recently from the Sol-Electret, There was again a sound lift that had me rushing to try different music tracks. It was unmistakable in it's sheer intensity. I only wonder if this has been experienced by anyone else?
Regards,
Kevin
11th January 2005 from P.W.B. Electronics. UK.
Subject: Re: Question: Speaker Filling.
Reply to A. Martherus.
We have not used any acoustic treatment (filling) inside our speaker cabinets for the past twenty years. No Foam. No BAF Wadding. No natural long hair. Nothing. We found that the sound was much better without anything. Just like Barry discovered and just like Kevin discovered and I agree with Kevin, if you take the BAF wadding out of the loudspeaker cabinet, then make sure that you remove the wadding from the listening room before carrying out listening evaluations.
If for any reason you have to leave the BAF wadding inside the loudspeaker cabinet, then I would suggest experimenting with the following treatment. Attach one of our "CCU Ring Tie on a safety pin" through a portion of the BAF Wadding, listen to some music, then remove the safety pin and listen again. In other words, treat the BAF wadding as though it was upholstery or a foam cushion. As many of you will know we developed the CCU Ring Tie on a safety pin as an effective method of treating Curtains, Carpets and Upholstery.
May
11th January 2005 from Richard Graham. UK.
Subject: Re: Question: Speaker Filling.
I pretty much agree with Mrs Belt, though if one may wish to sell the speakers in the future, putting the foam/fibre in a plastic bag with Foil/Cream on help. Then put the bag in a remote place. Personally, speakers seem to 'breathe' more easily without the stuffing, though I have never heard a pair with the CCU pin in the foam.
Richard
11th January 2005 from Richard Graham. UK.
Subject: Re: Question: Speaker Filling
I am a huge fan of the 'spring clean'. Firstly it is an opportunity to re-spray or Clip key things. But also, all that junk, and printed material really does spoil things. The only proviso is if that which is junked is treated. That causes a deterioration.
Richard
19th January 2005 from Arkie Martherus. The Netherlands.
Subject: Re: Speaker Filling
A week ago, I removed all speaker fillings. I placed the BAF material in a signed and foiled bag and removed it from the listening room. It will be reused as air-filter inside the cooker-hood. After playing my reference discs (Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Thomas Dolby), a few things struck me immediately. First, there seems to be more treble. Not too much, but very noticeable. In the pre-P.W.B. times, this was a real problem. Time will learn if I can live with the slightly increased treble. Then the midrange: beautiful. A wealth of new information was available. Voices are rounder; the air around voices is more audible, separation between singers and their background choirs is clearer. Instruments are better identifiable. In fact, the sound seems to come more freely from the loudspeakers, more relaxed. However, the quality of bass seems affected. The bass is less deep, less round, less audible than before. Of course, having a bass reflex system, there is the possibility that I have to re-tune the (length of) the port. It is known that the resonance frequency of the bass driver can be about 10 Hz lower with damping material placed. That has to do with the increased compliance of the trapped air. Furthermore, there is a kind of small resonance detectable in the mid-high range that I cannot get rid of. Once I heard it, it comes back every time. So there are two reasons why I might be putting some damping material back, trying to retain the gains however. Nevertheless, before that, I will experiment with the bass tuning and one other thing. Opening up the speakers, I noticed all the 90-degree angles that exist in every box speaker. My plan is to buy some of those quarter round wooden laths, and glue them in the corners. In short, this issue will keep me busy for a while.
Arkie
20th January 2005 from P.W.B. Electronics. UK.
Subject: Speaker filling
Mr Martherus, this will be one of my lengthy replies because, as usual, there are many areas to consider. And, as I am sure will be appreciated, it is difficult for me to recommend certain treatments when I know that people may not have, to hand, many of our different products and devices.
You have removed the BAF wadding, placed it in a 'treated' bag and gained an improvement in the sound. But, if you go ahead and then use this BAF wadding in your cooker filter as you suggested earlier, you will again be exposing yourself to the adverse effect of the BAF wadding in your territory - you will be back to square one again !! If you ever decide to use the BAF wadding again, either in your cooker filter or back again inside your loudspeaker cabinet, it will have to be treated or you will lose the good sound you have just attained.
Before you do any physical changes i.e. physically alter the length of the port, I am going to suggest you carry out some experiments.
Yes, you can use pieces of the quarter round wooden doweling to 'treat' 90-degree angles inside the loudspeaker cabinets. We used such pieces of doweling, over 15 years ago, to demonstrate to Hi-Fi retailers the effect of all the right angles within their listening environment. But, for our demonstration, we did not fit the pieces of doweling on the right angles inside loudspeaker cabinets, we fitted them onto the right angles of the wooden frames of the windows in the retailer's listening room !!! We left some retailers still white with shock when they realised just what effect all these right angles had been having on their sound in their demonstration rooms. I am going to suggest the following experiment.
Get two identical pieces of the quarter round wooden doweling. Fit one piece onto a right angle inside your loudspeaker cabinet (using double sided adhesive so that you can easily remove it again) and listen. You will perceive some improvement in the sound. Take the other identical piece. Cream it with our Cream-Electret and put it through the freezing/slow defrost cycle twice. Then replace the untreated piece of doweling with the Creamed and frozen piece of doweling and listen again. Now you will perceive an even greater improvement in the sound by having 'treated' the wood piece first before attaching it.
Now, regarding the port. Before you physically alter the size of the port, I suggest you 'treat' the existing port. I would suggest applying a strip of our Inside Foil inside the port - as far inside as you can reach - i.e. onto an area which is hidden. Listen for a short period of time, then remove the piece of Foil and listen again. You can apply strips of Inside Foil to many areas inside the loudspeaker cabinet (or to the inside of anything) with great beneficial effect.
Your description of the improvements gained after using our techniques i.e. being able to hear additional information, more spacious, airy sound echoes other people's descriptions after using our treatments.
May
26th January 2005 from Arkie Martherus. The Netherlands.
Subject: Re: Speaker filling
I want to thank you May, for your answers. The fact is -thanks to a flu- I didn't read them just until now. In the mean time, while I was home (ill), all musical drawbacks fully disappeared! The only thing I did was re-tune my bass reflex port to a lower 35 Hz (it was tuned to 40-45 Hz with the dampening material), and listened. All positive qualities in the midrange have remained. The slightly increasing of the treble now comes over as an addition of information that was always lacking. I always liked to temper the treble, because it was too harsh. Now it is so "part of the music" that it is natural. The bass finally has come alive and became a real boogie-factor. The music seems to be playing FREE in the living room. It really is like there are instruments playing in my room...
To answer your points:
- there is (always is) a BAF - like air filter in our - treated- cooker hood. So the situation is not changed. I might treat this in the future, though.
- the LS ports were already foiled with rainbow foil, creamed and 'x26'x 'd and signed.
- I will experiment with the quarter rounds later; now I'm enjoying the music so much that I do not feel the need. But that will be a question of time...
Arkie
By the way, finally got the time to watch those very insightful talks
on DVD!!! They are superb!
26th January 2005 from Geoff Kait. USA.
Subject: Re: Re: Speaker filling
Hi - question regarding 1/4 round for right angles on bookshelves, walls, TV stand, etc. - any advantage to using quarter rounds for sharp corners in other rooms besides listening room? Or should I focus on listening room? - Thought I'd ask before investing in much 1/4 round.
TIA.
Geoff
26th January 2005 from P.W.B. Electronics. UK.
Subject: Re: Speaker filling and right angles.
In reply to you Geoff, yes, you will gain improvements in your sound by treating right angles in other rooms. I remember Peter 'treating' the demonstration rooms of one particular Hi-Fi retailer. The retailer had two demonstration rooms on the same floor and Peter improved the sound in one demonstration room by 'treating' some of the right angles in the other demonstration room.
And, in reply to Arkie Amartherus, don't stop now Arkie, carry on and 'treat' other right angles with the quarter round wooden doweling. Also, you do not need long pieces of the quarter round wooden doweling for each right angle - in fact, whilst I am writing this, I am looking at a piece of 5 cm (2 inch) long wooden doweling attached to a right angle of a nearby window frame !
I remember, some 15 years ago, Paul Benson describing in one of his articles a visit to a Hi-Fi Retailer. Paul's friend had wanted to hear a particular piece of Hi-Fi equipment and Paul had accompanied his friend during the visit to the retailer. Paul must have mentioned something about Peter Belt's techniques and Paul was surprised because the retailer suddenly left the room. When the retailer returned, he was carrying an empty wooden cabinet. The retailer explained that he had just started to manufacture the cabinets to house audio equipment. Paul described in his article how they had all heard the sound improve immediately the cabinet had been brought into the room. The retailer then disclosed to Paul that the cabinet had been 'treated' using Peter Belt's techniques (which Peter and I already knew included 'treating' some of the right angles inside the cabinet !!).
May
26th January 2005 from Richard Graham. UK.
Subject: Re: Speaker filling and right angles.
May, I cannot help but jog memories, and concerned that people might settle for just beading, I must remind you that Peter once produced something more potent for this issue. Not sure whether they are still around, but I seem to remember using a number of 'ferrets' in the mid-nineties. Rather forgot them, though this thread has prompted some interesting thoughts. Are they still available?
(I know they were 'ferrite's', but 'ferrets' are much more enlivening!)
Richard
27th January 2005 from P.W.B. Electronics. UK.
Subject: Re: Right angles.
Richard, you are absolutely correct, we do have treated small ferrite's which are used to manipulate right angles. They are 10 UK pounds each.
However, Peter has always endeavoured to give people experiments to try for themselves, to prove for themselves what he is discovering - hence, many years ago, telling people of the experiment of trying pieces of quarter round doweling on right angles.
I am sure that many of our old established customers will say that they have used a combination of our P.W.B. Treated ferrets in what they regard as important areas (such as right angles inside equipment) plus pieces of their own quarter round doweling in such areas as window frames. Etc.
May
27th January 2005 from Richard Graham. UK.
Subject: Re: Right angles.
The reason I mentioned them May was that I thought I remembered them being fairly cheap, yet rather good, and thought if someone is spending money on wood, well....
More to the point, if they feel the doweling works, then the ferrets take it to another level. Indeed, skip the doweling, and just try the ferrets. They are very small, slightly fiddley to apply therein, and rather forgotten. Inside a speaker though they were great. I'd be interested in any contemporary views if anyone is willing to give them a go.
Richard
30th January 2005 from Richard Graham. UK
Subject: Freeze effect
Before posting my views, I was just wondering if anyone else had the chance to try something 'deep cryogenically frozen', with liquid nitrogen etc.?
I think it does raise some interesting questions.
Richard
3rd February 2005 from Geoff Kait. USA.
Subject: Re: Freeze effect
Richard - I have used cryo labs on number of occasions, (the first time was 12 yr. ago) and you're right - it does raise some interesting questions...
Geoff
4th February 2005 from Richard Graham. UK.
Subject: Re: Freeze effect
I thought I had some clear views on this matter, but need to try a few more experiments this weekend to ascertain further the benefits and deficiencies of the process. It is not as straightforward as I initially thought. Indeed, some testing may take even more time, but I should be able to share a few realisations very soon.
Richard
6th February 2005 from Richard Graham. UK.
Subject: In praise of the perpendicular!
Actually, this is more of a criticism, but having had a bit of time to experiment with some Ferrites again, it seems the right angle can come good.
You will know from some Newsletter articles that I am either very busy or very lazy. The recent posts about right angles left me thinking that in no way would I have the time to be using doweling,
despite the fact it is a very cheap way of improving things. So I obtained a few Ferrites to try again in some new places. The lid of my DVD player and processor extends at the back, creating a perpendicular hood over the back panel. Applying a Ferrite, to each piece at the back, brought about a very pleasing 'sweetness' of sound, and a little more detail. Two others went on speakers, to similar effect.
What I like about them is that they are very easy to fit, ideally with glue that has been treated - I put a strip of X Foil on the tube of glue, creamed and clipped it - and fairly cheap. At £10.00 each, you can buy one, now and again, and hardly feel the pinch. Still, I'd be interested if anyone has tried doweling yet.
Richard
6th February 2005 from P.W.B. Electronics. UK.
Subject: Re: Freeze effect
I agree with Geoff and Richard. The freezing technique, whether using the temperature of a domestic deep freezer or the lower cryogenic temperatures raises interesting questions, particularly if you are prepared to do listening experiments after freezing objects which are in no way associated with the audio equipment.
What I am reluctant to do is to get further involved in prolonged discussions as to which of the freezing temperatures is the best because all prolonged, narrow discussions on one single aspect only, allows people to avoid, evade, having to think any deeper into the whole subject. If you seriously consider the outcome of these experiments i.e. that you can hear improvements in the sound (which means that you are hearing additional information which you had not heard before) then this challenges the very belief structure of the audio industry. Because if EITHER freezing technique produces an improvement in the sound, then you have to ask the very important question "Where has this additional information I can hear now come from. Where was it before ?"
May
7th February 2005 from Richard Graham UK.
Subject: Re: Freeze effect
May,
As you know, everything is far from simple, and the problem for me of any 'deep cryogenic' process is how to freeze all of the things one would want to, if it were superior. Even when assessing the advantages or disadvantages, there are many factors to consider e.g. constitution of a cable, its colour etc. It is even then a reasonable question to ask if one could have obtained a similar benefit from other changes, e.g. freezing your credit cards! Yet I want to experiment for a number of reasons.
Firstly, despite their excellence, even when Freeze Effect products are attached to an item, freezing does improve things further. Why is it so effective?
Secondly, I cannot perceive much difference in result with the temperature of the freezer being altered.
But, at least superficially, an untreated, cryogenically frozen cable has a rather 'P.W.B' sound - and it feels nice to touch too! I am far from convinced such cables are superior, and need to swap them back again, after a prolonged spell, to see if they retain their abilities. Even if they do, is the sound better? And as stated above I cannot know to what degree this freezing process is part of the end result, as the plugs, cable type etc. will all be part of it. And could I have obtained the same result with my domestic freezer?
As for where the information that was previously lost is, I suspect we need to ask Mr Plato or Kant about that one.
But there are questions, and what you write last just one of them.
Richard
7th February 2005 from Richard Graham. UK.
Subject: Don't show off!
In addition to my crusade to be the only person posting at present, I returned home to proceed with my earth-shattering experiments, only to experience another confounding factor - the P.W.B lift.
I don't know what they've been up to, but today my system, and bathroom radio(!), sound better. A lot better.
Does anyone else hear it? Should I test my urine for substances illicit?
But my final thoughts are the straightforward, and possibly Yorkshire, ones above. And we know who I am referring to...
I can only add - It's not funny, and it's not clever! One should be able to carry out tests without the music getting in the way!
Richard
8th February 2005 from Gary Lee. USA.
Subject: Electric outlets - unsafe holes?
I've read the right angles information with interest and will have to look into it. Thank you, all, for bringing up the point.
What occurred to me a few weeks ago while sitting in my living room was the number of holes represented by the electrical outlets in the house. Couldn't these present a possible "threat", given that there are "safe hole" foils, etc. designed for other wide-open spaces? So I decided it might be wise to plug them up.
Hardware stores in the U.S. (I don't know what they're called in other parts) offer semi-opaque plastic outlet plugs for a very reasonable price (12 for a pound/$2). They are designed to prevent small children from sticking their wee little fingers in electric sockets. Little do they know that they might be insidious devices to get kiddies hooked on better sound. I got 2 packages and immediately tossed them in the freezer, being too lazy to treat them all first. They will be at least creamed and clipped, perhaps even given a strip of Rainbow Foil, before being inserted into the empty outlets. Is this foolish on my part or has anyone else ever tried this?
Also, I need a little help. There is a lovely strip of foil with "Right Energy" up and down it, just waiting to be cut into smaller strips and applied hither and yon. But I can't for the life of me remember what Foil it is or whether it needs one of the more exotic creams put on it for activation. Please help me identify my errant Foil. Which brings up an interesting point: might it be of use to have some sort of chart to identify which Foil is which?
It's always great to hear the interesting notes and tips from the "true believers".
Thanks.
Gary
8th February 2005 from Richard Graham. UK.
Subject: Re: Electric outlets - unsafe holes?
I still have in some of my sockets 'blank' 13 amp plugs, which may be preferable to the safety covers you are talking about, as you can put some smart metal on the pins and fuses, plus Sol-Electret, and all those other things you do to plugs. Haven't done any new ones for a while, and could probably make better ones now. But if I remember correctly, every empty socket should have one.
Richard
8th February 2005 from Kevin Kehoe. UK.
Subject: Electric outlets - unsafe holes?
Gary,
I have just started to play around with this right angle thing so I may be able to report on it at a later stage. what I can say with reasonable confidence though, is that the foil you have is called "Inverting Foil" and it should have arrived with three coloured creams - Orange, Violet and Green. I have a set of P.W.B preliminary instructions on it's use. Just to get you started I will quote some of contents. The first application should be to the CD player, DVD player, or, a vinyl record player. What you do is first, apply Orange Cream to a small area, wipe off surplus with a paper handkerchief. Attach a narrow strip of the Foil to the Orange Cream treated area. A layer of the Violet Cream should then be applied over the top of the Foil strip and any surplus wiped away with a paper handkerchief. Then, on top of the Violet treated area, a layer of the Green Cream should be applied and any surplus removed with a paper handkerchief. The Foil and it's Cream treatments can be applied on the inside or outside of the disc playing equipment .I too have had problems identifying foils - though it comes down to my lack of sensible precautions, such as keeping each foil with it's original bag and instruction sheet. When anything P.W.B lands on the doormat a kind of "Bull at a Gate" syndrome takes over and any semblance of orderly investigation leaves me.
Kevin
8th February 2005 from Graham Belt. UK.
Subject: Inverting Foil
Hi All.
Many of the P.W.B. Product information can be found on the P.W.B.
Web pages. - http://www.belt.demon.co.uk/
and the Inverting Foil at:- http://www.belt.demon.co.uk/product/invertingfoil/invertingfoil.html
Kind regards
Graham
9th February 2005 from Gary Lee. USA.
Subject: Inverting Foil - of course!
Thank you, Graham and Kevin. I remembered immediately when it was mentioned and have already applied it to the basic gear in my system CD player, speakers, amp, and pre amp, I believe. That is probably one reason some of it sits in my Belt "toolkit". I'm waiting to put it on some other items, but haven't decided which. Has anyone found it to be particularly effective on certain non-audio gear?
As for the outlets, I had never thought of using plugs without cords attached. Is that what you described, Richard? It's an interesting thought, but many of the blank plugs available here need wire for them to even fit together properly. Otherwise, the blades tend to flap around a bit, not the best idea for an electrical outlet. But it raises an interesting alternative that I will explore. There are some aesthetic advantages to the plastic covers. They fit fairly flush with the outlet, where a blank plug would stick out. There are at least half a dozen outlets in my living room without plugs, and the thought of a dozen empty plugs sticking out of them is not enormously appealing. However, I will look around and see if there is something that would have metal blades and still not be visually objectionable.
Thanks to all for the excellent ideas and information.
Gary
9th February 2005 from Bill Hunt. UK.
Subject: RE: Inverting Foil - of course!
Hello Gary,
Exposed, unused electrical sockets? I remind you of my previous mention of my granny, who insisted that if there were any sockets without plugs inserted in a house, that she could "smell the electricity" as soon as she got past the front door...
Bill
9th February 2005 from Kevin Kehoe. UK.
Subject: Don't show off!
I must say that the last few months have been quite superb for the amount of Belt "Lift" it has been my pleasure to experience. At first though, I had assumed that it was the result of my constant P.W.B activities. But, I have also suspected for some time now that some of those sound leaps may have came about without any obvious result of my activity. in other words, development work at P.W.B Base was having a beneficial influence on the Treatments around our home. The best Lift of all however, occurred a few days ago, but I can tie this down to a definite piece of Treatment which I carried out just before. I had just received my order of a P.W.B Intermediate Pack and attached two ten centimetre lengths of Spiratube to the pipe work - pre treated with Electret Cream - of the hand basin in our newly refurbished bathroom. After Clipping, I sat down to listen. The change was a whopper! I don't know where the sound comes from, it seems like each CD or Vinyl disc is a treasure trove of pleasure waiting to burst forth. Remember, Spiratube is a true P.W.B goldie oldie - I can recall, way back in the eighties I think - that this was one of the first P.W.B Devices to spark my interest big time in P.W.B. I don't, however, recall that It created as a big sound lift at that time - just enough to be certain something was truly happening. So, Spiratube a few days ago, and my recent delightful first ever se of Sol-Electret proves there is plenty of life in the old Devices yet! While I'm on, I would like to make a mention of the fact that I did manage to hear a small portion of the Concert Broadcast which was attended by Richard. Shift work prevented me from fully taking part in the experiment, but it did bring home just how far we have advanced using Belt Devices. I do not currently have a tuner as part of my main system, so what I heard was on the little kitchen unit. I did not even hear some of the dramatic moments of the concert - just a beautiful prolonged quiet passage where voices and instruments seemed to shimmer in the space in front of the speakers. I'm not familiar with the piece but it did sound truly lovely. The unit producing this magic cost about £100.
Kevin
9th February 2005 from P.W.B. Electronics. UK.
Subject: Re: Freeze effect
The more you are prepared to experiment Richard, the happier I will be. And, I think you will find that the results of the experiments will give you some answers to the questions I pose. Your comment that we will have to ask Plato or Kant for answers as to where the additional information has come from is too limiting and too slow. I know what you mean but we cannot wait for Plato or Kant, we all have try to find the answers now. Peter, working as a professional in the audio industry, realised this over twenty years ago. He knew that he had to do experiment after experiment in his search for answers and the more he experimented, the more the results confirmed the concept that the additional information you can perceive after carrying out certain techniques has been there, in the room, available, all the time you have been trying to listen - you just had not been able to perceive it correctly before.
Referring back to a recent experiment you conducted at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. You experimented with some P.W.B. Devices and gained a remarkable improvement in the sound - which means that you began to 'hear' additional information. But, think about it seriously. The techniques you applied could not possibly have altered the performers/performance on the stage, nor could the techniques have altered the acoustics of the auditorium and yet you were able to 'hear' additional information. The conclusions from such results must be that
1) It must have been you (the human being) who was doing the altering (changing the way you reacted within that environment) and
2) The additional information must have been there, available, in the auditorium, all the time the performance was going on but you did not hear it until you applied certain P.W.B. techniques. And, just as important a concept, if you had not taken any devices with you to carry out any treatments, that additional information would still have been there, available, in the auditorium, but you would not have known this because you would not have been able to perceive it. These very concepts challenge the belief structure of the world of acoustics !! Yes, people working in acoustics believe that there could be additional information which people are not able to hear (because of the acoustics) but they believe that ONLY by changing the acoustics can changes in the sound which people hear take place.
May
10th February 2005 from Richard Graham. UK.
Subject: Re: Freeze effect
May,
You may indeed be happier, the more I experiment, but as you know, the subtle methodologies need to ascertain whether a difference is enduring, and what a difference is, takes much time and effort, and I am a limited person. But I will try....
The reason for mentioning Kant and Plato, is that both suggested that we cannot ever really 'know' the 'thing-in-itself', the noumenon of experience. I can no more know what a piano 'really' sounds like, with or without P.W.B devices, partly for the reasons you say, but also that perception is a human process, with considerable dynamic aspects. What we perceive is always a diminished form (see Plato). But as you indicate, the audio industry is full of omnipotent engineers, that feel a rudimentary grasp of psychology (let alone philosophy) will suffice, and explain the world as they like.
But there other questions, and for me there is the fundamental one of whether P.W.B devices are 'enhancers' or 'damage limiters'. Do they add something positive (I think they do) or limit the badness? I suggest the former, even though it may lead to the latter, as when you remove a device, the sound worsens. If that device is a treated cable, or piece of equipment, the sound would worsen, were it untreated. But treated it becomes, as we say a device. Where does one place a frozen cable in that scheme? Where if it is 'cryogenically' frozen.
Not negating, any of what you say, I am interested in how much freezing changes things, and does freezing at different temperatures influence things differently. I am interested that my car, after a bad frost, does not keep improving - indeed, I don't think it does from being left out. So what is going on? Is the freezer the crucial part? How much of a 'quantum' of temperature change is needed.
I don't know, but I intend to use the limited space in my mind to explore further.
We will tackle live concerts later, as that really blows things apart.
Richard
10th February 2005 from P.W.B. Electronics. UK.
Subject: Re: Safe Holes.
Gary,
I would strongly recommend that you experiment by manipulating right angles. You will be surprised at the results. But, after doing that, if you do hear improvements in the sound then that also means that you are hearing additional information (see my earlier posting). And, again, the conclusion must be that the additional information must have been there, available, in the room but you had not been able to perceive it correctly until you 'treated' the right angles !! Obviously, treating right angles with either quarter round doweling or our specially treated small ferrets could not possibly have had any effect on the audio signal going through the equipment nor could they possibly have had any effect on the acoustic air pressure waves in the room - so the effect must be concerned with how the human being reacts.
You are travelling along the correct path when you look around your environment and ask such questions as "Are the various holes perceived as a 'threat' ?" As I am struggling to explain in my further talk "Reading/Sensing the Environment", we are the product of millions of years of evolution where the early creatures, whilst sensing their environment for danger/predators, were also, at the same time, sensing their environment for the nearest place of safety/burrow/hole/hiding place. And, were also sensing their environment for signals of comfort/reassurance.
Twenty five years ago, when Peter introduced his concepts
1) That very many of the differences which people were perceiving in the sound were because it was the human being who was reacting to what was happening in the environment and those reactions were changing the perception of the sound.
2) That the additional information people could hear had been there, available, in the room but that prior to doing any 'treatments', they had not been able to perceive it.
3) That inexpensive equipment, moderately priced equipment, and very expensive equipment were all capable of 'handling' a wealth of information - a far greater wealth of information than anyone realises, he and the few courageous journalists who attempted to voice Peter's concepts were (and still are) attacked and ridiculed. Because these very concepts challenged (and continue to challenge) the belief structure of the audio industry. The belief structure of the audio industry will only accept two ways for the sound to be changed - that something affects the audio signal or that something affects the acoustic air pressure waves - and any other concept is scoffed at or dismissed outright.
Such pioneers as Joseph Lister (in the world of medicine) and Charles Darwin (in the world of evolution) bore the brunt of similar attack and ridicule when challenging the belief structures of their time.
This morning I have been reading an obituary of one of the world's leading evolutionary biologists - Ernst Mayr. Two descriptive sentences caught my eye.
"He shared to the full Darwin's essential quality of persistence. He could have written Darwin's well-known dictum that doggedness is the secret of science".
How true !
May
10th February 2005 from Geoff Kait. USA.
Subject: Re: Re: Safe Holes.
To all: have had outstanding results w/ treating right angles w/ dowels -- this on top of having a number of ferrets (sic) in place.
Cheers,
Geoff
11th February 2005 from Richard Graham. UK.
Subject: Re: Safe Holes.
I would add May, that faith in ones work, in addition to doggedness or even tenacity are crucial to genius, plus a large dollop of courage. There are some interesting writings on how long Darwin sat on his theories, and only published after some time (?20 years) when he had overcome his fears of persecution.
But I have been thinking about 'safe holes' (as one does), and feel that what we often don't address is how unconscious the 'threat' is. One doesn't sit there thinking 'those sockets are really scary', but a subtle discomfort draws attention from the pleasures of the music. And like many unconscious processes, we cannot control it. The subliminal, unconscious processes are both harder to detect, and harder to describe - they are barely representable in the mind at all; hence unconscious.
Richard
11th February 2005 from Richard Graham. UK.
Subject: Re: Safe Holes.
I see your home becoming a symphony of small, yet perfectly formed pieces of wood, and small animals. No wonder your results are outstanding!
Richard
12th February 2005 from Geoff Kait. USA.
Subject: Re: Re: Safe Holes.
Richard - Ha, ha of course, like a lot of things there as so many right angles... on the subject I just pulled this off the film forum of audio asylum:
It's odd to me that since it's release "2001: A Space Odyssey" inspires such varied interpretations as it, for me, seems a sophisticated presentation of a rather simplistic and clearly stated message.
"2001" is the story of the effects of the conceptualisation of the right angle.
Bear with me a moment!
The monolith is the spark of inspiration of first technology. The impact is tremendous as it is the only artificial object among the apes and the recognition of this artificiality creates a disturbance. It is this recognition - through the artifianality of the right angles. The artificial object represents the conceptualization of the manipulation of the environment- tools. The monolith is endowed with it's mystical properties because technology is really a belief structure not so removed from religion: one has to believe in technology and scientific investigation in order for anything to happen. God and technology are related in that way as one can argue that if there is a supreme being that created everything the fact that humans have transcended their original conditions through technology can only be the result of a supreme being -or intelligent designer giving humans the ability to conceptualize. The monolith is the symbol of this ability.
The bone becomes a weapon, and here technology is shown in it's early but constant role in the service of violence and domination.
The bone, thrown high in triumph into the air by the ape who has just killed another transforms into the Jupiter craft. If you watch the details of Heywood's flight to the orbiting station and then to the Moon, there is s close focus on brand names- AT&T, PanAm (which did not survive to the real 2001), Black and Decker, Hilton Hotels. there are many odd, detailed operational procedures shown that produces an austere, completely de-personalized serenity. Humans are reduced to mere operators of machines.
On the Jupiter mission, the astronauts are given almost no personality- look at what's his name's ubiquitous birthday phone call- infantile conversation and mundane details of some financial arrangement. Notice the shape of the space suit helmets which were designed to make the astronauts resemble insects- the ports on the top look like big compound eyes. Technology has reduced humans to the status of insects. It is HAL- the machine- who is the only one that ever talks about feelings!- HAL is now more humans than his operators.
The rest is inevitable. HAL, understands that in a condition of hyper-technology, humans are no longer necessary and in fact pose not only a waste of resources -HAL kills the hibernating astronauts, but also sees the others as a threat to his task.
When the machine archives more than just programming, but moves into the realm of individual ambition, technology again reverts to it's original conceptualisation of violence and domination- full circle to the apes who in first contact with it begin to kill.
HAL for it's crimes gets disconnection and this scene is very interesting as the zero gravity space in which the disconnection is made is a double premonition of the interior of the monolith- which is also made of right angles- and brilliantly a foresight to the spherical womb of the space fetus in the final scene. When humans do deny technology it's course of de-humanisation, it must be from within.
The revisiting of the monolith is the return of the presence of the next stage of technology. Old what's his name is conducted through it and the light show is symbolic of the duality of technology, the simple, pure shape and perfect surface that technology presents in reality contains this infinite potential for complexity- but at this point reaches beyond human control. ***
Geoff
12th February 2005 from Gary Lee. USA.
Subject: Right angles and safe holes
Until some ferrets can be obtained, it is my understanding that just quarter-round dowels can be used and they only have to be small sections placed on a wall or in windowsills. It that correct? In the U.S. we have what is called quarter-round molding, for placement along the base of a wall and any other place it might be desired. Is there any reason that couldn't be used? What would be the minimum length that should be put on, say, a 3-meter wall? Or on a 1-meter windowsill?
The socket plugs are about back up to room temperature and I think I'm too impatient for a second freezing right now. Some cream and a bit of foil might have to do.
Thanks for all the interesting ideas and interchanges, everyone.
Power to Morphic messages!
Gary
14th February 2005 from P.W.B. Electronics. UK.
Subject: Re: Right angles and safe holes.
Yes, I think what you call quarter round moulding is the same as what we call quarter round doweling. When manipulating right angles, you will get quite an effective improvement in the sound by using just 5 cm (2 inch) pieces. And Gary (and others) when you are taking all the trouble to fit pieces to as many right angles as you can, remember to 'treat' the pieces of wood by creaming with Cream-Electret or creaming and freezing.
May
14th February 2005 from Heiko Wingender. Germany.
Subject: AW: Re: Right angles and safe holes.
Hello May,
I wonder whether it makes a different to use a quarter round doweling or just a simple triangle doweling. The quarter doweling creates two small right angles in the corners... The triangle doweling gives two 45° angels instead. Hairsplitting...?
Heiko
16th February 2005 from P.W.B. Electronics. UK.
Subject: Re: Right angles and safe holes.
Heiko,
We have not used triangular moulding because the quarter round doweling/moulding is so readily and generally available. I would advise staying with what we know works in all situations i.e. quarter round doweling/moulding.
May
16th February 2005 from Arkie Martherus. The Netherlands.
Subject: Re: Right angles doweling/triangle
A very good question Heiko,
I'll give you my insights on the reasons of the doweling. This particular shape gives a very beneficial influence on us humans. The first time I read about this was on a Dutch (only) site. This woman could remove "electrical stress" from houses, just by drawing this symbol onto... everything you and I foiled! All electrical appliances, lights, etc. everything that uses electricity one way or another.
Here's a picture - <http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/amartherus/detail?.dir=f3e6&.dnm=2c9e.jpg>.
Of course, I tried to print this symbol on a number of labels, and attached them to all stereo items and other things as telephone, t.v.-set, etc. in my house. Wow! I (still) don't know if I imagined this, but this particular symbol has the same potential as, say, the Silver Rainbow Foil. Especially in the loud passages, the instruments are so easy to follow, the sound is smooth, that I often ask myself "why did I ever consider this as a loud passage". Until of course you hear the same music replayed on another hifi-system. Ouch. So far, I kept this to myself, because I wanted to test this with other hifi-systems (from several audio-friends) first.
There appears to be a whole website dedicated to this L-shape symbol. It was chosen out of hundreds of symbols to be the most effective. With P.W.B, we use words and chemicals to alter energy patterns. In addition, we know that colors are important (for what we humans react to). We know (?) that shapes are important - I never read this, but in the discussion about tubes vs. transistors, no one mentioned the beneficial shape of the tubes. Look at the resemblance with churches and mosques.
Anyway, what stroke me most was that someone commercial (not P.W.B) uses the same technique as Peter and sells these "chips". These chips are small sticky labels to stick on everything and "the bad energy" goes away. They print the L-symbols smaller and smaller, unable to detect for the eye -nor the printer, but, the working remains! I'm very sorry not to remember this website. The other one is <http://www.biogeometry.com/index.asp>.
Happy reading and thinking.
Arkie
2nd March 2005 from P.W.B. Electronics. UK.
Subject: Re: Orders and 'same day' dispatch.
One of our customers has just placed an order for a selection of our devices with the added sentence "The weather forecast is for a heavy snowfall so, if I am going to be snowbound, I want to have a goodly supply of P.W.B. Devices to keep me busy."
However, the presumption made by our customer Ron was that, even if HE might be snowbound, whatever the weather, May Belt would be able to post his order by return post.
So, via the link below, to add some humour, is a photograph of me, today, braving the elements to fulfill our promise to make 'same day' dispatch on 99.99% of orders.
May
JPG is 436kB
http://www.belt.demon.co.uk/Snow_Photo/Snow_Photo.jpg
2nd March 2005 from Andreas Makrides. Greece.
Subject: RE: Re: Orders and 'same day' dispatch.
Is there any blessing without the X-pen May?
Or there maybe something inside the glove?
Andreas
3rd March 2005 from Richard Graham. UK.
Subject: Re: Orders and 'same day' dispatch.
May,
You've opened the flood gates for a caption competition...
My entry is...
'Having worked hard to improve the sound of the kitchen radio, May remembered leaving the car in the freezer overnight had a downside.'
Richard
5th March 2005 from Kevin Kehoe. UK.
Subject: Re: orders and 'same day' dispatch
How about 'P.W.B Delivers - Regardless of weather'
Kevin
5th March 2005 from Kevin Kehoe. UK.
Subject: Of relevance to P.W.B
The cover story in the current edition of New Scientist (5 March 2005) may be of interest to fellow Belters. It is an article by Paul Davies of the Australian Centre for Astrobiology at Macquarie University, Sydney. It does not take much of a leap of imagination to see the relevance of Rupert Sheldrake's work - or May belt in her video talks, within this piece.
Kevin
6th March 2005 from Graham Mountford. UK.
Subject: Re: Re: Orders and 'same day' dispatch.
Hope you are keeping your coat 'belted' May.
Like the colours. Trendy gear too!!
Graham
11th March 2005 from Richard Graham. UK.
Subject: 'I'm going in!'
That's right. Persuaded by the cheap cost of wood, I have decided to experiment with doweling. The main reason is that a home is full of right-angles, and I could not fit Ferrites to them all. But doweling is a real possibility.
I was curious as to whether anyone else got anywhere with the stuff?
Richard
13th March 2005 from Gary Lee. USA.
Subject: Doweling
Richard and everybody else, I'm going in too. Today or tomorrow I'm going to get some quarter round molding, which was noted before to seem to be the U.S. equivalent to the doweling. My findings will be reported.
Gary
15th March 2005 from Arkie Martherus. The Netherlands.
Subject: Re: Doweling
The doweling experiment is also on my action list. I am planning to start on the insides of my loudspeakers. In every box-type speaker, you will need no more than 12 pieces of wood (!) Of course, I will report my findings. After this, what do we treat first? There exist thousands of 90-degree angles in our houses... Only Gaudi will escape from this one... :)
Other thoughts?
If this works, I think I will proceed with the CD-player and after that the amplifier. Mainly because I want it to be invisible to the eye.
There was an article in the German magazine "Stereo" (October, 2000?) where they put pieces of doweling in the corners of a Sony CD-player, and sawed the corners off the printed circuit boards. They also used C37-lacker. The Clockwork staff believed it has something to do with favourable resonances. However, the result was a better sounding player.
Arkie
16th March 2005 from Gary Lee. USA.
Subject: Preliminary doweling report
Sunday evening found me furiously sawing away at some quarter round molding. Three inch pieces were made, even though May said 2 inch (5 cm) would work. The three inch pieces were much easier to cut. The quarter round used was a plastic imitation wood that was already white in color. That saved painting and was the primary reason it was chosen.
After cutting the pieces, they were treated with the Red X pen and the 'x 26 'x Morphic message, then creamed with the Quantum Cream, wiped with a Super Wipe and clipped. The doweling was placed on each wall in the main living area, which includes the kitchen/dining/living room area. A piece was also placed in the sill of each window. The windows slide horizontally, so a piece can only be placed on one-half of the window sill.
Then the listening took place.
Nothing dramatic was noticed, but it seemed like there were some details that weren't heard before on some recordings. I'm not completely sure. For me it wasn't a powerful treatment. Now I'm wondering if not using wood made a difference. It seemed like it would be best to avoid the wood, but perhaps that isn't true. Anyone's thoughts on that would be appreciated.
I await the result of other "dowelers".
Gary
16th March 2005 from P.W.B. Electronics. UK.
Subject: "Science only advances through careful observation"
Dear Everyone,
I have observed recently some sensible and intelligent 'postings'on the Internet site "Audio Asylum" and have now registered as a member. I have made my first 'posting' today as a reply under the Tweakers Asylum section of Audio Asylum under the subject entitled "Science only advances through careful observation" following a specific posting by pkell44 http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/tweaks/messages/115844.html on the l5th March. My reply to pkell44's posting is copied below for your interest. pkell44's posting above could not have been more eloquently put - particularly the part which says "a true scientist continues to investigate the phenomena until he can at least evolve a working hypothesis". I would also add, relating to the world of audio, that things which go wrong i.e cause the sound to be worse can give as many significant clues as things which go right i.e give an improvement in the sound. Also things which happen by chance can force people to sit up and take notice if, as the well known saying goes, the mind is prepared to take notice.
Compare pkell44's and David Aiken's flexible minded responses with Steve Eddy's reply to pkell44's sentence "I doubt that everything we can hear can be measured. There are still order of magnitudes of things that "science" is unaware of and does not know how to measure or quantify".
Steve Eddy's reply is
"Are you suggesting that sound is caused by something other than changes in air pressure versus time ?"
Our answer to that question Steve is Yes, in our opinion (Peter's and mine), there is more to the perception of sound than just changes in air pressure versus time. The processing of the received musical information by the brain is extremely relevant.
And, in another posting, in reply to chris_w regarding 'is the test gear good enough?' Steve's reply is
"Suffice to say that I'm not aware of anything at this point which has been established to actually be audible which has escaped measurement."
Is that really true Steve ? Have you never, ever, really been 'knocked back on your heels' by changes in the sound which could not be measured ?
This is my first 'posting' on audio asylum. I had intended my first posting would be a reply to another issue regarding cables i.e. the thread which started "Who is right" by Mert in the General Asylum section but my registration was rather late for that particular thread.
May
16th March 2005 from Bill Hunt. UK.
Subject: RE: "Science only advances through careful observation"
Hello May,
I am pleased about the news of your Audio Asylum registration. I have been a member for some time now, and whilst I will allow that I have often found it an entertaining and sometimes informative venue, I would also observe that there seems to be no shortage of inmates looking for an excuse to give vent to surprising amounts of aggression, often in terms that would be normally be described as being "outright rude".... There are evidently lots who feel that there is some sort of virtue in having an absolutely closed mind...
Whilst I would not dream of suggesting that all inmates behave in this manner, I believe that there are sufficient numbers to justify you being consciously aware of the possibility of some very aggressive and negative (and rude!) responses to entries that you might make out of a positive and constructive questioning motivation.
Ask Geoff Kait about "The Intelligent Chip"!
Have happy times!
Bill
17th March 2005 from Gary Lee. USA.
Subject: The Asylum
Though this is an odd venue to welcome you, May, to the Audio Asylum, it seems appropriate, nonetheless. Several people here, including me, also frequent that audio board. Bill's observations are quite accurate. There are an astonishing number of audiophiles who are about as openminded and intellectually prissy as a Victorian school ma'am. They are blessedly countered by some very nice people at the Asylum.
It's interesting that you signed on, because just the other day I wondered if it would be useful for P.W.B to become an AA sponsor. Just a thought. I don't know what is entailed.
On a different matter, what do you think about my use of quarter round molding that isn't wood? Do you think that might negate some of the benefits of the treatment?
Gary
17th March 2005 from P.W.B. Electronics. UK.
Subject: doweling
Gary,
It is difficult to give a direct answer to your question whether you should have used wooden quarter round doweling instead of plastic because there are so many variations involved. We just usually say to people to use wooden doweling because it is easy to buy and easy to saw so people won't have difficulties trying it.
Some variations are the different material interfaces. i.e.
Wooden doweling with wooden frame.,
Wooden doweling with plastic frame.,
Wooden doweling with aluminium frame.,
Wooden doweling with steel frame.
Then, Plastic doweling with wooden frame., Plastic doweling with plastic frame., Plastic doweling with aluminium frame and plastic doweling with steel frame. Whichever variation you use, you should achieve some improvements in the sound by merely treating the right angle. Our recommendations, quite a few years ago, that people try quarter round doweling on right angles was not just to alert people that right angles are a problem but, even more importantly, for people to realise that if they then get to hear additional information i.e. information that they have not heard before, that this information had been there, available, in the room and from their equipment, and they had never known.
I hope you have been able to experience some of this additional information Gary - because it has been there and you have been missing it.
May
18th March 2005 from William Kollins. USA.
Subject: Chunky Violet Pen + Morphic Liquid
While I have been using P.W.B products for about two years now and have been a regular visitor to this website, I have just recently become a member of the group and this is my first posting. After commenting to May on my experience with my most recent purchase, a Chunky Violet Pen, she suggested that I share that experience in a posting. As I said to May, at the time I ordered the pen my system was sounding so good from all the P.W.B treatments I've been applying over time that I doubted there could be further improvement. I was almost hoping the pen would do nothing so I could avoid making future purchases of the more expensive P.W.B products and stick with the basics. But I was amazed to find the pen worked so well at improving the "perceived" sound: much fuller, much clearer, more bloom, more ease. After my comments to May, and before writing this message, I came across some archived postings regarding the use of Morphic Liquid on CDs. I have some on hand but had only used it on things like window panes, TV screens, mirrors, light bulbs and such. I was reluctant to use it on CDs because I was afraid it might remove the coating of Cream Electret that I've so laboriously applied to both surfaces of my CDs as part of my basic treatment. (My basic CD treatment includes Cream Electret applied to both sides and buffed off with a soft cloth, two strips of Silver Rainbow Foil, and, with the Red X, pen my signature>O.K. and 'x26', followed by freezing and thawing twice. I also treat the CD case or plastic sleeve with these Red X pen messages: 'x26'x, my signature>O.K., 'x=PRESENT TIME, and WELCOME.) Throwing caution to the wind, I tried some Morphic Liquid on a CD - just one surface at first. The result was so good that I ended up treating both surfaces, the booklet cover and both sides of the CD case or sleeve. (I've transferred most of my CDs to plastic sleeves because I was running out of storage space.) The result of combining these treatments - the Chunky Violet Pen and Morphic Liquid - is really remarkable. What impresses me most is how natural the resulting sound is, especially vocals, and how easy it is to listen. My basic CD treatment will henceforth include the applications of the Chunky Violet Pen and Morphic Liquid as I've described. I would add that I wiped dry the sprayed-on Morphic Liquid with a SuperWipe of sorts. The instructions I've seen for making a SuperWipe specify use of black ink - preferably from a Chunky Black Pen. Not having a Chunky Black Pen (yet), I used the Chunky Violet Pen and it appears to work just fine.
Bill
18th March 2005 from Gary Lee. USA.
Subject: Another doweling comment
Thank you, May, for your notes. I did notice some change after putting the pieces of doweling in place, though it was not very dramatic. Certainly there was no loss in sound. Some pieces of the plastic molding/doweling are going to be frozen and then tried. I might also try some wooden doweling just to see if there is a difference. The cost is so minor that a comparison is easily done.
As with so many treatments, each individual's experience can vary. Perhaps this one isn't as powerful a treatment for me as for some others. We shall see. It's always fun to experiment.
Gary
20th March 2005 from P.W.B. Electronics. UK.
Subject: Chunky Violet Pen etc
Thanks for your posting Bill. I am delighted to hear that our customers are still able to have such fun with our techniques.
Can I be indulged ? Can I be arrogant enough to presume what some of your thoughts may have been ?
1) Even after using some of our devices successfully, you still could not bring yourself to believe that marking something with a Violet Pen could possibly change the sound - or, as you say, make even further improvements on what you had already achieved.
2) However, you had enough of a regard for Peter and his knowledge of what would work that you were prepared to give it a try - whilst still having a sneaking desire not to be proved wrong - after all, if it worked, much of what is currently understood in the world of audio relating to good sound will have to rethought.
3) A slow realisation that the improvements you can hear (i.e. hearing additional information) as been there, available to you, from exactly the same equipment, over the past years !!! But that you had not been able to perceive it previously.
Continue to have fun,
May
20th March 2005 from Gary Lee. USA.
Subject: Morphic Liquid and Cream Electret
I know what Bill means about thinking sound quality has peaked. Time after time a new product has been introduced or I've tried one previously not used and I think that the sound can't get better - until it does. Richard and a lot of veterans around here continue to remark on the progress they make with improved sound quality, so it appears that the improvement ceiling for P.W.B products is very high. After reading all that can be done, I usually feel like I'm crawling on the floor.
Bill, I would suggest you add the message 'x = PRESENT TIME on the disc itself when treating a CD. I rarely put it on the case but might try it now. Plus, you probably realize that in the future using the Morphic Liquid first will eliminate any problems with removing any Cream Electret.
Bill noted his habit of putting Cream Electret on both sides of a CD, which brings up a possible "controversy" here at the P.W.B board. Like Bill, I have always creamed both sides of a CD, believing those were the instructions that came with both Cream Electret and the Quantum Cream. In correspondence, that habit was mentioned to Rende, who had never put cream on the playing side, only the label side. He went ahead and tried it but reported that the sound wasn't as satisfying
with both sides creamed. What is the experience of other P.W.Bers? Do we have two camps here - the both-side creamers and the label-side-only creamers? Are we in danger of a civil war? Also, what it the official P.W.B stand on creaming CDs? Of course I realize that we are free to use the products as we prefer, but my curiosity has been aroused regarding how others treat CDs.
I eagerly await any responses.
Gary
21st March 2005 from P.W.B. Electronics. UK.
Subject: Morphic Liquid and Cream-Electret.
Gary, I have never had to reprimand a customer before. What are you doing inviting a civil war ? I am here, trying to work out solutions to achieve world peace and it looks as though I might, eventually, have to turn my attention back to deal with a minor skirmish amongst P.W.B. Customers !!
Seriously, I think that one of the problems might be history - that is P.W.B. History. Some of our customers have been with us for 20 years, others a lesser time through to just joining recently.
In the first talk I gave in 1998, I explained how some of the first discoveries which Peter made was that colours were significant and that certain materials 'preferred' a particular colour and certain objects preferred specific colours. This was when the development and treatment of the Rainbow Foil took place as we knew that the rainbow colours available on the foil would provide whatever colour the material or object needed. These early discoveries were made using a vinyl record as the sound source (we did not own a CD player at that time). So, by the time we had acquired a CD player and some CDs, we were already aware that colours had a significant effect on the perception of sound. When we saw the various colour patterns, coloured art work on the label side of CDs, we knew that this was a problem area. To try to get people to become aware of this, our earliest recommendation was to apply the Cream to the label side of the CD first. We presumed that if people could hear an improvement in the sound by 'treating' the LABEL side of a CD, then they would realise that here was a problem area !! Also, as far as I personally was concerned, I had hoped that people would realise that if you 'treat' the label side of a CD and gain an improvement in the sound, then you could not possibly be having any effect on the actual digital information encoded on the CD - that there must be something else going on which was affecting the sound !!
And, that people might be more willing to experiment by applying something to the label side of a CD whereas they might be reluctant to apply something to the playing side. We had to try to get people past their existing belief structure - because engineers were hailing the digital encoding as the panacea of all problems because once information had been encoded into digital 0s and 1s, then nothing could affect that information therefore everything would be all right - nothing further needed doing !! This is the major problem we are still having. Engineers and even non engineers cannot believe that our devices and treatments work because they cannot see how our devices can be having an effect on the encoded information or on the signal or on the acoustic air pressure waves so are not prepared to even experiment. That there is a human being involved in the listening process seems to come way down in their list of priority areas to consider and even when the human being is considered, it is only usually regarding the air pressure waves (acoustics) in the actual room. But, without people are prepared to experiment, they will never realise that there is something else affecting the sound.
Obviously, you can apply Cream-Electret and Morphic Liquid to both sides of a CD - it is just that some people prefer not to apply anything to the playing side. I still have no idea why Rene found that he did not like the sound after applying Cream to the playing side. The Cream is specially 'programmed' to superimpose a 'safe, secure, relaxing' energy pattern onto an object so I cannot see how it could create a deterioration.
May
22nd March 2005 from Gary Lee. USA.
Subject: Playing versus label side
I suppose I should start by apologizing for fomenting a possible civil war.
Thank you, May, for the bit of history. The explanation of the evolution of the Rainbow Foil was most interesting. Now the Rainbow in the Foil makes perfect sense.
And I certainly don't want to get in trouble with either Rende or May about the application of creams. My basic point was that there can be differences in perception with the various treatments. No implication was meant that the creams would necessarily deteriorate the sound. I do recall people in the past noting that certain treatments didn't work as well for them as for others. For example, treating my household pipes didn't produce any immediate change in sound. But that, to me, is one of the wonderful things about the P.W.B products. There seems to be many things that will work for each individual. We all seem to have favorite foils, etc. which makes it fun to experiment with the treatments. My inquiry was just to see if anyone had noticed a difference in treating just one side or both sides of a CD with either cream. I hope that takes me off the hook on both sides - of the P.W.B community, not the CD.
Gary
24th March 2005 from Richard Graham. UK.
Subject: What are the chances?
It's good and bad.
Firstly the bad. After installing Broadband, and being ready to post on certain key issues, my graphics card failed, and it took 'til now to get it sorted. But the good...
Well, having tested some things out at a performance of 'Das Rheingold' in January, I was both pleased and disappointed that last Saturday's performance of 'Die Walkure' was also filmed by the BBC. I have worked out an essential 'live music' kit, but would have taken more. What I did was this:-
1. During the strobed-opening - the storm - of Act I, I applied one strip of Real Foil.
2. During one of those mournful cello phases some minutes later, I applied a second strip of Real Foil - both went on seats.
3. Just before Hunding arrives - watch the axe! - I removed the disc from it's CD case.
I was gobsmacked by the latter, and feel I have really underestimated the power of that passive disc; with other devices it is quite something.
I will not post anything else on the performance just yet, but will leave you with this from the Friends of Covent Garden...
Dear Friend
A quick note to let you know, if you do not already, that this weekend the BBC will be screening The Royal Opera House's production of Das Rheingold and Die Walküre. The Wagner weekend starts tonight with Michael Portillo's Ring documentary - Art that Shook the World, at 7.00 - 7.50pm on BBC2.
Das Rheingold is being screened on BBC2 at 9.30pm on Easter Sunday, and Die Walküre on Easter Monday at 5.15pm also on BBC2.
Have a good bank holiday and happy viewing!
Best wishes
Susan Fisher
Head of Friends
For the uninitiated, Act I of Die Walkure is a corker. It is music that really changed the world.
Richard
29th March 2005 from P.W.B. Electronics. UK.
Subject: Morphic Liquid and Cream-Electret - People's preferences.
You are absolutely correct Gary, different people have different preferences regarding our devices and that is why it is so difficult for me sometimes to give a definite and reassuring answer when people, new to our devices and techniques, ask me "What do you recommend I use to treat X and Y and Z ?" Because it is the human being who is doing the reacting, then people will vary as to what they are anxious about and what energy patterns they are attempting to identify within their environment.
Regarding P.W.B. History. I thought you had seen a copy of the video of my first (1998) talk where I give much of the background behind most of Peter's discoveries. I was reminded of this particular talk a few days ago and reminded of how, in my talk, I had described Peter's experiments, over 20 years ago, on conductors (different bare metals), on different insulation materials and on different cables - ending in what Martin Colloms had called in his article (in Hi Fi News July 1983 issue) "The Mysterious P.W.B. Lead Tubes" and in his following extensive articles on the "Cable Controversy". One snippet of information from the past which might interest people is that John Atkinson - who is the editor of the American magazine Stereophile was then the editor of Hi Fi News in the UK in 1983 and was fully aware of Peter's work.
What has just reminded me about that period was a report in the 'internet version' of Stereophile last week of a new cable by Stereovox made of a copper tube described by the manufacturers as 'designed to manage skin-effect'. I was reminded how Peter had been down that path, at great length, over 20 years ago.
Also, a week or so ago, a question had been asked regarding cables on the Internet site Audio Asylum. The question was "Who is right", posed by someone who had counted at least 140 different advertisements for cables, all giving different explanations as to why the cables could improve the sound. Someone else responded to this question by stating "Only 140 ? Surely the figure is more like 1,400 !!" I had planned on responding to this particular question but my registration to participate on the Audio Asylum site took longer than I had anticipated and that particular question soon went off the front page.
If you like background history Gary, I will try to condense a few years of earlier experimentation, relating to this particular subject, into a few sentences.
In the early 1980s, Peter experimented by listening to different bare metals when used as a conductor and eventually found that pure Lead (Pb) was the best sounding of all the metals he tried. He then asked the question "What is so special about the metal Lead (Pb)?" One special thing about Lead (Pb) is that it resists penetration by radiation - hence the development of Lead shielding. As a skilled engineer, Peter also began to think along the lines of "Is the Lead (Pb) managing skin effect better than other metals ?" (Skin effect relates to extreme high frequencies where extreme high frequencies gravitate to and travel along the edge ('skin') of a conductor). So, after making up an interconnect made from Lead (Pb) and finding that he got an improvement in the sound when connecting it between pre-amplifier and amplifier, he began to think along the lines "If I can hear better sound, then I must be hearing additional information, therefore the Lead (Pb) must be 'handling' the signal better than the previous (copper) interconnect had been doing." - which is the traditional way skilled electronic engineers think !!!
However, Peter began to remember his RAF training as a radio technician. He began to remember that in Radar they do not send (high frequency) energy down a piece of wire, they send it along a hollow tube - called a waveguide. So, Peter constructed the Lead (Pb) wire into a 3 and a half inch Lead (Pb) tube and found that he did not need to make an full interconnect entirely of Lead tubing, he found that he could use the normal standard copper interconnect and, providing he placed the Lead (Pb) tube at the end of the interconnect, he still retained the improvement in the sound. These were the same Lead (Pb) tubes which Martin Colloms wrote about after he (Martin) had tried them inserted at the end of metres of standard loudspeaker cables - again it seemed that the Lead (Pb) tubes were somehow 'correcting' the signal so that better sound was produced.
But, the more we sat back and thought about the whole situation, the more this reasoning did not make sense any more. For the Lead (Pb) tube to be better at 'handling' the additional information we could hear, that additional information MUST HAVE ALREADY reached that particular point where the Lead (Pb) tube had been inserted. Which means that every piece of standard copper wiring, circuitry, cabling, throughout the entire audio system, MUST ALSO have 'handled' that wealth of additional information equally as well as the Lead (Pb) tube - for the additional information to be heard coming out of the loudspeakers !!! This concept now challenged conventional thinking.
The more I have read reviews of different cables over the years the more I was persuaded to write my paper on the "Cable Controversy" (which is published on our web site) and to start my second set of talks with this specific subject.
I must make it clear that I am not challenging people's/reviewer's observations that they hear improvements in the sound when listening to/reviewing different cables. What I am challenging are the explanations put forward for these improvements. From Peter's extensive experiments over these past 20 years, I believe that it is the human being who is doing the reacting to the different cable techniques/configurations/metals and it is the different human reactions which give the changes in the sound. That the
wealth of additional information described by reviewers etc has already been 'handled' correctly by the standard wiring, circuitry and cabling and has been available, in the room, - but that the human being involved had not been able to perceive it correctly because of the human being reacting adversely to the various aspects of that wiring etc (metal, plastic insulation, configuration, construction). It was Peter's discovery 20 years ago that the human being is adversely reacting to all manner of things in the environment which forced us to take the path we have travelled along these past 20 years and that is why you can do such things as 'cream' the outer insulation of ANY cable (interconnect or AC power cable - including cables not in any way associated with the audio equipment) and gain an improvement in the sound because, as with 'creaming' a CD, when you apply our 'cream' to a cable, you are superimposing on the cable an energy pattern which human beings read/sense as 'safe, secure, reassuring'.
This concept does not discount listeners/reviewers observations that different cables can give different sounds - in many cases perceived as improvements in the sound - but my concept is that this is because the different cable has changed the way the human being is reacting - not changed the actual audio signal. Now I know conventional theory. I am aware that changing (say) the capacitance will change the effect on the signal, changing (say) the resistance will change the effect on the signal, changing (say) the inductance will change the effect on the signal - and so on. I also know that conventional theory would suggest that any changes to the signal going along a metre or half metre length of wire would be so infinitesimal that no human being could possibly hear it, especially to the extent of the wealth of additional information people describe hearing !! Which is what many engineers who oppose the suggestion that people can hear the differences between cables would, and do, argue. But, what I see too often, is other engineers too readily satisfied by an explanation they can squeeze out from conventional theory.
There is a new review by Marshall Nack in 'positive feedback online' magazine of the new Kondo Audio Note cable. This cable is priced at 3,000 dollars per metre and part of the explanation given by the manufacturer for the reason why it gives the better sound described by the reviewer is that "the silver metal used in the cable has been age-annealed for up to 20 years". But, has the reviewer really thought about his experience with it in any depth ? If the insertion of a metre of the Kondo Audio Note cable into the middle of an audio system is presumed to 'handle' the signal better so that the reviewer hears additional information coming out of the loudspeakers, surely this must mean that every other piece of the reviewer's existing cabling and wiring, throughout the entire audio system i.e NON 20 year age-annealed NON silver wiring and cabling, must have handled exactly the same wealth of additional information EQUALLY as well as the 3,000 dollar per metre, 20 year age annealed silver wire cable !! In his review Marshall Nack states "..one of the major differences between the Kondo and most wires ......is that every time I strayed I was reminded of what was missing .......the Kondo silver interconnect manifested the kind of unheralded naturalism I have been questing for." To me it is so clear - but apparently not to Marshall Nack or other reviewers of cables over the years. What is so clear is that the rest of Marshall's system's wiring, cabling, components, circuitry - even the thin wires usually used inside loudspeaker cabinets to connect speaker cabinet terminals to the drive unit terminals - all NON 20 year age-annealed NON silver - are ALSO perfectly capable of 'handling' that naturalism he has been questing for.
Back to the history and to the episode of the Lead (Pb) tubes. What our experiences with the Lead tubes were telling us, back in the early 1980s, but we weren't appreciating that fact at that time, was that all the rest of the copper wiring and interconnects was perfectly capable of 'handling' exactly the same wealth of additional information as we were perceiving when we had the Lead tubes inserted. That the Lead tubes were allowing us (human beings) to perceive more of the information already available in the room AND, that we did not need to use the Lead tubes, that we could, instead, superimpose on the existing cables and wiring beneficial energy patterns which provided a feeling of safety, security and reassurance - which then allowed us (human beings) to be more relaxed and to perceive more of the information which was already available in the room.
None of this negates the observations described by listeners/reviewers of cables. They are describing what they are hearing. It is what is implied throughout such reviews that I question. If the reviewer had not heard the wealth of additional information before he inserted (say) the 20 year age-annealed silver cable i.e. had not heard it previously when using his existing cable, then the implication is usually that the previous NON 20 year age-annealed NON silver cable must be garbage !! This is patently not the case. The more experiments one is prepared to carry out, the more it can be shown that every single piece of NON 20 year age-annealed NON silver cable and wiring CAN and DOES handle exactly the same wealth of additional information.
I only chose the review on the Kondo Audio Note cable to use as an example because it is the most recent review I have read and when I read it I groaned thinking "Oh no, not another review on a cable giving yet another different explanation."
But even Marshall Nack had to make the following comment in his article "Many cable manufacturers postulate theories about optimal digital signal transmission having special needs compared to analogue. If you are able to follow their sometimes convoluted, often brilliant ideas, many make a lot of sense. Sometimes the result is good, sometimes not. Eventually one becomes theory-wary, so that today I pay little attention to the design and engineering aspects of cable manufacture and let my ears to the walking."
Like the person who asked the question on the Audio Asylum "Who is right", it would appear that the reviewer Marshall Nack has become somewhat phased out by the numerous theories put forward by the designers and manufacturers of cables.
It would appear, from my response, that I am putting forward yet another explanation to add to all the others. But, our concept is a basic one. One single concept - that in so many of the cases where changes in the sound are reported it is the human being who is doing the reacting - not the audio signal. That the human being is reacting to the different energy patterns from the different cable materials, different metals, different configurations, even different colours and is unable to resolve those energy patterns correctly, therefore is under tension until the situation can be resolved and if the situation cannot be resolved, then we remain under tension. Under which scenario enters our devices and techniques.
May
6th April 2005 from P.W.B. Electronics. UK.
Subject: Rainbow Foil Demonstrations
Hello everyone.
Over these past few days, we have been receiving requests for a sample of Rainbow Foil from people in the Netherlands. Some of these people have mentioned that they have heard a demonstration of the Rainbow Foil, so obviously someone in the Netherlands has been demonstrating the effect of Rainbow Foil.
I am obviously delighted that someone is taking the trouble to demonstrate the Foil on our behalf and I would not like to think that their own stock of Rainbow Foil is rapidly diminishing whilst doing this. Please be aware that if anyone is contemplating demonstrating the effect of our Rainbow Foil to others, please request some samples to use for this purpose.
Best Wishes and thanks to whoever it is.
May
7th April 2005 from Kevin Kehoe. UK.
Subject: Electret-Cream and Quarter Doweling
I recently had some time to myself to try some experimenting with Quarter Doweling. I noted what had been said in previous postings, so that each piece I cut - about thirty mm long - got some P.W.B Treatments. 'x26'x with the Red Pen and an application of Cream-Electret. The first thing I noticed about our room containing the Hi-Fi is that there are more right angles than you could shake a stick at!
Due to previous rebuilding, which included removal of walls, ceiling adjustments and the addition of a conservatory to the back, there is hardly two metres of plain wall without a boxy pertrubance extending up it and across the ceiling. The Quirkiness of it was one of the things we found attractive at the time of purchase. Little did I know at the time it might contribute to a loss of sensory ability.
The difficulty with using doweling is in trying to keep it from view-especially as all the walls and windows are plain. Listening after placing some around the room at floor level, upon shelves and within windowsills did, I thought, produce some results, not large however. I then glued some within the speaker cabinets but could only reach some of the angles - I did not want to risk damage through too much dismantling. I also glued some in each corner of the timber turntable plinth. This had a greater effect with a greater "Presence" to the sound. I tend to use this term every time I hear a P.W.B generated sound lift as it is as close as I can get to describing the overall sound change that comes about - what it really does is make you want to play more music!
At this point I had the thought of asking P.W.B if it were possible to manipulate one of their existing products, such as Electret-Cream or Clear Film, to mimic the effect of the doweling. This could then be applied to any angle you wanted without drawing the eye to it. I then recalled something May Belt has said many times. Experiment!
So, taking a jar of Cream-Electret and a set of steps, I went around the room and into each corner I drew an application of Cream-Electret with my finger. Both horizontals and verticals - right into the very corner. Each application about thirty mm long.
While I was at it, I also did the door frames including the right angles formed by the mouldings etc. did this to every large room in the house and also took in some bookcases, cabinets and drawers. I probably spent about an hour or so doing this before I had a listen to any music. When I did so the benefit was obvious, no possibles or maybes just a good old P.W.B sound jump! and with no distracting bits of wood in sight.
I know I have not substituted the effect of the doweling and that what I am hearing is the beneficial application of Electret-Cream to materials not previously treated, but a result is a result and I'm delighted to report it.
Kevin
8th April 2005 from P.W.B. Electronics. UK.
Subject: Re. Electret Cream and Quarter Doweling
Bravo Kevin.
The Cream-Electret is one of our earliest products (introduced some 20 years ago) and is still one of my favourites. It is so versatile - you can do so many things with it and still find yourself with plenty left in the jar. In My Humble Opinion it should have become one of the wonders of the audio world and an outright bargain from comparing the initial cost with the numerous sound improvement benefits.
May
11th April 2005 from Arkie Martherus. The Netherlands.
Subject:- Demonstrations
I am very curious whoever this could be, May. All the people I know in this country (the Netherlands) who are P.W.B.- involved, did not give demonstrations. I am active on a Dutch Hifi-forum and made a few strong 'postings' in favor of the Belt's products, but that was over a half year ago! (The reactions were not very positive.) At least, I am very delighted that in my country, the interest in your products is rising. For, the Dutch are known for their sober and rational minds.
With regards,
Arkie
P.S. you should just ask them where the demonstrations took place...
12th April 2005 Bernhard Knoop. Netherlands.
Subject: Re: Re: Rainbow Foil Demonstrations
Hello May.
I also life in the Netherlands but i don't know nothing about demonstrating Belt products. It's nice that people do that of course.
Greetings
Bernhard
12th April 2005 2005 From P.W.B. Electronics UK.
Subject: Rainbow Foil demonstrations.
Well, Bernard and Arnie, we are all still at a loss as to who might have been demonstrating the effect of our Foil in your country. Whoever it is, many thanks. I DO ask everyone who requests a sample of Foil where they have heard about us from. So far the only answer I have received from The Netherlands is "A friend told me". So, we are still no wiser. Anyway, Bernard and Arnie, thanks to you both for your efforts on our behalf and we will just have to keep wondering.
May
14th April 2005 From P.W.B. Electronics UK.
Subject: Re: Audio Asylum site.
After reading a short article by Richard Black in the latest issue of the British Hi-Fi magazine Hi Fi Choice regarding over 1,000 submissions on the Hi Fi Choice website forum on the subject of whether different mains cables produce different sounds, I was reminded of the fun some of our customers were having a year ago (described in the Spring 2004 Newsletter) experimenting by tying Reef knots in their mains (and other) cables and experiencing, in some cases, considerable improvements in the sound of their audio systems.
I have copied below, for your interest, a submission I have made to the General Asylum section of the internet site 'Audio Asylum'.
May
***************************************
General tweaking plus cable tweaking.
I am placing this posting on the General Asylum section even though it refers mainly to cables. I have placed it in the General Asylum section because people's descriptions of their experiences after carrying out various 'tweaking' techniques are actually telling the audio industry something. People's experiences are telling the audio industry that there are many things which are having an effect on the sound (on the perception of the sound) which cannot be explained using conventional electronic or acoustic theories.
On just reading a short article on the subject of mains cables by Richard Black in the latest (June 2005 ????) Issue of Hi Fi Choice I am reminded how the debate and controversy on the effect of mains cables is closely following a parallel to the debate and controversy which surrounded interconnects some 25 years ago. 25 years ago, some people dared to suggest that they could hear differences in their sound when trying different wires, different interconnect cables, different speaker wires. Their reporting of such things happening was met mainly with disbelief, derision, mockery and ridicule, which is still being mirrored today.
Reactions such as the following:-
20 years ago !! :- As reported in the May 1985 issue of Hi Fi News.
The highly respected electronics engineer Peter Baxandall, during a talk to the British Section of the Audio Engineering Society said
"I do not believe that the use of expensive, special loudspeaker cable, no matter which way round they are connected, confers any sonic benefit whatever."
And
"I do believe that all this recent business about single-crystal, high purity, oxygen-free, connecting cable is just a load of absolute hogwash."
10 years later, there was a letter printed in the February 1995 issue of Hi Fi News from someone reporting that a change to their mains supply changed their sound ! There were two responses to this particular letter.
John Nelson replied to this particular letter by saying
"However, from the point of view of classical electrical engineering theory, there is no obvious causal connection between a change in the parameters of the electricity supply cables and a change in the reproduced sound quality............ I would be tempted to suggest that he first looks elsewhere for the cause of the perceived deterioration in sound. On the face of it, the nature and quality of the mains cables seem likely to be more or less irrelevant. Any assertions to the contrary (by those who claim to be able to hear the differences between different types of mains cables) have never been substantiated by double-blind tests." John Nelson.
There was another (quite different) response to the same letter, this time by Julian Vereker of Naim Audio who said
" Everything that we do to our hi-fi systems affects the way that they sound; some of these things are not so straight forward........ When we were designing the Naim loudspeaker cable, we specified all the parameters that we thought were controllable in manufacture, but when we came to listen to some music on a system using the new cable, we were somewhat alarmed to note that the sound was rather 'phasey' - lacking in a coherent soundstage. This was such an obvious characteristic, we felt sure that we would be able to measure something. But we looked from DC to 500kHz, then up to 500MHz, at low currents, high currents, low voltage and high voltage and we could not find anything different in any respect between this new cable and the old design........ We also listen to mains cables of the same specification from different manufacturers for the same reasons. We know they make a difference but have not yet been able to measure anything of consequence. So we specify exactly which mains cable the moulded lead manufacturers may use when supplying us.
I feel that if one cannot be scientific, it pays to be pragmatic." Julian Vereker.
Obviously, Peter Baxandall had never experienced the sound being changed when he did something to cables (AC mains or interconnects) and obviously likewise John Nelson had never experienced changes to the sound when doing something to cables or they would never have been able to write so dogmatically in the way that they did. But, again obviously, Julian Vereker HAD experienced changes in the sound, could not adequately explain the changes he heard but nevertheless knew that they had happened - he knew what he had heard !!
Part of Richard Black's recent article says:-
"............Conventional unscreened mains cables radiate a small amount of stray electric field, which can be picked up by interconnects and even speaker cables. Many specialist audio mains cables are screened. However tests we've done show very low hum pickup levels even in exaggerated cases - for instance, when an interconnect is deliberately run next to a mains cable - and screened cables seem to make very little difference. Despite all this, many people swear that mains cable upgrades are among the most significant that they've made. Either they're all deluding themselves or science is (not for the first time) lagging observation..... The tests we've done so far raise more questions than answers. The obvious tests seem to reveal nothing, but absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. What's needed is more measurement... " Richard Black.
It would appear from the way he writes that Richard Black has not actually tried different mains cables or even experienced changes taking place in his sound when making any alterations to mains cables. Because anyone who has experienced any changes to their sound by doing such things does not use expressions such as 'many people swear' and 'either they're all deluding themselves' (i.e. referring to other people's experiences). When people have experienced things for themselves, they use expressions such as 'I have', and 'in my experience' etc.
The differences in the attitude of different people who work in the audio industry is staggering. You could not tell Peter Baxandall that different cables gave different sounds or that doing something with the same cables changed the sound - he would not believe you. You could not tell John Nelson that different cables gave different sounds or that doing something with the same cables changed the sound - he would not believe you However, by contrast, you did not need to tell Julian Vereker - he knew already - he knew what he had heard !!
When members of Audio Asylum and other Internet forums, and when some members of the audio industry etc dismiss and ridicule other people's experiences when carrying out certain 'tweaks', what they are actually doing is denying people their intelligence. Denying them the possibility that they can and do actually hear the differences which they are describing and that they have enough intelligence to know what they have actually heard and that they are not suffering from delusions.
May
25 April 2005 From Arkie Martherus. The Netherlands.
Subject: outdoor treatments?
The last six weeks the outer brick walls of our house were renovated. Cracks and broken stones were repaired, the joints were redone and the walls underwent a high pressure cleaning, and at last, a special coating was applied, against dirt and against the rain. The coating consists of a unpleasantly smelling chemical, that has to dry for some time.
All for the better, of course, our house looks as brand-new.
All for the better?
No.
I noticed that the sound of my hi-fi system decreased. It is a slight margin, but very noticeable to me. Syllables sound 'harder', more 'digital', and bass notes tend to stop too early to my taste. Does anyone know if there exist outdoors P.W.B.- treatments, that are lasting in all weather conditions? (assuming that the renewed walls are the cause of this) Or is it maybe, that I have to wait until the coating has completely dried up, and the new bricks are totally settled? In other words: a breaking-in period?
Re: demonstrations of Silver Rainbow Foil
May, I posted a message on the Dutch hifi forum hear.nl about this, and got a response from someone named Robbie B. He's a member of a small audioclub and they performed a blind test one time, regarding the working of the Silver Rainbow Foil. All (4) members could hear improvements. So, methinks those are the guys that are ordering foil.
Arkie
25th April 2005 From P.W.B. Electronics. UK.
Subject: Re: Outdoor treatments.
Dear Arkie,
It really is a coincidence that you have had experience so recently with different chemicals having an effect on your sound. This is an area I have been concentrating on in my few 'postings' on the Audio Asylum internet site (under the Critics Corner section). I have been trying to outline my concepts in this particular area after reading certain comments by Jim Austin in his article in the latest American magazine Stereophile.
Basically Jim Austin is saying that in his opinion there is physical reality in sound and psychological reality in sound, that both are 'real', that both are important but in totally different ways. That the physical reality is known i.e. Audio signal, acoustic air waves and vibrations and that psychological reality is from suggestion, mood, emotional atmosphere and such things as 'effective marketing'. I have been trying to broaden out this outlook because I do not think this outlook explains such things as you just experienced Arkie. My postings are under the title "Is the energy we describe real ?" Because that is exactly what I believe we are experiencing - real and physical (albeit some times in the form of chemicals) energy and reacting to it.
I would suggest that applying some of our Cream-Electret to parts of your new (outdoor) chemical coatings will give you a considerable improvement in your sound and, I would add, take you by surprise.
May
3rd May 2005 From Arkie Martherus. The Netherlands.
Subject: Re: Outdoor treatments.
Thank you very much for the suggestion of creaming the walls. I applied tiny amounts in corners and under rims, so it will not rain off. The results? The good sound is back, for 90% though and in soma area's even better. Or maybe it only seems so, because it had been worse.
As I'm typing this, I'm realising that the bricklayer men used several new materials, apart from the coating. Pieces of brick, joint materials (two different kinds), a kind of glue to repair some stones, some sort of cement to repair the cracks. This leads me to go and cream all different new used materials!
Arkie
5th May 2005 From P.W.B. Electronics. UK.
Subject: Re: Building Work !
The story I started some months ago about my new cooker is still ongoing. It looks as though I am going to have a similar problem as Arkie Martherus has been experiencing. When my new cooker was delivered, the installation men tut tutted, frowned and shook their heads because the floor under the cooker is uneven. So, we will now have to have that area concreted and levelled - so, as I have recommended to Arkie, the Cream-Electret will have to come out and be applied after the concrete is set.
But, some good news. Three months after it was ordered, my new steel rod kitchen shelf has been delivered and fitted. Basic treatment applied - Sol-Electret on all the fitting screws and Cream-Electret applied to each end of the steel rods. Now, usually the first improvements I hear is improvements in our sound but, this time, what has taken me by surprise is the quality of the TV picture. Better shine of metals, more subtleties of colours, better definition of textures and I am now noticing - on close ups - when some people have more make up applied than usual or than is necessary.
May
Date: Sat May 7, 2005 From John Nicholls. UK.
Subject: Re: Building Work !
May,
Just a thought here but aren't TV pictures made up of lots of horizontal lines - much like your steel rod shelf perhaps ? There is also the possibility that the position of the shelf is pointing along the rods towards the TV or its aerial wiring, TV pictures are affected by magnetic fields.
There must be a reason why treating some items affect sound most and other items affect vision. Aren't the sensors in the eye made up of cones and rods ?
John
8th May 2005 From P.W.B. Electronics. U.K.
Subject: Re: Sight and the TV picture
John, this is quite a difficult subject to debate. Your posting is looking at a direct influence on the TV picture and a direct influence on the eyes. I would like to look at it from a different angle.
Let me do some groundwork first. Basing it on our numerous experiments, Peter and I believe that there are things happening within the modern environment which we (human beings) are detecting and interpreting as danger/predator/intruder and reacting by going under tension. That these reactions could create higher or new concentrations of certain chemicals in the brain than would be normal, and that these particular chemicals, in turn, interfere with the chemicals carrying information to the working memory. And that by superimposing on things in the environment certain energy patterns which we can interpret as relaxing/reassuring patterns, this tension can be minimised and therefore the adverse effect on the chemicals carrying information minimised.
But, thinking about it logically, if those changes in the environment can be readily detected by changes in the perception of the sound (either the sound getting worse or getting better) and the changes taking place are changes to the chemicals (concentrations or dilutions) in the brain, then, logically, sight should be equally affected as hearing. But, that is not our experience. Changes in the quality of the sound are so much more readily detected than changes in such as the quality of the TV picture. And this problem has exercised Peter for quite a few years in his search for an explanation.
The nearest Peter can get to an explanation is that during early evolution, and before the sense of sight was developed, the sense of hearing was the most effective for survival purposes. That when the early creatures emerged into light and the sense of sight was being developed, Nature found that the sense of sight was so much more effective for survival purposes that Nature gave sight rapid priority and in that process highjacking some of the pathways belonging to the sense of hearing to speed up the prioritisation of the sense of sight. That when there comes a time of tension or stress, the brain needs to concentrate on survival therefore energy goes to the most important sense - which Nature decided a long time ago should be sight. So, under these circumstances, the sense of hearing misses out in the priority stakes but the sense of sight does not.
I have described it in the past as similar to a power station supplying a small town. That when an emergency occurs, the power station has to prioritise so it makes sure that the hospitals, police and fire services are given priority and the supply to the domestic users is reduced. The hospitals, police and fire services will be on slightly less power, yes, but not on as low power as the domestic areas.
This concept could explain why, when steps are taken to reduce the adverse energy patterns within the environment, the impression felt is that the hearing (the perceived sound) has improved considerably and the vision only a slight amount - because the vision had not been affected to the same extent as the hearing.
May
9th May 2005 From P.W.B. Electronics. UK.
Subject: Debate at the High End Hi-Fi Show in America
Just to keep people informed of the latest happening in the world of Hi-Fi.
During the latest High End show in America, there was a live (and lively) debate between John Atkinson (editor of the American magazine Stereophile) - presumably putting the subjective outlook and Arny Krueger - presumably putting the (apparently extremely forceful) objective outlook.
From descriptions it seems that there was quite a ding dong battle.
However, it is not that aspect which I wish to draw attention to.
On this weeks News Desk report from the Stereophile Home Page (available to read on the Internet via just Stereophile Home Page) Jason Victor Serinus describes the debate (referred to as The Great Debate). He outlines difficulties experienced by many people taking part in ABX trials (some form of double blind trials) where they had difficulty hearing changes in the sound being presented to them.
Jason Serinus then goes on to make reference to some experiences of a designer of audio equipment John Curl back in 1979 who, when testing certain various sections of a circuit, heard differences but failed to hear these same differences in an ABX test
Jason Serinus then goes on to comment,
"After reading the classic book 'Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain', Curl speculated that there's something about the stress of ABX testing that causes the right brains of most participants to shut down or at least skip a synapse or two. It's a reasonable hypothesis that deserves further scrutiny."
Deserves further scrutiny !!!!!!!! Wow, do we think the audio world might be moving forward ? Do we think that there might now be a slight movement from the point of thinking that 'the stress of ABX testing might cause the information travelling across a synapse or two to be affected' (i.e. affecting the perception of the sound) forward to the concept that 'stress picked up/sensed from the environment in which we are listening might cause the information travelling across a synapse or two to be affected' (i.e affecting the perception of the sound). Which is the very concept which Peter has been suggesting for the past 20 years.
Do we think that Zeitgeist (the spirit of the times) has changed enough to now achieve a widening in thinking regarding audio and sound ?
May
15th May 2005 From Kevin Kehoe. UK.
Subject: Q-Clip Upgrade
It still takes my breath away hearing a CD or Vinyl LP for the first time after a few years on the shelf unplayed. It seems to drive home with great force just how much P.W.B has lifted the listening experience. For a very ordinary Mortal such as I it is quite an extraordinary experience – another good reason to leap out of bed in the morning with renewed vigour! Hardly a day passes where I don't find myself pondering over where all this is leading to in terms of how little is truly known about our senses and how they evolved - and indeed, are still evolving.
Those who own a P.W.B Q-Clip Device may have recently received a free upgrade consisting of red and black cream along with instructions on how to apply it to the clip. As I related in my last posting, I have been getting some fine results applying Cream–Electret to anything and everything (except the Cat that is). So good in fact, I am now convinced that if I could only have one P.W.B Device, this would be it. Anyway, It occurred to me that further benefit might be gained following all that creaming if I were to clip as many of the creamed areas as possible, and it was at the start of this clipping spree that the upgrade arrived. After applying the upgrade to the clip I tried it on a number of areas and got an immediate result. But the best so far came when I clipped the Blue Ring-Ties attached to various mains and signal leads connecting the various elements of the HI-FI. The same goes for the TV – better sound and picture in this case.
It was at this point I pulled a CD not played for about two years. I will relate a few details about the Disc as it is I think, very revealing of the magnitude of change taking place through continuous Belt Treatments.
The Jolly Boys are a Jamaican band that predate Ska and Reggae, playing a form of Jamacian folk music called Mento. Its origins are varied and colourful with some influences coming way down from HMS Bounty times (about 1783) when the Shanty's of the British Sailors got absorbed by the local population. Southern Blues and Christian Hymns also contribute along with Trinidadian Calypso and plantation work songs playing a part. They played regularly at the residence of the Hollywood actor Errol Flynn when he had a villa on the island I think in the late forties, and have been around in one form or other ever since. It sounds absolutely great fun to be at one of their concerts. The recording I have was made live on a DAT machine by the BBC music broadcaster Andy Kershaw in 1991.
The recording was made over several days with slightly differing microphone positions so that the instrument levels vary in sound level depending upon which was closest. When I first listened to this recording It was not possible to distinguish between the Tom Tom sound played by the main singer and the home made Rhumba Bass Box being played along side. Lead instrument is a banjo and the only other instrument is an acoustic guitar.
The revelations upon the return listen to this CD are extraordinary! The Rhumba Box is now clearly distinct and separated from the Tom Toms with the thumbs slapping the spring steel "keys" totally apparent. The guitar too makes itself far easier to hear on some of the first tracks where before it was more "sensed" than heard. Simply extraordinary!
I recall again what May Belt said some time ago – in one of her Papers I think – where she proposed that the drop in interest in classical music could be a direct result of the inability to perceive the full glory of its range and subtleties. I cannot find the original quote so I hope it's fairly close to the spirit of what she said. Anyway, The point I was going to make is this: I think I can see more clearly what she meant.
I have a mono recording of Elgar's Cello Concerto recorded in 1965, bought from a charity shop for a pound. I have listened to this recording over the last few years and experienced a steady blossoming of emotional connection with each play.
When first listened to, the music seemed to completely disappear into the grooves during the more quiet passages, where the emotional connection would break only to return as the music started to again pick up volume.
Listening now through the same passages is a lot more of a revelation. As the bow is drawn across the strings at its very quietest point it is now very much more apparent what is going on. The very atmosphere or "presence" of the moment pulls you across to the next stage of the performance. It's much more difficult to loose the thread or flow of the event.
It delights me immensely to have the chance to experience those wonderful insights to my music collection and looking forward to many more surprises waiting to be revealed.
How can you say adequate thanks for that?
May, Peter, Graham and everyone else at P.W.B - You are greatly appreciated.
Kevin
16th May 2005 From Tom Marsden. UK.
Subject: Q-Clip upgrade
Having experimented over the weekend with the Quantum Clip upgrade I can fully appreciate Kevin`s findings and feelings. The original Quantum Clip was introduced many years ago and is probably the most potent device in the P.W.B inventory. It`s power was significantly increased with the introduction of upgraded tweezers and last year Richard`s suggestion of smearing clip and tweezers with Retro green cream produced even more stunning results. To improve on the superlative is a hard act to follow but the latest upgrade puts the Quantum Clip device in a different league. Quite simply it is sensational! The results of playing a clipped Cd after clipping all interconnects and power leads and all the loudspeaker cones, grills and external surfaces, left me amazed. It was as if my 165 watts per channel Chord amplifier had been replaced with a higher quality amp. with twice the power which held the loudspeakers in a vice like grip. The precision of the sound was startling - a super quiet background was suddenly much quieter and orchestral sounds lifted up from the background revealing lots of extraneous sounds from players and audience that were previously hidden by the music. The sound from the orchestra was breath taking with a width and depth never heard in the past. I decided to open up my SACD player and clipped every component possible. Yesterday I played the sublime music that is the closing scene from Wagner`s Parsifal; Afterwards I experienced what is best described as a feeling of immense gratitude towards Peter Belt and his family that despite of years of ridicule and derision from many in the Hi-fi world he has persisted in his work and the efforts of which had just allowed me the privilege of hearing in my home a musical experience I never thought possible. A final tip - after clipping the Cd I found that applying the Morphic spray to both sides of the Cd and jewel case enhanced the effect even more.
Regards
Tom
17th May 2005 From Richard Graham. UK.
Subject: Re: Q-Clip upgrade
It is a peculiar thing, but this upgrade is so substantial, with such wide-ranging sequelae, it almost feels like a new product.
After much clipping, I am stunned by the increase in the breadth of the tonal palette, and enormous increase in dynamics. First impressions were of amazing naturalness, with orchestral music lush, yet detailed. I imagine that last scene from Parsifal must sound fabulous, but I found myself loving the soft murmurings of Cecilia Bartoli's Vivaldi album (track 5) now on DVD-Audio, with its delicate harpsichord, and magnificent dynamics.
But it was a film ('Collateral') that stunned the most. After that soft, warm sound, the bullets during some scenes were scary. It seemed that the transient attack of my system had rocketed upwards, and it was just too fast to duck! Quite amazing.
And one senses there may more things to follow.
Boy, I am very grateful too.
Richard
17th May 2005 From Gary Lee. USA.
Subject: Clip upgrade and question for Tom
Kevin's and Tom's recent posts were read with great interest (and hope, having not checked the mail in a couple of days). Though I believe them, it is difficult to imagine the Quantum Clip being even better. But one learns to accept ever-increasing improvements, and seemingly minor miracles, when using P.W.B treatments over time.
Tom, you noted that the Clip upgrade was even better when the CD and case was sprayed with Morphic Liquid. Is adding the Liquid a different procedure for you, or is it merely refreshing a previous application?
Thanks two both of you for the interesting news.
Gary
17th May 2005 From Tom Marsden. UK.
Subject: Morphic Spray - to Gary
Gary, the Morphic Spray is a product that I get the impression is somewhat under valued in appreciation. It should be used after every P.W.B upgrade exercise when it would seem to impart to the sprayed object benefits due to previous P.W.B treatments. For instance if you take a new Cd, after having listened to it apply various foils and - as you know - it will now sound very much better. Spray the foils on the Cd and the Cd will sound even better. Now give the Cd the freezer treatment and, of course , it now sounds much better still. However , we have not finished yet because if the Cd is again sprayed with the Morphic Liquid - after coming out of the freezer - you are rewarded with the best sound (so far). After the freezer treatment I always spray both sides of the Cd and I use the softest Kleenex tissue.
Using the softest tissue means the tissue doesn`t last long but it is safe and I have had experience of damaging Cds when using another type of tissue). Supposing you now fit some Ring Ties to a interconnect and again play the Cd - the sound has again improved. Now spray the Cd and some of the benefits of the interconnect Ring Ties are , as if by a miracle, (or perhaps quantum physics) transferred to the Cd. Note, you can also spray the Ring Ties. With the marvellous Quantum Clip upgrade I will be using the spray a lot since there is so much that can be further upgraded. One last, very important, point. When wiping off the spray liquid be sure you use the Super-wipe. The Super-wipe is in its own right one of the best treatments available.
Regards
Tom
18th May 2005 From Gary Lee. USA.
Subject: Further Morphic Spray question
Tom, do you use the Morphic Spray after putting on Quantum Cream, or another type of Cream, on a CD or equipment? My procedure is to use the Morphic Spray first, then Foils, then Cream on a CD. Will the Morphic Spray tend to remove any Cream?
Thanks for the information on using the Morphic Spray. I love it because it's effective and very economical. My bottle has lasted several years and I haven't gotten to the backup yet.
Gary
18th May 2005 From Tom Marsden. UK.
Subject: Re: Further Morphic Spray question
Gary, I always use the Morphic Spray as the last treatment. I am not aware of any detrimental effects when using it on the various creams but May is the expert on these matters and on doubt will advise if otherwise.
Regards
Tom
19th May From P.W.B. Electronics. UK.
Subject: Re: Further Morphic Spray question
We do not know of any detrimental effect by using the Morphic Liquid in any order of application.
May
31st May 2005 From Gary Lee. USA.
Subject: Another Morphic Liquid question
This is primarily for Tom, but anyone is welcome to comment. Tom, you mentioned that your last treatment on anything is the Morphic Liquid. Mine is always the Clip. Do you use the Morphic Liquid after the Clip?
By the way, the upgrade to the Clip is, as usual with P.W.B treatments, nothing short of remarkable. Though I'm still evaluating it, it appears to improve all sonics.
That is one thing that always strikes me about P.W.B treatments. I don't notice an improvement in one area, highs or midrange, for example. An improvement is always noted up and down the sonic spectrum. That proves to me the validity of the products. Any outstanding audio product should sound good in all areas, not just a part of one. That's the strength of P.W.B. treatments.
Thank you, May, Peter, and Graham.
Gary
1st June 2005 From Kevin Kehoe. UK.
Subject: Re: Another Morphic Liquid question
Gary,
I too tend to use the Q-Clip as the final treatment. But, fairly recently, as I got a bit more relaxed with the use of Belt devices, I found that the whole thing could not be considered an exact science. Way back, I used Cream Electret And Spiratube (as just two examples) and heard pretty startling benefits. As new devices emerged, I moved on to those where finances allowed. In nearly every case there was some benefit to be gained - spectacular in some cases. The trouble is, I tended to then regard the older devices as somehow lesser in potency. A recent "off the wall" splurge with Electret Cream brought about a wonderful result, as did some Spiratube attachments to plumbing in our renovated bathroom. I am not sure if this is a direct result of those applications, or, a combination of them and their interaction with the newer devices now in place. There seems to be loads of latitude for differing experiences here dependent on past and current treatments. I know this is more of an observation than an answer to your question but I hope it inspires a few other thoughts. It is to people like Tom, Graham and many of the other group members that I find the inspiration to "break out of the box" so to speak, regarding Belt devices. I did indeed find that the Morphic Liquid (with the super wipe) effective - to such an extent that I now have to order a refill. Remember though, if you remove the top of the spray bottle to refill, the full and re-topped bottle will require reprogramming. A question from me now. Can anyone tell me the method used to programme the refilled bottle? I have been putting all the Belt papers into some sort of order recently and that one I cannot find.
Best Regards,
Kevin
1st June 2005 From Tom Marsden. UK.
Subject: Another Morphic Liquid question
Gary, I always use Morphic liquid as the last treatment. As you have become aware - with P.W.B treatments all aspects of music are improved, whether treble, bass or mid-range. ( but I am convinced there is more to it since listening to music also now becomes a much more involving experience). I would mention that after P.W.B treatments I am particularly aware of a much deeper bass. This is probably due to an increase in the perception of touch, which allows me to now physically feel much more the sound waves in addition to hearing the sound. TV pictures as everyone knows become more enjoyable but I wonder whether anyone now finds that food is also more enjoyable.
Regards
Tom
3rd June 2005 From Gary Lee. USA.
Subject: Morphic Liquid responses
Thanks for the responses and information. Kevin, I was not aware that the Morphic Liquid needed to be recharged when the top has been taken off. I, too, will need the instructions as to how to do that. Thanks for putting out the word.
I will try using the Morphic Liquid as the last treatment and then the Clip to see which seems to be best with my gear. So far, the Morphic Liquid last has been powerful on CDs.
Thanks again.
Gary
16th June 2005 From P.W.B. Electronics. UK.
Subject: More Questions.
One of our customers has just posed two questions to me. However, he imposed
limitations on my answers in the form of 'cost, time and knowledge'.
The two questions were
1) What would Peter and I treat if we moved into a new home ?
2) What would Peter and I do to set up a room and equipment for someone at a hi-fi show?
I have copied below my answers. I have kept my answers general, easy and quick - within the limitations imposed of 'cost, time and knowledge' but I would be very interested to hear of other people's experiences using any of our techniques and devices in such areas.
So, I will start with basic and general devices which I would suggest for anyone, initially and quickly, treating a new home.
I am making the presumption that they would already have Cream-Electret, Spiratube, Red 'x' Pen and (maybe) Morphic Liquid (all used in their previous house).
A small piece of the 6mm diameter Spiratube on as many AC power cables as possible and a small piece of the 12mm diameter Spiratube on water, gas pipes etc.
A small amount of the Cream-Electret on as many things as possible - the outside insulation of all wiring and on such as electricity meters, gas meters, control boxes for such things as central heating and safety alarm/security systems, on the outer insulation of batteries in smoke alarms - and so on. The basic Cream-Electret allows you to do so many things, quite quickly.
Signing your initials or full signature on these same things with the Red 'x' Pen and then going on to make your own Morphic Messages to attach to them. Also, if the new house already has a fitted kitchen, then to mark your initials with the Red 'x' Pen at the rear (probably in a corner) of some of the kitchen cabinet doors. And, if domestic appliances are already fitted, then to try to attach Morphic Message labels written with the Red 'x' Pen to some part of the appliance (the Morphic Message giving the Brand name of the appliance) - or, if that is not possible, to sign your initials on the appliance with the Red 'x' Pen.
Regarding treating a room at a Hi Fi show.
I am presuming that anyone contemplating P.W.B ing a room at a Hi Fi show would already (if they are into P.W.B. Techniques) have treated the equipment they were demonstrating.
Usually, demonstration rooms are hotel bedrooms, so not much can be done regarding permanent treatment or treatments which can show.
Also, usually, when it is a hotel bedroom, there will be an en suite bathroom so a small piece of the 12 mm diameter Spiratube on the water pipes and a small amount of Cream-Electret on such as the bathroom mirror.
When we treated Hi Fi demonstration rooms 20 years ago, we did not have the devices we have now but we would go with a bag of 'goodies'. For example, we would now suggest that a bag of CCU safety pins (for treating curtains, carpets, upholstery) should be a major consideration - to treat curtains, carpets, and, if upholstered chairs or sofas are used, then a CCU pin should be inserted into the upholstery. All these can then be removed at the end of the show and retained for further use.
When we treated demonstration rooms 20 years ago, we did not have the CCU devices but we used specially treated screws with treated washers and screwed these screws into the wood of all the chair seats in the room.
Again, the Cream-Electret can be used to great effect as so many objects in the demonstration room can be treated - not forgetting display stands, and all the usual additional stuff which manufacturers use as back up to demonstrations - such as spot lights, display lights, switching arrangements, posters etc. It is absolutely amazing what a multitude of' clutter' can be seen in Hi Fi demonstration rooms - all contributing to poor sound demonstrations.
Also, in hotel bedrooms, there are such things as pictures on the walls, mirrors on the walls, windows, telephones etc. I would suggest a quick spray on these items with Morphic Liquid.
Quite often, manufacturers of particular equipment, when attending a Hi Fi show, will link up with manufacturers of other equipment who are also intending to demonstrate/exhibit and arrange to 'borrow' other items of equipment - and this other equipment will, obviously, not be P.W.B. Treated.
In such circumstances I would suggest writing Morphic Messages with the Red 'x' Pen and attaching these to the rear (or underneath) of the 'borrowed' equipment. Messages giving the particular Brand name of the equipment followed by O.K. or the Brand name followed by the words 'produces good sound O.K.' Then, after the Hi Fi show, the Morphic Message Labels can be removed and the 'borrowed' equipment handed back.
The techniques I have described are, obviously, using basic P.W.B. Devices. For owners of the Quantum Clip device would, I am sure, argue that using the Quantum Clip device from the beginning would give the greatest benefit. I would agree but the basic techniques I have described are within the possibilities for everyone - and, at some later stage, if and when they go on to acquire more (relatively expensive P.W.B. Devices) any further treatments will always be in addition to any of the earlier treatments they have applied.
Kind Regards,
May
17th June 2005 From Tom Marsden. UK.
Subject: More Questions
May, I would check all the fixing screws in the room. If any were of a slotted type then I would align the slots to the horizontal. Incidentally, some years ago I visited The Audio Counsel hi-fi showroom in Cheadle near Manchester. Two salesmen there were enthusiastically extolling the benefits of having screw slots horizontal. When I pointed out that this technique had been introduced by Peter Belt and where they could learn of other unusual devices their eyes seemed to glaze over. Also an absolute must if I was `belting` a room would be to take along Electret Oil. Oiling all the contacts on interconnects, speaker leads and power plugs ( not forgetting the fuse contacts ) would have a huge effect and while I was at it I would oil all the hinges on doors and windows.
Regards
Tom
17th June 2005 From Gary Lee. USA.
Subject: House treatments
Thank you, May and Tom, for your notes on treating the inside of a home. It reminds me that there always seems to be more to increase the enjoyment of sound. I will have to try putting initials on cabinets and delight at the idea of people finding them after I have moved from here. Will they think they are part of some sort of pagan ritual?
I agree that using the Clip is also highly desirable, and in the long term, quite an economical way of treating the environment. True, the initial outlay is one of the greatest, but given its effect and versatility, over a period of years it has to be one of the least expensive ways to treat things. That especially becomes apparent when moving to a new environment. Magnadiscs may be difficult, if not impossible, to move, but clipping a new home is even cheaper than clipping the last one. It is one of the most satisfying treatments in my arsenal, made even more potent by the recent cream upgrade.
Now I should go apply some of the suggestions.
Gary
19th June 2005 From Geoff Kait. USA.
Subject: Machina Dynamica
May,
I just published a new page on my web site, "Machina Dynamica Picks the World's Best Tweaks Under $60" at:
www.machinadynamica.com/machina40.htm
Geoff
3rd July 2005 From: P.W.B. Electronics. UK.
Subject: Harmony restored.
We are still receiving a number of requests for samples of Rainbow Foil from The Netherlands, so someone there is continuing to spread the 'good word'. Many thanks to whoever it is and to please keep up the good publicity.
Because many of our customers are well advanced in using P.W.B. Treatments, I wonder if people can think of the first six simple and easy treatments which they have found effective for our 'newcomers' to follow.
I was reminded of some early P.W.B. treatments when, at the beginning of this year, I replaced our old gas cooker with a new one. Whilst moving things around in the kitchen I noticed some of our devices which had been applied 20 years ago. Such as pieces of Spiratube around the gas pipe and around the AC power cables, Blue Magnadiscs on the steel housing of the cooker and Red Magnadiscs on the AC power plug. Because of all our newer Foils, Creams and Devices, one is inclined to think that the earlier treatments are not as effective as the later devices. But this I found not to be true when, after removing all these older treatments, we lost some of our good sound - much to Peter's chagrin !! Most of our customers are aware that if this happens - by such as removing from the listening environment an item which has been P.W.B. Treated, or by removing treatments or devices when decorating and forgetting to replace them - then all they have to do to restore the good sound is to 'treat' an item or area which has not previously been treated.
The new gas cooker has now been installed, complete with Spiratube pieces on the gas pipe and on the AC power cable. A Blue Magnadisc on the steel casing and on a new steel shelf (Blue Magnadiscs go on anything which is steel). A Red Magnadisc on the outer case of the AC power plugs, a small amount of the Cream-Electret in strategic places on the shelf and cooker, Sol-Electret applied to the screw threads of the screws fixing the shelf and a Morphic Message Label written with the Red 'x' Pen on the cooker.
Spiratube and Magnadiscs are some of our very first devices but are still very effective as one realises if ever they come to be removed !! I feel that such things as Magnadiscs, because they were one of our earliest devices, have been somewhat overlooked, particularly the Red Magnadisc which as well as being effective on power plug covers are also effective when attached to anything made of wood and also on any pulsing equipment such as quartz controlled clocks, remote controls, telephones and telephone answering machines, fax machines and all video and TV equipment, also on such items as smoke alarms, room security devices and building security devices. A Magnadisc is 20 mm in diameter and made of flexible magnetic material. It is self adhesive but for experimental purposes if the paper backing for the adhesive layer is left in place, the Magnadisc can be evaluated in different positions by attaching it temporarily to an object with a removable adhesive such as Blu Tack.
Harmony in our household is now restored. I now have a slightly more modern kitchen and Peter now has his good sound restored (that is until I get the next urge to DIY !!).
Good Listening,
May
5th July 2005 1204 From: Ron Adamson. UK.
Subject: Feedback from May's talks.
Dear All
Five years ago I viewed the video tape of May's talk of 1998 and in December last year I received the DVD's of the series of talks May gave the previous month. What I am surprised at is how I have not seen any responses, from anyone, in this discussion group to the points May has discussed in any of her talks. I must admit that I am also a culprit here as I have only responded directly to May and not through this discussion group.
I understand from May that she is also surprised at receiving only a small amount of feedback and that she had hoped a lively discussion would have emerged. What I am wondering is if people who received the DVD's have actually been able to view them as I am aware that some systems will not play DVD's from other areas.
Ron
7th July 2005 From: P.W.B. Electronics. UK.
Subject: Feedback from May's talks
Dear All
Yes, Ron, as I told you, I have been surprised not to have had more feedback. Like from you I have had a small amount of feedback directly to me and one of the points raised I am replying to in the form of an article in the forthcoming Newsletter.
I have always been aware that people like actual (true) stories but through feedback directly to me I have been asked why, in my talks, I use hypothetical stories instead of talking about specific experiences. The reason is because stories about our experiences with specific people and companies have been duplicated, time and again, when visiting different people and different companies over a period of many years. So, one hypothetical story covers repeated experiences.
I have just received another feedback which is more worrying. One of our customers has just apologised for not replying with feedback after receiving the DVD of my talk because he has not been able to play the DVD on his DVD machine - his machine will not accept my DVD !! I am now anxious that others may be having the same experience but are not telling me.
Please, if your equipment is not accepting my DVD's, will you let me know. It would appear that some people who have multi-region DVD players can play my DVD's but I do not know if people who have the DVD facility on their computer are able to view my DVD's anywhere in the world. This could be a major problem when we are trying to provide a "one size fits all" version DVD.
Kind Regards,
May
8th July 2005 From: Bob Benn. USA.
Subject: Re: Feedback from May's talks.
Hi May;
I have been remiss in not posting on here or contacting you directly that the dvd that I received here in Nashville, TN USA will not play on my Phillips DVD player.
Anyone in the US have this problem?
Bob
9th July 2005 From: Kevin Kehoe. UK.
Subject: Feedback from May's talks.
Dear All,
Like Ron, I too have watched the 1998 Video talk - a number of times now in fact. I have also watched the recent DVD talks and the discs worked well on our Philips DVD player. I must say though, I have been more recently inclined to post on this site to report sound lifts and the particular Belt activity responsible for them. This is not to say that I don't find the talks totally fascinating - I do, and eagerly await any further Belt related releases, be it paper, video or DVD. One reason for my lack of posts on the subject could be seen as a positive one I suppose – It's simply that I have to agree with much of what May has to say. I'm not saying here that I understand it all; I just say that over the past five years or so, the number of sound lifts I have experienced (with the same HI-FI set up) makes me less inclined to question the contents of those talks.
I would like to hear more from those who have upgraded their equipment over recent years while at the same time applied P.W.B. products. How much of the improved sound would they attribute to the Belt treatments and how much to the new amp or CD player? Has anyone been tempted to use P.W.B. as a prime source of improving sound?
Over the past five years, for reasons of finance and curiosity, I have travelled the P.W.B. road to sound (and vision) improvement and I certainly have no regrets. A new sound lift still has the power to send my "awe" factor into orbit as it did all those years ago when I heard it for the first time.
Best regards everyone, 22nd July 2005 From: Tom Marsden. UK Subject: Reply to Kevin; re- upgrades Your query, Kevin, concerning the relative merits of equipment upgrades vis PWB treatments is, I suppose, one that at times exercises the minds of all PWB users. My opinion is that there is no substitute for good engineering and I would advise anyone with a limited budget entering the world of Hi-fi for the first time to spend it all on buying the best equipment possible. Later as more funds become available would then be the time to get involved with PWB treatments. What I have just written does not answer the query you pose as a Hi-fi enthusiast so the following, I hope, you will find useful. My last upgrade was in the D/A department. For many years I used a Audio Synthesis Dax2. This was a demonstration unit I bought through Mathew, the North of England agent . Audio Synthesis had just brought out a new model. The list price of the Dax2 at the time (old model) was over £2000. but as a discontinued model I obtained a huge discount. The Dax2 immediately put my listening experience into another league and over the years a lot of time and expense (PWB treatments) has been expended on the unit which has continually improved the sound even further over the years. I would say that the Dax2 received more treatments than any other piece of equipment in my audio set up. My interest in changing the D/A was wetted after reading two rave reviews of the Musical Fidelity Tri-vista 21. I therefore contacted Practical Hi-fi, my local dealer, who agreed I could have a home evaluation for the minimum 10 days I asked for. ( I find a piece of audio equipment needs to be in the room several days to get the best sound - this has nothing to do with `running in` since a demonstration unit has had plenty of running in time - more likely a PWB effect ). Before the 10 days were up I had phoned the dealer and placed an order. Whether it is the 4 miniature Russian triodes inside the unit or Musical Fidelity`s masterly technique with upsampling is immaterial What mattered was that I was now experiencing a sound quality superior to anything previous and that would be my bench mark in future. I should point out that I hadn`t employed any PWB treatments other than substituting my custom made mains power cable. ( Since buying the D/A I have applied various foils,labels and treatments to the outside of the the unit. I am aching to get inside the unit but I have been warned, after a telephone call to M.F.,that they reserve the right to refuse to do any future repair work if the cover has been removed ). So coming to the nub of the query; would I have done better to have spent the £1200 on PWB products? Well, I have recently completed a period during which time I have fitted the complete set of coloured Ring Ties to all the power cables to my audio equipment and the effect has been spectacular. A subjective assessment would be that upgrading 5 power cables produced more benefits than the new D/A. My conclusion, obviously, is that PWB products give a far better value. Even more so when the resale value of redundant equipment is likely to be derisory ( incidentally I still have the Dax2 as a standby). My final thoughts are that to have the best sound you must have the best equipment but PWB gives better value and is,in any case essential to obtain the best sound from that equipment. Regards Tom.
Best regards everyone,
Kevin
22nd July 2005 From: Tom Marsden. UK
Subject: Reply to Kevin; re- upgrades
Your query, Kevin, concerning the relative merits of equipment upgrades vis PWB treatments is, I suppose, one that at times exercises the minds of all PWB users. My opinion is that there is no substitute for good engineering and I would advise anyone with a limited budget entering the world of Hi-fi for the first time to spend it all on buying the best equipment possible. Later as more funds become available would then be the time to get involved with PWB treatments. What I have just written does not answer the query you pose as a Hi-fi enthusiast so the following, I hope, you will find useful. My last upgrade was in the D/A department. For many years I used a Audio Synthesis Dax2. This was a demonstration unit I bought through Mathew, the North of England agent . Audio Synthesis had just brought out a new model. The list price of the Dax2 at the time (old model) was over £2000. but as a discontinued model I obtained a huge discount. The Dax2 immediately put my listening experience into another league and over the years a lot of time and expense (PWB treatments) has been expended on the unit which has continually improved the sound even further over the years.
I would say that the Dax2 received more treatments than any other piece of equipment in my audio set up. My interest in changing the D/A was wetted after reading two rave reviews of the Musical Fidelity Tri-vista 21. I therefore contacted Practical Hi-fi, my local dealer, who agreed I could have a home evaluation for the minimum 10 days I asked for. ( I find a piece of audio equipment needs to be in the room several days to get the best sound - this has nothing to do with `running in` since a demonstration unit has had plenty of running in time - more likely a PWB effect ).
Before the 10 days were up I had phoned the dealer and placed an order. Whether it is the 4 miniature Russian triodes inside the unit or Musical Fidelity`s masterly technique with upsampling is immaterial What mattered was that I was now experiencing a sound quality superior to anything previous and that would be my bench mark in future. I should point out that I hadn`t employed any PWB treatments other than substituting my custom made mains power cable. ( Since buying the D/A I have applied various foils,labels and treatments to the outside of the the unit. I am aching to get inside the unit but I have been warned, after a telephone call to M.F.,that they reserve the right to refuse to do any future repair work if the cover has been removed ). So coming to the nub of the query; would I have done better to have spent the £1200 on PWB products? Well, I have recently completed a period during which time I have fitted the complete set of coloured Ring Ties to all the power cables to my audio equipment and the effect has been spectacular. A subjective assessment would be that upgrading 5 power cables produced more benefits than the new D/A. My conclusion, obviously, is that PWB products give a far better value. Even more so when the resale value of redundant equipment is likely to be derisory ( incidentally I still have the Dax2 as a standby). My final thoughts are that to have the best sound you must have the best equipment but PWB gives better value and is,in any case essential to obtain the best sound from that equipment.
Regards
Tom.
2nd August 2005 From Ron Adamson UK
Subject: Coulourd Ring Ties
Dear All
I have come to the same conclusion as you Tom. Because of reading some rave reviews on quite expensive interconnects I was being tempted to treat myself to at least one set of these interconnects. But, after reading your posting I decided to complete the full set of coloured ring ties on a few of my power cables. I had already fitted the usual first set of ties, Red followed by Yellow, a few years back but never got around to fitting any more of the colour sequence. I was amazed at the improvement in the sound and I am now no longer yearning for the expensive interconnects.
Since treating my power cables further I am beginning to understand even more what May has been trying to get us to understand with her talk on the Cable Controversy. These are the same cables I have always had and yet treating the outside of the cables allows me to hear far more of the information which must have been there.
Thanks for reminding me about the good effect of coloured ring ties.
Ron
2nd August 2005 From P.W.B. Electronics UK
Subject: Belgian Articles
Dear All
During July there has been two interesting articles on P.W.B. Silver Rainbow Foil by Jacques Thys the editor of a Belgian audio web site http://www.audioforum.be/
What is particularly interesting about these articles are the excellent photographs of how to apply the Foil. Jacques has done an excellent photo job.
First Article - http://www.audioforum.be/article490.html&mode=nested
Second Article - http://www.audioforum.be/article498.html&mode=nested
These articles are written in Dutch. To get a translation copy the URL above to the http://babelfish.altavista.com/ Translate a Web page section and then pick which language you require.
Please will you go to the translation page and enter the URL and see if it easily translates for you in the various languages of the members of this chat group.
We have found that the translation into English is not straightforward, as some of the words do not translate completely correctly e.g. Peter Belt becomes Peter Ring.
Many thanks
May