The amazing thing is that they probably DO sell a lot of those things to people who don't know any better.

I love the intangibles that they trade on: "Smearing" sound due to dielectric carpeting, etc. etc....it has just enough buzz-words in it to be ALMOST plausible.

It reminds me of religious zealots.... they can't prove their point, but they have all kinds "proof" that you must believe in order to get the message.

In audio, it's intimidation: no one wants to admit they can't hear it, it means you're not worthy and therefore are "missing" something.

Love the silver goo and the brass supports, too. Should've put THAT stuff on my wish list, yep! 8-)

Wow, what a hoot! Anyone who would spend money on something like that deserves the outcome.... :twisted:

Dave,

Thanks. I needed that.

Speaking of wacko...

Another fun product was introduced a few years back at one of the audio shows. It was called the Jacon. This product was a U-Ground to 1/4" adapter -- allowed standard electrical extension cords to be used as speaker cable. :roll:

While I agree completely that the guy sells "audiophile snake oil", the odd thing is that Mapleshade's owner, Pierre Sprey, does some decent recordings. He uses 20 year old Crown PZMs almost exclusively and records only to analog tape on a modified Sony two track.

He is well educated, quite intelligent, and eloquent. He spent some time on the phone with me a few years ago describing in detail both the rooms where he does his recordings, his equipment and how he modifies it, and where he positions the musicians. Many of his recordings are good, others disappointing. He seems to be an amateur who figured out how to please himself, developed a mystique and promoted it heavily to develop a following, and then capitalized on it.

None of that really has anything to do with the audiophile oddities he purveys but the guy is a fascinating paradox. And he was gracious enough to offer very specific advice to a mere voice on the phone (me) absolutely free of charge. -- "Uncle Russ" Reinberg