Interface Micro-Discharge - The Answer?

[richidoo]

http://www.ocellia.com/Anglais/a-mdi.html

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/ocellia2/cables.html

Jist: Current in conductors creates static field with plastic insulators and discharges creating noise.

[_Scotty_]

The troublesome aspect to MDI is that the French research took place over 13 years ago and the marketplace does not reflect any overwhelming change towards an overall anti-MDI design. I think that what this shows is that even if "perfect" cables were introduced not everyone could use them because their systems are imperfect. Obviously even a creator of a "perfect" cable may fail to recognize their accomplishment due to the use of an imperfect system to evaluate their work.
Scotty

[richidoo]

Obviously even a creator of a "perfect" cable may fail to recognize their accomplishment due to the use of an imperfect system to evaluate their work.

Or due to the demands of the marketplace which is addicted to the stimulation of change. The last thing most audio trinket junkies want is perfect anything. What fun is that? Then they would have to sit there and listen to music! HOW BORING! 

It did get me thinking today. Cardas makes a contact treatment which puts a liquid dielectric on the surface which prevents micro-arcing between contacts. When the potential between two electrodes is greater than the ability of the air between them to resist arcing, you get an arc and the braodband noise it creates. In this case the gap might be .0001" so relatively low voltage is needed, and the phenomenon is common. I never thought about it happening between conductor and insulation though.

Vegetable oil is a great dielectric. I had an idea for a diy cable of bare copper moistened with EVOO - or better yet coconut oil to prevent surface arcing, then wrapped loosely in polyolefin (unshrunk) or teflon tube (more expensive.) Tara I think tried to do something similar with a vacuum surrounding the conductor. Another mfg (I can't remember which) twists the ribbon conductor so that only a small proportion of the conductor surface is close enough to insulation to arc. 

Occasionally something like this comes along that's supposed to be the cats meow, solve the riddle of electricity in a conductor. Like Bob Smith's Sub-debye phase distortion theory (link now dead). Some elements like tin supposedly dramatically reduce this the distortion effect in comparison to copper. Surely cheaper tin would be used in audio cables if it really worked. Maybe it is being used in certain proprietary formulas. 

It is encouraging that people can still think up original ideas to keep the ball rolling forward. 

[Black Sand Cable]

or better yet coconut oil

You can't go wrong with coconut oil! (Sorry.....couldn't resist!)

[rollo]

  Nothing like a tight fit . I'm curious to know if anyone has tried the same IC hard wired as opposed to using RCA connectors. Or a powercord ? what difference if any was presented.
  For years CJ and Audio Research resisted IEC connections. AVA as well. AVA to date refuses to use an IEC connector


charles.

[Face]

IIRC, AVA still doesn't believe there's a difference in PC's.  IIRC, he also believes when you use high voltage capacitors in low voltage circuits, it changes their rated capacitance.   

Time to get out of the stone age.

[_Scotty_]

Au Contraire,Frank has heard the difference between power cords but doesn't consider the very small difference he heard worth pursuing and in some cases he preferred the sound of the stock cord.
Check AC for the thread. I believe the discussion occurred in Frank's circle. 
Scotty

[_Scotty_]

I found Frank's post concerning his power-cord listening test and his conclusions.
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=64137.20
Scotty

[pmkap]

Dang Scotty, I wish you hadn't. And I wish he hadn't measured them first   Verifying their continuity and proper wiring would be expected. But I had hoped that Frank would keep his promise at the end of the thread that he would no longer comment on power cords, but alas, there is a lot of false memory syndrome going around.

As to captive cords. If you put an IEC on a piece of equipment, one would naturally expect that component's safety ground IEC blade (if there) to be connected to the chassis. Which is problematic for EVERONE as it tends to cause ground loop/noise problems. And inevitably, one ends up in a finger pointing contest as to which component is at 'fault'. [as an aside Ayre and CAT seem to have no problem with leaving their safety ground floating (unconnected).]

Ultimately, world wide efforts at electrical code harmonization will cause the US to adopt a non-saftety grounded outlet environment and mandate distribution panel GFI breakers.  Component fuses save components, not people. GFI breakers save people, and you really don't need no steeenk'n safety grounds, although I'd never advocate such until it was written into NEC code....  

As to micro discharges (we are talking electrical discharges, not nocturnal?), it appears that one simply needs to posit a plausible (or just gobledegook) sounding causal factor, and voila, a revolutionary technology. You don't have to bother with empirical measurements, just make an assertion. Gotta run. White Papers to prepare....

FWIW,
Paul