Clever Little Clock test info and reviews

[Bigerik]

Clever Little Clock (can be placed anywhere in the listening room. To hear system without Clock effect, clock must be taken entirely out of the building. Bringing Clock back inside the room will restore the improved sound.)
Machina Dynamica's new product is the Clever Little Clock, a unique and exceptionally powerful audio accessory based on concepts and techniques originally developed by PWB Electronics, England. Machina Dynamica produces the Clever Little Clock with the kind permission of PWB Electronics.

The Clever Little Clock is a small, battery-powered alarm clock that has been extensively modified using a number of highly-specialized techniques. The Clever Little Clock does not plug into the wall and has no direct or indirect influence on the audio signal -- not on house wiring, audio components, cables, interconnects, power cords or acoustic waves. Yet the Clock has a pronounced affect on the sound produced by all digital and analog playback systems. In addition, all video systems/formats in the house will be improved by placing one or two clocks in the listening room; the video picture will be clearer, with better contrast and color saturation -- TV, cable TV, DVD, etc.
IMPORTANT: REMOVE THE CLEVER LITTLE CLOCK FROM THE BUBBLE PACK and place the clock anywhere in the listening room. You should then notice that the sound is more open, dynamic and detailed. The sound should also be more engaging and "correct" sounding. The picture quality of all video system(s) anywhere in the house should also be improved.


Ok, signed up for the Clever Little Clock so far we have:
1)Start
2)GaryP *
3)Onepixel
4)Arm013
5)Ozmoid
6)Holst
7)Army
8)Tedrick
9)Negotiableterms
10)Sansui Louie
11)Chrisf
12) Dnewma04
13) Andyman
14) Theodoric
15) Tonedeaf
16) Huck
17) Grainger49

Wow. Popular item it is!
Did I miss anyone?
E

[onepixel]

Bigerik,
Theodoric lives a couple miles from me. If that helps any.

[Bigerik]

Bigerik,
Theodoric lives a couple miles from me. If that helps any.

I am sure it does!
Work it out between you guys and let me know.
Thanks
E

[bolly]

big E, any chance of altering the list so that each of us could ship to the next closest recipient(or there abouts)... there's no need to line the pockets of the shipping companies with any unnecessary cross-country, back-and-forth shipping. :D

[onepixel]

I agree. Forget Bolly...send it to me first!!!

Just kidding. :D

[bolly]

hahaha, no worries onepixel, don't matter to me where I'm on the list, just as long as I get to try her. :)

[Bigerik]

big E, any chance of altering the list so that each of us could ship to the next closest recipient(or there abouts)... there's no need to line the pockets of the shipping companies with any unnecessary cross-country, back-and-forth shipping. :D

I hear ya!
I was hoping to hand it off to you last Saturday at the meet, but as you were not there, it went to Gary P for the time being instead. Maybe you can get it from him and then get the process rolling properly after that.

[bolly]

cool E!

[GaryP]

Ok, no problem - but I thought the Big E might like it first (I can drive there)!

[onepixel]

It don't matter to me too. Just let me know when its on its way.

Thanks!

[chrisf]

BigE,will we be notified by email when it is our turn,then provide a shipping address?How do you have it set up?
Thanks Chris

[Bigerik]

Yup, thats about how it will work. The person sending it will contact the next person on the list when they are ready to send for shipping info, etc. Then it will just go down the line.

[Kasra]

i hope this turns out to be an atypical episode of mythbusters...but i have my doubts about this item.

[Bigerik]

i hope this turns out to be an atypical episode of mythbusters...but i have my doubts about this item.

Well, then sign up to try it. Prove it to be what they say it is, or not.
What have you got to lose?
E

[chrisf]

I for one have never been able to hear any or enough of a difference to justify cable upgrades but I am going into this testing with a total open mind.Has anyone tested anything yet?This was really a good Idea BigE,and kudos to MachinaDynamica for going along with it.He must really believe the stuff works as he is putting it all on the line.

[GaryP]

Well, where do I begin? At the beginning, of course.

My "big rig" system is listed in my signature (and it's about time, too!).

The test discs were Nat King Cole - Love is the Thing, Wings - Venus & Mars, Deep Purple - Made in Japan, Linda Ronstadt GH#1 which are all DCC gold discs and Tom Donohue - Underground Radio (DCC silver) as well as The Who - Who's Next, and some others that I normally listen to like the Guess Who, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Loreena McKinnet, some classical CD's, etc.

First impressions (with the Unity Audio "Fountainhead" speakers). Test discs were Nat King Cole - Love is the Thing, Wings - Venus & Mars, Linda Ronstadt GH#1. Not much difference but nice. Not earth shattering or anything but nice.

Then I took the Clever Little Clock and locked it in the trunk of my car - which was outside in the driveway. Wooah - what happened to the midrange? I could have sworn it was sweeter with the clock inside. Played some more discs - yep. Better get that clock. Brought the little guy inside and the midrange was a little more focused, a little more real.

Huh! I'll be....

Later in the week, I expanded my listening discs to the others in the list, but always keeping the Nat disc (amazing vocals on that one!). Same results.

I guess I should have tried the test on my wife... :D

Second impressions after I picked up a pair of Tannoy Berkeley speakers. I just had to do all these tests again - man, these speakers are totally different than the Fountainheads!

So I did all the tests again - similar results.

I never would have believed it if I hadn't heard it for myself.

Who's next (and not the album?) :)

[Bigerik]

Awesome Post!
Thanks for getting things started so well. Can´t wait to hear what the rest of the tweaks do!
Erik

[chrisf]

GaryP,way to go.Has any one thought about having somone bring The Clever Little Clock in the room and plug it in as you are listening to music?Gary,do you think this would work?Does the clock need to be pluged in or just it's presence in the room have an effect also?

[GaryP]

The CLC is a battery run clock (extra long life batteries). Apparently the presence of the CLC anywhere in the house has an effect. That's why I had to take it out of the house structure to compare. If it's in the car which is in the garage, it's still considered to be within the house structure. My car was in the driveway.

I never had the W. bring the clock in and out of the house without my knowledge. That would have been interesting - blind testing, right?

I've included a print of the instructions in the box. Read first! :)

One thing that I never did was compare video / DVD / TV signals / picture quality. I rarely watch TV or DVD's - there's just too much good music out there! :music:

[Huck]

Can I be put on the list for the Clever Little Clock? Thanks, Huck

[onepixel]

I guess I'm up next. Look forward to testing it out. So the thing works on video sources too?

[GaryP]

That's what the instructions say. I neglected to do any video viewing....

[Huck]

Hi: Just wondering if the Clever Little Clock will make my Bose Acoustic Wave unit sound better? Thanks,Huck :yes:

[Andyman]

I never had the W. bring the clock in and out of the house without my knowledge. That would have been interesting - blind testing, right?



I'd advise doing that. A device of this nature really needs blind testing to ascertain it's effect. Otherwise your expectations will color your subjective results.

[GaryP]

I'd advise doing that. A device of this nature really needs blind testing to ascertain it's effect. Otherwise your expectations will color your subjective results.

That includes negative expectations, too, right?

[GaryP]

Hi: Just wondering if the Clever Little Clock will make my Bose Acoustic Wave unit sound better? Thanks,Huck :yes:

There's only one way to find out.

[Kasra]

it's a tweak, man, not water to wine stuff! :)

[Huck]

Howdy: Just wondering if the Customs will give me a hassle if I send this clock to someone in the U.S. What's involved in shipping something out of the country? Maybe we need two lists going, Canada and U.S.? Thanks,Huck :thmbsp:

[Andyman]

That includes negative expectations, too, right?

Yep, the only true test is a listen without knowing what you're listening to so you won't be influenced by ANY preconceptions

[Bigerik]

Howdy: Just wondering if the Customs will give me a hassle if I send this clock to someone in the U.S. What's involved in shipping something out of the country? Maybe we need two lists going, Canada and U.S.? Thanks,Huck :thmbsp:

I have had no problems with the test cables I sent. I can't remember if I sent them as a gift or what I did.
In the worst case, you could get them over to postal station Kamakiri in Buffalo, and slip him a few bucks to ship them for you. Someone from this side of the border is always running over there to pick something up!
E

[Huck]

I have had no problems with the test cables I sent. I can't remember if I sent them as a gift or what I did.
In the worst case, you could get them over to postal station Kamakiri in Buffalo, and slip him a few bucks to ship them for you. Someone from this side of the border is always running over there to pick something up!
E


Hi: I will probably let the U.P.S. store handle the shipping! Looks like not too many Canuckers in on this audition! Thanks, Huck

[Huck]

Hi: Does anyone know much the replacement batteries are for the CLC? Thanks, Huck

[BULLWINKLE]

what does it look like? Pic?

[Huck]

Hi: I was just wondering how many Clever Little Clocks are in circulation for the tests? If there is just one, I got a loong wait! Thanks, Huck

[GaryP]

It's one.

Sorry.

[Bigerik]

It's one.

Sorry.

Actually, it's two! :D
Due to the high demand for the clock, I spoke to Geoff and he kindly volunteered another clock and two more chips (the 10's, not the 30's). They are in the hands of Negotiableterms right now, and he will be sending them out from his side of the border!

[sorenj07]

I don't really feel like trying the CLC but one suggestion for a trial is to take two identical shoe boxes or something, and put the CLC in one of them, and, indiana-jones-style, something of similar weight in the other. Have a friend mark each one in some subtle way only he can ascertain, and then stay outside the house while you listen to music, bringing in first one box then the other, then the other, or in a random fashion. See what happens, eh?

[onepixel]

I should be getting the CLC soon. But in the meantime I read in the other reviews that two CLC are better than one.

This is going to be interesting.

[jmathers]

Clever Little Clock (can be placed anywhere in the listening room. To hear system without Clock effect, clock must be taken entirely out of the building. Bringing Clock back inside the room will restore the improved sound.)
Machina Dynamica's new product is the Clever Little Clock, a unique and exceptionally powerful audio accessory based on concepts and techniques originally developed by PWB Electronics, England. Machina Dynamica produces the Clever Little Clock with the kind permission of PWB Electronics.

The Clever Little Clock is a small, battery-powered alarm clock that has been extensively modified using a number of highly-specialized techniques. The Clever Little Clock does not plug into the wall and has no direct or indirect influence on the audio signal -- not on house wiring, audio components, cables, interconnects, power cords or acoustic waves. Yet the Clock has a pronounced affect on the sound produced by all digital and analog playback systems. In addition, all video systems/formats in the house will be improved by placing one or two clocks in the listening room; the video picture will be clearer, with better contrast and color saturation -- TV, cable TV, DVD, etc.
IMPORTANT: REMOVE THE CLEVER LITTLE CLOCK FROM THE BUBBLE PACK and place the clock anywhere in the listening room. You should then notice that the sound is more open, dynamic and detailed. The sound should also be more engaging and "correct" sounding. The picture quality of all video system(s) anywhere in the house should also be improved.


Ok, signed up for the Clever Little Clock so far we have:
1)Start
2)GaryP *
3)Onepixel
4)Arm013
5)Ozmoid
6)Holst
7)Army
8)Tedrick
9)Negotiableterms
10)Sansui Louie
11)Chrisf
12) Dnewma04
13) Andyman
14) Theodoric
15) Tonedeaf
16) Huck
17) Grainger49

Wow. Popular item it is!
Did I miss anyone?
E

Yep, jmathers.

BTW, I live very close to Andyman.

Jeff

[Bigerik]

Yep, jmathers.

BTW, I live very close to Andyman.

Jeff

Hi Jeff
Will add you to the respective tests.
Thanks
Erik

[Huck]

big E, any chance of altering the list so that each of us could ship to the next closest recipient(or there abouts)... there's no need to line the pockets of the shipping companies with any unnecessary cross-country, back-and-forth shipping. :D


Maybe we can have it arranged so that Canadians can ship to Canadians, thus avoiding any b.s. from the Customs! Huck

[Grainger49]

Maybe we can have it arranged so that Canadians can ship to Canadians, thus avoiding any b.s. from the Customs! Huck

:thmbsp: :thmbsp: :thmbsp: :thmbsp:

[GaryP]

Too late! I already shipped mine to Cali-forn-ee! :D

[Huck]

Too late! I already shipped mine to Cali-forn-ee! :D



Hey GaryP : What did it cost you to send it to the States? I will have to send mine there when it's my turn! Just curious! Huck

[GaryP]

Can't tell ya. Depends on the packaging you use and what post office outlet you go to!

I had to scrounge up a box and I think it cost me $7.90. It's pretty light so I don't think it's too bad. :)

[onepixel]

I'm haven't received the CLC yet. According to GaryP's PM it was sent on 9/9. Is there a tracking number?

Are the Canadians still using horses?

[Grainger49]

I'm haven't received the CLC yet. According to GaryP's PM it was sent on 9/9. Is there a tracking number?

Are the Canadians still using horses?

The problem with shipments out of/to Canada is the US Customs. They can muck up a shippment for 10 days with no reason, no apology.

[spartanmanor]

I am eagerly awaiting more reviews....lets hope it is not lost.

[luvvinvinyl]

My experience with shipping between US and Canada is that UPS is vastly superior to any move in which Canada Post participates. Even domestic Canadian parcel shipments go via UPS, for my money. Transit times are MUCH quicker, price is about the same, as you have to upgrade to ExpressPost with CanadaPost, to get tracking. We won't even get into the lost or damaged shipments.

Just my 2¢.

[onepixel]

I was kidding about the horses...:D

I actualy got a amp from Ontario and it came pretty fast. I'm just a bit impatient. My system sounds pretty darn good and if the CLC can make it sound better it will be like heaven! :yes:

[Negotiableterms]

My system for this review was a McIntosh MCD-201, MDA-1000, C-200, MQ-109B, Nearfield Acoustics active crossover, MC501s (highs), MC-1201s (lows) and Nearfield Acoustics Pipedream 18s. Cabling is all balanced, Tributaries SCA-200, with PS Audio X-stream Statement 6 ga speaker wire. The gear runs off a Monster 2000 power supply, and the amps run off PS Audio 20A Ultimate Outlets, with Plus power cords on everything, and dedicated 20A circuits. I didn't change anything for the review.

I have a TacT digital preamp set up with a mic to analyze room acoustics, but I use the MQ-109B to do the actual correction, which is a slight boost in the 300 Hz range. The TacT can be switched into the loop (by changing inputs on the MDA-1000), but was out for this whole process.

I chose 3 CDs, Diana Krall (When I Look In Your Eyes-Verve), Steely Dan (Gaucho-MFSL), and (for my wife's choice) Dixie Chicks (Wide Open Spaces).

I left the system on overnight, playing, so it was fully warmed up. I listened to parts of all three CDs to get a present sense of what they sound like. I had brought the clock from the office, and left it in the car, outside. We found a small plastic box about the same size, and arranged to swap the clock for the box in a paper bag.

Then one CD at a time, my wife bought the paper bag into the sound room from behind me, so I couldn't see it at all, and took whatever was in it out. Sometimes it had the clock in it, sometimes the plastic box. The bag was transported in and out at roughly half-hour intervals.

At various times, I thought I heard differences, then thought I heard other differences, and tried to write it all down. Looking at my notes, the differences seemed to be in the midrange mostly. I thought Diana Krall's voice sounded more lifelike. I didn't hear any difference in the bass, (but the Pipedreams have four 18" subs, so improvement was unlikely) or much in the treble. But, comparing those notes to Caroline's record of what was in the room when, it's clear I can't reliably tell whether the box is in or out. I'd swear it made a difference, but I'd prove myself wrong half an hour later.

The box was in and out for four hours, meaning eight times. I got it right only 5 times, which I think means nothing. Caroline (15 years younger, with better hearing and little or no interest) tried it too, and heard no differences at all.

The clock was in or out for at least 30 minutes, and I was switching between the three CDs. This is too far apart for pure ABX testing (memory fails), but long enough that subtle differences should have been detectable. In every case, when I thought I heard a difference, it was when the change was fresh. The longer I listened, the less difference I thought there was, or couldn't make up my mind if it was better before, or after.

The TacT preamp's room analysis system works by running sweeps up and down the 20-20K range and graphing the response. Looking at the two graphs (clock in and clock out), there's no difference. The TacT isn't a lab-grade instrument, although it just won Editor's Choice for 2006 in TAS, so it isn't a complete piece of crap, either.

Keep in mind that the CLC isn't supposed to make changes to the system. Rather, it's supposed to change the listener's perceptions. Does it do that? I think it actually does something, but that something isn't repeatable, and doesn't seem to last long, for me. Would I pay $200 for it? No. Would I pay $50... yes, just because it's fun to play around with. It's great fun to find that you can really change your perceptions so easily, whether it's the clock doing it or your own thinking. It's also kind of a relief to find that in the long run, it settles down to what you liked to begin with. :music:

[Negotiableterms]

I'll post a review of the chips shortly, and will send them on with the clock.

I'm at Lake Tahoe, on the Nevada side. Will whoever's on the list and nearest in the US, please PM me with your address?

[geoffkait]

Hello all, please note that there may be a problem using the car to place the clock when attempting A/B tests.

The following note is taken from my web page on the Clever Little Clock. Apologies for not mentioning this point or at least emphasizing it.

"For A/B comparisons, i.e., to evaluate the sound without the Clock(s), place the Clock(s) outside the house structure, for example on the front steps -- but NOT in a drawer, closet, another room, basement or garage OR, as it turns out, the family car, even if the car is parked at the curb. "

Please refer to complete description for Clever Little Clock, including notes at:

www.machinadynamica.com/machina41.htm

Regards, Geoff at Machina Dynamica

[spartanmanor]

Since I have no affiliation with the company nor do I sell this product yet wanted to learn more I will post the link: http://www.machinadynamica.com/machina41.htm

[spartanmanor]

and I see its in the post above mine.....doh

[bentpencil]

Negotiableterms - Since I did not sign up for the test, I plan on relying on the testimonials of those who do. A point of contention seems to be placing the clock in the car when it was not in the room. May I ask whether the car was in an attached garage, driveway, or street. Since placing the clock on the front porch is acceptable, I will assume (?) that in the car, outside of an attached enclosure, would produce the same results.

Thanks,
Larry

PS I did note that you said "in the car, outside". I just wanted to clarify.....

[Negotiableterms]

...the family car, even if the car is parked at the curb.

Geoff-

I read the family car note before we did this. The CLC was left in the trunk of a company car (not one of our family cars), parked outside, across the street from the house. This was my wife's major objection, having to walk across the street again and again carrying the paper bag, while making sure the trunk didn't lock. We lucked out that the kids wanted to be outside playing, or she'd have refused. Our nanny now believes we are crazy.

The sound room is on the other end of the house, in a quiet spot, and the car was at least 100 ft away.

But, since I haven't shipped it yet, I'm willing to give it another try tonight, using my neighbor's garage, 200 ft away, if you think that will help. LMK.

Larry, I think this covers your question, too.

One last point. I'd love to buy one of these clocks, unmodified, to use on the road... it's a great travel clock!

[geoffkait]

Hello All -- Please allow me to clarify a little bit: my point about the car is that the Clock should not be placed in the car during A/B tests, whether the car is in the garage, just outside the garage, or out by the curb. The front or back porch, garage, basement are also part of the building structure and should be avoided for purposes of the test. The area just outside the front or rear door are outside the building structure and are OK for purposes of the test.

Also, it's possible that placing the Clever Little Clock in a box, a bag or similar item during the course of the test (in order to hide the clock from view) might degrade or perhaps nullify the effect of the Clock. I suggest taking the Clock out of its clear bubble pak and keeping it out in the open when in use.

Thanks, Geoff

[bentpencil]

Then may I once again assume that in a non-family car across the street in the trunk is satisfactory? I'm not trying to be agrumentative. I'm just having a hard time seeing the difference between just off the front or rear porch as opposed to at the curb in the family car. If the object is to have the clock devoid of any connection whatsoever to the house, that would be virtually impossible in town, as all houses are connected by concrete, asphalt, plumbing, sewer, and electrical.

[geoffkait]

Bentpencil - Hi, Yes, a non family car should OK, on the other hand it might be best if cars are taken out of the equation altogether for the purposes of the testing. If the building is an apartment building, the Clock should be taken entirely outside the apartment building. I.e., the Clock should not be in the Space contained in the building. It would be OK if the Clock were placed on the sidewalk outside a row house in town, for example, or on the front steps.

Regards, Geoff

[Negotiableterms]

The area just outside the front or rear door are outside the building structure and are OK for purposes of the test.
OK, we'll try it again tonight.

Also, it's possible that placing the Clever Little Clock in a box, a bag or similar item during the course of the test (in order to hide the clock from view) might degrade or perhaps nullify the effect of the Clock. I suggest taking the Clock out of its clear bubble pak and keeping it out in the open when in use.
The bag was only used for transport, so I couldn't accidently see what was being brought in or out. The CLC (or the empty plastic box, when its turns came) was behind me, beyond my field of vision, but out of the bag and out of its clear bubble pak, sitting on an open shelf during listening.

We'll try it again, with the CLC kept 50 ft away from the house, on a tree stump, and not in a car, etc. Any other suggestions?

[geoffkait]

Negotiableterms - Thanks for trying again; I should have made the ground rules clear early on - my bad. I thought about piping up earlier when Gary mentioned placing the clock in the trunk of his car, but was hoping the subject wouldn't come up again. On a tree stump should be OK.

The only other thing I can think of is just checking that the clock is actually working -- numbers in black should be partially visible on the LCD behind the Orange Dot. (There was one occasion many months ago when the battery of a Clever Little Clock became dislodged during transporting/handling.)

Regards, Geoff

[tentoze]

I've been following this thread with interest, but I have to admit being completely baffled right about now regarding this car/no car business.

[onepixel]

Yeah me too...how does the CLC know your own car from a non-family car?

Maybe I'll add that to my review too.

[Negotiableterms]

The only other thing I can think of is just checking that the clock is actually working -- numbers in black should be partially visible on the LCD behind the Orange Dot.

First thing I checked! The clock is working fine. Peering around the orange dot was what made me decide I liked the clock itself. :thmbsp:

Eric, I'm as baffled as you are, but to give the device a fair trial, you gotta follow the directions, whether you understand them or not.

[tentoze]

Eric, I'm as baffled as you are, but to give the device a fair trial, you gotta follow the directions, whether you understand them or not.


I don't disagree with that at all.

[GaryP]

Hello all, please note that there may be a problem using the car to place the clock when attempting A/B tests. ......OR, as it turns out, the family car, even if the car is parked at the curb.

Arrrrgh! I must have missed that somehow!

I'm haven't received the CLC yet. According to GaryP's PM it was sent on 9/9.

10 days from here to the border. One day from Buffalo to your place.

I really have no idea why you people in the USA complain about your post office service..... at all! :no:

Patience.....

[Negotiableterms]

OK, so tonight, the CLC got another try. I had taken it back to the office to be repacked, so, it came home, and then was taken out of its clear container (as before), checked to see that it was working, and then placed on a tree stump about 50 ft from the house, next to the empty plastic box.

I had left the system on, so I played a couple of CDs while we had dinner, then, back to Diana Krall, Steely Dan and the paper bag. Caroline could only be persuaded to do four turns, and she left between turns to give the kids their baths, etc., so I had complete quiet.

I sat down, Caroline went out and placed ...something... into the bag, brought it in behind me, and took it out of the bag. I could hear no difference. Back into the bag, then she went out and put ...something... in the bag, and back in and out of the bag. I thought I could hear a difference. Repeat procedure twice more. The only difference I'm truly certain of is that by the fourth time, I'm finally getting really sick of both these CDs.

And the results, after two more (total six) hours of blind testing, are:

1. I'm right twice and wrong twice tonight, 7 and 5 overall.
2. I have to buy Caroline a new watch.

Maybe it's me, maybe it's my system or my room, but I just can't reliably tell when it's in or out of the room, and I detected no difference between placement on the stump or in the company car across the street.

Again, I had a great time with this experiment. It's fascinating to watch as your perceptions change over such short periods. I could be convinced I heard something, then convinced I couldn't. My conclusion? The only reliable test of a good stereo is the goosebump test. When it sounds real enough to you to give you goosebumps, it's perfect, and don't mess with it. If a tweak makes that happen, use it. The CLC didn't do it for me, but it might for you, so try it!

[Negotiableterms]

Oops...I forgot. Who's next???? PM me an addy, please?

If no one responds by tomorrow, midnight PDT, I'm sending it to 'toze, just because I like seeing him baffled, and it doesn't happen often! :D

[opt80]

I already have one of these Clever Little (O wait it is clock) nevermind


Toze's Best Friend

[doucanoe]

Im completely baffled by this thread period. I just don't get it I guess.

RC

[grumpy]

The whole point of this thread is to try the item in question. Prove or disprove it to yourself.

[doucanoe]

The whole point of this thread is to try the item in question. Prove or disprove it to yourself.


I guess I should clarify my statement. It's the device I dont understand. What and how It actually does what it does. Im not much of a technical guy so technical info doesn't help much but what the hell is in that thing!

RC

[ozmoid]

I guess I should clarify my statement. It's the device I dont understand. What and how It actually does what it does. Im not much of a technical guy so technical info doesn't help much but what the hell is in that thing!

RC
To better understand what the CLC is doing, You need to grasp what Peter Belt is doing with other materials in audio (like foil tape!). The CLC uses ideas about our perception of audio from P.W.B Electronics - go see their site here: http://www.belt.demon.co.uk/

The CLC is going way beyond simple technology, wading into uncharted territory of physics, metaphysics, energy, relativity, and other areas I don't know how to describe. The following quote is from http://www.belt.demon.co.uk/whatamess.html

"Within each and all living creatures, there is an attempt to maintain an inner symmetrical pattern. The senses all measure the degree of asymmetrical energy patterns exterior to the body and compare the external asymmetrical energy patterns against the internal symmetrical energy patterns. Modern science and technology has surrounded each individual with innumerable objects which have asymmetric energy patterns that create a chronic problem for our senses. It is necessary to remove the effect of these environmental pollutants so that the senses can begin to function at a high level."

Even science is constantly evolving - Some physicists are currently challenging the validity of string theory - general relativity and quantum mechanics are apparently in mathematical conflict, and string theory is one attempt by the scientific community to restore order. Some are calling into question certain findings in the field of fundamental theoretical physics.

I don't understand any of it, but I don't think I need to- I only need to listen.

<EDIT>I have not tried any of these tweaks, and I'm trying to achieve a noncommittal tone here, neither for or against. Just laying out what I've found for others to evaluate.<END>

[bentpencil]

Here's the technical description - It's a thingamabob that comes in the form of a clock that, when placed in your listening room, will improve the sound of your system. It was donated to AK and everyone who signed up is giving it the go/no go test. How it does what it does (or doesn't do) is a technical secret of the mfg.

I think that's a fair description for the layman.

[doucanoe]

Here's the technical description - It's a thingamabob that comes in the form of a clock that, when placed in your listening room, will improve the sound of your system. It was donated to AK and everyone who signed up is giving it the go/no go test. How it does what it does (or doesn't do) is a technical secret of the mfg.

I think that's a fair description for the layman.


Now your talking my language! where do sign up? lol.

RC

[Huck]

Hi: I would like to have my name removed from the list for the CLC! Thanks, Huck :thmbsp:

[onepixel]

So...it's not going to give me subliminal messages saying...send all your stuff to Geoff at Machina Dynamica, send all your stuff to...

[pioneernut]

As a twist to this whole evaluation, I think someone should buy a standard battery operated clock and use that for the A/B comparisons with the CLC.

I don't think I have the inner ability to ever determine if adding the CLC would improve the sound or perceived sound quality of my system. I do think that physical improvements to the wiring, and or construction used in a listening room has great bearing on the sound quality of a room.

As a side note, I'm baffled that Machina's Wall plate covers could add anything noticable to the sound quality of a room, especially for 30 bucks a wall plate.

Anyway that just my sincere opinion, but I would be curious about the A/B tests with a battery operated clock from Walmart.

- Mike

[bentpencil]

............ but I would be curious about the A/B tests with a battery operated clock from Walmart.

- Mike
In all fairness to the claims made by Machina Dynamica, that would not a legitimate comparison. Machina never claimed that the CLC was the ONLY thing that would produce the results, just that it would. Whether or not something else can do the same thing is a different test altogether.

[Negotiableterms]

In all fairness to the claims made by Machina Dynamica, that would not a legitimate comparison. Machina never claimed that the CLC was the ONLY thing that would produce the results, just that it would. Whether or not something else can do the same thing is a different test altogether.

That's why we used the empty plastic box for a control placebo. I'd already carefully determined that it did absolutely nothing, which is exactly what you'd expect from an empty, untreated, non-special, non-powered, boring old plastic box.

Which does make an interesting point for Geoff. When switching the box in and out of the room (I had Caroline carry it in an out at random intervals), I never heard any difference at all. With the CLC, I did sometimes think I heard differences (against my expectations); I just couldn't reliably identify them.

[Negotiableterms]

OK... time has gone by and no one has PM'd me with their address. Eric, you wanna give this thing a try?

[Bigerik]

OK... time has gone by and no one has PM'd me with their address. Eric, you wanna give this thing a try?

I think toze would be an ideal candidate!
Can't wait to read his review.

[onepixel]

OK...I got the other CLC in the mail today. I opened it up and when I first saw the exterior modifications to the clock I started to cracked up. This thing is how much?!

I'll try and not use my initial bias and use a comphrenshive scientific methodology when testing the CLC.

By the way I'm an artist with a pretty good understanding of psychology. That's all for now. :D

[Bigerik]

OK...I got the other CLC in the mail today. I opened it up and when I first saw the exterior modifications to the clock I started to cracked up. This thing is how much?!

I'll try and not use my initial bias and use a comphrenshive scientific methodology when testing the CLC.

By the way I'm an artist with a pretty good understanding of psychology. That's all for now. :D

"Your eyes can deceive you. Don't trust them!"
Can't wait to read your review.
Have fun with it.

[tentoze]

I think toze would be an ideal candidate!
Can't wait to read his review.

If nominated, I will not run.
If elected, I will not serve.

--Lyndon Baines Johnson--

[Bigerik]

If nominated, I will not run.
If elected, I will not serve.

--Lyndon Baines Johnson--

:lmao:

[Negotiableterms]

Heh... I'll take that as a 'No'.

OK... so who gets the CLC next? Ladybird?

[ozmoid]

The list:
1)Start
2)GaryP *
3)Onepixel
4)Arm013
5)Ozmoid

If none of those other guys chime in, send it on to #5. :thmbsp:

[Holst]

I think I'm eight or nine on the list, I'm ready. I'm still waiting for the pebbles to show.

[onepixel]

"Your eyes can deceive you. Don't trust them!"

I trust my eyes alot ...I've made very good living with them. :D

Day 1 Results No difference in sound.

System 1: Marantz 4140 in Quad, speakers ADS L-780s and L-570s, Yamaha CD Player, Pioneer PL-570 TT.

System 2: Marantz 4140 in Two Channel, speakers Theil CS-1.2, Yamaha CD Player, Pioneer PL-570 TT.

Music: Diana Krall, Telepopmusik, Dire Straits, ZZ Top. I listened to only my favorites that I know really well.

Here is what I did. When I first opened it I was excited to it give a go, asides from my initial funny observation. Later about that. So I put the CLC outside in the backyard as far as possible from my office. The other side of the pool behind a concrete wall. I listened to Diana Krall for a while. Then I brought it in. I was excited and thought I heard a difference. Listened for awhile.

Then my daughter came home and I had her bring it in and out of the house. At 10 minute intervals, but I wouldn't know if the CLC was coming or going. In my excitement I was starting to imagine things. My daughter was getting annoyed at dad's weird requests. At the same time I was starting to get aggitated. Because she kept interrupting me. Which turns out was a good thing. In that state of mind I clearly did not hear a difference. One important thing I did was not look at the CLC or think about it. I concentrated on the music.

Day 1 Conclusion: So the CLC doesn't affect the stereo itself in any way. The CLC is affecting the listener. More specificly the listener's state of mind. You will hear a difference if you want too. Like being hypnotized.

How? Color Psychology. What made me first crack up was the orange and red disks adhered to the CLC, front and back. You can't even read the time. Very clever indeed! Being an artist I know all about colors. If you Google Red, Orange and Psychology you'll come up with tons of studies pertaining to the study of Color Psychology. I use it all the time. Also the circular shape with those colors imprint into your memory more easily than complex shapes.
http://www.informit.com/articles/article.asp?p=22782&rl=1


RED... causes the most intensive physiological reaction - i.e. speeding up the heart. Ever see a woman in red opposed to a woman in grey? Why Ferraris are red and not green.

ORANGE... as well as red belongs to warm colours. It also makes the heart go faster. Orange is a very bright color, it always attracts attention, that's why road crews use it.

So with your adrenaline going it will affect your state of mind. And being a part time athelete I know about adrenaline and endorphins. Ever been to a really close football game and wanting to rip someones head off?

I was tempted to open the CLC up to see the $199 worth of "extensive modifications". But after looking it over, it looks pretty well seal up at the manufacturers. So I was thinking about buying an identical clock (not a CLC) just a clock. And giving them to my brother who works at the Stanford Hospital to x-ray, to get a peek at the innards.

Will x-raying the CLC fry something?

Any ways just to be fair. I'll try the Clever Little Clock with a different testing criteria on my slightly tired Sansui AU-555 and Large Advents for Day 2.

:D

[GaryP]

I think I'm eight or nine on the list, I'm ready. I'm still waiting for the pebbles to show.

Canada Post = Pony Express using donkeys.

:D

[Holst]

Hey, donkey's are cool, don't dis' the donkey's. :p:

[Negotiableterms]

If none of those other guys chime in, send it on to #5.

What I have is an extra set, so there's no need to go in precise order. Since you spoke up, it's coming your way!

I also have an extra set of the chips, which can come too, unless there's an objection?

PM me your address, and they're off!

[Bigerik]

What I have is an extra set, so there's no need to go in precise order. Since you spoke up, it's coming your way!

I also have an extra set of the chips, which can come too, unless there's an objection?

PM me your address, and they're off!

I have no objections, as long as we know where things are, and, per Geoffs request, they are not used together.
Otherwise, have fun!

[Bigerik]

I was tempted to open the CLC up to see the $199 worth of "extensive modifications". But after looking it over, it looks pretty well seal up at the manufacturers. So I was thinking about buying an identical clock (not a CLC) just a clock. And giving them to my brother who works at the Stanford Hospital to x-ray, to get a peek at the innards.

Will x-raying the CLC fry something?

Any ways just to be fair. I'll try the Clever Little Clock with a different testing criteria on my slightly tired Sansui AU-555 and Large Advents for Day 2.

:D

I am sure you know I was going to say this, but lets all please refrain from opening, disassembling or otherwise tampering or altering any of the test samples in any way (yes, and X-Rays would be included in this!).
Thanks
Erik

[ozmoid]

PM me your address, and they're off!

Done. Thanks, NT!

[onepixel]

Day 2 Results No difference in sound at all.

System 1: Sansui AU-555, Yamaha single CD player, Infinity RS-9 (garage)

System 2: Marantz 2265B, Marantz 6300 TT, Marantz 5025B Tapedeck, Thiel 04a (living room)

System 3: Onkyo HT Reciever, Samsung DVD/CD player, Motorola boob tube, Polk center and fronts (family room)

Same Music: Diana Krall, Telepopmusik, Dire Straits, ZZ Top. Again I listened to only my favorites that I know really well.

DVD: Step into Liquid, and Channel 5 News

This time I put the Clever Little Clock in the opposite far corner of the yard in a cooler. I have to pay my daughter $1 a trip now to move it in and out of the house. I'm not gonna write down all the hoops I went through testing this SLC.

While I was listening to Dire Straits I popped the battery. Still absolutely nothing...this has been a total waste of time. I can't believe I went as far as I did knowing what I know. I'm very disappointed. :thumbsdn:

For $199 buy yourself better cables.

Theodoric...I can drop this off at your house or you can come pick it up. If not it's off to the next guy on the list.

Carl

[geoffkait]

Hello, All. The clock is set prior to shipping. Popping the battery out of the clock and reinserting it will probably require resetting the CLC, but do NOT set to your local time or some arbitrary time. Please set time on CLC for Eastern Standard Time + 99 minutes. When setting time, note that PM or AM should appear in upper corner of the display, whichever is correct. [And, yes, I know - it's a bit tricky to set the time with the orange dot blocking the display :-)]

Thanks again for trying the CLC.

Geoff at Machina Dynamica

[onepixel]

Hello, All. The clock is set prior to shipping. Popping the battery out of the clock and reinserting it will probably require resetting the CLC...

Thanks again for trying the CLC.

Geoff at Machina Dynamica


Probably? Do you know for sure and why?

What should the current time be on the clock? Because when I received the CLC the time wasn't correct. Do I have to set the clock and do the test all over again?

Thanks,
Carl

[geoffkait]

Onepixel - Sorry for any confusion. You do not have to do the tests over again, as long as the battery was dislodged after most of testing was done.

The time displayed by the CLC should be (approx) 99 minutes ahead of EDT (Eastern Daylightsavings Time); I mispoke in my last post - I meant to say EDT not EST.

In California it's what, 8:30 AM Pacific Daylightsavings Time? Then you should set the clock for 12:09 PM.

One feature of the CLC is that it is set for a time in the future, later than the local time. I set the two AK test clocks here prior to shipping; thus anyone receiving one of the test clocks, whether he is in the US or Canada, will receive it already set "correctly" to a time later than his local time.

Overseas shipments are a little more complicated...:-)

Hope this clears things up a bit...

Regards, Geoff

[Grainger49]

Dang, I am confused!

I am ok changing time zones but adding 99 minutes is higher math than I am capable of. I better get a calculator that works in H, M, S.

[Kamakiri]

Onepixel - Sorry for any confusion. You do not have to do the tests over again, as long as the battery was dislodged after most of testing was done.

The time displayed by the CLC should be (approx) 99 minutes ahead of EDT (Eastern Daylightsavings Time); I mispoke in my last post - I meant to say EDT not EST.

In California it's what, 8:30 AM Pacific Daylightsavings Time? Then you should set the clock for 12:09 PM.

One feature of the CLC is that it is set for a time in the future, later than the local time. I set the two AK test clocks here prior to shipping; thus anyone receiving one of the test clocks, whether he is in the US or Canada, will receive it already set "correctly" to a time later than his local time.

Overseas shipments are a little more complicated...:-)

Hope this clears things up a bit...

Regards, Geoff

Hi Geoff,

Can you give us a primer on how and why these changes in sound take place, and why the clock has such a long-range effect on sound? I've reviewed the discussions on this clock and have seen it in person, and I'll admit, that like many others that may be reading this thread.....I don't understand.

If I've somehow missed the explanation post, please point me over :)

[Bigerik]

Hi Geoff,

Can you give us a primer on how and why these changes in sound take place, and why the clock has such a long-range effect on sound? I've reviewed the discussions on this clock and have seen it in person, and I'll admit, that like many others that may be reading this thread.....I don't understand.

If I've somehow missed the explanation post, please point me over :)

There is a little bit of info on post #1 in this thread and some stuff scattered throughout. I am sure Geoff will chime in with even more tho.

[Negotiableterms]

I didn't take the battery out, or adjust anything. I checked to see it was running, but that was it. So... I should be OK! Whew...

[geoffkait]

The Clever Little Clock is an original concept of PWB Electronics. PWB produced a somewhat similar clock around ten years ago. The Clock I currently produce (with the permission of PWB) is an "updated" version of their original clock and takes advantage of many newer PWB concepts/products that have come along since then.

Almost without exception, the large number of PWB products that are now available - over 50 by last count - operate by affecting what I'd call "environmental" issues, i.e., things that affect the sound but that are completely external to the audio system.

For example, the most well-known PWB product is perhaps the silver foil, a very small (adhesive-backed) rectangle of metal foil (2 mm by 15 mm) that is applied to the label side of the CD. Applying the silver foil to the CD can usually be heard quite clearly as an improvement to the sound. Now, it could be argued that the silver foil is acting as a vibration damper or in some other conventional way; however, it can easily be demonstrated that this cannot be the case. Here's how: if the silver foil is applied to another CD, one that is *not* played, just sitting there on the coffee table, the sound of an *untreated* CD will be heard to improve. I.e., the silver foil applied to a "passive" CD works equally well as the foil applied to a CD in the player.

The reason I bring this up is because the silver foil is an example of a device that affects sound "remotely" - the effect of the PWB foil is due to the change in our *perception* of the sound, as opposed to any change or modification to the audio system. So, what is going on here?!

That is what is so difficult to explain. I suggest some scouting around on the PWB website; a good link to the PWB article discussing "environmental" issues was provided by someone earlier on this thread. Further information, actually a wealth of information, can be extracted from the many other articles, links to reviews, PWB Newsletters, etc. available on line at:

www.belt.demon.co.uk

Regards, Geoff at Machina Dynamica

[pqrannes]

I’ve been thinking too.

What is it with the orange dot and the 99 minutes? Where do they come from? And the biggest question: how are they related.

I specialised in math in high school but changed side and studied literature at university. Very often the combination helps me through big issues. Like the orange dot and the 99 minutes.

Do you know that the single letters of the alphabet are numbers too? In old text e.g. the Bible letters indicate numbers and holds secrete or less obvious information in that way.

The system is easy:
a=1
b=2
c=3
etc.

To get the value out of a piece of text isn’t hard:

ORANGE DOT = 15 + 18 + 1 + 14 + 7 +5 + 4 +15+ 20 = 99

And thus the connection between the orange dot and the 99 minutes is revealed.

:thmbsp: Not much magic here. Just pure logic!

Peter, Denmark

[bentpencil]

I’ve been thinking too.

What is it with the orange dot and the 99 minutes? Where do they come from? And the biggest question: how are they related.

I specialised in math in high school but changed side and studied literature at university. Very often the combination helps me through big issues. Like the orange dot and the 99 minutes.

Do you know that the single letters of the alphabet are numbers too? In old text e.g. the Bible letters indicate numbers and holds secrete or less obvious information in that way.

The system is easy:
a=1
b=2
c=3
etc.

To get the value out of a piece of text isn’t hard:

ORANGE DOT = 15 + 18 + 1 + 14 + 7 +5 + 4 +15+ 20 = 99

And thus the connection between the orange dot and the 99 minutes is revealed.

:thmbsp: Not much magic here. Just pure logic!

Peter, Denmark
:thmbsp: :thmbsp: :thmbsp: :thmbsp:

[geoffkait]

Peter, I applaud your math and logic skills. I also was a mathematician once upon a time. Now, you wouldn't know this without seeing the Clever Little Clock first hand, but in addition to the orange dot on the face of the clock there is a red dot on the back of the clock.

Using your logic, we calculate the following:

RED DOT = 18 + 5 + 4 + 4 + 15 + 20 = 66

which, of course, is the number 99 inverted.


Geoff at Machina Dynamica

[onepixel]

So are we playing math games now?

99 (red) + 99 (orange) = 198
1 + 9 + 8 = 18
18 / 2 = 9
9 x 9 = 81
8 + 1 = 9

9 in...
Norse Mythology = nine realms of existence
Greek Mythology = nine goddess (muses) that inspired art & music
Mayan Mythology = the ninth level of the underworld was is place of eternal darkness and suffering
Chinese = means good luck
Japanese = bad luck

And in German nine sounds like nein.

Does any of that mean anything?

...and Wayne Gretzky wore 99 and announced his retirement in 1999.

[Bigerik]

Thanks for all the math lessons, guys. Lets try to keep it on topic here, ok?
Thanks!

[pqrannes]

... Using your logic, we calculate the following:

RED DOT = 18 + 5 + 4 + 4 + 15 + 20 = 66

which, of course, is the number 99 inverted.


Geoff at Machina Dynamica

:lazer: Touché!

It's getting more and more logic!

Glad nothing adds up to 666 (don't even try it).

Peter, Denmark

[onepixel]

...The time displayed by the CLC should be (approx) 99 minutes ahead of EDT (Eastern Daylightsavings Time); I mispoke in my last post - I meant to say EDT not EST.

In California it's what, 8:30 AM Pacific Daylightsavings Time? Then you should set the clock for 12:09 PM.

Hope this clears things up a bit...

Regards, Geoff

Geoff,
I went to reset the CLC per your instructions. Your example time is off by a hour. Shouldn't it be 1:09 pm?

8:30 + 3 hrs + 99 minutes = 1:09 pm.

Carl

[onepixel]

Thanks for all the math lessons, guys. Lets try to keep it on topic here, ok?
Thanks!

No offense...but I thought the colored dots and the math (time) was a part of the CLC.

I don't want to take it on faith or my rampant imagination that the Clever Little Clocks works or doesn't work to make my music sound better. I want to do it right.

Cheers,
Carl

[geoffkait]

Carl - Quite right, it should have been 1:09 PM

Geoff

[geoffkait]

To all - For those who are in line to test the Clever Little Clock, I would like to remind you that the picture quality of TV and Home Theater systems is improved as well as audio systems by having the CLC in the listening room. And you should be able to observe the improvement to the picture quality even if the Video system is in a different room than the Clever Little Clock.

Also, for anyone who is not necessarily an "old hand" at testing, especially testing tweaks like the Clock, the Intelligent Chip and Brilliant Pebbles - or any other tweak or component - can I make a suggestion? It is a good idea to establish - a priori - that the audio system used for the test is in proper phase and channelization, i.e., both channels are in the correct phase throughout the system and that right/left channels are correct throughout the system. A channel can become out of phase for a number of reasons, such as inadvertently connecting any cable or interconnect + to - instead of + to +. It happens to the best of us :-) In some cases, speakers can be wired incorrectly at the factory, and should be checked with a battery to be absolutely sure.

If one or both channels are "out of phase" the resulting lack of resolution, lack of bass response and lack of overall coherence can very well make the evaluation of these tweaks difficult or impossible. The XLO Test CD or equivalent is recommended for establishing that the system is "in phase" and that channelization is consistent. The XLO Test CD has a series of short tracks for establishing correct system channelization and phase.

Thanks, Geoff at Machina Dynamica

[Negotiableterms]

For the record, my system has been analyzed for phase and time correction as part of the TacT preamp's room correction analysis. The whole thing is correctly in phase, correctly channelized, and the placement of the subs is also in phase and time-coherent. There are no significant peaks or suckouts at the listening point and the response curve is very smooth. :music:

Out of curiousity, since the CLC works on other than the system itself, would it work on headphone listening?

[luvvinvinyl]

For the record, my system has been analyzed for phase and time correction as part of the TacT preamp's room correction analysis. The whole thing is correctly in phase, correctly channelized, and the placement of the subs is also in phase and time-coherent. There are no significant peaks or suckouts at the listening point and the response curve is very smooth. :music:

Out of curiousity, since the CLC works on other than the system itself, would it work on headphone listening?
Good question!

[geoffkait]

Negotiableterms, the CLC will work with headphones; theoretically, the CLC should work with any playback system (including FM radio), whether digital or analog and whether speaker-based or headphones.

Out of curiosity, did you notice that a lot of correction was required once you began to analyze your system... I would imagine the answer is yes :-)

Regards, Geoff

[Negotiableterms]

Out of curiosity, did you notice that a lot of correction was required once you began to analyze your system... I would imagine the answer is yes :-)

No. The TacT allowed me to alter placement of the subs so that they experience the least room problems to begin with, and are in phase and time-coherent. Curiously, a shift of only a few inches made all the difference required. After that, the only correction is a 2db boost at 150Hz, which is done by a McIntosh MQ-109B.

This isn't that surprising when you consider the principles behind the Pipedreams speakers. The two towers have 18 midranges and 36 tweeters per channel, being designed to overcome room acoustics, which they do.

By selecting inputs on the MDA-1000 the TacT is left out of the signal path, and switched in only for anlaysis. It's frankly a waste of a great digital preamp, but I like the MDA-1000 and C-200 combination, and when I discovered that little correction was required, the MQ-109B was an obvious choice, since it eliminates a whole digital step.

[bentpencil]

Still trying to keep an open mind about the clock and read everyone's response, I have questions that I will reserve until the test is finished, and all of the "testers" have reported. I have gone back and read this thread several times, and need one question answered, if possible, so I can in my own mind try to understand why it may work on some systems and not on others.

Is the clock supposed to alter what our system (audio or video) emits, or does it alter what we see or hear? Is it an internal change, or an external one?

[geoffkait]

Bentpencil - The CLC operates on the way we hear sound; i.e., it's a sensory perception issue as opposed to a system issue. The problem that the CLC addresses degrades our sensory perception - both sight and vision - to some degree. Of course, we're not aware of this degradation at all since we've always lived with it. You could say that the "better" sound (or video picture) was in the room all the time, but until the CLC was brought into the room you couldn't hear (see) it properly.

Like most (all?) audio tweaks, the CLC is not a "silver bullet" and results can vary (as we've seen here). The CLC might not be heard in some systems, even extremely good systems, for any number of reasons.

Regards, Geoff

[bentpencil]

That I understand. Thanks.

[Grainger49]

Bentpencil - The CLC operates on the way we hear sound; i.e., it's a sensory perception issue as opposed to a system issue. The problem that the CLC addresses degrades our sensory perception - both sight and vision - to some degree. Of course, we're not aware of this degradation at all since we've always lived with it. You could say that the "better" sound (or video picture) was in the room all the time, but until the CLC was brought into the room you couldn't hear (see) it properly.

Like most (all?) audio tweaks, the CLC is not a "silver bullet" and results can vary (as we've seen here). The CLC might not be heard in some systems, even extremely good systems, for any number of reasons.

Regards, Geoff

This is very interesting. :scratch2: I find it appealing on a philosophical level.

In 1971 I got my Psychology degree, but couldn't make a decent living. In 1979 I got my EE degree. But I never was good at Philosophy.

I DO look forward to my audition.

:thmbsp: :thmbsp: :thmbsp:

[chrisf]

Hey Eric,how about a post as to who has what tweek o we at least have some idea where we stand on the list?Do we have one for the members north of the border and one of each for south of the border(us).If possible that might speed things up some.Just a thought if Jeff and everyone agrees.












/

[ozmoid]

The CLC and intellichip(s) arrived Friday, thanks NT.

I casually took the shipping box home and just set it in the music room, with lots of other matters on my mind beyond testing. Cranked up some "We're home, get to work" music, and forgot all about it until later that night.

That's when I realized that the CLC was "doing it's thing", whether I had unpacked it from the shipping container or not. I had not been doing any critical listening prior to that time (had in fact been in other parts of house, the music was just a dim backdrop). So here's what I decided to do:

Working under the assumption it is easier to hear an incremental change for the worse over an incremental change for the better, I have left the CLC alone since it arrived, and have been listening to a 'control' track each night at least twice - once critically, once for enjoyment. Tomorrow, my wife and I will be home for about two hours in the afternoon unencumbered by children. At that time, I'll have her moving in and out of the house with the CLC, and we'll both keep track. I'll see if I can score better than average!

[whell]

Tomorrow, my wife and I will be home for about two hours in the afternoon unencumbered by children. At that time, I'll have her moving in and out of the house with the CLC, and we'll both keep track. I'll see if I can score better than average!

Thank God that some of us have very patient, loving wives who are supportive of the sometimes bizzare behavior associated with our hobby. You're a lucky man, Ozmoid!

[GaryP]

Thank God that some of us have very patient, loving wives who are supportive of the sometimes bizzare behavior associated with our hobby.

Or we'd be dead.... :sigh:


You're a lucky man, Ozmoid!

He is! Actually, I think we all are in a way.... or we'd be dead.

;)

[ozmoid]

I have been listening to my "control track" at least once every day with the CLC in the room. Wednesday fell through, but I kept plugging and today we got to do the blind test.

Out of 10 trys, I was wrong 8 times.

I picked a particularly difficult track, Levon off Madman across the Water by Elton John, SACD Hybrid. I'm using the CD track. There is an acoustic guitar buried in the right channel doubling the piano that is difficult to pick out, and there are some subtle effects on Elton's voice in the first verse.

What is interesting to me is that the 2 correct guesses were the second and last, and the other 8 were all exactly wrong. :scratch2: I had changed my answer on the first two after listening to the third. So it seems I can pick out the CLC with more accuracy than random chance, but my mental "music processor" seems to like the room better without the CLC.

The main things I was hearing were a slightly better resolution of the guitar line in otherwise "busy" musical patches, and a cleanness to the organ in the opening. Both effects were extremely subtle, and took very critical listening to discern. Kind of like trying catch fog in your hand. Both seemed to happen with the CLC out of the room.

The CLC was removed to the yard, about 10 feet from the house. I was not visually or aurally able to detect when my wife replaced/removed the CLC while the test was taking place.

I did a non-blind test earlier in the week, and tried to identify what the CLC was doing, and had no luck. I could not convince myself that there was any appreciable difference in the audio. My ears in the test tonight seemed to hear a difference, it just wasn't the result I expected. I don't know if 10 trials constitutes a conclusive test, but I'll be putting the CLC in the mail Monday for the next member. Somebody PM me an Address!

[Bigerik]

Interesting, Ozmoid.
Don't know what to make of it. Sounds like it was doing something but just not what you expected. Weird!
I appreciate your review. More grist for the mill!

[onepixel]

By the way I sent the CLC I had off to arm013 over a week ago via Express mail.

[geoffkait]

I can do better than that - here's a picture of 9 of 'em:

www.machinadynamica.com/machina41.htm


Geoff Kait at Machina Dynamica

[geoffkait]

Hot off the press! - Positive Feedback Online's Brutus Awards for 2006 just posted. Guess which product made the list? (blush)

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue28/brutus.htm

Regards, Geoff
Machina Dynamica

[Bigerik]

Congrats!
Nice to get some recognition in the press I am sure!
:thmbsp:

[Grainger49]

I have gott'a ask, do I have to leave the clock blinking, or can I set to the proper time.

My name is Grainger and I am a compulsive.

[geoffkait]

Grainger49 - The clock display should not be blinking; please set the time to about 2 hours later than your local time -- I.e., the clock should not be set to the "proper" time. You will have trouble seeing the minutes behind the orange dot, but you can get close enough by setting "Hour" to be 2 later than your local time. To set the time, turn knob on front of clock to "Time Set" position. This setting (of 2 hours later than local time) will be OK for all testers in the US and Canada.

For example, if it's 8:45 PM where you're located, set the Hour for 10, and don't worry about setting Minutes -- Make sure that "PM" is displayed in upper left corner of the display. After setting the clock, turn knob all the way to the far right position.

Geoff

[Grainger49]

Geoff,

I read this in the e-mail, but should have thanked you when it was posted. I'll remember this time.

Thanks,

[geoffkait]

Grainger49 - I should have pointed out the reason that setting the Clever Little Clock two hours and some-odd minutes later than *your local time* will be OK for all subsequent Mr. Clock testers is that I noticed you live in Knoxville, TN, which is EST. Thus, all future CLC testers - whether they reside in EST, MST or PST time zones, will receive the Clever Little Clock set for a time that is *later than their local time* (and won't have to go through the somewhat tedious excercise of re-setting the clock).

Regards, Geoff

[Clarence]

bigerik, is it too late to be placed on the list for the clc? :yes:

[Grainger49]

From what I see on the 9th page, one CLC was sent to arm013 the first week in October.

I don't see a review. Was it received? Was it reviewed? If so, where?

Can Eric find the two clocks and tell us where they are?

Sorry to be a pain but the review samples have disappeared, all of them!

[Clarence]

LOL!

I think the conclusion was reached.

No sweat!

[Grainger49]

LOL!

I think the conclusion was reached.

No sweat!

You have missed the point. The clocks only made part of the rounds. Reviewers who wanted to hear for themselves were not given the opportunity.

Your name wasn't on the list.

[Clarence]

You have missed the point. The clocks only made part of the rounds. Reviewers who wanted to hear for themselves were not given the opportunity.

Your name wasn't on the list.

No, I understand the situation, but gleaned through reading the reviews that I am not missing much.

Thanks

[Grainger49]

No, I understand the situation, but gleaned through reading the reviews that I am not missing much.

Thanks

And, yet, you asked to be added to the list?????

[Clarence]

I requested to be added before I completely read all of the threads on these products.

Hence the enthusiasm in my original post.

[titanstats]

:lurk:

[Grainger49]

Ok, I have tested the clock. I brought it in the house and the reception on the big screen looked better. Took it out (6' away from the house in the yard), and the reception didn't get worse. It seems that was my imagination.

Then I listened to my test tracks, brought the CLC inside, and sat it on the Creek remote volume control. No change. Took it out, brought it,m in took it out, brought it in. Each time listening to the test track I couldn't hear any difference.

So my conclusion is no conclusion. I can't say the clock doesn't do anything, but I can say it doesn't do anything in my system that I can hear.

Thanks to Geoff for being a spectacular sport in all of this.

[TheAnalogman]

Can I try this clock thingy?

[Bigerik]

Can I try this clock thingy?

Sorry to tell you, but the test is over.
We might have some more interesting stuff in the future, so keep and eye on things here.