Intelligent Chip GSIC-30 test info and reviews

[Bigerik]

Intelligent Chip GSIC-30 (treats up to 33 CDs, DVDs or SACDs).
Machina Dynamica now carries the amazing Intelligent Chip, an emerging technology device that improves CD sound quality in the blink of an eye. The Intelligent Chip is a thin, 1-inch square orange wafer that automatically upgrades any CD/DVD/SACD disc when the Chip is placed momentarily on the top surface of the player while the disc is playing. The sound of the upgraded disc more closely resembles the sound of a remastered version -- with less congestion, more information, greater dynamic range and more air! The disc upgrade is virtually instantaneous - and is permanent.
More info is available at MD's website at: http://www.machinadynamica.com/machina64.htm

Signed up for this one are:
1) Gary P
2) Arm013
3) Ozmoid
4) Holst
5) Army
6) Tedrick
7) Negotiableterms
8) Sansui Louie
9) Grainger 49
10) ChrisF
11) Dnewma04
12) Theodoric
13) Tonedeaf

Again, anyone missed here?

[Grainger49]

We better keep a CD/DVD/SACD count on this one. Looks like the limit is 33, and as written, "Up to 33CD/DVD/SACDs," it could be less.

[geoffkait]

Notes on Intelligent Chip: The Intelligent Chip is capable of upgrading 30 to 33 or 34 discs (CD,SACD, DVD), provided care has been taken to prevent loss of "power" of the chip. To maintain longevity of the Intelligent Chip, the orange wafer should always be stored in its plastic case when not in use. The plastic case contains thin sheets of clear polycarbonate that help shield the active material inside the orange wafer from infrared light (produced by laser of the player, sunlight, even room lighting). Also, the chip in its case should be kept a safe distance from the CD player when not in use.

To upgrade a disc, remove the orange wafer from the plastic case and place the orange wafer on top of the CD player above the transport section. Insert disc to be upgraded into player and push "PLAY" - allow disc to play for about 2 seconds. The disc will then be fully upgraded. The orange Chip can be left on top of the player if you wish to continue upgrading additional discs; otherwise, remove orange wafer and return it to the protective plastic case.

[Huck]

Hi: I am on the list for the Clever Little Clock and I was wondering if I should
be using the clock together with the chip to benefit? Thanks, Huck

[luvvinvinyl]

Huck, just so you know, for the purposes of this tweak test and review, Bigerik has requested that reviewers only use one item at a time, so that any changes that you hear can be directly and definitely attributed to the item in question. I'll let Geoff answer the question wrt your own system, after any testing.

[Huck]

Sorry! I do recall reading that, Thanks,Huck

[luvvinvinyl]

No problem. I'm sure that Geoff will still answer your question, when he returns.

[geoffkait]

Huck - Bigerik is correct, the items sent out are (1) mutually exclusive (i.e., operate independently from each other) and (2) for test purposes should be evaluated one at a time.

WRT your general question, the answer is yes, the clock and a chip-upgraded disc should provide sound quality beyond either one alone -- the reason I say "should" is that results for any item under eval can vary quite a bit from system to system for any number of reasons. I.e., they are not "silver bullets."

~ Geoff at Machina Dynamica

[GaryP]

Originally Posted by geoffkait

Notes on Intelligent Chip: The Intelligent Chip is capable of upgrading 30 to 33 or 34 discs (CD,SACD, DVD), provided care has been taken to prevent loss of "power" of the chip. To maintain longevity of the Intelligent Chip, the orange wafer should always be stored in its plastic case when not in use. The plastic case contains thin sheets of clear polycarbonate that help shield the active material inside the orange wafer from infrared light (produced by laser of the player, sunlight, even room lighting). Also, the chip in its case should be kept a safe distance from the CD player when not in use.

To upgrade a disc, remove the orange wafer from the plastic case and place the orange wafer on top of the CD player above the transport section. Insert disc to be upgraded into player and push "PLAY" - allow disc to play for about 2 seconds. The disc will then be fully upgraded. The orange Chip can be left on top of the player if you wish to continue upgrading additional discs; otherwise, remove orange wafer and return it to the protective plastic case.

Thank you! I was worried about "over upgrading" or somehow wearing it out before I sent it to the next tester.

I have been considering what CD to select and I think it should be a CD that I have two of. Something that I really like, is well recorded and especially well mastered. Hmmmm, I have a few to choose from....

Geoff, does this make sense to you? Any other suggestions?

[geoffkait]

Gary, you make a good point, since once you've upgraded the CD you cannot go back and listen to it as it sounded before treatment. You could select a CD you're very familiar with, one that you've listened to a lot before using the IC. Then, the effect of the chip should be easier to hear. As you suggested, another good approach is to have two identical discs - say two that were burned from an original CD. Then you would be free to A/B until you "keyed in on" the IC's effect. (This is how we demo'd the IC at CES last year.) Also, you can make the test blind, if desired, using the 2 identical CD scenario.

~ Geoff

[Grainger49]

Originally Posted by GaryP

. . . or somehow wearing it out before I sent it to the next tester. . . .

Wouldn't that make it a strong suggestion for testers to make note of the numbers of disks that were upgraded? With a maximum of 34 disks, the number could be exceeded before the end of the list is reached.

Not to mention, those who are not careful about replacing the chip after use will reduce the maximum number of disks that could be upgraded.

[geoffkait]

To Group - There is now a more effective and more reliable method for using the IC. While the IC on top of the player method is OK and usually produces good results, I feel this new method is superior and more reliable.


Machina Dynamica's Special Method for Using the Intelligent Chip Inside the Player

1. Pop open the orange wafer with a razor blade or thin knife blade.

2. Remove the thin green sheet 1"x1" with 3 small metallic dots in the center. The GSIC-30 contains 3 silver dots located in the center of the green sheet. (The GSIC-10 contains only 1 dot)

3. The green sheet w/ dots will be placed on the inside "lip" of the CD tray, directly below the CD to be treated; thus, the green sheet with dots will be INSIDE the player when the CD to be treated is playing.

4. Open the CD player drawer and place the 1x1 green sheet on the recessed inner lip of the CD tray, shiny side of the dots up. To prevent the green sheet from falling into the inside of the player when you play a CD, use clear Scotch tape to hold the green sheet to the inner lip of the CD tray. NOTE: The green sheet cannot be allowed to interfere with the operation of the transport spindle, and can be trimmed a bit on all sides to around 3/4 x 3/4 to avoid the possibility of contact with the spindle mechanism.

5. Place the CD to be treated on the CD tray as usual, covering the green sheet.

6. Play the CD for one or two seconds. The CD is now treated. You can keep the green sheet in place on the CD tray and continue to treat additional CDs, or remove the green sheet and return it to the Protective Plastic Case.


Regards, Geoff at Machina Dynamica

[GaryP]

That method seens scary to me.... the old method still works, right?

[GaryP]

Originally Posted by Grainger49

Wouldn't that make it a strong suggestion for testers to make note of the numbers of disks that were upgraded? With a maximum of 34 disks, the number could be exceeded before the end of the list is reached.

Not to mention, those who are not careful about replacing the chip after use will reduce the maximum number of disks that could be upgraded.

Yes - I will include a tracking sheet with the I Chip. Everyone should initial and date it* so we can see when it "expires".



Gary

* Dating the IC is just for curiosity purposes....

[geoffkait]

The original method is still effective in most systems. Just not to the degree of the new method.