Virtual Salon

Linipur Video

I wanted to take a moment to address our Linipur Video .  In watching the video I realize that we have not completely helped you to understand what the problem is in using stranded audio cable, so I wanted to take a moment and help you understand just a little better, what we are trying to explain.  First, it might be important for you to think about how many times a driver modulates per second and what it takes to get accuracy from an audio system.  Let's say that we are trying to recreate 20,000 hertz.  In order to recreate this frequency we need to accurately move a diaphragm 20,000 times per second.  One modulation too many, or one modulation too few, and you have not hit your mark, meaning that you have not accurately reproduced this tone.

So how does that relate?  Here is what we are trying to explain.  Imagine a single modulation of a driver, like the very first outward movement in the goal for 20,000 driver modulations per second.  If this frequency was coming from the CD player and then split into several different conductive pathways, like those found in all stranded cables, the positive charge of the AC waveform that is first flowing through is going to find several different conductors, all with different resistances, unless they are superconductors it is almost unthinkable that any two conductors, no matter how hard we might try, could be exactly the same in resistance, nor is it reasonable to suggest that any two millimeters, centimeters or meters of even the same conductor would have exactly the same resistance, so, back to our conductor and our signal.  The signal flows through each conductor at a slightly varying speed, this is part of what resistance is known to do, change speed.  That one little push represented by a small amount of electrical energy in a very fast and short burst may be traveling through thirty different conductors, and therefore, 30 different routes to get to its destination, the pre-amp. 

To make an analogy, it would be like going from north to south New York, down 30 different routes.  All of them will eventually get you to south New York, but each route will take a different period of time based on how many traffic lights, how many cars, pedestrians, whether it is a highway, or a city street, bridges, and maybe even the odd traffic jam.  Understand that electrons certainly encounter every bit as much of a unique circumstance moving through each of the conductors as what we explained in New York traffic.

So what we are defining for you is a simple understanding of why this first signal is going to have a problem being accurate.  Once you split the signal up into 30 different conductors you have created 30 different smaller versions of the original signal that all have to follow a different route and endure different circumstances (or resistance) to get to their destination.  What comes into the next component, let's say the pre-amp, is 30 separate signals.  Se your preamp doesn't understand, or care, that you think it is only one signal, it simply processes all 30 and outputs them once again, one after the other.

Immediately behind this signal to push the driver forward is the signal that will be telling the driver to come back, so we'll come back to this thought.  As the signal leaving the pre-amplifier enters the next conductor, and let's say it has 30 strands, the first signal of the 30 that arrived from the CD player, will enter into each and every one of the 30 new conductors from pre-amp to power amp, the second signal that was slightly behind the first, also enters into all 30, in fact, in their turn all 30 of the first 30 signals enter into the next 30 conductors, building 900 new signals.

The first one to arrive at the power amplifier will be the one that came down the most conductive pathway from CD to pre-amp, and then found the most conductive strand in the next interconnect, from pre-amp to power amp, and it will be activating the transistor with a positive charge, telling them to send the positive position of the AC waveform down the wire, the next will come down the second most conductive pathway from cd player to pre-amplifier, down the most conductive pathway from pre-amp to amplifier and so on and so forth, until all 900 have finally arrived.  But remember, now, that that negative was right behind, and it of course it too followed down the most conductive conductor of the first thirty, to most conductive conductor of the next thirty , and while the first 900 signals of positive are making their way through negative signals are already beginning their trip.  The conflict becomes the greatest when these confused signals are activating both the positive and negative transistors at the same time.  This is also true for tubes.  When a positive transistor is charged as well as the negative transistor, the push will be the sum of whatever the negative transistor is taking away from the positive transistor.  This is know as intermodulation, or non-linear distortion.  Because of the confusing signals and the time delay and the resistive values being built by igniting both the push and the pull transistors at the same time, it is not possible to not affect the sound of the audio system, because the  original signal has been changed, and will never be the same again.

Of course, this is even far more complicated than what I have explained, but it is simple and gets straight to the facts, and the fact is, that although cables can change the sound, are they honestly making the sound better?  You have to know enough about conductors to be able to decide this, so we decided to try and help.  Using this method of carrying the signal of course it is highly unlikely, unless the conductors were all superconductors with no resistance, that we could create the exact 20,000 hertz signal that we were trying to create.

If you still don't quite get this, we would be happy to explain it more over the phone.  Give us a call so we can tell you more about Linipur, and our solutions to this problem.

Keep your ears tuned,

Rick Schultz

Blog Revived!

Hello everyone.  For those of you who had entertained our blogs, welcome back.  For those of you that are new, welcome.  I am Rick Schultz, company President, and designer of Virtual Dynamics audio cables.

I thought I would start off with a little background for you of what Virtual Dynamics is.  We commonly get confused with high-end audio cable companies, and rightly so, as our main product that you would observe, indeed, replaces a typical audio cable.

For many years, I was an aspiring audiophile, looking for that next product that would better the sound quality of my audio system, but it needed to be something that I could afford and that really would make a positive difference.

Virtual Dynamics was born out of that desire. 

My goal was to actually improve an audio component through applied technologies. Today, the ways that we try to achieve this have become too numerous to mention, but our first focus was on understanding how vibrations would interact with the performance of audio equipment.  By this I mean, if you change the way that vibrations behave in audio components, you change the sound of your system.  By this time, I rarely meet a person who is not aware of this already through some means, or some company, whether it be racks, cones, cups or some sort of device to plant your gear on, but when I first started, this idea was very new.  That was about 6 years ago.

I'll add, at that point in time most everyone I talked to had not tried an aftermarket power cord, with an elect few having enough daring to throw some money in the power cord direction and see if change could be had.

Again today, it would be pretty obvious that most everyone in high-end audio has experienced and likely owns some sort of aftermarket powercord.

So, times change, and people who used to think that it was impossible for a cable to change the sound of their audio system, just a few years back, people just like myself, have become aware that audio has room to grow and new doors will open to us, even if we don't initially believe it.

Virtual Dynamics, as a company, has always kept an open, investigative commitment to understanding WHY these changes might take place.   First, and foremost, we are interested in the very basis of science,  and the basis of science starts with an observation.

Like Tweety, the young bird, who "tawt he taw a putty tat" and was in doubt of himself until he was able to look and observe again, and with all certainty, that he did, he did indeed, see a putty tat.

Now, honestly, who the $#^% are we to say he didn't, just because we personally don't believe in "putty tats."

Do you know that this argument, is actually, at it's core, an explanation for the very foundation of science itself, and more scientific a response than many of us who have sworn "that couldn't make a difference."  All we are saying, when we exclaim our disbelief for poor old Tweety bird and his observation of a putty tat, is that I do not trust that he is honest, and in fact some people simply cannot put any faith into the poor Tweety bird.

Our lack of faith in Tweety is not a scientific reason, in fact is not a reason at all, for why Tweety bird could not have seen a putty tat. 

I hope you are following me, because as you read through most people who are still skeptic about advancements in audio technology are often unaware that they are making statements like this:  Tweety, although you have many times explained to me that you thought you saw a putty tat, I never have.  Yes indeed Gramma will back you up, but I'm sure she's only saying that because she loves you.  Oh, and that big dog, who also agrees that, indeed, a putty tat has been stalking you,  I don't find him credible either.  Dogs are known to be liars and make up big stories.  Didn't you know?  In fact, of all of the hundreds of cartoon animals, animators and millions of people who have watched the show, and say, "yes indeed tweety, that was a putty tat you saw, I saw him too,"  I think they are all liars. And furthermore, if I ever watched your show, which I never will, because I believe the whole thing is a hoax, it will only prove the point I already know and have made up my mind firmly about, "There is no damn putty tat!"

So, what has this got to do with audio?   We don't know how many thousands of people have already observed that cables make a difference, we do know that science  and the scientific body, accepts  that any reasonable person observing would make for a credible witness.  So the thousands  become an incredible testimony to what science now gives as solid observation.

Remember, it would take just one.

One lab tech observing a cancer cell being repaired would be enough to start a whole world of change, if only we could understand why.  In the audio argument too often we've doubted the lab tech's observation.  We would go to great lengths to help verify and recreate this observation.  Why is it that in audio we go to such great lengths to accuse the poor lab tech, even though thousands upon thousands have reported hearing the exact same thing.  Isn't it time we move on?

By whatever means we have at our disposal, let's investigate why we observe these differences.  Virtual Dynamics started with this idea and continues today to be enthralled with observing, and sharing with others the observations.  We are committed to understanding why we have observed, and even if we don't believe in putty tats, and I must admit, sometimes we are skeptical, if by chance I hear any little bird calling, I want an opportunity to see for myself.  I want to be found being wise, in at least taking a look.

I have that in my power, and I realize that it is my responsibility.  I challenge that if making your audio system better is your desire, or you are open to the idea and would simply like to know, put skepticism behind you and observe for yourself.  You never know when you are going to get your first look, that moment where you may exclaim "oh my goodness, there really is a putty tat.  There was a putty tat all along."

In closing ,for today, let me add that there is a time to be skeptical.  We want to verify that the lab tech saw something repeatable and real.  That Tweety wasn't just imagining things, because yes, that can happen, but even by the time that Gramma and the fierce bulldog corroborate poor Tweety's story we have pretty credible grounds, and maybe even enough evidence to win this argument in court, because one person's lack of observing is not greater than 2 people's observation.  It has become majority rules, and by far the majority has ruled, that it is a little late to be a skeptic for audio cables making a difference today.  Sales from high end audio cables number in the millions, if not billions,  of dollars per year, and continue to grow.  It is a little  late , in fact by several years, to be a nay-sayer now.

So we invite you, give it a try and see what everybody is ranting about.

Keep your ears tuned,

Rick Schultz

The Youngest Audiophile in Norway . . . Uses Genesis Cables?

With a picture like this I had to post this testimonial!

This review comes to us all the way from Norway.  On Audiogon, there is also a thread about this system with more pictures.  It's beautiful, and you should take a peek. 

"After just one day of burn in the Genesis interconnect has made me rediscovering my music collection.  Everything is a lot better, definition, soundstage, seperation and a lot less noise.

One of my favorite discs is the Helsinki concert from Frank Zappa`s " You Can`t Do That On Stage Anymore" series. This is not an audiophile recording by any stretch of the imagination, however playing it  after installing the Genesis it was like not only hearing it for the first time, I was there!

Each member of the 5 piece ensemble had its own space within a 3 dimensional soundstage, audience noise which before was either inaudible or sounding like pink noise was now transformed into a cheering and whistling crowd.

This is going to be a pleasurable break in process."

Atle Blekastad

Thanks again Atle, for sending us an update with the great photo!

-Jeff

Wireless Electricity - the end of the audio cable industry?

Dubbed WiTricity, MIT scientists have powered a 60 watt bulb using "specially tuned waves" - without a physical connection - from 7 feet away.  Not a new idea if you're a Nikola Tesla fan.

At only 40-45% efficient, the project is still in its infancy and must evolve big-time before boasting any practical uses.

Imminent doom for the cable industry?  Not if history has anything to do with it. 

Here's a challenge for our blog readers, and I'm willing to put an investment in to make this a little more interesting.  Say, a free Power One Power Cord (take that, WiTricity!) valued at $571 CAN?  Here's the challenge.  Find us ONE example of a technology that is no longer obtainable, or in use somewhere/somehow.

According to Kevin Kelly, exec editor of Wired magazine, you won't be able to find an example.  Reportedly he has spent much time and effort researching this very thesis, he wonders if "Technology is the 7th Kingdom of Life".

I think hi-end audio is a great example; look how many audiophiles are using turntables, where the majority of the world would question why they would waste time with such old technology?

So, I'll throw a Power One in the mix if you can help me find an example.

Back to wireless electricity.  At Virtual Dynamics the value of energy efficiency is non-negotiable; until wireless electricity can compete with the efficiency of our LiniPur conductors, we believe audiophiles will continue to flock to our fat power cords.

That being said, we strongly believe that technology has many more marvels up its sleeve, and when a better sounding solution comes across our path (with our R&D investments we hope to be the ones to discover it!) we'll be among the first to be using it!

So, WiTricity . . . ARE YOU ASKING FOR A CHALLENGE?!?

:D - Jeff

 

Zu Audio Phono Pickup

As someone who is easily swayed by aesthetic (an admitted weakness, although it landed me a beautiful wife), this picture has got my attention.  If this pickup sounds half cool as it looks . . . it will hopefully find a resting place on my Rega P3.  According to their blog,its priced at a reasonable $399 USD and is:

"Based on the legendary Denon DL-103­—nuded, with machined body, dual compound epoxy potted motor assembly and body, increased weight and machined directly into body EIA standard two hole mounting."

Unfortunately I haven't been exposed to analog long enough to have any experience with the Denon DL-103, so I won't string you along with some profound insight about this.

Zu Audio has definitely got an eye for design, I also enjoy the look of their top-of-the-line Zu Ibis speaker cables that are currently on my system at home.  To their credit they sound as good as they look, which surprised me considering my penchant for copper conductors - there must be something about their B3 technology.  One of our customers traded them in for Virtual Dynamics cables, so I took them home to try out.  Now, before you think I'm now being paid to market Zu, let me point out that I found the performance comparable to our entry level Testament Series, which at $685 for 2m are $382 cheaper than the Ibis at today's exchange rate.

Anyway, here's the nitty gritty on the pickup, let me know if you've got any experience with the Denon . . .

Bandwidth: 15 Hz — 45 kHz
Output: 0.3 mV
Impedance: 40 Ω (± 2 Ω)
Compliance: 5 x 10 -6 cm/dyne
Weight: 14 grams (includes mounting screws)
Stylus Pressure: 2.7 grams @ 70˚F for wide dynamic range media
Recommended Resistive Load: 80 — 150 Ohms
Recommended Resistive Load:
Stylus: diamond, crystal aligned, conical cut (more on this later-like why this is better than "Deeper in the groove" skinny ass needles
Warranty: 5-year limited, does not cover busted cantilevers...

-Jeff

 

Luminance Monoblock Stats - WOW!

Steve Keiser, the legendary circuit designer, has asked us to share some of the stats of the forthcoming Luminance Monoblocks . . . to see if "we can entice some folks".  Entice?  We're going to have to ship a Luminance bib with these amps.  There's also a VERY interesting tie-in to audio cable construction.

The highlights:

• Power Output: 450 watts into 8 ohms, 900 watts into 4 ohms, 1200 watts into 2 ohms.  Able to drive 4 pairs of speakers per channel.
• Slew Rate: 600 volts/microsecond (um, wow.)
• Distortion: Less than 0.1% . . . at any power level, at any frequency.
• Frequency Response: DC to 1 Megahertz.
• Current Output: 40 amps peak to peak.
• Signal to Noise Ratio: 130dB below full power.
• Efficiency: 94%
• Damping Factor: 3000* ?!?

A damping factor of 3000?  Here's the interesting tie-in to audio cable construction - the damping factor varies according to conductor.  The amps measure 3000 . . . with a 6 gauge solid core conductor, which coincidentally is what we use in our Genesis Series cables.  Using a 14 gauge solid core conductor, the damping factor drops to half of that, 1500.  With a 12 gauge, stranded conductor, the damping factor drops to 250!

We're not surprised, you can watch a video about how Virtual Dynamics chooses conductors here. 

Just what is "damping factor"?  Here's a short excerpt from www.classic-audio.com:

"If you don't understand basic electric current and voltage, let's just say that damping factor is a figure of merit that tells you how good an amplifier is at controlling a speaker system. The larger the number, the better it is. At 100 or above, it's pretty darned good. Below 20 or so, it's pretty poor.

When one amplifier's damping factor is higher than another's, that tells you that the amplifier with the higher damping factor can better control the speaker systems, and all other things being equal (frequency response, phase shift, distortion, etc.) that it is a better amplifier."

Ok.  So 3000 should be decent.

So when is this premonition going to appear on the scene, or better yet, in your listening room?  At what cost?  These are questions I don't have firm answers for.  How "enticed" are you?  If you are interested in getting your hands on some of the first, please give us a call or email and let us know.  The more interest there is, the sooner we'll be able to bring them out.  What will they cost?  I can offer one guarantee, it's not going to be ridiculously cheap like the KST-150.  What were they thinking with that one??  I hope by now you've had a chance to read Sam Tellig's article in Stereophile about the KST-150, and how it would receive the attention it deserves if it was priced at $18,000. 

By the way, we still have a few remaining units of the loss-leader KST-150 if you're in the market for the world's best stereo amp under $3000.

If you're on the geeky side, you'll enjoy reading about Steve Keiser's design philosophies at Dagogo.com.

-Jeff

Putting $2000 Tires on a $2000 Car

I should create a new category on this blog: The Objections Graveyard.

I would officially like to bury the following objection in, "The Objections Graveyard".

I can't tell you how many times this analogy has come up (and understandably so) when audiophiles inquire about hi-end audio cables. 

"It doesn't make any sense to put $2000 tire on a $2000 car.  You will only see marginal improvements in the performance, and you would achieve more performance for your dollar if you invested in a better car.  Why should I put an expensive cable on my modest system?"

I completely understand where this comes from, the question behind the analogy is a valid one.  Unless you have been exposed to the transformational effect of Virtual Dynamics cabling, our claims MUST trigger doubts!

However valid this example may be with cars (and perhaps a hi-end tire manufacturer would disagree) we are not talking about cars and tires!  If you absolutely must remain in this analogy, then yes, our claim is that if you put $2000 tires (Virtual Dynamics cables) on your $2000 car (audio system) you are going to be amazed at the improved speed, handling, comfort, noise level, and performance of your car.  I know it's a difficult pill to swallow, but its a risk we're asking audiophiles to take, and a risk our customers have been gleeful that they took.  We even remove the risk to the best of our abilities with our Auditory Bliss Guarantee.

Whatever wisdom may be true in automotive-land, may not necessarily transfer to audiophilia.  All analogies break down at some point, but allow me to propose a new analogy.

In Formula One racing, what performance difference would there be between a high-octane, performance grade rocket fuel (ok, I know nothing about race cars) and purple farm fuel that's been contaminated by rainwater and sand?  I bet it's profound. 

What performance improvement would you notice in your $2000 1982 VW car if you switched from sand/water contaminated fuel to even a decent quality fuel from your local gas station?  It would be going from a broken car to one that does the job.

This is our claim.  Most cable designs are broken, contaminating your system with non-linear distortion and mechanical vibration.  Even modest systems will benefit mightily from a proper supply of power that is not introducing harmful effects.  Virtual Dynamics offers products that range from a good quality fuel source, to a special blend of rocket fuel that must be experienced to be believed.

May ye R.I.P, tire/car objection.  :)

-Jeff

Return of the Going, Going, Gone Event!

You're favorite sales event is back!  Prices are falling daily; up to 70% off our newest cables!  Check it out.

Save over 55% on Power One!

You asked for it, you got it.  We've extended the Power 1 Sale until June 1st!  Get the low-down on what this cable has to offer your system.

Top 3 Reason's NOT to Buy Virtual Dynamics Cables

1. The cables are heavy, stiff, large, and a bear to install.  In a word, 'user-UN-friendly'.

- By their very nature, Virtual Dynamics' technologies are space-consuming and dense.  LiniPur conductors, Dynamic Filtering, Rare-Earth Magnets: they are all big and heavy.  And it only gets worse as you move up to their best offerings.

2. Slow turn-around and delivery.

- Expect to wait 4-6 weeks for your precious leviathan.  These are handmade cables with blood, sweat, and tears invested into them.  Our small size does not allow us to stock a large inventory - cables are custom built to YOUR specifications when you order.

3. Expensive.

- Handmade in Canada, fair wages for employees, locally sourced talent, direct supervision of the manufacturing process, high overhead (do you have any idea what it costs to heat a 6000 square foot facility when it's -40?), and did we mention fair wages for employees?  Our budget also reflects the high value we place on innovation.  Our R&D investment is rather large, and our clients are funding this endeavor (to be the best in the world). We're talking about a financially inefficient manufacturing approach.  High on quality . . . efficiency?  Not so much.

Top 3 Reason's TO Buy Virtual Dynamics Cables

1. You want the best audio & video cables in the world.

- We've heard this stated thousands and thousands of times by audiophiles like yourself and well respected industry professionals.  To the point where we're becoming quite bold about it; what these products will do for an audio/video system is unreal, they are the best in the world.  Our R&D budget reflects our commitment to this claim.

2. Sales people who will care more about your system's performance than selling cables.  They might even care about You.

- When you phone or email Virtual Dynamics, our first agenda is to make a friend.  Next we'll want to make your system sound better.  Sometimes we can provide you with a cable to take your system farther than you've ever imagined.

3. Sleep better at night.

- Social Entrepreneurship is the term which embodies the Virtual Dynamics mission.  Simply put, our bottom line is not a dollar figure.   It's the well-being of our employees, the environment, our local community, our clients, and the hi-fi industry.  In whatever we do our goal is to enrich everything and everyone we interact with.  We haven't arrived in this regard, but we're striding towards this lofty goal.  The almighty dollar is not the trump card in our decision making process - we're joining the growing social revolution that does not invest in products, but in HOW a product is made.

Accusations fly in the world of hi-end audio cables.  "Highway robbery operation"?  We prefer the term, "Operation: Robin Hood".  Tooting our own horn?  We hope its a tune you can dance to!

We are extremely grateful for an economic system that allows us to participate in the marketplace and show off our talents.  We're extremely grateful to our clients who have given us the opportunity to prove ourselves.  Thank you for overlooking the first three points of this post, and placing your values in the last three.  You are truly unique and your influence can change the world! 

In the end Virtual Dynamics cables are not for everyone, so we highlight these points to determine the profile of a Virtual Dynamics client.  Could you be one?

-Jeff