So, they don't look much. But looks can be deceiving. We are not asking you to take our word for it - we will send you a free sample, yours to keep with absolutely no obligation. Click here for details
We are absolutely sure that these magical devices work. How can we be so sure? Because we blind test them, both against dummy devices, and against earlier versions (to be sure that the newer one is actually an improvement). We recommend that you try blind testing them as well. This page explains how.
The Origins of BlackDiscus
I've been playing around with audio for the last 40 years. I'm an engineer (electronic and software) by trade, and I have designed and built various audio components for a long time (amps, speakers, DACs, even a turntable). I was playing around with something, not related to audio particularly, and I wondered whether this item might have an effect on my system, say if I put it on top of the mains transformer, etc.
I put the item on my coffee table and proceeded to select some music and play "without" the item in place. However, much to my surprise, I could already hear a difference. Astonished I removed the item from the room and the effect vanished. I repeated this many times over the next few weeks, always with the same result - during the day when I thought about it, I decided it could not work. But when I tried it, I changed my mind. It always worked. I managed to determine that the item could be stopped by putting it in a metal box or tin. A big clue.
After some weeks of casual experimentation I decided to get serious and blind test the effect. I am only too aware of the tricks your mind can play on you when it comes to hearing and aural memory. I found that I could easily pick the effect from the dummy in blind tests. So this lead to months of experimentation and development.
Looking back I wonder that I managed to hear the original effect, so small it is in comparison to the current devices.
Using BlackDiscus Devices
BlackDiscus devices are attached to
strategic locations on your audio system. We use
Blu-Tack, but you can use tape, Velcro, cable ties
or anything else that does the job.
To get the
best results, some experimentation is often needed.
But here are some good places to start, the result
of many hours of listening (along with recommended
size):
Headphones and Headphone Amplifiers
- On the jack plug of the headphones
(CanOpener size)
- In the
center of the headband of the headphones (CanOpener
size)
- If you use a headphone amplifier that
uses chips (e.g. opamp, power amp on chip) put one on
top of the chip(s). (Mini size)
Power Amplifiers
- put
one on each + speaker output. This can either be on
the binding post if there is room, or attach to the
speaker wire. (CupCake size)
- put one on top of the power transformer (CupCake size)
Preamplifiers
- put one
on top of the power transformer (CanOpener size)
- put one on top of each signal input and/or output
(Mini or CanOpener sizes). You can put them on input
and output interconnections throughout the system.
Digital Source
If you
have a Digital Source (e.g. CD transport, PC,
Squeezebox, etc.) that feeds into a separate DAC:
- On the Digital source component, put one on the
digital output cable (e.g. Coax, USB). Do not put on
an optical cable as it has no effect. (CanOpener
size)
If
your Digital Source component uses an external power
supply, place one on the power wire just before it
enters the component (Mini size)
- On the
DAC, place one on top of the power transformer
(CanOpener size)
If you have an all-in-one
digital source like a CD player:
- place one on
the mains inlet, just where it enters the component.
(CanOpener or Mini size)
Power
- You can place
BlackDiscus on any power input (IEC plug) as well as
on the wall outlet(s) and distribution boards. Note
that BlackDiscus does not always work well on power
systems. But when it does, it's stunning.
Cables
BlackDiscus Black Sticks are designed to
fit on cables - signal interconnects, power cables,
speaker cables, even digital cables (but not
optical). They give the same sort of improvement as
regular BlackDiscus - but more. Firstly more in the
sense of being more powerful. But also "more" in the
sense of more detail, more dynamics, more music.
Black Sticks can be attached with cable ties (supplied) or with Blue Tak
Testing Your BlackDiscus
We strongly encourage you to test the BlackDiscus. However please observe the following point, or you may get invalid results.
Because of the way BlackDiscus work, they can have an effect even if they are not attached to your system. The effect is weaker, of course, but to ensure a proper test, please put the BlackDiscus inside a metal tin (or can, fridge, safe, - something metallic. Tinfoil even..) when you want to listen to your system without the BlackDiscus' influence, otherwise you will not hear the full difference. If you do not have anything metal to hand, try putting them in the next room.
Normally we find it easiest to hear the effects on complex music, especially with vocals. And if a track currently sounds a bit harsh, that is an ideal track to try.
We are very keen to hear what you think of BlackDiscus, so please email me your comments to info<at>madscientist-audio<dot>com
How do they work?
Due to commercial considerations we are not able to explain how BlackDiscus devices work. However we can say that BlackDiscus performance is achieved by combining a number of novel techniques.
But here are a few possible explanations for now:
- The Doctor Explanation :
BlackDiscus use a simplified form of the
technology employed by the time lords which we
call "Relative Dimension in Space" RDIS, which
means that they are considerably bigger inside
than out. Not only bigger, but heavier as well,
as they are filled with lead. This means that
they make excellent mass-dampers, even though
they only weigh a few grams. Also note that the
lead has been pushed back in time/to another
dimension, so this means that BlackDiscus are
fully RoHS compliant.
- The Inevitable Quantum
Explanation : Your brain is like, a
quantum computer. And BlackDiscus is like extra
RAM (quRAM) for these quantum computers. Using
non-linear optics, the BlackDiscus produce a
stream of entangled photons that vibrate in time
to the music. Because of this, your brain
perceives the sound as much improved.
- The StarFleet Explanation :
The positronic audio coupling excites the
trans-warp particle matrix so that a phased
system stream combines to give a rapid
superficial harmonic, which gives the effect of
good musical vibes.
- The Electromagnetic Damping
Explanation : CanOpeners capture
unwanted resonances in the electromagnetic
fields that pervade us all in modern life, and
turn them to heat. This reduces the noise floor
and brings out subtle details.
- The Alien Technology
Explanation : While I was walking my
dog one night, I came across a UFO that had
broken down. I helped the aliens "change their
space tire" and before they left, they asked
what they could do...I said that if they knew
any cool ways to make my sound better..and the
result is BlackDiscus
- The Nanotechnology Explanation
: They work because they
contain a huge number of autonomous "nanites".
These disperse and change the characteristics of
the air between the speakers and your ear. When
not in use they return to the BlackDiscus .
- The Dark Matter Explanation : The
"black stuff" on BlackDiscus contains Dark
Matter, the elusive substance that astronomers
and cosmologists have been searching for. Well
we located a stash in an old farmhouse near
Ruitakia in New Zealand, and the magical
properties of Dark matter mean that the
soundstage is widened and details are more
prominent.
- The Black Magic Explanation : Due to contractual obligations, I cannot reveal the full details. Suffice to say that I found a gentleman who was willing to purchase what he termed "my soul" in return for various goodies, one of which is this astonishing technology. So take advantage of my foolishness - you can improve your stereo for a much smaller price than your soul.
Suggest a plausible or funny explanation and win a set of BlackDiscus Devices.
