Feedback Suppression Systems

My experience of over three decades in the audio sector reinforced a conviction that no matter how hard we try, there is no way to achieve truth in audio, just joy. And that the latter is completely independent of the former. This is a fundamental principle on my standing about audio technologies. I care about good audio experiences and I believe that our efforts should be focused on eliminating bad sound, not so much about achieving exceptionally great fidelity — that illusive quest. Do I have a low bar when it comes to audio experiences? I just know when I find joy listening to music.

Many a long year ago a friend of mine asked me what kind of speakers he ought to buy. Complimented by his confidence in my judgment and wanting to be helpful, I asked him some questions to help me figure out what might be best for him. One of the first was "How much do you want to spend?" To which I got "It doesn't matter; whatever it costs." I should have known better – he was the local Maserati dealer, quite well off, and really could afford just about anything I might suggest. Next, I tried "What kind of music do you listen to? " and was told "Everything; I like it all, as long as it's good." Other questions about all the usual hi-fi criteria – imaging, soundstaging, timbre, transient attack and decay, harmonic richness, the whole thing – got equally vague answers until I finally asked him "Is there anything at all that you particularly like or want in the music you listen to?", That's when I hit the "jackpot": "Loud." He said, "I like it really loud!"

Crystal Cable utilizes a proprietary signal and ground conductor fabricated from Infinite Crystal Silver (iCS) insulated and wound to exacting standards. Improvements in modern metallurgy and dielectric technology yielding increased conductivity have resulted in the need to completely redesign their reference line, reducing the needed amount of signal conductors while reducing distortion and capacitance. Asymmetric grounding is now utilized in their interconnect cables, while a Cross Balanced Construction is used in the power cords. Improved conductivity is also a benefit for the review network cable, considering its need for a small, isolated multi-conductor topology.

A linear field transducer or LFT has a foil/Mylar diaphragm with conducting traces etched into it like a circuit board that are controlled by magnets in the frame which operate in push-pull. The effect is a presentation that is much more electrostatic in character than one finds in Magnepans or in full ribbon designs. Drawn to electrostatics, Thigpen sought to replicate their way with music – especially the midrange – without the difficult loads that electrostatics typically present to amplifiers and the need to provide an electric charge to excite the Mylar. Bruce's original idea was to create a full-range linear field transducer panel that would cover the entire frequency range. The resulting project led to the LFT-3, which, while realizing his goal of a coherent 'electrostatic' like musical presentation, failed to extend sufficiently into the lower registers to create an acceptable tonal balance or a full enough musical presentation.

There are very few absolutes in hi-fi today, and what certainly isn't one of them (and never will be) is what defines the 'right' hi-fi sound. Ask a room of music and hi-fi enthusiasts for their thoughts on the matter and things would all too soon erupt into the kind of pandemonium that would derange a digital-cable convention. (Just probably not as quickly.) The die-hard rockers might throw out words such as "powerful", "atmospheric" and "bassy"; those who instinctively request Norah Jones at hi-fi shows may advocate the one that delivers the lushest vocals (midrange); the greatest lovers of life – the bon vivants – could say anything that makes music fun to listen to....