Russ's Hi-Fi and Home Cinema Blog

The true test...

2008-09-05T10:45:00.005+01:00

A recent edition of Engineering and Technology, the magazine of The Institution of Engineering and Technology, features a letter from Nick Arran, CEng. Basically Mr Arran was interested to read that loudspeaker manufacturer B&W had said that they trusted the ears of their master listener more than they trusted a spectrum analyser when they were designing equipment for the new Jaguar XF.

Mr Arran went on to question what he thinks is the Hi-Fi community’s ‘belief’ that the human ear and brain are a better measurement tool than any other available – including laboratory test equipment. He went on to say – with, I believe, more than just a hint of irony – how surprised he was that commonly accepted Hi-Fi practise hasn’t filtered through to engineering instrumentation – such as using Hi-Fi mains cables on testing equipment, specialist interconnect cables, supports and so on. His letter ends by questioning whether engineers, with their calibrated test equipment were missing something or whether the Hi-Fi consumers’ legs were ‘being pulled’.

This is a way of thinking that prevents progress and improvement. In its most extreme expression it says, “if we can’t measure it – it can’t exist”. The assumption being that we can measure everything of any importance. I believe, in fact, that we can measure very little of importance to the realistic reproduction of music.

At its root, conventional measurement is based on simple, steady state signals to quantify frequency response, harmonic distortion, signal to noise ratios etc. On the face of it, this approach produces quantifiable, repeatable, measurements of a range of important parameters. In reality all they do is tell you whether the device under test is working or faulty. They tell you nothing about how well the device handles music signals to deliver enjoyable and realistic music. In other words, they are not predictive and if they cannot describe exactly how something will sound, they are useless for that purpose.

I own and use lots of test equipment, but I don’t try and use it to tell me how good or bad something sounds. I use my ears for that. They are educated, trained and very discerning. They are consistent, predictable and I trust them.

Until we have a measurement system, based on dynamic, complex, real world, real time signals (like music!), we have no choice but to base our assessments on listening tests. To do that, we must trust our senses and know that what we hear is real world and not imaginary.

The truth will out...

2008-09-05T10:20:00.004+01:00

My revelations regarding CFLs have produced a very substantial response from readers of Connected. Quite a few respondents, unfortunately, misread or misunderstood the points I was making. I failed to make myself clear enough. I will attempt to clarify my objections to CFLs.

I do not reject CFLs out of hand, but I strongly object to the misleading claims made for them. First, they cost you at least twice as much to run as they claim. En-masse they will give electricity suppliers problems to solve that will raise the cost of electricity.

Second, the light output equivalents they claim are misleading. My measurements show that it needs a 26W CFL to be as bright as a 100W incandescent, which costs you 52 watts – a near 50% saving, but not the 85% many are claiming.

Third, the life expectancy of 8000 hours seems, anecdotally at least, to be another exaggeration.

Fourth, there are several health questions concerning CFLs. And there is the issue of the mercury disposal problems.

Fifth, I disputed that the heat produced by incandescent lamps is wasted power. It contributes to home heating and is taken into account by the central heating thermostat.

All in all, CFLs are a solution to a problem that hardly exists, foisted on us by politicians desperate to be seen to be doing something about ‘Global Warming’.

At this point, I think I should make it absolutely clear that I do not support the consensus view that “Global Warming” is substantially man made or that we can do anything about it. I do, however, strongly support conservation, recycling, reusing, organic farming, whole foods, a healthy diet, and lots of exercise.

I abhor closed minds, censorship of ideas, and the demonisation of those with other opinions, beliefs or cultures, waste and the chemicalisation of our environment. These are just a few examples. I hold strong opinions on most things and am willing to discuss them with anyone capable of conducting a civilised argument. My opinions are based on moral, ethical, logical and evidential principles and are, therefore, open to modification and change.

How green are low energy bulbs?

2007-06-25T11:51:00.000+01:00

The EU has ruled that ordinary 40W / 60W / 100W incandescent lamps will be banned from 2012. The decree is that domestic lights will be replaced with ‘energy saving’ lightbulbs (or, more correctly ‘compact fluorescent lamps’ or CFLs) in the interest of energy saving and reducing our carbon footprint. It is claimed that these CFLs use 25% of the energy and last eight times as long as the equivalent incandescent lamps – and so will help “save the planet”.

To understand more, some key things to know about are apparent power, real power and the power factor. Apparent power is the amount of energy an electricity company needs to supply to produce the real power required by a component or a piece of equipment. Electrical equipment where the apparent power is the same as the real power has a power factor of 1. If a piece of equipment requires more apparent power to produce the real power, it has a power factor of less than 1. It doesn’t take a genius to work out that equipment with a power factor nearer 0 is not as ‘green’ or ‘environmentally sensitive’ as an electrical component with a power factor nearer 1.

Knowing this, I’ve tested several CFLs with surprising results: taking a sample 60W light bulb as a reference against the equivalent 13W CFL, the CFL used more than twice as much apparent power as real power. Compared with ordinary incandescent light bulbs, CFLs have a poor power factor because they require more than the minimum apparent power to supply the real power.

My tests have shown that the CFLs use half the power of a 60W lamp, not quarter as stated and that’s before taking into account the extra power the supplier must generate.

The power difference between the real power consumed by the CFL (in the case of the Osram, it’s almost 15 watts) and the apparent power is wasted in more ways than one. The electricity supply becomes less efficient because it senses the difference between the real and apparent and becomes unbalanced by the redundant currents swilling around. The result is that it must generate more power than is really being used and the system needs to be upgraded to handle it. The cost of generation goes up and so the cost to the consumer goes up with it. The net result of using CFLs is that there is no saving whatever… quite the opposite; the electricity supply system has doubled its output and doubled its carbon emissions. The more people use CFLs, the worse the problem will become. And that’s before we’ve even talked about the fact that CFLs use mercury in their construction, which leads to more issues in their disposal. Utter stupidity… isn’t it better just to switch off a few lights?

What has all this got to do with your system? Hi-Fi and Home Cinema systems contain transformers and often have a low power factor. A 100W amplifier can demand up to 100 amps from the electricity supply for a millisecond to reproduce a drum transient. The lower the power factor, the less current is available to accurately reproduce the dynamics of your music – it’s effectively being used as ‘apparent’ power. And the more CFLs you fit, the worse the situation becomes. Me? I’m going back to candles!

The concensus view

2006-11-27T12:08:00.000Z

I recently read a very interesting article by Ruth Lea in The Daily Telegraph. It was titled 'The consensus view is frequently very wrong indeed'. It struck a cord with me straight away as the consensus view in the Hi-Fi industry finds it hard to accept my philosophy on Hi-Fi.

The Hi-Fi Establishment believes that getting good sound is all about choosing the best hardware. My view is that the infrastructure is more important than the hardware. The Hi-Fi Establishment advises spending 90% of your budget on the hardware and 10% on all the rest. I can show that that is completely the wrong way around!

The article in The Daily Telegraph I came across looks at consensus views from the past and just how wrong they also turned out to be. Click on the link below to see the article:

'The consensus view is frequently very wrong indeed'

Sound Solutions

2006-10-23T14:19:00.000+01:00

My new book - Sound Solutions: The Definitive Guide to achieving a more musical Hi-Fi system has been printed and is available to buy now! Sound Solutions gathers together the five information booklets that we've published in the past - completely updated - into one handy book, and sets out my philosophy on upgrading your Hi-Fi system.

It explains the reasons why it's important to upgrade your Hi-Fi system in a particular way, and highlights some of the upgrading pitfalls so that you can avoid them.

Sound Solutions has 120 pages packed with tips and practical advice - perfect for Upgrading your Hi-Fi system, whatever its cost. What's more, much of the advice is still valid whether you use Russ Andrews or Kimber's cables or those from any other manufacturer. Just £9.95, click here to view it or to buy it!

Mains cables & recording studios

2006-10-06T12:54:00.000+01:00

I was contacted recently by someone who was questioning whether our mains cables really do work. He stated that he'd worked in recording studios and claimed that they didn't spend money on mains cables so why should anybody else?

Well, my reaction was one of amusement, as it shows just how little this guy actually knows. Any work you do on the mains supply of your Hi-Fi equipment improves the sound quality. And by the same token if recording studios upgrade their mains - the quality of recordings will be better. I know studio managers and producers that know this and the recording studios they work at do use our cables: if he wants to find out from recording professionals whether our products really work he should contact Phil Taylor who is studio manager at David Gilmour Music: or Ken Nelson who produces Gomez and Coldplay.

Or maybe he should take a look at this article - working at the Astoria

Hi-Fi News show next week

2006-09-14T14:36:00.000+01:00

If you are attending the Hi Fi News Show (at the Renaissance Hotel at Heathrow) on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th of September, make time to take in some of the Seminars. I mention it because I am one of the Keynote speakers!

My topic is 'The Mains: So what's the problem?' I'm lecturing in the York Theatre both mornings at 11am.

As part of our twentieth anniversary celebrations, we're officially launching our new products - the PowerMax mains cable; my Desktop Audio range of equipment; Crystal-24 speaker cable; and Platinum Ultra Purifier. The sales team (and me when I'm not lecturing) will be on hand to answer your questions and take your orders… look out for the special Show Discount and Free Gift when you place your order. Plus there will be a number of competitions running and some very special prizes!

If you're a Russ Andrews customer, you'll be pleased to hear that we've negotiated with Hi-Fi News to give us free tickets to the show (saving you GBP 8!) Your free ticket will be arriving with your brand new catalogue any day now! If you have had problems receiving your ticket, contact us.

If you need more information about the show, go to www.hifinews.co.uk/show2006

YellO Power's replacement

2006-09-07T10:44:00.000+01:00

Sadly we have discontinued our entry level mains cable YellO Power. It has been a casualty of the new RoHS regulations outlawing some cable colour pigments (you may have read about it in some of the Hi-Fi magazines).

There's a replacement, however: it's called PowerMax™ and we'll be shipping it later this month. And the good news is that we've maintained the price - it's still only £29.95 for a 1m length. You can pre-order it online at russandrews.com ; click on the image to see it, or click here

A visit from Hi-Fi News magazine

2006-08-30T17:03:00.000+01:00

Hi-Fi News Editor Steve Fairclough (plus photographer) made his way North to Kendal recently to interview me about my career in the industry. He was keen to hear my system so we burnt some midnight oil whilst sipping whisky and listening to an eclectic mix of music on my Hi-Fi and AV systems. I'll keep you posted about when they'll be publishing the article, so watch this space!

I'm writing for Hi-Fi News!

2006-08-18T09:39:00.000+01:00

Those of you who read Hi Fi News magazine will have noticed in the August '06 edition that I am now writing a column called Russ's Top Tips. So far I have covered Speaker Placement, and Choosing Loudspeakers is next up in the September issue. Hi Fi News have suggested Buying Cables, Setting up a Turntable, Buying a Mains Product and Choosing System Supports. What topics would you prefer me to cover? Any ideas?

The revamped Hi-Fi News Magazine is available now; you can also see the first of my Top Tips on line at:
http://www.russandrews.com/viewindex.asp?article_id=HFNRuss

Offsetting your carbon

2006-06-28T12:22:00.000+01:00

Customer Michael Hewitt contacted us to let us know about a website that aims to offset the amount of carbon dioxide we produce (from travelling, heating our home, etc). This is what Michael had to say:

“For a number of years I have been following Russ's advice about leaving hi-fi equipment turned on all the time. With all the recent publicity about the impact of energy use on the environment I decided I should try and offset the environmental impact of this practice. I have been able to do so by using the Climate Care website to buy 0.67 Tonnes of CO2 emissions for £5, which I calculated would be the amount produced by my system (174W power consumption on standby) being left on 24 hours a day for 1 year.”

If you want to offset your carbon accurately, you need to work out >>

Read the rest of the article on russandrews.com here

Fuses in plugs

2006-06-08T14:58:00.000+01:00

Following on from last time, I've recently heard that a manufacturer has apparently told a customer that the absence of a 13 amp fuse in a mains cable could lead to damage to the equipment. Oh no it can't.

A mains cable fuse's only function is to blow if the cable is accidentally cut. It can't protect the equipment. Every item of Hi-Fi / Home Cinema is protected by its own internal mains fuse.

There's more information about plug fuses in The Power and The Glory on russandrews.com. Click here

Switched and unswitched mains sockets

2006-05-26T09:59:00.000+01:00

I've long advocated the use of unswitched mains sockets for your Hi-Fi or Home Cinema system. Switched sockets increase the impedance of the mains supply and they can sound terrible.

I've written more about this online on www.russandrews.com See my article on mains impedance here (information on sockets are at the bottom of the page).

Today, however, a customer reported to me that unswitched 13A mains outlets were no longer legal. An electrician, a home surveyor and his local DIY superstore had all told him the same story. And a story is all it is. There is no truth in it at all. The Electrical Regulations have not changed and unswitched sockets are still approved, legal and available.

I am a bit suspicious about the origin of this myth. If the surveyor questions the quality/safety of a house's mains wiring the mortgage company reduces the value on which it offers a mortgage or can impose an improvement clause. It's then a nice easy foot in the door for an electrican who can then find lots more 'urgent' work that needs doing.

I'm probably being too cynical; they are just confused.

Bristol Hi-Fi Show

2006-03-08T12:43:00.000Z

Russ Andrews customer Jason B wrote to me recently having attended the Bristol Hi-Fi Show, commenting that one of our competitors were opening up our equipment to show the differences between their products and ours; implying that just because something is stuffed full of electronics, it must be good. My design philosophy has always been based on a belief in simplicity not complexity, quality not quantity. Jason, as a customer, said he found himself defending us on a number of occasions. I thank him for his concern and for sticking up for us. Advertising in magazines is very important, but our best advertisements are our happy customers who know the true value of what they have bought.

I am saddened, but not surprised that some other mains cable and accessory manufacturers should make the mistake of trying to promote themselves by knocking their competitors. Had they set up a fair A/B comparison of the sonic differences between their products and ours, I would be perfectly happy. Then people would be able to judge for themselves whether we are right to design our products in the way we do. We are passionate about what we do and we extensively research, design and manufacture the best performing products we know how to make. People should judge our products on their sonic benefits and value for money. Just as Jason did.

Our absence from Bristol in recent years is purely political. Audio Excellence will not allow us to exhibit because we sell by Mail Order and not through Hi-Fi Dealers. I would have been there myself but it clashed with a family Birthday celebration (mine, I've reached the grand old age of 60).

We plan to exhibit at the Hi Fi News Heathrow Show and are also planning a series of local shows with Hi Fi Plus.

More violin bows...

2005-12-15T12:43:00.000Z

It would seem that my last entry didn't quite make the point I had intended. My apologies to you all. I was really trying to convey my delight at hearing two musicians auditioning violin bows in the same way and in similar terms to Hi-Fi enthusiasts comparing cables. And also to put the best cables into some kind of context.

After all, bows are just bits of wood and horse hair - just as cables are bits of copper and plastic. Good value is determined by the performance more than the price against material costs.

Thank you, Kirsteen, for putting me right!

Musical instruments and Hi-Fi systems

2005-12-02T13:54:00.000Z

Last week I was visiting Harvey de Souza, leader of the St. Martin in the Fields Orchestra, and witnessed a fascinating A/B dem.

A colleague of his arrived to try out some of Harvey's collection of bows to get more body and penetration in the sound of his violin. The ensuing comparisons were an eye opener. They showed me how important the bow is in creating the voice of a violin. It made nearly as much difference to the sound as the violin itself... just like Russ Andrews and Kimber cables and accessories do in a Hi-Fi or Home Cinema system!

Just to put relative costs into perspective, bow prices start around £3,000 for a good one, to £20,000 for a really good one, to £100,000+ for one a serious professional would want to use. And you expect to hear these differences on a £5,000 Hi-Fi system?

Think on.

Blind Testing... down a blind alley?

2005-11-14T12:03:00.000Z

The subject of Blind Listening Tests came up again recently (it has raised its head regularly since the 1950s at least) so rather than simply reply to the questioner, I will make my view public (again).

In the process I will recommend a magazine you should be reading. Stereophile is brilliantly edited by John Atkinson, onetime Editor of Hi-Fi News. I want you to read a piece by John Iverson in the 'As We See It' column of August 2005. Go to http://Stereophile.com/asweseeit/805awsi/

I fully agree with John's argument.

Recording quality and the value of valves

2005-11-04T15:36:00.000Z

Well, I'm back from my holiday and I've had a chance to catch up with some of the questions you've asked in my first entries.

Peter the Guitarist asked if we have considered making instrument cables. Well, we do have a Pro Audio catalogue but the cables are not on the website... yet. Contact us via www.russandrews.com and we'll organise a catalogue to be sent to you.

Fatwyre says "You have always stated importance of basics. With the quality of recordings today, who needs hifi?". You know, everyone needs Hi-Fi! Recording quality has ebbed and flowed cyclically since at least the 1960s. If your favourite music is badly recorded - complain to the musicians. many of them really care - we have rewired David Gilmour Music studio and Russel Watson's, and supplied cables to Simply Red and several producers including Ken Nelson who produces Coldplay. Ken is a great fan of our products. Currently we have cables being evaluated at Abbey Road.

Will in Bratislava asks about my views on valve-based systems (and Dave the Bass also mentions valve-based systems as a reply to my question about why Hi-Fi shows are badly attended.) Dave - I don't understand why so many companies seem content to make a 'laughably bad' sound at hi-Fi shows either. It seems a waste of money to me just to put listeners off buying your products. Will - I've heard good and bad valve based systems just as I've heard good and bad solid state systems. I only care about the musical results, I'm not prejudiced either way.

Back from the Hi-Fi show

2005-10-03T12:37:00.000+01:00

Home again from another Heathrow Hi-Fi show. Will I ever recover?

What a sad, embarrassing event. It was like watching a slow rail crash - fascinating and horrifying at the same time. An American visitor swears he saw tumbleweed blowing down the corridors!

Why were there so few exhibitors? Perhaps its because there are so few visitors. Why are there so few visitors? Why didn't you go? Let me know!

What kind of show would you attend? What would you like to see displayed or demonstrated at a Hi-Fi show? Would a different venue be more convenient?

Would you support a show that offered Hi-Fi and Home Cinema, multi-room, PC audio, DIY, car audio... with all major and minor brands on view and dem'd in good, sound proofed booths in, say, the NEC at Birmingham?

Something needs to be done professionally and with style. I don't think that Hi-Fi magazines should be running shows as money making ventures. It's a job for The British Federation of Audio (BFA). I shall lobby them to get it done.

Off to the London Show

2005-09-22T09:08:00.000+01:00

I've been packing my bags and I'm off down to Heathrow for another 'fix' of Hi-Fi at the London Hi-Fi and Home Entertainment show.

Going to the show is a great way to soak up the ambience, enjoy the industry talk and see old friends. It's also a good way to feel the 'pulse' of the industry - we sometimes feel a long way from Cambridge up here in the North West!

I'd be delighted to chat to anyone who meets me in any of the rooms or corridors, so feel free to introduce yourself.

We're not selling our cables and accessories at the show, but if you go along to www.russandrews.com you can take advantage of our 15% weekend discount on all Kimber and Russ Andrews cables and accessories!

See you there!

The show's website is: http://www.hifinews.co.uk/content/show2005/event.htm

Welcome to my Blog!

2005-09-13T11:37:00.000+01:00

Some think this is a great way for me to raise issues, ask questions and, possibly, stir up some controversy. No problem I thought, I seem to do that as easily as breathe! The catch is that you get to answer back.

So here goes... my first Blog.

The Hi-Fi industry is in crisis. Faced with falling sales, internet shopping and the iPod it is in a crisis of confidence. It thinks no one loves it enough to keep it in business. Has it been delivering less than it promised long enough for it to be found out? Is it now just too uncool? Has the iPodisation of music kicked high quality music reproduction into touch?

Or is this an opportunity for Hi-Fi to recolonise the territory and bring real quality to internet/computer/WiFi sourced music?