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Some thoughts on Elizabeth's crystal postings (long)

Posted by unclestu (D) on April 4, 2011 at 13:33:21

Not just Elizabeth but also Paul's. The "crystal effect" as I understood it was primarily based on the piezo effect. Elizabeth's posting of the reduction in EMF on her power cord leads off in slightly different direction. This measurement she made coupled with Paul's use of the large fused quartz discs in his panel box follows up on the measurements Elizabeth has made.

I was of the belief that the peizo effect meant that the mechanical motion generated by the effect was responsible for the reduction in both EMI/RFI. While it is certainly very true, apparently even if the quartz or other piezo electric crystals are too large to effectively generate movement, they can still absorb both EMI/RFI.

In my past experience with large quartz clusters, the large pieces added a harshness to the sound in the room, largely due to the EMI/RFI being reflected back into the listening environment. This may be a function of the well formed crystalline structure of the mineral specimens I collect. In pieces of tumbled quartz or in Paul's case, fused quartz discs, the crystals are not as well formed and being a bit more amorphous, may not be re radiating the absorbed EMI/RFI energy back.

Since the quartz can absorb EMI/RFI, there is, with hindsight, no reason why they can not be used as a trap for EMI/RFI. On a power cord or panel where the fundamental frequency is either 50 or 60 Hz, a large crystal should be quite effective.

One should also be aware that any mechanical electrical connection is also a source of RFI. Audio and electrical connectors are NOT made to the tolerance of Johanssen blocks, where the molecular attraction is enough to create a bond. There are numerous void spaces in any connector and there is always the RF generated by the arcing through those void spaces.

George Cardas claimed that the reason why he prefers the Rhodium plating is that the metal is extremely hard and unlike the precious metal platings, will not gall upon insertion. Indeed, if one makes careful note, wire connections slowly change sound over time as the precious metals flatten out over time and spring tension. You can simply twist your RCA ends and hear the difference.

The RFI may be better served through the smaller crystals loosely mounted: The EMI through the larger crystals.

Of course YMMV.

Stu

Edits: 04/04/11

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