Aether Audio Black Box or Nuforce Magic Cube ???

Just recieved a demo pair of the Nuforce Magic Cubes.
It took a few days for the units to open up.
But when they did, I hear a deeper soundstage, with a very nice center image and better frequencey extremes.
But, I did not have the Filter plugged into it.
What does the SS Filter do?
There are no markings as to which way to install, left or right, does that matter?

Thes units may be a keeper.

Ozzy,

Thanks for your input. I'll do all I can to help.

For those that don't know, the NuForce Magic Cube is provided as a two-piece system consisting of a "base" unit called the Smith Cell and a docking filter network. The filter can be purchased as one of three different versions intended for use with three different basic forms of amplifiers. The "smallest" filter (SCTH) is intended for use with small, low-power (mostly) tube amplifiers. The next up in size (SCTL) is for larger tube amps and the largest (SCSS) is for solid-state amps.

We recommend that the SCSS only be used with solid-state amps, but the others can be used on SS if one finds that the SCSS "softens" the sound a bit too much. Basically, you can use any of them on solid-state amps, but you should not go in the reverse - using the SCSS on tube amps.

Similarly, if the SCTL seems to soften the highs a bit on a larger tube (push-pull) type amp, you can go "down" one level and try the SCTH instead. If you are using a SET type tube amp, you should only use the SCTH filter... or none at all.

Regarding your question as to which way the filters should be plugged into the Smith Cell? - It makes no difference whatsoever. Seeing that music is an "AC" signal coming out of the amp, all components used in speakers or devices such as the Magic Cube are not "polarized" - meaning that reversing the polarity will cause no harm or benefit. Well, unless we're talking about reversing the polarity of one speaker compared to the other... but most of us know that already.

As far as what the filters do goes... they help to reduce the effects of stored electrical energy within the speaker causing negative interactions with the driving amplifier. The amp and speaker are really a "system" and it can be a very complex one at that. The amp has enough "work" to do in sending the signal to the speaker to begin with. If it also has to contend with delayed energy being sent back to it from the speaker, that energy can cause the amp to make new "errors" (distortion).

By helping to relieve this burden from the amplifier, one will often find that the filters offer a smoother, lesss fatiguing and more natural sound coming from the speaker - particularly from upper midrange to the highest frequencies. At the same time, there should actually be an increase in detail and resolution. If when using a given filter, you find that detail and resolution seems to decrease or the highs seem almost "too soft," try using the next smaller filter. Again, their size "range" from small to large is: SCTH - SCTL - SCSS... in that order.

Just as a side note, the Aether Audio Black Boxes/NuForce Magic Cubes are being reported as benefiting from a few days of burn-in. I'd say that about 100 hours would be the most... if that much. As most folks know, burn-in is a controversial issue and opinions as to how much is needed vary widely. If anybody out there has any observations regarding the matter, we would be most obliged if you would be so kind as to comment.

I hope this helps :-)

Thanks all and...

Take care,
-Bob

Bob, Thank you so very much for the much needed info.
It’s funny, how you described the SS filters, I feel that with the SS filter in the cube the music lost its 3 dimensional sound and yes the upper treble lost much of its air that was so beautiful without the filter in.

So, I prefer it without the filter, but perhaps I should try one of the other filters.
Which one would you recommend?

By the way, I am using a Pass Labs X350.5 Amp and Andra 2 speakers with Synergistic Apex Bi-wire speaker cabling.

As far as what the filters do goes... they help to reduce the effects of stored electrical energy within the speaker causing negative interactions with the driving amplifier. The amp and speaker are really a "system" and it can be a very complex one at that. The amp has enough "work" to do in sending the signal to the speaker to begin with. If it also has to contend with delayed energy being sent back to it from the speaker, that energy can cause the amp to make new "errors" (distortion).

Thanks for your explanation Bob, I found it very helpful in understanding more about how your product works. Regarding the above quote, is what you are describing here known as EMF or back wave? I use a set of pig tails made by Creative Cable Concepts that I place on the positive binding post of both the amp and speaker. Their purpose is to reduce EMF/back wave energy. I have noticed a lowering of the noise floor and smoothing out of the sound as you describe.

Another question, how does your product differ from products like the Walker speaker filters? I use a DIY version made by a friend of mine and the effects are positive, similar to the effects users of your product describe. I'd be curious if your product operates on similar principles.

Ozzy,

You are more than welcome! – Glad I could help.

As far as the observations you've made with the SCSS filter go, your intuition is correct. My advice would be to try the SCTL next. That may very well give the correct balance between absorbing the reflect energy from the speaker while avoiding any loss of detail. If that's still doesn't strike the right balance, then you can still try the SCTH filter. It offers the least amount filtering action and should not cause any loss of "air" or detail whatsoever – especially with your amp.

Clio09,

You are most welcome as well sir!

Yes, we are addressing the back-emf from the speaker as you suspect. The concept is no real secret and is relatively simple from an engineering standpoint, but it can make an amazingly significant improvement in performance.

I suspect that the Walker device performs a similar function, but from my observation of its physical size, I suspect it does not "reach" down into the audible band as far as our units do. You see, there are things going on in the ultra-sonic region that can give rise distortion in the audible band. Again, I suspect the Walker unit is concentrating its efforts primarily in this region. Our filters are designed to address the ultra-sonic region as well as reduce loudspeaker back-emf in the audible band as far down as 1kHz – depending on the model/values of the filter selected.

On the other hand, the Aether Audio Black Box / NuForce Magic Cube is a two-part process, with the filter being the simplest aspect. The fundamental section of both versions incorporates our proprietary "Smith Cell" technology (hey… we're all subject to a bit of vanity) and therefore we cannot disclose the method of its operation at this time. Seeing that we are in the process of applying for a patent and that it can be adapted to many areas of electrical engineering and products (including high resolution scientific apparatus), I'm sure you can understand our self-imposed limitations. Thanks.

What I can share is that it helps to reduce the problem I believe I have identified here: http://aetheraudio.com/Sub-Debye%20Phase%20Distortion%20rev1%20.pdf

I have a number of supporters in this effort, none the least of which are some well-known audio and electrical engineering PhDs – one of which is taking the paper to Essex University in the UK for further study.

Just "how" the Smith Cell works I must leave shrouded in some mystery for the time being, but I can tell you that it reduces the statistical likelihood of electron current flow through the conductors being "modulated" by phonon vibration, as identified in the paper above. Seeing that the process of phonon-electron modulation increases as a percentage of total current flow... as amplifier output current flow through the conductor decreases, the Smith Cell has its greatest effect on the weakest of audio signals. These weak signals carry the information that we refer to as detail and air. They also constitute the very low-level "ambience" signals that give rise to soundstage and imaging. Therefore, one should be listening for improvements in these areas of performance when auditioning either version of the product.

I hope the above info helps. Have a great day all and…

Take care,
-Bob