29-Oct-2015, 10:55
(29-Oct-2015, 03:24)mauidan Wrote: The measurements show the devise doesn't do anything, and the manufacturer seems to be unable to provide any measurable evidence to prove that it does.
From what I understand, the WBF thread was instigated by a member who bought one, didn't think it did anything, and so asked the site founder to 'test' it. Their starting point was essentially 'it doesn't work and does nothing good, look, here's a measurement as categorical proof'. They also made the mistake of calling it a 'science' thread, where I think people might have expected a little more scientific protocol rather than it being a few home made graphs from which they drew their conclusions.
On the other hand the Regen designers really didn't help themselves - they came across over-defensive, wading in essentially with 'we've got data on our laptops and its a big seller with lots of happy customers', and then subsequently announced they didn't actually have any data or even the necessary equipment with which to test the device along the lines of what the WBF guys were doing. What they should have said was 'look, we had a hypothesis, we built something based on that, we didn't measure it (we can't) but we listened to it, and we think it works - thats the best we can offer.' That honesty would probably have done them more favours, but I suppose its not uncommon for audio manufacturers to not over-egg the marketing a bit (huh, hmm, anyone think of any other brands close to home?). The tone of thread probably put their backs up a bit too.
The pfm thread seemed a bit more balanced, and also showed that some of the measurements from WBF were a bit 'hobbyist' at best. Its worth taking a read through that thread too if you're interested - a well respected (and independent) DAC designer John Westlake also posted measurements and concluded that while these things are incredibly hard to measure (as are a lot of things in hifi) that his measurements showed that there should be some positive audible difference. Its still active I think.
http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showt...55&page=34
If the Regen made a difference in my setup, it was subtle. So who knows, it could be a box that does nothing or just adds distortion, and I've been had too (in that I was lead to believe it did something good on practically all DACs). But what I find hard to believe is how many positive reactions there are to the device. Snake oil devices usually divide opinion. The Regen seems supported by incredibly positive feedback.
Anyway, my totalDAC d1 USB cable arrived today and I'm hoping to give that a good listen over the next week or two, also with and without the Regen, to see if there's a more audible difference that way. If not, I will have to conclude that in my system and to my ears it doesn't do anything. That still wouldn't leave me to believe the device is pure snake oil, and neither would measurements from people who seem biased. But that's not to say its not the case either.
In any event, people buy cables, spikes, discs, boxes of mud, widgets, cheap usb cables and mains cables covered in a fabric sheath - all at extortionate prices - and never think twice about the measurements if they hear a positive difference. I'm not so sure why this device has generated so much heat. Still, its probably fab marketing for the Regen - all PR is good PR isn't that what they say?
In the meantime all I care about here is how it sounds to me in my system.
>>> 1st Place Award: Devialet, last decades most disappointing technology purchase. <<<
