Liquid Conductors in your Interconnect Cables

[mansr]

What liquid do they use? Why, snake oil of course!

[mansr]

I'd be surprised if these things are actually liquid. Metal alloys that are liquid at room temperature contain mercury or gallium, both with rather nasty properties.

[mansr]

1 hour ago, Ralf11 said:

"The liquid metal in the Teo Audio cables, is liquid at the atomic level. Down to the molecular level."

 

got a machete?

Or a pet mongoose?

[mansr]

15 minutes ago, Ralf11 said:

It has the absolute worst BS of any audio site I've seen.

 

"Signal is inherently a plasma. Ionic plasma, or an electron cloud, with a pressure differential..."

Certainly the worst grammar. The BS is squarely in "not even wrong" territory, but that's the norm for audio. Sadly.

[mansr]

11 minutes ago, Ralf11 said:

Yes, I am wondering if it is done by a non-English speaker.  Or Siri...

"Siri, give me some audiophool technobabble."

[mansr]

4 hours ago, esldude said:

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/teoaudio/liquid.html

 

Been reviewed by several places including the always wonderful 6 moons.  Cables are only $2398 per meter pair.  Yes, not even $2400.

 

The liquid metal is according to the review:

 

That fluid is a room-temperature molecular slurry of Gallium, Indium and Tin, a mix* that is related to the alloy inside child-proof thermometers where it replaces toxic Mercury. But because free Gallium interacts with aluminum somewhat akin to Ridley Scott's movie alien and its acid saliva -- exposed Gallium eats into aluminum and aircraft hulls are made from aluminum -- it is considered hazmat.

 

Since they mentioned Alien, maybe Alien names would be more appropriate than Star Trek based nomenclature. 

In addition to the well-known effect of gallium on aluminium, it is also corrosive to almost all other metals, including copper and steel. You really don't want that stuff loose in your house.

[mansr]

4 minutes ago, jabbr said:

Shhhhhh ! The is Darwinian evolution at work here ... besides I like Gallium in my transistors & it's safe as long as you don't snack on them  

Oh, it's perfectly safe if poisoned with arsenic.

[mansr]

16 minutes ago, OldBigEars said:

Has anyone who's shared their infinite knowledge on this thread actually used these cables?

I've used them for a good laugh.

[mansr]

5 minutes ago, OldBigEars said:

And....? 

(not that you weren't being completely fair and objective in your assessment of course)

And what? The website is hilarious. What more do you need?

[mansr]

12 hours ago, cjf said:

I'm curious if the packaging of the cables included any type of warning label that instructs the consumer (Hehe) on what to do if they come in contact with this "Slurry" contained within?

Gallium has low toxicity, so human contact isn't the issue. The issue is what to do if it leaks and ruins load-bearing structures of your house.

[mansr]

[mansr]

11 minutes ago, NOMBEDES said:

Well, water does conduct electricity right?

 

Why not use tap water in a garden hose set up as an interconnect.  You could charge more money for a set with distilled water!!

And homeopathically diluting it will enhance its memory of the music that's been through it and make it sound even better.

[mansr]

3 minutes ago, Speedskater said:

Tap water needs salts & minerals to conduct well. Distilled water not so much.

Indeed. Distilled or deionised water often has a maximum conductivity specified on the label.

[mansr]

1 minute ago, Ralf11 said:

The web site description is incoherent BS;

It's very entertaining BS though.

[mansr]

12 minutes ago, bumperdoo said:

It's not BS - the developer behind the technology, Ken Hotte, is simply a genius. What he is saying boggles our minds, but trust me, the sound is simply superb. Which ultimately is what counts, right?

Every single word on the website is utter nonsense. If you'd ever studied physics you'd realise this too.

[mansr]

35 minutes ago, bumperdoo said:

Have you listened to their cables mansr?

No. They are made of metal just like every other cable. Electrically the only difference between metals is their conductivity. Liquid gallium alloys have a conductivity less than 10% of copper. I see no benefit in this contraption, only dangers from the corrosive nature of gallium.

[mansr]

27 minutes ago, bumperdoo said:

Really?

 

Physics Explained

That would be relevant if we were transmitting acoustic waves. It has nothing to do with electrical signals.

[mansr]

Just now, bumperdoo said:

I'm assuming you've listened to the Teo cables? Otherwise, you're spewing for no relevant reason my friend.

 

Add value, please.

I have studied the relevant physics as part of my electrical engineering education. I don't need to listen. The drivel on the website is pure BS.

[mansr]

10 hours ago, monteverdi said:

The idea of liquid cable derives from the idea that crystal boundaries in normal metal conductors have a negative effect on sound quality and amorphous materials (like liquids) have no crystal boundaries.

Why don't they just say so instead of all that nonsensical technobabble? Not that this notion stands up to scrutiny either.

[mansr]

15 minutes ago, bumperdoo said:

Oh boy... like I said earlier, the designer is a technical genius and is describing why and how they work. If you don't accept it, move on...

Although he has a remarkable ability to randomly string together sciency words, I wouldn't say that qualifies him as a genius, let alone a technical one.

[mansr]

3 minutes ago, bumperdoo said:

Ah, so you've met him and listened to his products and concluded this on your own?

I've read his website.

[mansr]

28 minutes ago, bumperdoo said:

And from this you've concluded that you're an expert and he's a chump. Amazing... 

No, I concluded that the website is full of meaningless technobabble. He might still be a genius, but proof of that would have to come from elsewhere.

[mansr]

Just now, Ralf11 said:

the term toxic is an interesting one, given the contents in the cables - I have to wonder if it is even legal for them ship these into the US

I'd like to see the California prop 65 label.