Springtime, sound is in bloom.
 

Glad to see some people took advantage of the freezer idea, and were able to improve the sound of their players. Seems no one tried any of the other ideas I threw out. Guess compared to the freezer thing, they were too "out there". That's understandable. So I came up with something else that's a lot "safer", ideologically speaking, and more tangible. Plus it takes advantage of the fact that its spring, and all is in bloom. This is mainly for GLACIER owners. All you need is a simple blade of grass. Snip it to about 1/2 inch. Place a piece of tape no longer than the grass over the -upper surface- of the blade of grass. Tape the blade of grass vertically (pointing toward the ends of the player) over the gold hologram on the Nokia battery (you did get a proper battery for your Glacier, yes?). Enjoy improved sound. Hope y'all have a good summer.

Re: How to improve your Chipod audio/video quality for free
 

Hi I'm trying the freeze now with my shuffle. Need my chipod for tomorrow so it will have to wait. Glad this thread got bumped because I meant to do this a while back and forgot. I'm definitely looking forward to the results.

I do have one question that pertains to sound quality, but not a freezing question or maybe it is. Has anyone noticed a difference in 2.5mm adapters? I've got two cable and two straight jacks and it seems like the ones that plug straight into player have better volume and less interference. However, I really like the cable ones better. Has anyone noticed this or maybe I just got sent crappy cable adapters? Threw one of the cable jacks into the freezer too, maybe that will help? :?

*Has anyone noticed a difference in 2.5mm adapters?*

All adapters exhibit differences, and as well, there are differences in different types. It would make sense the hard-bodied type sounds better, it's more direct, less signal travel.
The best adapter though, is no adapter.

*Threw one of the cable jacks into the freezer too, maybe that will help? :?*

Yes. Throw the other adapters in as well, and the headphones, USB charger, cable and whatever other accessories you have, such as the case. It all helps.

michiganjfrog - what will happen if the player comes in contact with heat - let's say a summer day of 35 degrees Celsius. Will the "mod" still work?

later later edit: aaaaaa! I have now seen that you are the guy who wrote the iPod vs. Chipod guide. I have read that guide before I bought my mp4 player and have found this site with the help of your link. thanks :)
one thing though - I still haven't understood what that white square does :P

Which mod are you talking about, the grass mod or the freeze mod? I'll assume from context you're probably talking about the freeze mod. Although it doesn't seem like it could, once an object has gone thru the home freezer process, it creates a permanent change which as far as I know, does not get altered by anything, including heat. Try it as described, and find out for yourself. Place the player that has gone thru the process as I outlined, and if you are able to detect improved sound, place it in your car or where it gets heated to 35C, then see if the sound has deteriorated to what it was before. I say it won't.


You're welcome. You're in a good place now. ;-) I'm also the guy that wrote the bible on 4GB+ MP4 players, but that was too much truth for eBay. (They didn't like my BLACKLIST.....).

That's the $64,000 question. Obviously, not by affecting the audio signal, EMI/RFI or any of that jazz. The gross oversimplification is that it affects the perception of sound on the listener. Not by the power of persuasion but by exploiting a scientific phenomenon known as morphogenetic resonance. Which talks about an energy (resonance) created by all things in nature (the moment that something comes into being). It permeates all objects in the modern environment, and humans have a reaction to it, but purely unconscious, because we've been living with it all our lives. The reaction affects our senses, and what the squares (which I have put much research into) are designed to do, is to reduce the adverse component of this reaction in a way that sharpens the senses. Which in turn allows you to hear more of the sound that is already there. Those who've played with the freezer effect are in fact (in my opinion), playing with this phenomenon (but the squares are more effective in any case). Because when you think about it, domestic freezer temps are not anywhere near low enough to change molecular structures of metal or plastics, or align crystalline structures. The best it can do is keep your peas relatively fresh. On the other hand...

On the other hand we were unknown participants in a scientific experiment.

Re: How to improve your Chipod audio/video quality for free
 

Just some quick questios:
1. Won't this make my LCD display/Battery leak? I think these MP4 displays contain mercury, and I would not like a food poisoning today... Nor tomorrow...
2. How to avoid a possible crack in the display, not only from intensive freezing, but also when I take it out of the freezer to a warmer temperature (ever tryed on a glass? Believe me, it works...)

Re: How to improve your Chipod audio/video quality for free
 

The only thing freezing can do is reduce thermal noise, and only while the components are being exposed to the low temperatures.

In other words -- unless there has been a double-blind test with conclusive results, this is nothing more than the placebo effect.

Any PHP members, please ignore this post.

i'll like to say that the freezing method really did do something to my player.

Well, i've retrieved my old test sample files of the before and after recordings.

There are a total of 3 different songs, so a total of 6 samples.

i've renamed them to suit the anonymity of the double-blind test.

So simply, each sample pair are named Song 1, Song 2, and Song 3, to differentiate between the song types.
And each before/after tracks are named A and B randomly. i'll not disclose which is the before and after.

So have a listen at all of the 3 sample pairs and give me some feedback. i'll suggest that you use earphones so that you'll not miss any softer details (if there is).

Which type (A or B) of each pair (1, 2, and 3) sounds better to you?

All sample files located here http://www.savefile.com/projects/808530969

Please do not flame me regarding the method of recording. i do not own professional equipments, but all samples were recorded using the same computer hardware.

To address a few questions...

The screens do not contain mercury as far as i know, and the battery won't leak. Neither will the screen break, just put it in the fridge after you remove it from the freezer, and then wrap it in a cloth and put it in the coldest corner of your house, because the key of this operation is that the device should warm up as slowly as possible. ;)

I have a fine ear and there clearly IS a difference after the freezing process, which REMAINS even after the device has reached room temperature.

As about the double-blind test, there are a few samples of "before" and "after" available for download, and there is a perceptible improvement in the "after" ones. Just listen and conclude for yourself.