Controlled Thermal Processing, Inc.
Cryogenic Processing
Vacuum Tube We have known for some time that the cryogenic processing of vacuum tubes results in audible improvement in sound reproduced by amplifiers employing those tubes. Apparently the relief of residual stress in the metal structures within the vacuum envelope results in reduced microphonics. That is, the cathode, grids, and plate vibrate less in response to an impinging sound field after they are cryogenically processed. Odd order harmonic distortion is significantly reduced. This is desirable because small variations in the separation of the elements in the vacuum result in corresponding changes in electric field strengths; the sound field modulates the plate current in a way that distorts the original signal. That is why frozen tubes sound better than the standard variety.
More recently we have been processing high value materials at temperatures significantly lower than those attained in the standard cryogenic processing. Using liquid Helium we are able to cool sample to near absolute zero; we routinely get down to –450 oF. A “golden eared” customer has provided vacuum tubes for standard processing and for the extremely low temperature treatment and has done comparative listening tests. His conclusion is that the standard treatment yields sound that is superior to untreated tubes and that the tubes that get close to absolute zero sound even better. Admittedly these are subjective judgements; but, our investigator has gone one step further. He has measured the grid-plate transconductance of the three classes of tubes. He reports that standard cryotreated tubes show some small increase in transconductance. The tubes treated at –450 oF. show a transconductance increase of 15% above that of the standard treatment tubes. Here is hard data confirming a change in performance resulting from cryogenic treatment with lower ultimate temperature producing a bigger effect. We don’t yet have an explanation for this new observation; but, we’re working on it. If anyone has some ideas, please email or call with your thoughts. Cryogenic processing is gaining more and more acceptance in the stereo field for improving sound reproduction. The difference between a treated and untreated system is truly dramatic.
Cryogenic treatment of stereo components produces a permanent change to the component that allows your system to transmit much more information. The result is improved sound reproduction without sacrificing any sound quality you presently enjoy, better imaging and staging, greater separation of individual voices, richer coloring, more presence and impact, greater clarity without loss of warmth, more definition in the upper and lower registers without added shrillness or boominess.
AUDIO EQUIPMENT How do we know this? People in the business of building custom stereo equipment regularly send us components to be treated. When this started, we felt that this must be some sort of very subtle effect, that would only be heard by "expert" listeners, so we more or less treated their parts and didn't push things. Our conversations with these customers left us skeptical that the "ordinary person" would be able to discern a difference. Then something happened to change our mind. VISIT TO CHICAGO AUDIO SOCIETY WAKES UP CTP PRESIDENT RICK DIEKMAN. CTP President Rick Diekman was invited to a meeting of the Chicago Audio Society (www.chicagoaudio.org) to listen to the difference between treated and untreated components. Its not that Rick doesn't like good music, he really does. But he figured that after years of being around noisy industrial environments, racing engines, and aircraft engines that the subtle changes he was anticipating would be lost on him. Was he surprised! The society put together a medium priced system and played several selections on it. They then changed one component and played the same selections. There was an audience of around thirty people and the audience unanimously decided the second playing was far superior to the first. It was then revealed that the second playing used a cryogenically treated component. This was done over and over with different components being substituted. In every case but one there was a unanimous decision as to which component sounded better and in every case it turned out to be the cryogenically treated component. In one case, one person voted for what turned out to be the non treated component. The point is this. The treated components were virtually universally accepted as being superior in sound reproduction. Even Rick was able to tell the difference. As one person put it, this was a very inexpensive way to upgrade a system. Prices for processing of "normal" sized components are:.
The above prices are advisory and do not take into account special circumstances or oversize components. We will be happy to give you a written quote with your order so that you know precisely what your order will cost. Prices of other items will be quoted upon request. Parts with plastic fascias should have the fascia loosened to prevent breakage due to differential contraction between the plastic and the metal chassis. Note that most audio parts will need to "break in" before optimum sound is achieved after cryogenic processing. Please realize that the treatment of audio components and equipment other than CD's should be considered experimental. We will take every precaution possible to assure your satisfaction, but due to the wide variety types and quality of components that exist, we cannot guaranty that all are suitable to be cryogenically processed. We will be happy to work with you and discuss each individual situation to help assess its suitability. |
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"Strive for perfection in everything. Take the best that exists and make it better. If it doesn't exist, create it. Accept nothing nearly right or good enough." Sir Henry Royce Co-founder, Rolls Royce |
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Controlled Thermal Processing, Inc.