snake oil brought to book!

I love it! Shame the ASA doesn't have any real teeth, but Russ must be feeling well and truly gummed. Now a complaint to Trading Standards - that would be worth watching...

 

How will the hi-fi press handle this development?

Will they close ranks and try and sweep it under the carpet or will any of them alert their readership of this type of goings on?

It will be re-assuring to see couple of mags report it as news at least!

 

Does the same apply for the hifi press - in relation to the above:

A top mains cable that really gets our reference system purring. It's detailed, involving and full bodied, giving instruments plenty of space to breathe. Worth every penny.

 

''purring'' ''full bodied'' ''breathe'' ?!

I don't know whether to stroke it, drink it, or suck it through a snorkel.

 

I think Russ will redesign his advertising - he'll recycle positive reviews, give 'star' ratings from magazines and utilise user testimonials rather than 'unprovable claims' (it might be interesting to check claims for some cosmetics / beauty products..).
People will still buy his and Ray Kimber's cable products. Why? Because in some systems they work. Things sound different (and so - to some ears - better) in systems when Russ'd and Ray'd so good luck to him.
Oh yes, did I mention any RA product can be returned within 60 days for a refund if not satisfied. As I mentioned in another thread - try that with many retailers and see how far you get! I often ask for just 30 days. Regardless of response if I want something I buy, but it's nice to see various salespeoples responses to the request.

 

Russ Andrews runs a mail order business.. you can't compare with face to face sales where you have the opportunity to try/look/see in store.

 

Ok, but with Hi-fi, unlike many consumer products a look / see / try in a demo room or whatever is a bit different from trial in-situ. I've been recommended a few items (including cables) by dealers and in the situation a home dem would have been sensible but was rarely forthcoming. Whenever I've dealt with RA (personally at hi-fi show and on the phone) he has been unfailingly polite, reasonable, interested and - despite wanting to sell his products - not at all judgemental or pushy. In stark contrast to some others........... Just sayin' , that's all!!

 

cosmetics companies have big legal dept's they know exactly what they can and can't say..

...can reduce the APEARANCE of fine lines and wrinkles etc.

He dug his own grave there, claiming they reduce mains borne RFI and therefore improve sound, there's no way he will ever prove that, quite simply because crossing wires over does nothing to noise on the signal, just their ability to act a radio aerials.

that's how it works. one truthful claim..." bradied wires reduce RFI pickup" becomes "our braided wires will cut your hair give you a shave and wipe your arse". it's an insidious creep from truth to absolute wild fabricartion, and it happens so slowly you barely notice the rot.

 

by 'weaving' is he referring to Litz wire ?
There is a company that specialise in this.
http://www.litz-wire.com
The link also have info what it is supposed to?

Any views?

 

Wrong. He had a store in Staveley near Windermere in which you could look/ feel/ listen to whatever you wanted to, and i went several times. I believe it has been relocated to here in Kendal but i haven't been to the new place.

Ian

 

that's a factory shop, and he still has a mail order business. so neerrrrrrr!

 

He claims it provides a warmer ambience than a normal shop.

So double neerrrrrr back