The world of hi-end AV is a beleaguering place to be, with talk of electricity cleaners, gold-plated HDMI cables, and even CD cleaning solutions to improve sound and picture quality. But does any of it actually make a difference, or is it all just for Tommy Saxondale-esque bragging rights? We’ve sifted through the claims to pick the truth from the lies, and thrown in some practical buying advice for good measure. Don’t buy any new gear till you’ve read this.
If you don’t want to read it all, just jump to your area of interest using the table of contents.
- Does cleaning electricity make a difference?
- Will a CD cleaning solution improve sound?
- Is it worth spending more for a gold-plated HDMI cable?
- Do valves sound better than digital amps?
- Can you see a difference between 1080p and 1080i?
- Conclusion: what to actually look out for
Does cleaning electricity make a difference?
We know, clean electricity sounds like it’s up there with Brass Eye’s ‘heavy electricity.’ The companies claim that the actual power supply is at fault, and variations in interference affect the sound quality, compromising your enjoyment. They claim your hi-fi will sound better at night, when fewer people are using the same source, and hence there’s less interference. These electricity cleaners, or mains conditioners, filter the electricity, isolating each individual component in your system, resulting in more consistent performance.
So does it work? To an extent, yes, but you’ll have to have a mid- to hi-end system, and a pretty well-trained ear to hear the difference. “Mains conditioning ensures a consistent feed, and is quite an effective way of improving sound,” says Richard Melville, former editor of What Hi-Fi magazine. “But as with a lot of hi-fi gear, the rule is to spend relative to the price of your kit. You can pick up a pretty decent mains conditioner for about £50.” So be wary of pricey units.
Will a CD cleaning solution improve sound?
Tough to believe, but some companies actually push liquid ‘cleaning’ solutions to rub on your CDs and Blu-rays to improve the sound and, presumably, picture quality. A bargain for just £60.
Or not, perhaps. “I struggle to see how adding a liquid to plastic is going to improve the sound,” says Melville. “It might be useful for cleaning your discs, but it can’t improve what’s already there. And I’m not sure what you’d be doing to your CDs to get them that dirty in the first place.”
The bottom line is just don’t scratch your discs and they’ll sound fine. And as for cleaning, we’ve always found a quick rub on the t-shirt works fine.
Is it worth spending more for a gold-plated HDMI cable?
Yup, with some prices over £100, it’s easy to forget it’s just a cable you’re buying. Alternatives cost just a few pounds, so how do you make sure you’re buying a decent model without being ripped off?
The main selling point of these more expensive cables is that they’re gold-plated. This means better insulation, so they’ll last longer, but a standard budget option should be hard-wearing enough; unless you’re using it for skipping practice you shouldn’t need a new one for years. And you can replace them hundreds of times over with cheap options for the same price as one hi-end model.
Don’t forget, it’s a digital signal. The cable doesn’t really do anything except get the signal from the source to the TV, it’s at either end that the processing happens. So if you’re spending any more than a few pounds, you’ve been had hook, line and sinker.
Do valves sound better than digital amps?
Those little glass tubes are certainly a lot more attractive than the boxy digital alternatives, and from some of the prices you’d think you were buying an actual work of art rather than some hi-fi gear. But do they actually sound any better?
It all depends on what kind of sound you’re used to, according to Melville. “Valves do have a richer sound that’s more natural than digital,” he says, while digital have a cleaner sound. It depends on what kit you’re partnering the amp to though, so don’t expect it to magically improve your set-up. And those looks come at a price. “At the higher end, they get into the realm of artistic appreciation because of their looks,” Melville says, “so realise you’re paying a premium for the style. It’s the equivalent of buying a Bang and Olufsen TV that costs nine grand.”
Oh, and one more thing: they do get very hot, so careful not to touch when in use.
Can you see a difference between 1080p and 1080i?
1080p is the highest standard of hi-def available, displaying 1,920 x 1,080 pixels progressively, rather than interlaced (as with 1080i). The thing is, most HD broadcasts are in 720p or 1080i, though games consoles and Blu-ray discs do support 1080p. But can your naked eye even tell the difference?
It’s doubtful, as the resolution is the same as a 1080i set, the only difference is how the pixels are displayed. 1080p is better for content with lots of movement, like sports and games, but even then you’ll need a huge set (55 inches or above) to really notice any difference. Any smaller, and 1080i or even 720p will look just fine.
Conclusion: what to actually look out for
So, what do you actually need to know to get the most from your kit and avoid a duff purchase? Well it is worth investing, but be reasonable about it, advises Melville. “Spending £20 on speaker cables will improve the sound, and most speakers in mass market bundles aren’t very good, so replacing them with a £100 pair will make a massive difference,” he says.
And the same goes for home cinema. If it seems far too expensive to do a simple job, chances are it will improve your experience, but only to a point, and you have to weigh up if that’s worth the extra cash. Really, it’s diminishing returns: once you’re talking silly money, you’re into the realm of obsessive old men tinkering with their train sets.
