Acoustic Revive’s RR-888 Schumann Resonance Generator

Mike Silverton

[September 2014.]

Weird Science?

The Acoustic Revive RR-888 is Ken Ishiguro’s third iteration of a diminutive, stand-alone device that, from the start, made obvious contributions to the quality of recorded sound. No larger than a small box of chocolates, weighing next to nothing, my original RR-77 sat, as recommended, well above and away from the audio rig where the RR-777 and RR-888 likewise sat and sit.

I had no problem hearing what the mysterious mite claimed to do. But then, I’m an audiophile, which is to say, a patsy for impressions that, as sometimes happens with our kind, diminish or flat-out evaporate in the course of time. Indeed, but a visitor to the old manse, a PhD in electrical engineering, also heard what the RR-77 accomplished – we made A/B comparisons – and was nonplussed to explain why or how the damned thing worked. And that, dear hearts, is the reason I’ve headed this part of my report “Weird Science?”

Extremely briefly, the Schumann Resonance is an ultra-low-frequency pulse that exists in nature to the benefit of living things. Ken Ishiguro’s RR capsules are said to mimic this phenomenon indoors. With no RR in play, the soundfield resides in large part between and often behind the speakers, rarely beyond or ahead. An RR expands the soundfield, the RR-888 more noticeably than its forbears. The image appears to be closer, deeper and wider. As perhaps an aspect of heightened dimensionality, instruments and voices have greater presence. (I shelter my butt behind an abundance of perhapses.)

The Audiophile Succumbs to a Different Box of Toys

During the period I’d been using the RR-777, I became interested in another line of weird-science helpmeets and was so taken by them that I retired the then-AR device and acquired the lot: five floor-standing capsules, two self-supporting panels, a line conditioner and CD conditioner, the brain-children, all, of IPC Hong Kong. I’m told that IPC’s Euphoria Technology instructs protons to vibrate in a more orderly fashion. (I do know that with quantum mechanics wrenches are useless.)

Spending, It Is Hoped Wisely

I would never dissuade a sound buff from springing for as much IPC hardware as he can afford, emphasis on afford: all told, a not negligible money mound. Best to mention that, apart from my RRs, the IPC array is all that I know about this exotic aspect of audio enhancement. Which brings us to “Seriously?!” I propose to compare the RR-888 to my IPC pieces.

Agreed, a comparison of a small, relatively inexpensive box against a costly array is the equal in absurdity to an MMA bout between a florist and gorilla. Except that, having made comparisons, I can assure you that the contest is far from absurd. The RR-888, very long in development, is a potent step up from its predecessors. Even in this lopsided arena, it acquits itself admirably.

Eyes, however, preceded ears. I set up the 888 in the TV room where we’d been using a 77 for an uptick in picture pizazz, especially noticeable with hi-rez broadcasts. Replacing it with the 888 produced yet better color saturation. In short, I’d recommend the 888 as an important addition to any home-theater setup. Further, I’d recommend a linear power supply. When I replaced the provided 12v DC wall wart with a NuForce Linear Power Supply the qualities I’ve described intensified to a degree. However, remaining with the wall wart isn’t the worst of choices.

As this is a subjective report, I propose to wax fanciful. The remarkably effective RR-888 treats the room. It assists in creating a volume of air that better helps audio reach its potential. Absent the RR-888 or IPC array, the audio system, albeit good, is impeded. To say it again, the RR-888 creates – or, better, allows for – an enriched and expansive soundfield. With a number of my better-engineered recordings the speakers bear little perceived relationship to the sounds filling the room.

At $685 USD, the RR-888 is something very like a must-have addition. Again, I started with the provided wall wart and liked what I heard. It might just be enough for you. However, substituting a linear power supply impresses me as an improvement, tho certainly not of the I-can-hear-the-difference-in-the-shower variety.

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Acoustic Revive RR-888 Ultra Low Frequency Pulse Generator, $685 USD

American distributor: Lotus Group, http://www.LotusGroupUSA.com

Acoustic Revive, Japan: http://www.Acoustic-Revive.com

Note: Acoustic Revive warns against Internet counterfeits. The RR-888 must be purchased from an authorized dealer. The AR Web site lists worldwide distributors.