Forums - Lucid Mode in the Taboo Mk4

FullRangeMan Verified Member Posts: 24	Lucid Mode in the Taboo Mk4 10/13/18 at 01:08:25 Hi all, I found the Lucid Mode very interesting for any home audio amp, so I though I could ask a explanation here. I have just read the owner manual and are wondering what are the Lucid Mode effect? It enlarge the soundstage when using headphones? Thanks in advance.
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Lon

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Re: Lucid Mode in the Taboo Mk4
Reply #1 - 10/13/18 at 15:08:45

I really am at a loss to explain what Lucid Mode (and Extraction Mode in the Taboo Mk IV as the adjustable circuit controls both). I find their nature hard to describe. I don't use either much at all myself, but it's fun to play with at times.

I actually like its effects better with loudspeakers than with headphones. The Mk IV has variable Lucid Mode, which is an improvement from the "full-blast" Lucid Mode in the Mk III. I find a little "dab" most listenable, it does expand the soundstage on headphones a bit and does in a way change the perceived "mix" of the recording. This can mean tonal balance changes especially when "more" is applied. Extraction I use very little. I find that it can really change the dynamic picture of the recording by brining small details into the picture, and it alters the tonal balance too much for my taste. But on the occasional recording it can be very interesting, and involving.

Hope that helps. Steve could probably explain it far better.

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4krow Seasoned Member IMAGINE WHIRLLED PEAS Posts: 1669	Re: Lucid Mode in the Taboo Mk4 Reply #2 - 10/13/18 at 20:27:39 It has been years since I owned a Decware product with Lucid Mode, so I am only going on past impressions here. Like Lon, I actually found little use for it except for those times that I was curious to hear a difference. It would be tempting to have it as a variable setting on a headphone amp though.
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FullRangeMan Verified Member Posts: 24	Re: Lucid Mode in the Taboo Mk4 Reply #3 - 10/16/18 at 01:39:01 Thanks boys for your first hand impressions I appreciated. This feature seems very useful in any amp. The Lucid Mode could be a phase control?
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Lon Seasoned Member "Love without guts is worthless!" Philip K. Dick Posts: 26644	Re: Lucid Mode in the Taboo Mk4 Reply #4 - 10/16/18 at 03:45:41 No, I don't believe so. It is a matter of information shared by both channels being manipulated. It's a very interesting effect that can be the cat's meow on some recordings, but most of them don't need the futzing with to my ears.
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FullRangeMan Verified Member Posts: 24	Re: Lucid Mode in the Taboo Mk4 Reply #5 - 10/19/18 at 06:51:53 Thanks Lon for clarify. Well if its not phase, compressor or expander I dont know what it is. Any reason why only Taboo have this feature?
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Lon

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"Love without
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Re: Lucid Mode in the Taboo Mk4
Reply #6 - 10/19/18 at 11:40:40

There are other manufacturers who use "cross-feed" circuitry in their products, they don't call it "Lucid Mode," and it may well be differently produced. In the Decware line it is only available on the Taboo, and it may be because output transformers are needed (just a guess). CSP3 models don't have these.

I found a bit more information about Lucid Mode(s) here:

https://www.decware.com/newsite/Taboo3owners.pdf

I was wrong in that phase plays a part, at least in "New Lucid Mode" which is "Extraction" in the Taboo Mk IV.

Steve is really the best responder for this topic. You may try emailing or calling him about it as he doesn't seem to have seen this thread.

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FullRangeMan Verified Member Posts: 24	Re: Lucid Mode in the Taboo Mk4 Reply #7 - 10/24/18 at 05:42:54 Thanks for help Lon, you most kind.
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Lon

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Philip K. Dick

Posts: 26644

Re: Lucid Mode in the Taboo Mk4
Reply #8 - 12/27/21 at 14:33:13

I've been experimenting with Lucid Mode and Extraction some in my audio/visual living-room system with speakers, not headphones, with interesting results. Perhaps seemingly contradicting I seem to like just about 15 percent of Lucid Mode, but also Extraction at about 25 percent, both settings are beneficial for different recordings or sources.

Another fascinating aspect of the mighty Taboo Mk IV!

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