The Black Box is a Low Frequency Resonator Array that works in conjunction with the Subwoofers, Atmospheres and FEQ X4 to solve bass node issues.
I purchased the Bluetti 200MAX
Reviews show the fan, if it comes on, is very quiet and it has heat sinks so hopefully it will be ok in my listening room. My equipment will be drawing about 500 watts so the load shouldn't be too bad. I'll report back on how it works out.
After reading a lot of comments about placement, I decided to put the Tranquility Pod over the very back of the Lumin D2 so that it covers the back-panel connections. I also added some ECTs inside the D2. After a few days, the sound became very, very natural yet even more dynamic. I also added a pure copper grounding cable to the Tranquility Pod which goes directly into the Grounding Block. That did it - the level of realism is startling!
As before, I'm done with the forums for awhile. Many of the proclaimed "engineers" on these boards really seem ignorant. Just for the record, quantum physics is not new and using it to improve our equipment is not a pie in the sky idea. These articles explain Spintronics and how graphene can be used with other materials such as carbon, and thin layers of magnetic materials like cobalt and nickel, to produce predictable spin behavior in electrons. From one of the articles:
"Electronics is based on the manipulation of electrons and other charge carriers, but in addition to charge, electrons possess a property known as spin. When spin is manipulated with magnetic and electric fields, the result is a spin-polarized current that carries more information than is possible with charge alone."
Well, for about 6 months now, I've resisted going back to the forums and reading about PPT and Tekton. As I should have known, its the same old boring spittle of the objective people demanding scientific evidence of the subjective listening experience. It really does get old. I presented the same articles I've used in the past regarding Spintronics and how graphene interacts with other materials to affect electron spin. Seems like people either can't comprehend what is said in those articles, refuse to accept it or are too lazy to even read them. I'm sure I'll be attacked personally before the "discussion" ends. To be continued....
*****
Just thought I'd share some interesting reading:
Spintronics
A conventional digital electronic system conveys a binary signal (think 1s and 0s) through pulses of electrons carried through a conductive wire. Spintronics can convey additional information via another characteristic of electrons, their spin direction (think up or down). Spin is related to magnetism. So spintronics uses magnetism to align electrons of a certain spin, or "inject" spin into a system.
If you've ever done the old science experiment of turning a nail into a magnet by repeatedly dragging a magnet along its length, then you've already dabbled in spintronics. The magnet transfers information to the nail. The trick is then transporting and manipulating that information, which requires devices and materials with finely tuned properties. Researchers are working toward the milestone of a spin transistor, a spintronics version of the electronic components found in practically all modern electronics. Such a device requires a semiconductor material in which a magnetic field can easily manipulate the direction of electrons' spin -- a property called spin-orbit coupling.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190110160941.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spintronics
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/05/150505082944.htm
https://phys.org/news/2018-05-graphene-layered-magnetic-materials-ultrathin.html
I haven't touched my system for over a week now but did do some extended listening last night. The E-Cards and Total Contact are the real deal. Using just a modest (but well engineered) Yamaha receiver I'm getting really, really good sound. But, of course, I can't leave well enough alone so I've been looking at the Audio Magic line of products and have exchanged brief emails with the owner Jerry Ramsey. Here is a quote from his website which is VERY interesting:
"The theory about Pulsed Electron Alignment is based on how electrons spin. They spin either up or down in a phenomenon called spintronics. When there are billions of electrons all spinning their own way, it can create chaos in and around components. By aligning the electrons, you create a more efficient space and eliminate noise. This means that your listening experience is more realistic, with a more musical presentation featuring tighter, more dynamic bass, highs that are delicate and more natural and beautiful midranges."
For you Total Contact users who may be reading this. Doesn't the seller claim its very conductive? I haven't been reading those message boards much anymore but the main proponent recently posted the following which seems to be very dangerous advice especially if the whole inside of the power conditioner is covered with it? Again, they are claiming its very conductive right?
"Yes, paste everything inside including the sides of the receptacles (plugs), wires, connections, Caps, AND the inside of the chassis including the inside of the cover. It took an entire tube of TC to do my six-outlet power conditioner. For the price of one tube of Total Contact, if your results are the same as mine, you'll be getting a $10,000 upgrade to your system. No joke."
Ozzy - Thank you for everything you've done for this audiophile community over the years!
To answer your questions.
1. I don't think it matters if you cut the mats to the space you want to use them in. I've pretty much cut all of mine and it doesn't seem like its hampered performance.
2. Based on Bill's observations, there is a difference in sound quality on the orientation of the mat. So, I alternated (magnet facing component/magnet facing away from component) the orientation of all of the magnets in the various stacks. There are so many variables to consider when you make changes its hard to say for sure if this made a big difference in my system but, again, I don't think it hurt the sound quality.
3. I should probably buy some Total Contact since I'm sure it works from what people have said and from my understanding of graphene solutions. I use a cheap non-proprietary graphene oxide that, based on my reading, is used throughout the industry to provide a coating that helps protect and enhance the performance of many things including batteries and solar cells. It has very little to do with conductivity. The graphene oxide does seem to help. I've now painted both sides of all my magnetic mats with it. I've also used it on most of the connections throughout my system.
Tom - I've got 10 treated magnetic mats on each component. 5 on the top (if possible) and 5 on the bottom. I have a power strip with 4 High Fidelity MC-0.5s plugged-in that has 5 mats under it which are folded-over to create a 10 layer bundle. I really don't know what the "limit" is when things start changing for the worse.
Removing the RF/EMI absorbers from my system has made a big difference. I think they were messing-up the uniformity of the magnetic field that I've been trying to create. Previously, they only improved the sound because they helped remove "stray" RF/EMI which is all over the place due to the electromagnets being used in the transformers. But when you make a consistent magnetic field around your equipment it really does help the sound.
I let my current configuration of graphene oxide painted on alternate facing magnetic mats sit undisturbed for about 2 weeks. I listened for just over 2 hours last night. I didn't think my system could go farther in this regard but each musical image is rounder, smoother yet more dynamic. The soundstage is not more precise but is wider and deeper. I hear vocalists moving slightly closer to mics and then hear then move back. I hear slight tones coming-off the body of guitars and pianos. Its all kind of spooky but real.
I can't hardly believe it so I keep asking myself: what is going on? All I can conclude is the magnetic mats when stacked and painted with graphene oxide create a uniform and consistent magnetic field through the component. This magnetic field stabilizes over time and its natural "spinning effect" stabilizes not only the signal flow but the circuits themselves. Subjectively, I guess it really doesn't matter why the sound is improving - all that matters is: it is.
Based on inquires I've received I just want to make one thing clear: I am NOT claiming what I've put together is the same as making an E-mat. The maker of the E-mat says the magnetic mat has nothing to do with what's going with his product and says the magnet is merely there for convenience to attaching to components. Also, he states his is totally proprietary and came from his own research and development.
What I'm discussing here is the exact opposite of the E-mat. Everything used is not proprietary and is available in the public domain (E-bay), it appears the magnetic field being created is very important to improving the sound and using the graphene oxide is based on research that is all over the internet. The fact the magnetic field builds overtime if its not disturb (the magnetic loop is not broken) and more mats create a stronger magnetic field resulting in better sound quality seems to validate what is going on with what I have proposed.
So, bottom line, I'm just messing around as a DIYer. I'm going to stop talking about the E-mat on this blog (I've already dropped-off the thread). Please don't ask me anymore questions about it either publicly or privately. Thanks.
After looking at my order again its actually called magnetic sheeting. I ended-up calling them directly and asked them to cut the sheet into 8x11 mats which they agreed to do. When I got the order it wasn't cut but they gave pretty much an entire roll of the stuff which I believe was 30'. Anyway, this is what I used.
Hi Tom - thanks for the feedback. Good to read I'm not crazy thinking these magnetic mats help the sound quality. I've always thought keeping magnetic fields away from our stereos was the way to go. Maybe its actually keeping "stray" magnetic fields away but focused strong magnetic fields are beneficial.
As to the graphene oxide, I simply used a paint brush to apply it to the mats. I put the mats together while they were still damp. I didn't wait for it to fully dry. I continue to read about graphene oxide and I'm not totally sure its positive effects are all about conductivity. It seems to create a coating that can be used for many purposes including improving batteries, optics and electronics. I'm not going to try to explain why (because I don't understand it). Do a simple Google search. Its fascinating reading.
Thanks Bill. Here is what I've been using:
You can buy different quantities from this seller. It says for "R&D only", "keep out of the reach of children", etc on the label. So, I wouldn't drink it :-)
Also, please let me say I have no idea if this will work in every system. Its just a relatively low cost (ongoing) experiment.
Bill - making the grounding box was easy. I ordered everything off Ebay one night when I decided to build one. The wood box came from there as well. I just checked and it doesn't appear the guy is active on EBay anymore, unfortunately. I just drilled the holes in the back of the box and added the binding posts. I used 10lbs of tourmaline and bought a roll of copper . In all, it cost me about $150. I think it was worth it. If nothing else it was a fun project.
The whole thing with the E-mat pissed me off. Really don't understand giving a product away to people who have no idea how it works and then squelching any discussion in that regard. I'm sure its a good product so let it stand-on its own and give us an idea of what's going on - I'm sure its much more than just a magnetic mat! Anyway, I'll report back in a few days.
Here are my thoughts on reviewers. I recently posted this in response to a magnetic mat that is being sold on Audiogon that was sent to a number of people free of charge. I'm going to copy it here so I can easily get to it for future use:
oregonpapa (Frank) - Thanks for the cordial response. I don’t think receiving a product for free obligates the receiver to post a favorable review but if the person wants to establish a relationship with the manufacturer and keep the freebies coming they would naturally be inclined to give a very positive review. I would hope a person wouldn’t be dishonest just to get free product but full disclosure allows a reader to make their own judgments.
We see this all the time with "professional" reviewers. They review the same companies over and over consistently spewing-out positive reviews. Toss-in the "reviewers discount" they usually get, the free meals at shows, the in-home delivery/setup/consultation and you’ve got to wonder if the relationship is a little too cozy.
A big reason I like reading "non-professional" reviews is because you assume the person actually bought the product and is not being "paid" in anyway for their time or effort to write the review. This is especially true when a money back guarantee is involved - they have decided it truly was worth investing their own money and didn’t return it.
As to my positive comments on products, I can assure you I’ve paid for all of them except for the Burson Audio cables I reviewed which I now agree Audiocircle correctly nixed.
Thanks @aniwolfe!
I use Herbie's Iso-Cups under my Impact Monitors and have added some weight on the top of the monitors to stabilize/couple them to the Iso-Cups. It did make a very nice improvement. I haven't tried the Aurios or Rollerblocks. Please let us know how they work-out. With these speakers you can hear every change you make to your system!
bdp24 - I updated my system description. These are the Rythmik F8 subs. They integrated really well. I'm still messing with the phase/delay. Rythmik explains on their website that with a vented main speaker (which the Impact Monitors are) it takes some time to get the phase/delay right - there are very slight audible differences with each setting change.
The REL was fine (not much to fault) but the Rythmik Servo drivers are even faster and musical. No overhang or bloat which isn't a "problem" with the REL just that the Rythmiks are noticeably better.
Thought I'd add my review of the Tekton Design Impact Monitors to my "blog"
REVIEW – TEKTON DESIGN IMPACT MONITORS
PRELIMINARIES
I’ve been reading a lot about Tekton Design’s Double Impact speakers. When a professional reviewer, Terry London, chimed-in a few months ago with his super positive review I started paying even more attention to what people were saying. I stalked the boards and asked a few questions mostly about listening distances and room sizes. I finally emailed Eric. He responded right away and when I called, Karma put Eric on the phone for a short conversation to confirm a few details. I decided on the upgraded Impact Monitors and since he had a pair in-stock Eric promised to ship the same day. I received the tracking number shortly after the call and had the speakers about 4 days later. They arrived well packed and without a scratch. The fit-and-finish of the standard cabinet is excellent. No complaints with communication, shipping speed or quality from me.
I spent considerable time figuring-out where to place the Impact Monitors in my room and what listening distance to use. My listening room is 25’ x 15’ x 10’. I ended-up with them 42” from the front wall and about 5' from the closest sidewall. My listening position is 8’ from the front baffles with the center tweeters at 43"which is ear height. They sit about 9' a part.
I ran them continuously for 5 days. The sound opened-up a little each day but I had a hell of a time getting the lower midrange and bass to sound right. No matter where I placed the speakers, or my REL subwoofer, the low-end sounded weird. It sounded thick/smeared and no way in the same league as the upper midrange and treble. I tried different speaker stands and spikes. I tried different cables. I added a Synergistic Research carbon XOT, which helped, but the sound in the low-end was simply screwed-up. I knew it wasn’t my sub because the problems occurred even with it turned-off. Finally, I remembered “the cheapest but most effective tweak”: tighten the mounting screws around the speaker cones! (Don’t over tighten them just make sure they are snug) Well, low and behold a screw on one of the 6.5” speaker cones was very loose and a couple of tweeter screws needed a few turns to completely secure them. With all the screws firmly in place the bottom octaves snapped in to focus - tight yet with plenty of texture and bloom.
I have a number of tube and solid-state amps that I tried with the Impact Monitors. I really enjoyed a 25 watt Class A amp with them but I ended-up preferring my 200 watt tube mono blocks. I readily admit the choice of amps is subjective so your mileage will obviously vary. Rest assured any quality amp will work well with the Impact Monitors. Even my flea-watt SET worked well. However, remember, in normal configuration, they are 4 ohms (8 ohms is optional) and are rated at 94db sensitivity.
My taste in music is mostly jazz, blue grass, country and rock. For instance, I listen to a lot of Gov’t Mule, Gregg Allman, Neil Young, Holly Cole, Shelby Lynne, Johnny Cash, Nickel Creek, Earl Scruggs, Led Zeppelin, Clark Terry, Oscar Peterson, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, etc. If I listen to classical music, it’s usually solo piano, cello or violin.
LISTENING
Even during the set-up period I could tell these speakers are special. If I were to describe their sound in one word it would be: “natural”. The tone is spot-on and they present a very coherent dynamic sound – much like good horn speakers. They don’t sound laid-back, forward or any other term – they just sound right. There are no overdone highs or lows. When a vocalist sings an “s” it doesn’t sound like a “z”. Bass guitars don’t sound like one note blobs. Violins don’t sound like nails on a chalkboard. As he claims in his ads, Eric has “captured the harmonic spectra of the music being played”.
They image as well as anything I’ve had in my listening room. Each performer is properly placed in the soundstage but they aren’t etched in stone – just like live music. Depth, width and height of the soundstage are excellent.
The Impact Monitors “only” play down to 40Hz or so. Based on your listening preferences, or room requirements, that may be low enough. I would avoid pushing them into corners or towards the front wall to augment their bass. Instead, as mentioned above, a subwoofer when properly set-up is a very viable solution if you want more bass. I realize you could buy a pair of Double Impacts or move even higher up the Tekton food-chain but space constraints, cost or even aesthetics in your room my prevent that.
Finally, I need to mention my extensive use of Synergistic Research (SR) equipment. The SR stuff has always had a significant impact on the sound in my system and that was especially true with the Tekton speakers. I listened for a while with the SR Atmosphere/FEQ turned off and the soundstage suffered. Not that the soundstage was bad but it REALLY shines with the SR technology engaged. I highly recommend you try SR with Tekton’s new tweeter array.
SUMMARY
Tekton Design’s Impact Monitors do very little, if anything wrong and enter the realm of unbelievable value when you consider their price of $1,800 ($2,100 with upgraded parts) delivered!
Breezer - The reason I got rid of my Shindo gear is I had too much money tied-up in my system. I had 3 boys heading towards college and I just couldn't justify it. If I had another zero behind my net worth I would have kept it!
Of all the Shindo equipment I had the Vosnee Romanee preamp is the piece that hurt the most to sell and the one I may own again some day. It does everything right. It sounds very real without being too warm or lush. The next piece would be the Shindo 301 turntable and cartridge. It was obviously a labor of love for Ken Shindo and when set-up correctly is probably one of the best tables in the world. The amps come in next. I thought they were very good but not world class like the preamps and turntable were.
One regret I have is that I didn't complete the Shindo system. I never sprung for a set of Shindo speakers. I had an opportunity to buy a pair at a "reasonable" price but didn't do it. Looking back I wish I had but those college tuition bills were calling........ Thanks for asking, take care.
I just want to clarify my comments on how the Synergistic Research (SR) Atmosphere/FEQ work. I still believe SR is manipulating the Schumann Resonance based on my previous experience with the Acoustic Revive and my own using/listening to their products. However, it should be made clear SR says they are using a multi-wave radio frequency (RF) generator not a Schumann Resonance generator. Whatever the case may be, I think these processes go in-hand which SR seems to allude to with this comment in their explanation of what's going on:
"In a nutshell, we discovered that during the day ambient RF is stronger while the Earth’s Schumann Resonance is weaker in relation to overpowering solar and man-made radio frequencies."
I've received emails from a fellow Audiogoner who wanted more and more details. At this point, I should bow-out and simply refer people to SR for further explanation. Thanks!