MY Place sbayne

by sbayne on Ever Evolving

Description

High priority on tone, soundstage and overall balance of sound.
Read more...

Components Toggle details

    • Aerial Acoustics 20T V2
    These speakers are version 2 of Aerial Acoustics' pinnacle speaker design. The workmanship is outstanding. They have 2" thick cabinet walls with heavy cherry veneer. The wiring and components are all premium grade. They use a 4" ribbon tweeter and proprietary Scan-Speak drivers. A true 20HZ to 20,000HZ speaker that is very musical.
    • Eversolo DMP-A10 and AMP-F10
    These are Eversolo's top-of-the-line power and digital preamp, DAC, streamer and DSP components. They are designed to work together and to keep all electronic noise to an absolute minimum. The A10 uses dual power supplies - one for analog and one for digital. Its volume control is a stepped-ladder R2R. And, has a built-in proprietary clocking system. The signal-to-noise ratio is over 130Db!

    The F10 power amplifier uses dual differential power modules, dual power supplies and a proprietary DC filtering system. I run two of them as monoblocks for an incredible 950 w/ch  and 70dB of current

    With the Aerial 20T V2 speakers these  components present a huge soundstage that is silky smooth and powerful.
    • ModWright Signature Truth SCD XA5400ES
    ModWright Signature Truth SCD XA5400ES with external tube rectified power supply. I've added Sophia Electric blue 6SN7 tubes to the output stage. I still have a significant CD collection. Overall, great analog type sound.
    • Audioquest Dragon Interconnects, Power Cables and Speaker Cables
    Expensive but worth it if you want the absolute best out of your system.
    • Synergistic Research Black Box

    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.  

    • Synergistic Research ART System
    This is Synergistic Research's older acoustic system that's based on resonators. It works very well with their current UEF system and provides excellent results. Complete ART systems are getting hard to find.
    • Synergistic Research: Atmosphere XL-4, Atmosphere, Mini-Atmosphere, FEQ X4 (2), UEF Dots, UEF Panels, Risers, ECT and GCT
    The UEF Panels, UEF Dots, Black Box, Risers, ECT and GCT are all types of sound resonators. I use an Atmosphere XL-4 (green ATM), Atmosphere (red ATM), FEQ X4 (2) (red ATMs) and Mini-Atmosphere (green ATM) - when used with the Synergistic Research control software they generate various frequencies of Schumann Resonances around the room. Bottom line they work: create a huge/realistic listening experience!
    • Synergistic Research Tranquility Pod
    The Tranquility Pod hasowered UEF and grounding technology.  It works with the SR Atmospheres that I have distributed around the room. Very effective with digital sources.
    • Electric Bamboo, ADD-Powr Sorcer and ElectraClear EAU-1
    The Electric Bamboo is an excellent but very rare line conditioner. All hand-built around a massive transformer wired and grounded in the classic star configuration.  The ADD-Powr and ElectraClear devices actually add electromagnetics (EM) to the AC line using an active circuit and algorithm. Contrary to popular belief not all EM is bad for sound quality in stereo systems. The proof is in the listening.
    • Vera-Fi Audio MainStream, SnubWay and Puron AC Line Conditioners
    I use these conditioners as additives to my power conditioner. They give a more realistic presentation/soundstage and reveal more texture and impact to the overall sound especially in the bass.
    • Stein H2 Harmonizer system
    I have 4 Stein H2s in my system.I went with one in each of corner of the room with a Stein stone on each and a Stein diamond on the ceiling in the center of the room. They add layers and layers of depth with each vocalist/instrument being in their own separate but integrated spaces.
    • Akiko Audio Tuning Stick; Kemp QA Plug (2) and Zero One (2)
    The Akiko Audio tuning stick is another grounding product that works with internal crystals.  The Kemp and Zero One products keep  the electrons spinning around the electronic signals as uniform as possible and add a more standard frequency Schumann Resonance as compared to the Synergistic Research products which variable frequencies. .
    • Audio Magic Pulsed Electron Alignment
    The PEAs are battery powered and affect Spintronics have the ability to control or manipulate how electrons spin. Electrons spinning around electronic signals carry audio information. The goal of the PEA devices its to get the electrons spinning as uniformly as possible. It opens up the sound and makes subtle cues in the music even more real.
    • StillPoint footers with risers
    I use original Stillpoints (with risers) under my amp, amp's power supply, streamer and DAC. These are still some of the best footers available in my opinion.
    • Perfect Path Technologies Total Contact, RCA caps, Stop-It duplex plugs, E-Mats & E-Cards
    This company has now closed because the owner has passed away. These products work to achieve a uniform and consistent RF/EMI and electron treatment around components.
    • Timbernation Stand and Platforms
    Solid maple platforms stained cherry.

Comments 589

Sign in to comment
Owner
Well I guess the seller of Total Contact knows exactly what is going on with people painting inside of power conditioners. Last night on their thread they even explained how to get hex screws out and if they are made to be "tamper proof" to drill them out, etc. If a person needs help they can call the seller and he will explain. Since Total Contact states it's Highly Conductive in its literature and that's been confirmed by users I think this is extremely irresponsible and dangerous. I'm going to break my silence and post on that thread.

sbayne

Owner
Yeah agreed. I need to "fish or cut bait" with that amp. I'll be in touch.

sbayne

Or buy to drive back halfway to you etc... Damn shame as the fix will be simple I am sure.

grannyring

Send it to me to fix and sell for you.  If you want.....

grannyring

Owner
Thanks Bill. It appears the seller's wife is the company rep on those boards now so I'll leave it to her. Hopefully, people will use some common sense. I've talked to a number of people about my tube amp to no avail. My fully "treated" little Class A amp is doing a great job though.

sbayne

Update on your tube amp?

grannyring

Yes it is very conductive.  Yes it can be dangerous unless one is very, very careful in application.  Making an unintended conductive bridge is a very real possibility when coating everything.  Also, if a wire moves for any reason it can also cause a short and and big band sort of meltdown ☹️

grannyring

Owner

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." 

sbayne

Owner
Yeah I basically agree with Bill but I would say at least 3 days. If you can wait a week before doing serious listening I would recommend it. Also use as many layers as you can and get EMI inhibitors out of your system since they work against the magnetic field you are trying to create.

sbayne

I agree with the slightly warmer. I would add more musical and satisfying.  I think the total impact only takes 3 days max.  Love to hear what Scott and Tom think.

grannyring

I Just finished 6 mats consisting of 6 layers each of 30 mill magnet sheets  with Graphene Oxide applied within the layers.

First listen and the sound seems to be slightly warmer. Any idea how long it will take to achieve maximum results?

ozzy

ozzy

Owner

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.

sbayne

Scot,

Bill recommended that  I should read this conversation. I'm glad he did.
I really appreciate creative postings such as this and I will definitely try it once my shoulder heals from bicep/rotator cuff surgery.

Questions:
1. Does the mat need to be 8x11 or can it be smaller like the Bybee IQES?
2. Is there a consensus as to the magnet orientation?
3. Has anyone tried to add some Total Contact or Furutech Nano liquid to the sandwich mixture ?

Keep up the great work and thanks!

ozzy

ozzy

Owner
I think that a SSD will be more than fine with a magnetic field around it. A hard drive or phono cartridge not so much.

sbayne

I’m wondering if putting any of these mats under my Mac mini would cause any issue? It’s got a solid state drive. Any thoughts?

t_ramey

Owner

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.

sbayne

So last night I put another 15 of the 60 mil magnets in my system dividing them among the various components and also added several more of the small magnets that I put on the inside of the breaker panel door. I stopped counting but I think I have somewhere around 10 magnets under the dac/preamp/amp/power conditioner/ and modem/router. There's probably about 15 or 20 of the small magnets on the breaker panel door.

It sounds amazing and I keep wondering when does it stop? How good can it get or does it just change? My tv picture keep getting better too with additional magnets under the apple tv and the power conditioner that the tv/apple tv is plugged into. I keep thinking I'm eventually going to put one too many and its going to change for the worst but that hasn't happened yet.

Scott, any idea how many magnets you got right now? 

t_ramey

Owner
Tom thanks for the tip. I didn't realize there would be enough magnetic attraction (pull) on the backside to keep them attached to the breaker door. I may try them that way. You've reminded me of some reading I've been doing on magnetics. There is a difference between magnetic attraction and other magnetic effects. The effects of the magnetic field go much farther than what we feel from just the attraction or pull of the magnetic field. Based on what we have been hearing I thought that must be the case but its good to confirm it.

sbayne

I bought some smaller size mats around 5x7 that have no adhesive side and placed about ten of them inside the door of the breaker panel. The backside has just enough magnetic pull to attach to the door so the main magnet side is facing the breakers. I think this was the last piece to the puzzle as the sound I'm getting now is very balanced not only across the soundstage with each individual instrument but also with the highs and lows. Bass is great and especially the midbass and the highs extend beautifully. Really, really happy with how everything is coming together. So musically enjoying!

Now its just a matter of adding mats to existing stacks to see how far it goes.

t_ramey

Owner
I took 5 treated mats and folded them in half so they are essentially 10 layers thick. I put them under my power strip where I have 4 High Fidelity MC-0.5s (see the pic). The sound was immediately improved. So there is yet another variable to try: folded mats creating thick multiple layers.

sbayne

Owner
Yeah its really interesting how we can change the sound of our systems with these things. There so many different configurations that are possible!

sbayne

Last night I thought I would go ahead and paint the GO on the other side of each mat but sat and listened for a bit first. Everything sounded great but I noticed a little more sibilence than what I remembered before when the mats were stacked with the magnet facing up. So I decided to change the stack under the dac,preamp, and modem/router. This morning there is definitely more clarity and my speakers do much more of the disappearing act. Images float in space much more and there’s more of a drawing me in kinda feel. 

Maybe my system was too warm and the added clarity from stacking vertically versus alternating is better for me? IDK but everything does sound better to me and my tv picture looks a bit better too. Still haven’t painted both sides with the GO...

t_ramey

Owner
They are improving with time. Not really sure if it matters to paint both sides. I've gone about this in such a haphazard way that its hard to say what does and does it make a difference. Would almost have to start over and make a "control", change one aspect at a time, let it sit for awhile, then do the next one, etc. Just don't want to invest the time and energy to do that I guess. I, however, did hear an improvement when I placed mats on top and on the bottom but I don't know if I had just placed more of them in the same spot it would have sounded the same. All I really know is It does seem like the more the better.

sbayne

Ok cool, I'll try and paint the other side this weekend. I'm tempted though to let things sit for another week just to see how things change after settling for a couple of weeks. Did you notice things kept improving week after week? I do notice things change almost daily.

I currently have all the mats underneath my components versus on top. Just looks better but I'm also wondering if a little on bottom and a little on the top might be better to create a bigger field or if it even really matters.

t_ramey

Owner
I started with painting just one side because I thought it would be too messy to do both sides. Later I started painting both sides. At some point, I should probably go through and make sure everything is painted on both sides. I don't want to touch them now though. I have a local audiophile friend I gave some painted mats to. He put them on his DAC. Got an email last night he is shocked by the improvement and wants some more. Ha,ha.

sbayne

Displaying posts 251 - 275 of 589 in total
  • 215.4 Thousand
  • 589
  •  5
© 2025 Audiogon.com