MY Place sbayne

by sbayne on Ever Evolving

Description

High priority on tone, soundstage and overall balance of sound.
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Components Toggle details

    • Tekton Design MOAB
    These speakers use a double tweeter array to produce the midrange. The Be tweeter between the arrays is used as the actual tweeter. Then two big ass woofers are added. Extremely well reviewed and high value speakers!
    • Mr K Passive Preamplifier PPA01
    This is an extremely high quality autoformer based passive preamp. There is absolutely no noise but with with excellent soundstaging and dynamics. 

    • Aria Audio Aria Signature MK2
    This is a beautiful hand-built amplifier that puts out100 watts of Class A power with very high current capability. A extremely seductive yet authoritative sound with the Moabs.
    • MHDT Orchid
    The Orchid DACs are legendary. They use the TDA 1541A R2R chip for a a realistic and natural sound. This Orchid was Bill Dion's (grannyring) personal DAC which he highly modified by doing the following:
    - Upgraded the output capacitors to a custom made set of 2.2uf copper foil in beeswax, flat stacked design caps from Jupiter Condenser. Chris of Jupiter does not offer these out as they cost too much to build and takes too much time to manufacture. They are a sonic cut above the fantastic round Jupiter copper foil caps. 
    - 4 Miflex KPCU-02 0.1 micro farad copper foil caps in other key positions. 
    - 10 carefully selected resistor types located though-out the DAC 

    • Innuos PULSE
    Network Streamer internal with a RECAP2 power supply by Dr. Sean Jacobs built-in. Uses the innuOS 2.0 and Sense software. It's the best sounding streamer, OS and control software I've ever used. Here is more info:
    ⦿ Medical-grade filtered IEC 
    ⦿ Audio-grade toroidal transformer with an epoxy-filled center for dampening vibration, magnetic screening with coated SYN-SHIELD copper tape between windings and wrapped in black Mylar Tape
    ⦿ Over 40000 µF of high-end Mundorf Capacitors
    ⦿ Coilcraft Inductor

    • Inakustik Referenz LS-2404 Air Interconnects and Speaker Cables
    Inakustik Referenz LS-2404 Air Interconnects and Speaker Cables. These are meticulously made open-weave copper cables. Each strand is separated to insure an air insulation between the strands. It makes for an open very natural sound with the best bass I've had in my listening room. Expensive but worth it.
    • Network Acoustics Muon System
    This is a complete digital cable system (filter, LAN cable, USB cable). This at a higher level than the famed EVO system.
    • Cayin Audio Mini-CD MK2
    This is an excellent little CD player. I mostly stream but I still have hundreds of CDs.
    • DIY Power cables
    DIY power cables. They use multi-strand copper, an open weave, cotton cord in the center and ERS cloth at both ends. It's the formula Danny Richie uses for his power cables. They have an open, airy yet very solid sound. The key is to break them in for hundreds of hours.
    • Synergistic Research Powercell 12 UEF
    This is a classic power conditioner. It's UEF/EM based and compliments every component plugged in to it!
    • Synergistic Research Galileo SX Grounding Block
    The Galileo SX Grounding Block makes the system absolutely silent at idle and creates very black backgrounds for music. I made my own "high definition" grounding cables.
    • 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!
    • Townshend Audio Seismic Isolation Podiums
    These decouple and "float" your speakers on a spring-loaded metal base. It opens-up the sound and adds solidity to the bass but doesn't make the sound harsh like most metal speaker bases.
    • Akiko Audio Tuning Stick; Kemp QA Plug (2) and Zero One (2)
    The Akiko Audio, Kemp and Zero One products treat the signal and power in my system keeping the electrons spinning around the electronic signals as uniform as possible or by adding more standard frequency Schumann Resonances. These products are excellent at making your system sound more "natural".
    • Synergistic Research Tranquility Bases and Tranquility Pod
    I use original MIGs under the Tranquility Bases.
    • Puritan 156, ADD-Powr Sorcer and ElectraClear EAU-1
    The Puritan is an excellent line conditioner. 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.
    • Puron AC Line Conditioner
    I use this in the first outlet of my Synergistic Research power conditioner. It gives a more realistic presentation of vocals and reveals a little more texture and impact to 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 at 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.
    • Tombo Audio Lotus Harmonic Enhancer
    The bell on the top gives high resonance frequency while the tip on the top of the bell performs as a wave guide streaming high frequency up to the ceiling.
    • Swiss Digital Fuse Boxes
    The Swiss Digital Fuse Box replaces the fuse in your component with a pure copper "sluggo". The "sluggo" comes in various types depending on what coating, if any, is applied to it. The bottom line it allows much more current to flow into the electronics which is especially important with high current power amps. Every part of the sonic presentation is enhanced. I now use one on my power amp, DAC and streamer.
    • 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 my components which greatly helps the sonics.
    • Audio Magic Pulsed Electron Alignment
    The PEAs are battery powered. Spintronics is 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.
    • Timbernation and Bright Star Audio Platforms
    Solid maple platforms stained cherry for electronics and Bright Star platforms for the subs.

Comments 577

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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

I listened last night for a little while and have noticed the soundstage is bigger and wider and everything is still very musical. I've added another stack of alternating magnets to underneath my dac as well as the power conditioner that feeds my modem/router. Looking forward to how everything settles after another week or two. Just curious if Scott or anybody has painted the GO on both sides of each magnet or just one? So far I've only don the one side. My system sounds as good as it ever has.

t_ramey

Owner
Hi Tom - Glad you are back! Your feedback got me thinking about my modem/router - I may start messing with that again. I don't think I'm going to move the mats in my stereo for awhile. I've already gotten great results with their current placement/configuration and want to see what happens when they've been there even longer. Scott

sbayne

It’s been a while I’ve sat down and listened to my system and actually had to move some things around including the magnets but left a few under and around the power conditioner. Everything sounded great but wanted to try the alternating method you guys have tested so I began with stacking about 6 or 7 under the preamp, power conditioner, and modem/router. 

I’m about 2 hours in after placing them in alternating fashion and it’s pretty amazing how everything sounds so real and natural but also so musically and emotionally involving. I still shake my head that this works so well. My tv picture is as remarkable as ever too since the modem/router supplies my Apple TV for Netflix/Hulu. I’ll see how things improve over the next week or so with this configuration. 

t_ramey

Owner

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.  

sbayne

Owner
Here is some interesting reading regarding what may be going on with the magnets and graphene. Just thought I'd share:

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

sbayne

Owner
@audiosens -  The DIY grounding box has binding posts that are attached to copper strips that run through tourmaline crystals.  The grounding wires run to your component. I'd read about this technique and finally gave it a try.  I'm sure there are better solutions but it did seem to lower the noise floor in my system. 

I've now removed the iQSEs. I was using one inside my music server and one on my amp. 

 Scott

sbayne

You made your own grounding box, There are stones inside the box, what are they ?  And where did you install your iQSE ?  Thank you

audiosens

Owner
Tom - how is your system sounding? Have you made any changes recently to the placement or configuration of the mats? Scott

sbayne

Owner
I did some extended listening today. The sound really is something special. I'm going to leave the magnetic stacks in the alternating configuration (as discussed below) for the next couple of weeks and see what happens.

Bill - I'm liking the idea of "Lyngdorf tube art" Also, pretty sure I'm smelling some Acoustic BBQ........ha,ha

sbayne

I have an idea. I may build one of your tube light art pieces as a platform to fit over my Lyngdorf 2170 so it looks like a piece of modern/retro tube gear. Ha! It may make my 2170 sound more like tubes due to the psychological impact on my senses.

grannyring

I was looking closer at your rig. I really like it  Scott. Very nice indeed.  I love your tube light piece of rack art! Spectacular idea! So cool.  

I see Belden ICs in your pics? You state using Duelund ICs which is what I highly recommend. They offer more life and realness to the music. Use the 16 gauge wire with Cardas connectors for the best combo I have heard or made. 

Update on the mats.  Seems you can mix them up for slightly different sonic results. Not night and day, but rather subtle. I now have some with mag side up and some stacks with mag side facing the component. No doubt they do something nice.  My rig sounds better than ever right now. Folks can just experiment with placement direction.  

I have no educated and completely understood reason for why these stacks work.  I really could not explain to another aphile how these help sonics. Skeptics would have a hay-day on this craziness. It makes me laugh out loud. 

grannyring

Owner
Thanks David. Will do.

sbayne

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