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

    • 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

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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

Scott, I'm enjoying reading your journey with the mats. Keep the updates coming!

david_ten

Owner
Tonight, I spent a couple of hours listening to a wide variety of music. I must say my system has never sounded so real yet dynamic. Its "right there" type of sound. Not a hint of brightness or excessive treble with a rich midrange and tight bass. However, I respect Grannyring's opinion to the "enth degree" so I took the magnetic sheets off and quickly alternated the sheets within the stack so they went from facing the component to opposing the component back and forth. In other words, they did not all face the same direction but alternated. I did not touch the sheets in the breaker box which are all facing away from the breakers. Against my own inclinations, I immediately listened again and all I can say is "wow"! However, I'm going to let this configuration sit until Sunday (its now Friday) and listen again....

sbayne

Owner
Bill - after reading your post, I realized my magnetic sheets are attached to the inside of my breaker box door so they are actually facing away from the breakers. The magnetic sheets are facing towards my components and speakers, however. I'm going to do some extended listening tonight and may move some things around based on what I hear. Thanks for the feedback. Scott

sbayne

Here is what I think so far of this magnetic sheet layering with graphene oxide between the sheet layers. It does indeed have an impact on the sound of my system.  I have them on my breaker panel door and on all pieces of gear and conditioners.  Nothing under or on my speakers.  

With the magnetic side facing the gear and breaker box the music is more detailed and louder. However,  there is a strange nervousness to the increased detail that I tire of after listening for awhile. When placing the magnetic side away from gear and the breaker box the sound is more full bodied and natural to my ears. More musically engaging really. 

Still trying to determine the overall changes with the mats facing away vs no mats at all. Well, this is what I am finding with my gear. The breaker box and integrated amp are the two areas that seem to have the most impact thus far. 

grannyring

Owner
I've placed them with the magnetic side facing the component. I've tried within the stacks to keep them all facing the same direction as well.

sbayne

Quick question. Have you placed the mat’s magnetic side facing the component or with the magnetic side facing away?

grannyring

Owner
I've now removed Bybee iQSEs I had in my music server and on my amp. I also removed DIY Shakti stones that I had through-out my system and on my speakers. I can't help but think they may have been disturbing the consistency of the magnetic field.  I added treated magnetic sheets to the top and bottom of my speakers as well as added additional sheets to my music server and amp.  I couldn't wait so I went ahead and listened for about 15 minutes. The sound seemed a little "weird" (how is that for an approved audiophile term?). I'm going to let it sit for a few days.

sbayne

Owner
Very thorough Bill. Not surprised. Looking forward to your comments.

sbayne

I added the graphene oxide between the layers.  I used a 3 inch foam roller to apply the graphene oxide.  I applied it very heavy.  My magnetic sheets are 8x10 with adhesive on one side. The adhesive made it easy to to stack the sheets with graphine oxide in between every layer. I put a thick coating that would sometimes ooze out when I place one sheet over the next.  I simply wiped off any excess with paper towels. I wore rubber gloves just to be safe.  

I will leave in place and report back.  

grannyring

Owner
Sounds good Bill.  I’ve been traveling quite a bit lately so my mats were able to sit without me taking a listen for a few days.  I’m guessing they went through some ups and downs in the beginning which I didn’t have to put up with.  But not really sure.

sbayne

I have 5 - 60 mill mats on my breaker box.  5-20 mill on my Lyngdorf 2170 and 3-20 mill on each on my power conditioners.  I have not applied the Graphene yet, but I have it.  I have 10 more 20 mil sheets coming for my speakers.  To early (no chance to really listen yet) to tell of the impact. Things thus far seem very dynamic and more forcefull.  We will see.

grannyring

Owner
Tom - Great that other people may try it too! I've cut all my sheets to fit my equipment - cutting it is no problem as far as I can tell. I may put some sheets on top and on the bottom of my equipment. I'm starting to think its all about keeping a uniform, consistent magnetic loop intact, so top and bottom placement makes sense to me. The graphene oxide is a coating that helps make the magnetic loop even more uniform and consistent. Based on what I've done and heard so far, I don't think it has anything to do with "micro-arcing" or "conductivity".  Scott

sbayne

Simple enough, that’s awesome. I told a friend about this and might order some magnets and oxide to try. He asked about cutting the magnet in smaller sections to fit in certain places. I haven’t tried this yet but it’s a good idea for anyone wanting to put them on top of components to avoid tubes and vent holes. Like you mentioned before it can go underneath as well which I have done on my dac and amp but also have some on top but there only half on because of tubes and holes. 

My mind keeps wondering what is better, a few 60 mil sheets stacked with some oxide painted or a bunch of 20 mil sheets which would allow more oxide to be applied? And then what about painting multiple coats on the same magnet? Definitely a lot of experimenting can be had. Thanks Scott for taking the initiative to give this magnet/graphene thing a try!

t_ramey

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