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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Owner
I've come to the conclusion that to get truly high-end sound you must treat the signal, power and acoustics. The components are not nearly as important. Companies like PerfectPath, Synergistic Research, AudioMagic, Tice, Bybee, Kemp and Akiko all seem to be "snake oil" but in reality they are simply using fairly well known technology to get better sound quality.

sbayne

Owner
I added Audio Magic silencers/clarifiers and placed on E-Card on top of them. They have only been cooking for a couple days but they sound spectacular together! I admit, I've officially gone tweek crazy!

sbayne

Owner

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."

sbayne

Owner
I placed an E-Card on top of the Kemp QA, the end of my Ethernet cable where it enters the Yamaha and over the speaker binding posts. Its now a couple of days later, and holy crap, the sound has opened-up even more. Problem is I don't know which placement added the most bang-for-the-buck. I'll probably end-up just leaving them there. There is also the additional settling of the Total Contact on the Ethernet cable and the E-Cards on the transformers. Just too many variables too quantify everything.

sbayne

Owner
As a number of you have pointed-out, I've been calling PerfectPath Technologies....... Perpetual Technologies. 

Brain fart, mistake, and apologizes all-around! 

sbayne

Owner
Wow, I posted some reading material over on the Perpetual Technologies thread regarding spintronics (the direction electrons spin around the atom i.e. quantum physics), how it can effect electronic signals in circuits/wire and be manipulated by magnets and graphene. It quickly went to middle-school name calling. I guess we can't have civilized discussion anymore. As a person said on that thread - its "sad".

sbayne

Owner
Last night, I removed a couple of the E-Cards from on top of the Yamaha and placed them directly on the transformer inside. I also applied Total Contact to the ends of the Ethernet cable feeding the Yamaha. Heard an immediate improvement so I'm looking forward to once they settle-in.  Tweaks like this continue to amaze me!

sbayne

Owner
I've done a massive update of MY Place system page with current pictures and explanations. (Frankly, I wish more people would have a system page and keep it current. Many times I see people discussing equipment they supposedly own but they don't have a system page or, if they do, it shows different equipment from what they are talking about)

sbayne

Owner
I got home fairly late last night but still got about 45 minutes of listening in (with an aged tequila in hand!) The sound is even more warm with lots of texture. Not sure if its the magnets I added back or the E-Cards/Total Contact settling-in even more. I used a stack of 5 magnet mats folded over to make a 10 layer bundle. I'm leaving the magnets in for now since I'm liking the sound.

sbayne

Owner
My current thinking is you want to get the electrons spinning as uniformly as possible in the signal passing through your components, cables and speakers.  This is explained through quantum physics which is way above me but many audio companies are now using it to improve sound.  Going to a receiver really simplifies the process because the amp, DAC, preamp, streamer and control functions are all “treated” at the same time and you eliminate the various cables which you normally have to get spinning uniformly as well.  At some point, I’ll probably get more E-Cards and put them along my speaker cables and crossovers just to keep that spintronic effect uniform all the way to the drivers.  For now, I want to see if the magnets help or hurt the signal passing through the Yamaha.  (By the way I’ve heard some great Klipsch setups over the years!)

sbayne

Very nice. I just picked up some klipsch speakers and have heard guys liking Yamaha amps with them. Something for me to keep in mind. Safe travels!

t_ramey

Owner
Sorry Tom, that was definitely a stream of consciousness post. I've moved to a Yamaha R-N803 receiver that I've tricked-out with Total Contact, Synergistic Research Blue fuse, GCTs/ECTs and a double stack of E-Cards on top. I'm getting phenomenal sound. The Yamaha has a built-in streamer (Tidal support), decent phono stage, room correction, sub output, IPad control, etc. I'm back to traveling this weekend but before I leave I'm going to put a stack of magnets underneath the Yamaha and see how it sounds when I get back next week. I'll update pics at some point.

sbayne

Well that’s quite the tease. Please share when you get the time.

t_ramey

Owner
I'm doing some major rethinking and reworking of my system. The holiday break was really refreshing (audio wise).

sbayne

Owner
Hi Tom - yeah I took all the magnet sheets w/ graphene oxide, Tweek Geek Sonic Tonics, High Fidelity MC-0.5s and some DIY Shakti Stones out a couple of days before I started listening with the E Cards and Total Contact. I left all my Synergistic Research stuff in. I tried taking the ECTs and GCTs out but put them back in because the sound was definitely better with them in. I also put some of the DIY Shakti Stones back in. As mentioned below, I've added a Kemp Quantum Approach to the system and I moved the Akiko E-Tuning Gold MKII to a different location. I'm doing this all by ear so its a lot of trial and error.

sbayne

Hey Scott, have you left the magnet sheets w/GO in place while introducing the e-cards to the system or did you take them out?

t_ramey

Owner
I've now doubled-up the E-Cards and heard a nice improvement immediately. Relocated some ECTs and added a Kemp Quantum Approach that I had in another system. Things are really coming together.

sbayne

Owner
It’s nice to be on vacation and spend some time with my system.  I haven’t moved the E-Cards around but I have been tinkering with everything else.  It really is amazing how we can tailor sound with various tweaks.  No definite conclusions at this point but this week over Christmas is going to be awesome!

sbayne

I’m sure moving them around can show differences in sound quality initially and leaving it where you think it sounds best sounds like a plan. Already ordering another set of e-cards? Nice!

t_ramey

Owner
I know you aren't supposed to move the E-Cards around but they definitely sound better in certain areas than in others. Also, they interact with the ECTs I use. I can already tell I need more E-Cards over the transformers because when I stack them up there the sound improves so I ordered another set. The ECTs sound best over circuits than the E-Cards do. Everyone says the E-Cards improve the sound the longer they are left undisturbed so I'm going to TRY to not touch them this weekend! ha,ha

sbayne

Owner
Yep, I got the E-cards and the Total Contact about a week ago. Probably do some serious listening this weekend. I put them on my amp and over my circuit breaker to my listening room.

sbayne

Did you get the e-cards? If so, where’d you put them?

t_ramey

Owner
I listened to just one very familiar cut last night. Things are sounding really good...........

sbayne

Owner
Yeah it should be fun! I have a pretty good handle on what my system sounds like with the magnets. I took the magnets out last night so the system can settle before I put the Total Contact and E Cards in. I talked to Tim this morning and he agreed I should place an E Card over my listening room's breaker circuit using some double-sided tape. I'll try to refrain from any serious listening for at least a week, but that may not be possible!

sbayne

Looks like it finally worked. That was weird.

Anyway, look forward to what you think of the TC and e-cards. I bought more TC from a friend who didn’t use all of his and pasted it to my speaker driver connections as well as the crossover connections. I really like what it does and my speakers and system has never sounded better. Might be a while still before I get some e-cards so I’d like to hear what you think about them especially compared to the magnet sheets we’ve been using. 

t_ramey

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