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

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

Trying to post on your page

t_ramey

Owner
Things have finally calmed down at work and I should have time over the holidays to evaluate the PerfectPath Tech products. So, I ordered a set of Alpha E Cards from PerfectPath and bought some Total Contact from another audiophile. I'm looking forward to finally checking these out!

sbayne

Owner
I’ve been tinkering with my system lately.  I started to get a little less transparency in the bass and lower mids and the highs didn’t seem as warm. So I put everything back to where I knew I liked it, but it still didn’t sound right.  Finally, I realized the sub for the right channel wasn’t making any sound! The power cord looked like it was in place but was out just enough to lose power.  I pushed it all the way in and the sound snapped into place! Definitely reconfirmed the Impact Monitors sound better with stereo subs!

sbayne

Owner
Listened to Daft Punk's RAM on vinyl last night with my son. That last cut is nuts! Literally thought I was going to blow a speaker!

sbayne

Owner
I ended-up taking the MC-0.5, that has Total Contact all-over it, out of my system. Even when used with the SR Tranquility bases it seemed to add a slight haze to the sound. Really weird. I tried non-treated MC-0.5s in different positions and finally left them as they were before - all together in the same power strip. Since its claimed to be very conductive, I thought maybe the Total Contact was passing some type of noise over the surface of that MC-0.5. So I got out my multi-meter and it isn't conductive as far as I can tell (I readily admit maybe I was measuring it wrong). Whatever. The next logical step is to wipe the Total Contact off and try it all again. So spent a lot of time screwing around and didn't get very far. Argh!

sbayne

Owner
I've been busy with work and family matters lately so not much time spent with my system. I did buy a MC-0.5 from another Audiogoner. He had completely covered it with Total Contact.  Its a strange beast. Definitely does not play well with the other MC-0.5s I have in my system. When pared with other MC-0.5s on the same power strip it added a really weird fazy sibilance to the sound. I moved it to a power strip that powers my SR Tranquility bases and liked what it did. I finally have some time this weekend to mess around with my system so I'll keep experimenting. Again, placement and time with "tweaks" make all the difference.

sbayne

Owner
You mean "life" isn't all about our sound systems? Ha,ha.  I just want to give the E-Cards a fair shot so I need enough time to do that. I don't want to drop them in my system on Friday and reach a conclusion on Sunday. I've certainly learned placement and time in the system can make a big difference with sound quality.

sbayne

Absolutely Scott! 

I want to order some e cards or mat too but it might have to wait after some unexpected expenses. I hate it when life gets in the way of my audio hobby...

:)

t_ramey

Owner
I read a news report this morning that scientists recently figured-out how birds detect the earth's magnetic field to navigate. For decades they thought it had something to do with their beaks being able to feel it but they actually SEE it based on blue-light from dusk. There is so much we still don't understand about sound, light, matter, space, time, physics, magnetic fields.........its really rather arrogant and ignorant for objective audiophiles to claim we can measure every characteristic of sound.

sbayne

Owner
Saw your comments on the E-Cards, Bill. I will get a set at some point. I've been gone so much lately I'm going to wait a little bit when I have more time to devote to my system. I certainly respect your opinions.

sbayne

Very interesting.  I think this whole area of science will bring with it a host of new innovation within our industry. I think the Perfect Path Audio products are doing something within this sphere.  Tim is onto something within this space.

grannyring

Owner
Long story short, over the past weekend, I met a quantum physicist and struck-up a conversation. She was talking about the dual nature of light which has both particle and wave-like properties. Apparently, light diffraction can be manipulated at the electron level. I asked her about magnetic fields and graphene. Perhaps she was humoring me, but after I told her what I've been doing she indicated it was certainly possible the "spin" of the magnetic field is why my system seems to sound better. It was refreshing to talk to a scientist who seemed to be fully open to subjective determinations of sound quality!

sbayne

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