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.
    • Line Magnetic LM-845 Premium

    The LM-845 Premium is a SET integrated amp that uses massive output transformers and a massive separate power supply. The driver tubes are 300B and output tubes are 845. I've upgraded the tubes to Western Electric. The authority, richness and soundstage this amp provides is outstanding. With the Aerial 20T V2 speakers it presents a huge soundstage that is silky smooth and powerful.

    • Eversolo Play & Gustard A26 streamer/DAC combo
    This is Eversolo's all-in-one component which I have found makes an excellent stand alone streamer. I'm feeding it to a Gustard A26 DAC that combines two AK4499EX DAC chips with one AK4191 modulator from Asahi Kasei Microdevices. With independent power supplies and grounding for each channel when run fully balanced it makes a huge, natural soundstage and very realistic presentation of the music. 
    • 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.
    • AR-ES1, SME, Origin Live, Hagerman Labs and LTA analog system
    Heavy modified custom AR-ES1 with Origin Live speed box and SME 309 tonearm. Phono preamp is a Hagerman Labs Trumpet MC with LTA power supply. Very high value and excellent performing analog system.
    • 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 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, ECT and GCT
    The UEF Panels, UEF Dots, Black Box, 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.
    • Synergistic Research Tranquility Pod
    The Tranquility Pod has powered UEF and SR 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. Hand-built around a massive transformer thats wired and grounded in the classic star configuration.  The ADD-Powr and ElectraClear devices 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.
    • 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 have variable Schumann frequencies.
    • Audio Magic Pulsed Electron Alignment
    The PEAs are battery powered and affect Spintronics: electrons spinning around electronic signals. 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.
    • 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 595

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I ordered the magnetic mats.  Please attach a link to the graphene oxide you purchased.  Do you just paint it on? I assume so. Is this stuff toxic in any way .... that is a warning label on the bottle etc.... Thanks a bunch.  

grannyring

Great stuff! Keep it up.  Seems you are an active DIYer now!

grannyring

Owner
The graphene oxide had a positive effect on the magnetic mats I've been using. Almost every aspect of the sound has improved. If people are reading this I would highly recommend you get on E-bay and buy 20' or 30' of 20mil magnetic mat and a 1.5mil bottle of graphene oxide. Total cost should be a little over $125. Cut the mats to the exact size you need. Use about 7 - 10 layers. Cover each layer with graphene oxide. Stack them either on top or below each component and the inside cover of your breaker box. (Obviously don't put them by anything that could be damaged by a magnetic field such as a phono cartridge, hard drive or even some speakers) Let them sit for at least 3 days. If you don't hear a positive difference I will be shocked! 

On a side note, I read through the latest posts on the E-Mat thread. Looks like the manufacturer and "tester" who received the product for free are trying to squelch opinions from some of the most well-known and respected people on Audiogon. The manufacturer even sent sample E-mats to one of those people, who then didn't give an absolute glowing review so apparently the manufacturer told him to send the samples back! If he would have simply set-up a website to sell his product and let true word-of-mouth sell his product he would have been much better-off. I assume whatever he has created is a much stronger version of what I have put together. 

sbayne

Owner
I've now painted the magnetic mats with graphene oxide. I'm leaving on another 3 day trip so I will let them "cook"and do another extended listening session.

sbayne

Owner
I've done some serious listening the past few days. The magnetic sheets are definitely making the presentation more musical. I still need to do more experimenting. For example, it seems by adding even more sheets to the layers makes a nice improvement but I have no idea how much is too much. I realize I'm creating a magnetic field which I thought should always be avoided (lots of audio tweaks try to eliminate EMI) but it seems they are actually beneficial!

sbayne

Owner

Bill - making the grounding box was easy. I ordered everything off Ebay one night when I decided to build one. The wood box came from there as well. I just checked and it doesn't appear the guy is active on EBay anymore, unfortunately.  I just drilled the holes in the back of the box and added the binding posts.  I used 10lbs of tourmaline and bought a roll of copper . In all, it cost me about $150. I think it was worth it. If nothing else it was a fun project.

The whole thing with the E-mat pissed me off. Really don't understand giving a product away to people who have no idea how it works and then squelching any discussion in that regard. I'm sure its a good product so let it stand-on its own and give us an idea of what's going on - I'm sure its much more than just a magnetic mat! Anyway, I'll report back in a few days.

sbayne

Did you make the wood chassis for the grounding box? Looks good and nice job on the piece.  I have been reading up on these and want to build one. I bet your system is sounding great!

grannyring

Great.  I will follow your comments here.  I am also interested in your grounding box. Was it worth the effort?

grannyring

Owner
Over on the E-Mat thread I was called unethical by the OP and the maker of the E-Mat told another Audiogoner to simply ignore my post about his use of the E-Mat on his speakers and to post pictures of it. I have no interest in being goated into a fight so I simply dropped-off the thread. I'll continue to post my findings about magnetic mats here on my system page.

sbayne

Owner
Ozzy - 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've attached some additional pictures. 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. By the way, a couple of years ago you taught me how to make DIY resonators so I'm kind of returning the favor.  I've enjoyed reading about your system over the years and how its evolved.  Scott

sbayne

Can you provide some more info about your DIY ground box?

ozzy

ozzy

Owner
I'm now back in town and gave a listen with the four 8x11 magnetic mats under my music server. No doubt another improvement in sound! My 30 additional "mats" also arrived but there was a note in the box saying they could not cut them to size so they sent me a 30' x 2' roll! I now have 10 layers of 20mil magnetic mat on the inside of my breaker box and 10 layers under or over all my components including the power conditioners. I sat down for a brief listen and wow! but I'm going to let them "cook" for a few days before reaching any conclusions.......

sbayne

Owner
Three days ago I put four 8x11 magnetic mats on top of my music server (no hard drive inside - if there was a hard drive the magnets would wreck havoc with its magnetic platter). I've been out-of-town but gave a listen tonight. Well, I was a little amazed but there was definitely an improvement in sound quality! Each image was a little bigger in the soundstage yet a touch more natural sounding. I'm going away again for 5 days so I will give a listen when I get back. These are very inexpensive so I just ordered 30 more and will try them throughout my system. Interesting stuff!

sbayne

Owner

Here are my thoughts on reviewers. I recently posted this in response to a magnetic mat that is being sold on Audiogon that was sent to a number of people free of charge. I'm going to copy it here so I can easily get to it for future use:

oregonpapa (Frank) - Thanks for the cordial response. I don’t think receiving a product for free obligates the receiver to post a favorable review but if the person wants to establish a relationship with the manufacturer and keep the freebies coming they would naturally be inclined to give a very positive review. I would hope a person wouldn’t be dishonest just to get free product but full disclosure allows a reader to make their own judgments.

We see this all the time with "professional" reviewers. They review the same companies over and over consistently spewing-out positive reviews. Toss-in the "reviewers discount" they usually get, the free meals at shows, the in-home delivery/setup/consultation and you’ve got to wonder if the relationship is a little too cozy.

A big reason I like reading "non-professional" reviews is because you assume the person actually bought the product and is not being "paid" in anyway for their time or effort to write the review. This is especially true when a money back guarantee is involved - they have decided it truly was worth investing their own money and didn’t return it.

As to my positive comments on products, I can assure you I’ve paid for all of them except for the Burson Audio cables I reviewed which I now agree Audiocircle correctly nixed.

sbayne

Owner
I had a nice long listening session with an old friend last night. He hadn't heard my system for about 6 months or more. I've had a lot of turnover in equipment since he was last here. He thinks its vastly improved. He is going to try the graphene oxide I've been using. He has a very nice system but is not a tweeker/change equipment nut like I am. I will say the graphene oxide certainly has not lost its effectiveness - if anything its getting better with time.

sbayne

Owner
Yep, I think the Corelli works best when plugged into the same outlet as the power conditioner which feeds your system. Versus plugging it directly into the power conditioner or some place else on the line such as a power strip. I've tried plugging the Corelli into other power lines throughout my listening room and it had no effect. So, I'm a little surprised the distributor told Ozzy it would affect other lines (he even said dedicated lines) in the listening room and to use it with a power strip. As always, its best to use your best judgment (and ears) when implementing tweeks such as the Corelli and Total Contact.

sbayne

It's vaporware! : )

Yes. I have the power conditioner plugged into the other outlet.

david_ten

Owner
David, at least I know someone is reading this! ha,ha. Do you have a power conditioner that feeds your system plugged into the Synergistic Black duplex that has the Corelli? (You really need to get your system page up-to-date, my friend!)

sbayne

Scott, it's a pleasure to read your updates and follow the evolution and progress of your system. Very cool!

On another note, I installed a Synergistic Black duplex and have the Corelli direct into it and have placed it in the audio console alongside my other components. Can't report on differences because the SR Black duplex is still breaking in...but the system sounds terrific. : )

Thanks for your suggestions regarding the Corelli.

Looking forward to learning about how the graphene oxide solution keeps working and if / when you decide to apply the TC.

david_ten

Owner
I've been trying to find out over on the Total Contact thread (which unfortunately has deteriorated into a bunch of name calling) exactly what is in Total Contact. I posted that I was using graphene oxide. I was taken to task by longtime Audiogoner, geoffkait, who stated graphene oxide isn't conductive. I pointed out research shows it is conductive if mixed with distilled water. He said when the water dries it won't be conductive anymore. That's a good point but I have found what really happens the distilled water washes the graphene. The remaining residue contains small particles of graphene and remains conductive. That's why graphene oxide is used in batteries, solar cells and even nano-circuits. Its much cheaper than pure graphene and can be used for many more applications. I highly doubt Total Contact is pure graphene. Just a little bit of it in the wrong place and you would short the circuit. Guys have reported painting the entire surface of capacitors and wires. If it is pure graphene that whole surface would become conductive which is a big problem. Total Contact must be some type of graphene solution - most likely graphene oxide. I use this system page as a blog to record my thoughts about my audio system.  I've decided not to post on the Total Contact thread anymore because both sides are acting like a bunch of middle-schoolers. If my system starts to sound worse and worse as the weeks go on (the grapheme oxide I've used continues to dry - becoming less and less conductive) then I will get some Total Contact and go to town.

sbayne

Owner
I now use four High Fidelity MC-0.5s in my system. I fully coated them with graphene oxide and let them cook. They add even more "finesse" to the system. As I said before, they definitely need to be upstream of the Corelli to sound their best. Pics updated.

sbayne

Owner
Well I went nuts with the graphene oxide. After reading what people have been doing with this stuff I decided to apply it throughout my system including places that don't seem to make sense. The biggest improvement came when I did all the connections on my grounding box. Crazy. I also did the two switch plates that feed my system. Double Crazy. I finally popped the top of my Corelli and did the entire interior including the carbon cylinders. Triple Crazy. Well the proof is in the listening. My system is sounding very, very real. Really no other way to describe it.

sbayne

Owner
I recently purchased 250ML of graphene oxide 5mg/ml solution. I've been using it through out my system. Really remarkable stuff. I know that Total Contact has got glowing feedback so I had to try a graphene solution in my system. What I'm using is much cheaper but also seems to be very effective.

sbayne

Owner
Hi David - Final placement for the Corelli is with it plugged into the wall outlet that my power conditioner is also plugged into. The MC-0.5, Electraclear and another Akiko Audio Tuning Stick are plugged into a power strip that is also on the same line but is upstream of the wall outlet the Corelli is plugged into. Bottom line is these things all work but you have to be careful what sequence you put them in because they all effect the power in a slightly different way. Scott

sbayne

Scott, thanks for the updates on synergy with the MC-05 as well as what you are finding, in terms of placement for the Corelli.

david_ten

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