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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Owner
I was out of the country for a few weeks and was finally able to sit-down last night for a listen to my system. I'm still very impressed with this fully optimized Tekton/Yamaha combo. Very musical with a palatable soundstage. Very relaxing.

sbayne

Owner
I recently heard some very expensive systems. These folks gave hi-end dealers a budget and let them do their thing. I'm pretty sure none of the owners frequent Audiogon so I'm going to comment here.  Frankly, they were sold audio jewelry with little concern for sound quality. The owners obviously wanted me to gush over their systems. I was kind, but not enthusiastic.  One guy told me he has about $100k in his system - I just smiled.  I guess audio dealers are like most other salespeople. They sell the customer whatever they carry and is best for the store's bottom-line. Such is life.

sbayne

Owner
I've put Perfect Path E-Mats underneath the Yamaha and covered all the open RCA connections with Perfect Path caps. The receiver is now completely engulfed with this technology and the sound I'm getting is really quite amazing.

sbayne

Owner
Thanks David. People say things online to each other they would never say to a person's face because they know its not appropriate. Makes no sense other than for self-edification.

sbayne

Scott, understandable and many have done the same. Hopefully you will reconsider.  - David.

david_ten

Owner
I'm going to stay off the forums for a while. Seems like most people there just want to show they are better than someone else. There is no real discussion going on. Not worth my time.

sbayne

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

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