|
|
Post by SteveC on Feb 28, 2024 12:04:54 GMT
A B2 at the front and centre of each TAD speaker stand, "head down!"  image7 by , on Flickr |
|
|
|
Post by SteveC on Feb 28, 2024 12:21:16 GMT
With 7.5 Kg of Entreq Apollo XL Vibb Eater (rat) on top of each TAD speaker and the addition of a Neodio Origine B2 on each TAD stand, in turn, mounted on a Townshend Seismic Podium platform, I feel that I have done as much as possible, to mitigate the effects of vibration from this direction!  image3 by , on Flickr |
|
|
|
Post by SteveC on Feb 28, 2024 12:54:21 GMT
Day 8 - The Quiescent Apex Couplers (I had two sets of 3 to evaluate - 40's and 50's, the 60's being just too big to accommodate in the two locations I had in mind to try them. Under the D'Agostino power amp and the Aurender N20 server/streamer). Designed to drain high-frequency noise and mechanical vibration from the chassis of the supported system component, the intended result is to improve musical agility, dynamics and realism, without compromising the musical signal. As far as I'm aware, this is a unique approach for a footer, which normally only deal with stopping vibration getting from a supporting shelf into the component, or "wicking" vibration from the chassis and internals of the piece of kit itself! The Quiescent Apex Coupler has a built-in "acoustic labyrinth" first seen in their Hi-Rez Kinabalu platforms (when they called themselves Vertex AQ), many moons ago. Contact with the supported equipment is via a hardened stainless steel diode. which drains vibration into the acoustic labyrinth within the irregular-shaped body of the Apex Coupler, dissipating the energy as heat. Material within the body of the Coupler also absorbs RFI/EMI radiated from the supported component, akin to a grounding box. The audible result is of increased clarity, reduced noise and an enhancement to the flow of the music, presentation of the soundstage/imagery. They are somewhat expensive at £795 for a set of 3, size 40 Couplers, the larger 50's, being £1250/set and the much larger 60's, costing an eye-watering £1995/set! I first tried the 40's under the Aurender N20 and the 50's under the D'Agostino power amp. I played my chosen music and listened! I definitely liked what they were doing under the Aurender. I had always been aware of a very slight hum, when my ear was pressed up against the Aurender chassis, and this was now completely gone, with the Apex Couplers in situ. If I'm honest, I couldn't really hear a difference, when they replaced a quartet of Stillpoints Ultra 5 footers on Ultra Bases, underneath the D'Agostino amp, which has an absolutely solid, hewn from a block of aluminium, casework! Next, I removed the 50's from underneath the amp and replaced the Stillpoints footers. I then removed the 40's from underneath the Aurender N20 and replaced them with a trio of 50's. Settling back down and listening to the music, I was convinced that I heard an improvement in detail resolution and soundstage presentation. So, a thumbs up for the Quiescent Apex Coupler 50's, which do what they say on the tin, albeit at a price!  image6 by , on Flickr |
|
|
|
Post by SteveC on Feb 28, 2024 12:55:26 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by SteveC on Feb 28, 2024 13:16:08 GMT
Day 9 was spent assessing the contribution of the variously terminated (RCA, Ethernet, USB and BNC) Synergistic Research UEF Performance Enhancers, that I had at my disposal. Simple little devices, costing £295 each and designed to insert in any vacant sockets on your hifi (DAC's, Ethernet switches, clocks etc.) to suppress RFI/EMI. You could probably get the same reduction of noise by utilising a suitably terminated grounding lead into a grounding box, but SR's approach is very portable and easy to deploy in various locations, without having to find another shelf. When Byron demonstrated these devices at his January event, there was universal audience acclaim for a reduction in noise and resulting system sound improvement, when they were inserted. I had a different result at home and in my system, where, once again, I struggled to detect any improvement in sound quality! Hey ho! Horses for courses and all that! Another person's experience may well differ! That concluded my evaluation of Byron's collected box of tricks, with some successes and some things that simply didn't work for me. I chose not to deploy two other SR Purple mains fuses I had on hand, considering, as already described, that one, in conjunction with the SR Master Fuse and my proliferation of SR Orange and Red fuses in my system, was about the right level. After throwing about £10K worth of accessories at my system, over the course of a week, I was left with the feeling that items amounting to half that sum, were providing the significant improvement in performance. I spent the next five days, until Byron's return and the end of my 14-day home demo, gradually dismantling each tweek, wondering if the whole level of enhancement would collapse, when I finally peeled the Synergistic Research UEF Acoustic Dots off my walls and ceiling! Stay tuned folks!  image1 by , on Flickr |
|
|
|
Post by SteveC on Feb 28, 2024 13:45:58 GMT
I finally removed the SR UEF Acoustic Dots from my listening room and was relieved to find that I didn't miss their contribution, when listening to more music.
The things I did miss, were the Synergistic Research FEQ Carbon Acoustic Field generator, with it's accompanying ATM Carbon Module (£2.5K in total), SR Master Fuse, Neodio Origine B2 Acoustic Purifiers and the Quiescent 50 Apex Couplers.
If I went for these, it was a substantial financial outlay of £5200!!!!!!!
Was it worth spending this amount to extract yet more pleasure from my already, expensive hifi system?
In the context of the overall cost of my system, it represented a very small percentage and working on the principle, as I hurtle towards 70, that there are no pockets in a shroud (a favourite saying of my Glaswegian friend, Sam), the answer was ......... Yes!
Byron duly arrived, at the appointed hour, on the Saturday and was keen to debrief me on my experiences over the past two weeks.
He wasn't at all surprised by the failure of the Synergistic Research UEF Acoustic Dots and HFT Speaker kit to perform as intended, in my system, given the attention I had already paid to room tuning with products from Acustica Applicata and GIK.
I resolved to place an order for the Synergistic Research FEQ Carbon and was pleased to learn, that due to a current SR promotion, the ATM Carbon Module (£595) would be included, free of charge in the purchase price of the FEQ Carbon!
I also purchased a set of 4 Neodio Origine B2 Acoustic Purifiers, bringing my total spend to £2731.00!
Earmarked for the near future, are the acquisition of an SR Master Fuse, to accompany my "freebie" Purple Fuse and a set of Quiescent Apex 50 couplers for underneath the Aurender N20.
If any of these products peak your interest, I can always accommodate a visit for a listening session, at my home, near Winchester, Hampshire (I host a couple of "Bake-Off" events each year, which attract a good number of forum members from HiFiWigwam and now, Maverick-HiFi communities).
Alternatively, I thoroughly recommend the services of Byron Thompson of MBS Audio, based in Shinfield, near Reading, Berks.
Byron is an enthusiastic professional who switched from a career in project management, to starting a small business, which was also his passion - improving the performance of hifi systems. His ethos aligns very nicely with the values embraced by members of The Audio Standard.
He is very obliging and not at all pushy. I know of at least one other high-end system owning friend, who lives in Newbury, who has taken up the offer of a home demonstration from MBS Audio.
I hope you enjoyed my journey into darkest Foo Land and I certainly enjoyed the experience, as well as now benefitting from a more enjoyable time listening to music on my system, with the added enhancements!
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Feb 28, 2024 15:46:13 GMT
Excellent stuff, Steve, thanks for reporting on all those gadgets. You must have more patience than I have for things that don't necessarily make any difference.
I would like to hear the Quiescent Apex Couplers against the new Black Ravioli Big Pad Plus that I'm now using.
As for the SR fuses, I was sold some time ago and am very glad for their existence.
|
|
|
|
Post by stellabagpuss on Feb 28, 2024 15:59:33 GMT
Many thanks Steve for a fantastic read. Better than many Hifi magazines, so thank you taking the time to post a herculean amount of typing,time and information on TAS.
Damien
|
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Feb 28, 2024 16:30:31 GMT
Yes I would echo that sentiment.
|
|
|
|
Post by nicholas on Feb 28, 2024 17:29:08 GMT
Excellent recount of your journey to the fringe, Steve.
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Feb 28, 2024 17:30:49 GMT
In the context of the overall cost of my system, it represented a very small percentage and working on the principle, as I hurtle towards 70, that there are no pockets in a shroud (a favourite saying of my Glaswegian friend, Sam), the answer was ......... Yes! Well done and I echo those sentiments. In an ideal world, I aim to die on the day I have zero money left - all well spent! |
|
|
|
Post by petea on Feb 28, 2024 18:20:36 GMT
Thanks, Steve. What an interesting time you've had. Martin, I have an idea for a business start-up that could help you realise your ambition!  |
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Feb 28, 2024 18:27:45 GMT
Martin, I have an idea for a business start-up that could help you realise your ambition! Theranos and a revolver? |
|
|
|
Post by John on Feb 28, 2024 18:36:29 GMT
Thanks for sharing your honest experience Steve
|
|
|
|
Post by MikeMusic on Feb 28, 2024 21:04:46 GMT
Thanks for the opus Steve
I'm going to read that again
|
|
