I have finished testing Dover's mag configuration on my modified ET2, along with individual mags independantly at either end. This has been the most extensive test I have done with magnets, spanning 3 nights of listening. The results were consistent and largely the same for all mag configurations. Differences being the degree of change. I used both weak fridge magnets and what I believe to be strong neo magnets.
Test records were..
Corelli, Harmonia Mundi 7014, track 1
Oscar Peterson Trio, We get requests, Analogue productions V/V6-8606 track, You look good to me.
Saint-Saens, Respighi, Proprius 7857, track 3
The descriptions here are all referenced to no magnents, being the control example. All changes noted were minor but repeatable over the three nights and were present with both magnet strenghts.
With the magnets in this is what I heard....
Corelli. The harpsichord notes lost some of their attach. The spaces between the individual instruments of the orchestra was reduced with the sound stage being compressed laterally and front to back. The piece begins with a series of very short movements, each stopping abruptly allowing the sound to decay naturally into the hall. The tail of this decay was shortened.
Oscar Peterson. This track begins with a bowed bass followed by the piano and drums, it steadily builds to become quite loud by track end. The effect is dramatic. The bowed bass had less bite. Less slip stick of the bow on the strings. Ray Browns usual muttering as he plays is less apparent. Less space between instruments and smaller sound stage. The build up to the final notes was diminished.
Saint-Saens. The singer uses vibrato to good effect adding interest to this piece. This vibrato was rounded, smearing her voice. An aside is the airconditioning that can be heard on this track. It rumbles along beneath her voice. With the mags in place this becomes more of a low frequency hum. Sound stage and hall cues were diminished.
With all iterations, there was a fog added, this covered up low level detail. There was also a slight feeling of unease, a tension which by the third night had become annoying.
The greatest negative change was with the 4 strong magnets, becoming less of a problem as I reduced strength and number.
All of these differences were slight, but it is the litle bits that make this hobby of ours interesting.
For those of you who may be interested in adding mass. I would bring your attention to Morch's latest arm which uses massive weights to increase horizontal mass. On their web site it does not say what these weights are made out of, but brass or stainless steel would be reasonable asumptions. Extra weight like this would dwarf the 30 or so grams I have added to my ET.
An appology. Some of you have contacted me via my Technics upgrade web page krebsupgrade.com While I can see the mail, I cannot at this time open them or send replies. I will get it fixed asap.
