I just heard Frank’s audio system for the first time. He has the same speakers and CD player as I do, with a pair of Hallographs and 10 SR HFTs. Otherwise, our audio systems are different. I was enthralled with the dynamically robust, tonally colorful, rhythmically engaging, full frequency extension, fast transient and detailed presentation of music. We started with Yello-Touch, Ellington Jazz Party, Brubeck Impressions USA, Opera (Don Carlo), modern Pop vocal Allyson Round Midnight, jazz harmonica, guitar…a big serving of all types of recordings and music. The sound was outstanding, better than my system in detail and pace, lacking only in deepest bass since I have a slab foundation and he has a not too secure raised foundation (sucks the bass) and my room is about 3 times larger than his. There was that organ recital CD he put on that had really robust and tactile feeling bass.
However, after removing the triple Omega E-mats from under the CD player, pre-amp and amp, the sound became less engaging, less dynamic. It still retained most of its beauty but having multiple stacked mats made a significant difference. Since everyone’s system is different (his Audio Research gear has thick aluminum chassis, my pre/phono and amps have thin steel chassis for one big difference) there could be a difference in how many mats are needed to achieve the result I heard at Frank’s .
I stayed for a few hours despite the 100 degree weather because the sound/music was so engaging. I had only intended to listen to a few CD selections. I’ve only heard a few high end systems do what his does, maybe three per audio show and another in a friend's home. I credit the Omega E-mat for the difference. It was very obviously a huge benefit, as stacked in his system.
Next is to test them on my system to see what a single mat per equipment/electrical panels does.
