Synergistic Research HFT + FEQ

Ozzy, I'm impressed with the DIY HFT's! They look cooler IMO. I don't see any bells on Audio Magic's website. Are these prototypes? I had great luck with the AM PEA's and appreciate your observations last time. Works well with the ZX Pulse Gen (have this on an Oyaide 079 plugged into the ar2p-to). I actually found the Akiko Tuning stick worked on my system (I cut the AC plug off and placed it on one of my amps negative terminals). I came across your findings recently on the WA Quantum fuse chips and now I'm waiting on those to come in for the SR20's I have. Too bad that power chip didn't work on the audience! I tried an Acoustic Revive qr-8 on the top of it with a friend. Insane soundstage effect and precise imaging, but sadly the highs overtook the other frequencies and introduced harshness. On his system damping the top of the P10 has a nice all around effect (Entreq Vibb). Not sure if HRS plates will do the same (the thicker DPX model is awesome on my source). Next up, SR RED fuses!

Audiotunesx, Thank you ! They look even better in person.
Sound wise they are as good or better than the SR units. I think its because copper has better tonal qualities. The SR units appear to me to be there tuning units used in there active shielding and are cut in half.

The Audio Magic bells are not posted on the web site yet. But, they are listed on Audiogon. Do a search for AudioMagic.

Question:
Are you saying that your friend is using dampening material on the PS Audio P10? If so, I have found that Herbies makes a DB heavy pad that can stick to the cover very well. I use them now on several pieces.

Also, what is so special about the SR Red fuses?

Ozzy, nice stuff! My friend and I experimented with the HFT's on his system. They were very effective once several packs were used. With just one pack, the height of the soundstage (or stage position) went up too high. Voices kind of on top of you. Tone shifted towards the highs. With many packs around the room they did expand soundstage and provide higher resolution and I think tone went back to normal. Results will vary, room to room, system to system. I'm reluctant to try HFT's with the tall Magnepans. I don't think they improved tonal qualities, so it's interesting that yours do that! Copper is likely a better material. The AM kit is interesting, but still a bit of money for me. My friend also has the FEQ. All around amazing product, well worth the cost! To me it was similar to the effect of the aR2p-TO, in terms of resoltion, dynamics and soundstage. But the FEQ goes about this in a very relaxed way. My friend made his own plug in cable out of silver wire and an Oyaide 004 connector. I was shocked at the improvements. Even clearer, more soundstage/resolution/bass, no ill effects.

There's a damping product from a European company called the "Entreq Vibb Eater." Much like the HRS damping plates they are placed on top of a device. On the P10 it really helped all areas. The Vibb is a basically a leather pouch with several pounds of damping sand. It may have some EMI properties as well and pebbles, I'm not sure. The HRS plate was tremendously effective on top of my Oppo 105. It took the player to a whole new level, while somehow taking away much grain and harshness at the same time. I bought one more plate, but have yet to try if a second will add further improvements. For the money, I haven't come across such an easy effective tweak (aside from HighEnd CC's 75ohm terminator, best $20 bucks ever spent). I haven't tried any damping material inside of my components yet. I was looking at the Fo.q stuff (but the HRS plates cost just a little more). I'll take a look at Herbies offering! After experimenting with the Acoustic Revive QR-8, I feel their's got to be an effective damping product for the audience aR2p-TO. I'm also looking for a way to dampen all my Oyaide 079 connectors.

The SR Red's are a bit pricey but I'm considering buying. Unfortunately, I can't find what they actually changed. I did find out that it should sound similar to the SR20 with an increase in resolution and lower noise floor. I looked closely at the pictures and it appears the end caps are the same. So changes are likely inside the fuse. I wonder if SR added damping filler like Furutech... Has anyone tried one of these yet?

Placement of these little devices can change the tonal qualities. If you place them too high they do seem to accent more of the higher frequencies.

Except for a few places in the room, the majority of mine are placed either at speaker height or near the floor level at the middle and behind subs and speakers.

I also have many placed on equipment. The speaker placement was ok and on most of my digital equipment there is an improvement. But, not so good on other equipment such as Amp or Preamp.
I now have 15 of the SR, 15 of the Audio Magic, and about 30 of my DIY versions.

I would rate the Audio Magic the best, with my DIY versions second and then the SR's. Again, I think it is because of the copper.

Ozzy,

Do you have any close-up pics of yours?