Perfect Path "Solutions" (PPS) eMat

oregonpapa-

millercarbon ...

• "Frank, you are too kind. He is the one, probably just about the only one, I would have to disinvite."

Not me. I’d love to have the guy over for a listening session. Within the first few notes, he would have a look on his face as though he had just eaten a crap sandwich. No doubt he would try to save face by finding fault with the system, but once the session was over, he would leave and never be able to forget what he had heard. And the best part? He would try to match the sound somehow but would fail miserably, and would be chasing it for the rest of his arrogant little life. :-)

By the way Miller, I still laugh every time I think about your late-night phone call when your greeting was ... "Frank ... I had to call someone who understands!" That was truly a classic.

Frank.

That's the problem in a nutshell. All these different things we try, everything from components and cables to HFT and PPS, they all improve the sound in ways that we talk about in very similar terms. Imaging, detail, dynamics, extension, etc. But they also improve the sound in ways that are also somehow different. The Gate and Total Contact are very similar in character to each other, and sort of similar yet very different than the improvement brought by anything else.  

There really is no explaining why. We can hardly even describe how. But we sure do know it when we hear it! It's that spine-tingling sensation of a reality. Lately I've been using Townshend Pods and they do get me some of that. But there again the nature of the change is somehow subtly different.

The beauty of it is they all go together. Nothing clashes, everything adds.  

Nor do we have the problem so many others talk about, where they think the system got better but then complain how certain records all their faults are revealed and they are now hard to listen to. Every single one of my records sounds so much better than before it is hard to believe.  

I know it. You know it. I know that you know it. Pity some of these so-called audiophiles can't get that. Question is, the one in particular, are you really so sure he would even know it when he hears it? Would he even hear it? I don't think so.

Sounds like the moral of the story is people should spend thousands of dollars on things that nobody can explain and just have at it because some guys on the internet hear things.

At least people can buy into conspiracy theories for free.

Ahhh! So THIS is where the Dunning Kruger participants  hang out?! 

mapman

... the moral of the story is people should spend thousands of dollars on things that nobody can explain ...

Not at all. Everyone is free to spend their money however they please and - given that this is a hobbyist’s audio forum - should be free to do so without enduring insult and attacks from others. Of course, some seem to come here specifically so that they can insult and attack.

Here’s my take on the PPS eMat:
1. I’ve never tried it
2. I have no plans to try it anytime soon
3. I refrain from criticizing those who have experimented with the product.

It’s so simple!

millercarbon ...

• "I know it. You know it. I know that you know it. Pity some of these so-called audiophiles can’t get that. Question is, the one in particular, are you really so sure he would even know it when he hears it? Would he even hear it? I don’t think so."

Good point, Miller. Most likely, he wouldn’t know what to listen FOR. Or, his preconceived notions would skew his brain into convincing him that the sound is mediocre. (it’s that glass tabletop, don’t-cha know).

audio2design ...

No front wall reflection control
- No first reflection control
- The reflections off the glass table
- The reflective equipment between the speakers
- The lack of symmetry due to the windows on one side, and the wall/records on the other side
- The blinds (that will rattle)
- The reflective pictures on the wall
- The reflective (curio/china cabinet?) in one corner behind the speakers, but not the other

And again, you assume way too much.

1. Reflections are taken care of by the Hallographs. There are the two you can see in the corners behind the speakers, but there are two more behind the listening position. I can assure you that they are very effective. In addition to the Hollographs, there are Tube Traps behind the listening position. Then, there are the SR HFTs placed around the room. Oh, and the glass tabletop is removed for listening sessions.

2. All reflective glass surfaces like the pictures you mentioned have their own tweak in place, which I will not mention at this point. (secret stuff ya know) Mahgister would approve :-) . Same with the "rattling" blinds and the curio cabinet.

3. Those older speakers you mention are like most Legacy speakers. They perform way beyond their price point. And the best part? They have continued to keep up with every improvement I’ve made to the system. I don’t know what Legacy did in building these speakers, but when it comes to the Signature IIIs and the older Legacy Focus speakers, they got the darned things right. Imagine a pair of Harbeth 40.2s but with better bass and better highs. That is what these Legacys are doing at this point. Tonally amazing like the Harbeths too.

4. You mentioned the need for a center channel in a theater system. I used to work for an ultra-high-end audio/video dealer. When I say "ultra-high-end," that is exactly what it was. Two elaborate separate rooms, one for video, one for audio. The video room used all Goldmund electronics and the big Goldmund speakers. The performance was spectacular. Guess what? There was NO center channel. We found that it messed up the natural imaging presentation. We used to talk customers out of buying a center channel speaker. Not only did they save money, but they got better sound.

And in the audio room ... we used the best electronics and speakers money could buy. Compared with what I’m getting at home using all of the PPT tweaks, and everything else I’ve done, yes ... the soundstage was bigger, it played louder, and was impressive in all ways. HOWEVER, when it comes to intimate realism, in a much smaller room, I’ve got it beat hands down.

5.

• " And no, I don’t need to "hear" this system to know what a mess it will be."

Now right there is the problem with you and your ilk. Your type does a lot of assuming. What magic powers do you possess that allows you to know what something sounds like without hearing it? Do you have X-Men superpowers? I suppose you have super strength and X-ray vision as well? Nah ... super arrogance is your forte.

6. The invitation still stands.

Frank