Perfect Path "Solutions" (PPS) eMat

^^^ I have a 2005 Lexus LS 430 with the Mark Levinson upgrade. Just about ready to turn to 72,000 miles on the odometer. 

Frank

On buying cassette tape ...

No need to buy new, expensive tapes. Try the thrift stores. They usually carry used premium tapes that someone donated. the usual cost is between 25 and 50 cents. Just check the mechanics with a pencil (you know the trick). Then use a bulk tape eraser (Radio Shack) to erase the old information. Before you erase it though, try playing it in your cassette deck. I've found that once in a while you can find some really well-recorded music on those used tapes, most likely recorded by someone who really cared.

Frank.

Why I spent a small fortune on my listening room and Hallograph/Synergistic Research tweeks for acoustics, Townshend, Stillpoints and Synergistic Research for electronic vibration control:
- No front wall reflection control  Use SR HFTs, 24 on four walls and ceiling
- No first reflection control  same answer with side wall acoustic foam damping and suspended acoustical foam damping   Bass traps built into the walls (activated charcoal panels)
- The reflections off the glass table - No furniture, one large couch
- The reflective equipment between the speakers - Nothing located between speakers, equipment is off to the side
- The lack of symmetry due to the windows on one side, and the wall/records on the other side-No openings, 2 Swinging Doors 17" thick same construction as walls, perfectly symmetrical design
- The blinds (that will rattle) - None
- The reflective pictures on the wall - None
- The reflective (curio/china cabinet?) in one corner behind the speakers, but not the other - None
The Hallographs focus the sound of the Legacy Focuses, open the soundstage and help imaging, combined with SR HFTs, improve the functionality of the speakers.

I have head Frank's system and it is substantially superior to 95% of audio show setups I've heard.   I've heard the best but it was priced at $1+ million.  It was capable of projecting the best imaging, tonality, dynamics and soundstage in a 70' X 30' X 18' room (approximate) with my music (LP&CD).  Amazing.  I have captured much of that room as has Frank in our systems; however, what I lack is the physically "realness" of the recording event.   Which is why I intend to upgrade to a much more costly speaker.  The Signature IIIs and Focuses are a huge bargain, basically built to a price point at the time which was affordable (used-a steal).  

Setting up the acoustics and vibration control pays huge dividends but is a MAJOR hassle, not as easy as paying your money and buying the equipment.  I also hate mounting and setting up a cartridge but the results are inestimable.   

The problem many people do not or refuse to understand is that just because they hear a difference does not mean that there actually is one.
What you think you hear is subject to the way you are thinking and feeling at the time which is subject to a plethora of influences and how you feel about them. It is pitifully easy to influence human minds. Ask any ventriloquist or magician. As I have said before If a tweak makes you feel your system sounds better is that just as good as an actual improvement in sound after all, sounding better is sounding better. My personal feeling on that is no because in my case at least the sounding better part does not last and in some instances has made thongs worse. I also hate people/companies purposely taking advantage of this frailty of the human mind.
@cal3713 , There is no accounting for the way the human mind works.
But there is one feature of power cords that might under the right circumstances affect sound and that is shielding. Not on the unit itself but on surrounding units, transferring noise to line level cables very near by.
Because of that potential I make my cables out of shielded three conductor 12 gauge wire only using Marinco plugs. Do I know for a fact they improve my system? Absolutely not. But they have a good reason for being there, it makes me feel better and I save a lot of money over buying what may actually be inferior cables. Problem is you don't know what you have until you cut them open and if you don't think a company will run junk wire through a fancy casing you need to answer all your emails. You know anyone who is going to cut open an $3000 power cord?

fleschler ...

As soon as the virus is under control, you'll have to come up for a listening session. The system is WAY beyond where it was the last time you heard it. Truly a magic music machine.

Frank