Anyone try Synergistic Research PHT...

Zd542, Naahhh. I'm as bad as anyone else. This is why good science depends upon double-blind testing. But I did not say audio has to be good science.

Phil, When a cartridge gets a lot of use, the only thing that wears are the stylus and the suspension; the magnet of any decent modern cartridge are is quite stable, probably completely stable for decades. Now, when you introduce a magnetized material (PHT?) or any ferrous material (PHT?) in the vicinity of a permanent magnet, I would think it's a crapshoot. The total magentic field then available to promote induction of a signal in the coil of the cartridge may be enhanced but more likely would be reduced in intensity. (Anyone who knows the physics of magnets and who thinks otherwise, feel free to enlighten me.) I don't see how the PHT can be a good thing, if it's a magnet or magnetic, but I am open to teaching.

If it's mu metal which is slightly magnetic it could be reducing the deleterious effects of "fringing" around the actual magnet, along the same lines mu metal used around speaker magnets.

Fremer thinks the PHT are legit. Checkout the February 2015 Stereophile. "The sound was clearly better overall"

This may not be related to audio. If you, let's say, decide to try a nutritional product, claimed to increase your energy, I think it's important that you have a positive bias, when you take it. People will say it is the placebo effect, but I think, in order get the full benefit of that product, you actually have to have a positive bias. Time will tell you what is correct, but I've seen negative bias interfere more(because they stop experimenting with that product) with finding the truth.

A friend loaned me a blue velvet pht. I was quite frankly amazed at the improvement. I have since ordered a pair for myself.