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Akiko Tuning Stick AC -- It IS Magic

None are more skeptical than I when it comes to tweaks. Most come and go; few survive for the long term. So it was with not a grain but a shaker of salt that I decided to try the $170 Akiko Tuning Stick AC (not the new Triple AC, which is $395), which one plugs into an open outlet on a power conditioner or into the wall outlet. I decided to try it based upon rave reviews in 6 Moons both for the version I tried, and more recently the Triple AC -- which I most assuredly WILL buy.

I plugged it into my Audience AR6 power conditioner and my skepticism dissolved as fast as the salt from the shaker would in water! This thing is magic, I tell you. It is transformative. My system is no slouch (PS Audio DSD DAC/VTL 7.5iii pre/Krell FPB 300cx amp/VSE 5HSE speakers, top cables and PC's) but this kicked it up about 20%-25% in sound quality. More depth, more realism, more liquidity, more naturalness, more life. I removed the device and reinstalled it several times just to check, and each time the sound became flat and one-dimensional.

I have only had the Akiko for about a week, but every time I turn on my stereo, and whether listening to music through the DAC or my Sansui TU-9900 tuner, my head snaps back and I say to myself: Zounds! Does that sound good!

So forgive me for gushing, but I have been at this audio mania for over 40 years and am not easily impressed., But this is an extremely impressive product. There is no guarantee the Triple AC, more than 2x the AC price, will be any better let alone twice as good as the AC, but I aim to find out. Of course, I cannot tell you what it will do in your system. Jaguar Audio sells these (nice, responsive folks) and I think they have a 14 day return policy. I doubt you will return it.

Neal
nglazer
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
I also can present my first reaction to using a Triple AC stick in my RSA Dmitri conditioner. As Spar has said, I also got mixed results. While I agree with his assessment about more bloom in the midrange, and decreased high's and dynamics, I felt that the soundstage lost depth and air, or space around the musicians. Overall, I did not care for the affect of the stick in my conditioner. However, I have not tried it in the wall outlet adjacent to the conditioner yet.

For someone with a digital and SS system who feels they are looking for some warmth and liquidity, this may be the answer. Personally, I think they would be better off with a tube buffer though. For my system, it seemed to have more downside than upside plugged into my conditioner. I missed the air, speed, and resolution that I get with the stick NOT in the loop.

Cheers,
John
spar
15 posts
 
@Bacardi, my results are based on using the Furutech GTX-D rhodium outlet with the accompanying wall outlet cover. Definitely try out this outlet. I found it to be a very nice upgrade and I think you will be very pleased with it. However, I do not think it is going to change your impressions (as well as mine and it appears others) on the Akiko.
bacardi's avatar
bacardi
663 posts
 
Thx Spar, I have someone that has tried the Akiko tuning stick on his speaker cables near the cross-over and had great results. I may try those instead. I am awaiting the Furutech GTX-D rhodium and it will replace the Meastro outlet.
lak's avatar
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lak
4,687 posts
 
Bacardi,
I much prefere (in my systems) the Furutech GTX-D (Rhodium) over the Meastro outlet.
Keep in mind the Furutech is going to take about 500 hours to fully mature and not fluctuate in sound.
nglazer OP
846 posts
 
I have substituted the Akiko Triple AC stick for the standard AC stick, and the results are transformative. The realism of vocals and instruments, especially acoustic I find breathtaking. I have not noticed any high end reduction -- perhaps some "sandpapering" of rough edges in the treble. I recognize others experiences vary, but I can only say I am a believer.

I also would observe that it took a few days for the Triple AC stick to settle in, with the sound improving noticeably from when I first inserted it in my power conditioner and then took it out to hear the difference. I can only speculate that there may be a "burn-in" period with this device as we often encounter with IC's and power cords. My advice would be to insert it and leave it there for a few days, and then withdraw and listen for the difference.

Neal
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