I’m talking about AC line noise getting into the audio system, masking the signal regardless of the quality of the audio components used or the expense of the system itself. System noise can — and will — degrade sound to an extent that only its removal will clearly show, which in my case, was substantial.

Just about the biggest shock I’ve ever had in all the years I’ve been in audio, happened the first time I plugged AudioPrism’s Power Line Analyzer into the AC outlet feeding my home theater! WHOA! All of this noise just can’t be possible! But, it was. The Analyzer proved it beyond all doubt. On a dedicated circuit, no less. Naturally, I thought that putting in a dedicated circuit would pretty much take care of all that incoming line noise, along with all the noise being thrown on the line throughout my home. Wrong!

I knew right then and there that cleaning up all of this line noise was Priority One. While the APS PurePower 1050 Power Conditioner/Regulator was helping to reduce noise, I realized I had a long way to go. So, I installed IsoTek Neoplug’s in strategic locations throughout my system. And they worked very well. System noise was now greatly reduced to the point of barely being audible. Everything about the sound was noticeably improved. Even the “digital glare” I had before was now gone.

Creating a very low noise audio system allowed for the effects of the GE’s to really come though without being hindered by system noise. Their additional contribution was clear: added depth to the soundstage, greater transparency, better surround imaging, better bass response, increased “surround effect”, the list goes on — improvements all out of proportion to the GE’s extremely low cost.

So, the bottom line is that I knew my system had great potential, but I never knew what that potential was until I got rid as of much system noise as possible BEFORE installing the EVS Ground Enhancers. And I honestly don’t see how anyone can every really know what these remarkable devices can do for their audio system unless as much noise as possible is removed first. Hearing is believing. And all of these
things can be easily heard. Of course, the more transparent the system is, the more pronounced — and rewarding — these improvements to the sound will be.

System:

Sony KDS-60A2000 SXRD 60″ HDTV
Onkyo PR-SC5508 Surround Sound Processor
AudioControl Savoy G3 Home theater Power Amplifier (203W x 7)
Oppo BDP-93 Blu-ray Disc Player
Audiolab 8200CDQ CD Player/Preamplifier/DAC
Denon AHD-7000 Ultra Reference Headphones
APS PurePower 1050 Power Conditioner/Regulator
Mirage Omnisat v2 Home Theater 7-Channel Speaker System
Velodyne Optimum-12 High Output Digital EQ Subwoofers (2)
Cabling: Marc Audio, Signal Cable (Silver Resolution), Audioquest, Kordz (HDMI)
Accessories: AudioPrism Power Line Analyzer, IsoTek Neoplugs, EVS Ground Enhancers

But recently I got a pair of Vapor Soound Cirrus, an extremely refined standmount that uses a RAAL robbon tweeter, C-Quenze woofer, and very high quality crossover components. I found there was a very slight change in the sound, but not for better or worse.

I had read on another forum that testing showed the EVS works best internally on the tweeter, not the woofer, so perhaps the RAAL ribbon does not need such a tweak. It seems the EVS results depends on the quality of the speaker, drivers types and crossover. For around $20 it is a very cheap tweak and worth checking out.

All of the “electron pool”, or “ground enhancers” work on what I believe to be the same theory. Effectively they are a “sink” where few electrons exist (other than in the materials’ natural state). These enhancers have the ability to hold onto electrons (an electron storeage device, which is basically some sort of capacitor) and to take them to ground. If the q- seek ground (or 0 volts potential), there is an “excess” of ground, and once the charge “return” (read “negative connection”) has been saturated, q- can then stack up in the negative Ground Enhancer or Electron Pool or Electron Resevoir or Electron Loop. Choose your term. I’ve made some DIY versions of these, and all of them work to some extent. Whether one considers the change as an improvement or not is system dependant.

Years ago some had suggested that every piece of audio gear in a system be grounded to each other, and terminated at the power amp, for much the same reason I think. This can be a “daisy chain” or a “star” configuration.This is to reduce any potential difference between the chassis of the hifi eqipment in the system. Tannoy has used a similar idea in thier IRIS series of loudspeakers, connecting the metal chassis of their drivers to the negative speaker post.

Used within the source/pre-amp/ amp chain, the effect of these grounding techniques is not subtle. The effect of these devices as loudspeaker tweaks can vary, but they do work on my old Castles. Thankfully Ric of EVS has provided a long lead of copper to connect these to loudspeakers, but they can easily be pushed into service on RCA plugs, as long as the negative barrel of the RCA connector is exposed. I suggest all that have had negative results (as in no apparent difference), try these on their RCA jacks or plugs, following the source/pre-amp/amp chain as above. Then add a pair to their speakers. I dare say there could be a reversal of some of the negative experiences. No soldering required.

If one wants to completely blow their mind, do a search for the $1.20 tweak (Stereophile). Now that is bizarre.

In the meantime, I won’t be seeking any soufflé for review 🙂

Euclid said: “Everything that is stated without proof can be denied without proof”.