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Fellow audiophiles, it has been a bit since I posted here. But this is way too good not to share it. I found a way to lower EMI noise across the AC line in our homes using Rochelle salt. Very easy to DIY and costs like $20 to treat your entire home. The sonic performance increase is astounding, and it can be used to tune your system. I posted the entire DIY in a Head-Fi thread I am the main contributor. The thread is called "DIY Ground Box", but really is a thread focused on lowering noise within the system.For about a year now I have been focused and obsessed on lowering system noise whether it is signal ground or AC earth ground. Mostly inspired by Entreq, CAD and similar companies. Then from experimenting with ground box ground cables and component generated noise, I came into this tweak. I do not know of a retail option or anyone else mentioning what is in this DIY.
This tweak is absolutely the lowest effort, lowest cost, to highest performance tweak I have experienced in 25+ years in this hobby. The entire DIY post is large. I just wanted to make it available to audiophiles here, my old stomping grounds. I cannot remember the rules if I can post a link. So here is a link to the direct post, if that is not cool then I could copy and paste the entire post. Just let me know... Peace
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/diy-ground-box-thread.968372/page-71#post-17820953
Edits: 11/14/23Follow Ups:
tried this.....at first there was a high end rolloff. I removed them all......put them back......the highs returned......left them in because I just was unsure. If there is a difference, I couldn't hear it. maybe because my stuff is balanced, and without the tweak is extremely quiet....don't know
One more recommendation, now from 230V region.I used closer to c. 0,75 g in every package, didn't want to buy bags, so used small pieces of Saran Wrap.
Did 7 junctions, the 8th was too much, so I removed it.
Result in one word is: sweet. Exactly as you would expect from getting rid of noise.
Edits: 01/06/24
Update: I have removed all my bags because of strange phase shifts/imaging problems. They seem to be related to having them where smps are being used for router etc. The sweetness is gone but images are stable. I must say Rochelle salt is extremely potent stuff!
Just curious. After adding the 8th bag, what did you hear that determined you had added too much?
N/T
Can you please advise exactly what salt you buy (from Amazon) to use for this tweek. I am interested in trying this. Thanks.
The Amazon link is for the Rochelle salt I use. On Amazon 4oz and 8oz can be purchased. On eBay 1lb and 2lb can be purchased.
https://www.amazon.com/Sodium-Tartrate-Rochelle-Salt-ozs/dp/B0B51ZPSN4/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3SFQ23VHFQNT4&keywords=rochelle+salt&qid=1704176088&sprefix=rochelle+salt%2Caps%2C160&sr=8-4
So I have started doing other circuits at this point and plan to continue doing them but have a few questions.
1. you talk about tuning at each junction, but can you explain the need for that? Like it absorbs emi so how could less be better? And how do you tune if you don't hear differences? Said another way how are you going to effectively listen and make small changes particularly as you get further and further away from the system location.
1.a. you mention being overdamped. How does one know?
2. Does the size of the bags matter? Is it a piezo electric effect and the tightness of the bags matter?
2.a. the salt can clump. Is it important to break up the clumps? Or does it matter?
3. Should you do the whole sub panel or even the outside service panel?
4. Do you compensate for lost wages/ sleep for all the extra "just one more track" listening?
Thanks again for posting this.
Cut to razor sounding violins
1) I have mentioned many times that the more of the junctions are treated the better the performance. What I have found is that treating a junction on another circuit at the furthest end of the home can be heard at the system. We know all circuits intersect at the main junction panel. From my testing and experimenting when coming up with this tweak, that EMI/EMF accumulated on the other circuits in the home bleed into or is picked up by the circuit that the audio system is on. This I believe is happening at the main panel. How you will know or also realize this is by treating a circuit other than the one the audio system is on. You will hear the effect.
By the way if you do not hear a obvious effect by treating a junction, it could be a lot of reasons. But what I would be looking/listening for is that I use enough Rochelle salt to be able to hear a change without going overboard (1.5 grams max). Trust me, treating the other junctions will have a accumulative effect. Now if you do not tune at each junction will be hard to keep control the under use of the Rochelle salt and over damping. If you tune at each junction the system becomes more and more resolving as you treat more and more junctions.
Tuning at each junction is to ensure that after each junction treated that it does not unbalance the system tonally. What I am listening for when tuning is that sonic reproduction is not degraded. Meaning no loss of detail retrieval. I am also listening for tonal balance or imbalance. There are specific tracks I listen to that I am listening for specific ultra fine detail with different instruments. I am also listening to the vocals for warmth, tonality and detail retrieval. As the system becomes more resolving by removing the EMI/EMF from the AC wiring, tiny changes will become apparent. You will start to hear more ultra fine detail.
For example when a guitar string is plucked, within the note there is the attack, body and decay of the note. During each stage of this note more information slowly becomes more audible in each stage. Attack will get more aggressive, quicker. With each stage more nuances and layering of detail become audible. Cymbals go from a tang to a ting, and eventually to tinnggggg. I can go on and on, but you get the drift. All instrument will exhibit this new level of detail retrieval if you tune and do not overdamp...
1a) You know you overdamped by using too much Rochelle salt when you start to lose some of the detail retrieval.
2 and 2a) Yes to a point. I prefer to have the salt loose (just squeeze and un-clump inside baggy before rolling up and installing). I do not want the bags too big/long. I do not bother with how tight, just roll baggy up and make sure it is not flopping around.
3) You have to experiment at the panel. 40 grams in a bag laid over a couple of breakers and see or hear what it does if anything. Oddly enough treating the different junctions in my experience yield a more profound effect than at the panel itself. Not sure why this is. Some members in the Head-Fi thread have treated water pipes, outside panels, outside wiring, etc. with excellent results but I have not personally done this so cannot comment.
4) No LOL
CDC,
On a non-music circuit with five outlets I found that treating the Line of the last two to the usual 0.1oz of Rochelle salts sucked most of the volume out of the headphone amp. Perhaps there's a cumulative limit for any single circuit..
Have you applied Rochelle salts to the inside facing the middle twin 110-volt Line inputs and beneath the bottom Ground of the four-pronged kitchen-range wall outlet or do you consider it ill-advised or have gas?
DG
I have not experienced or heard of what you experienced regarding lowering of volume from an any amp due to the tweak. If two specific outlets are causing that, just leave them alone.
I would treat those junctions also if I did not have to move them out of the way.
LOL, "just one more track" syndrome, don't we know it! Bad for time management during testing...great as enjoyment level indication.
I'd like to get your thoughts on this tuning approach. Rather then reducing the amount of Rochelle salt at each duplex/switch plate,(36 in my case) why not just remove the salt completely from a given number of duplex/switch plates. In other words, if one wanted to remove 20% of the salt at each plate, instead of fiddling with 36 individual plates, just remove the salt completely from 20% of the plates? Just a thought to mull over, but it would make tuning a lot easier.
Now to further my tuning adventure, I'll probably be adjusting the .5 gram bag from vertical to horizontal in my duplex receptacles. I've also maintained the original suggestion of 1 gram and .5 gram of salt (not counting the bag) at each duplex or switch plate at this point.
I have tried completely removing Rochelle salt from a junction and performance drops. As you (or I) start to get use to a more resolving system, it is very easy to hear when performance drops or changes.
Thus the easiest way to dial in the system tonally is by junction by junction. You may only have to adjust a few junctions to get the tonality you prefer and improve musicality. There is a balance you will have to listen and feel for. The interesting thing is this tuning is possible with this tweak. You can try whatever method comes to mind. Then listen to your system, trust me you will understand through experimenting.
Also as a system gets more resolving from removing noise from a system the more sensitive the system is to changes and it is easier to hear these changes. This is whether the noise removal is from signal ground or AC power or earth ground.
Thx. Yes, the method you've just mentioned sounds fairly painless and more logical. Still haven't felt the need to change anything at this point, but I like that approach if needed.
i have several items that are supposed to filter this stuff:
1.Satic Pure Power Plug-in: "The Pure Power Plug-In is a simple yet effective solution that plugs into a standard outlet and filters harmonics and interference from your electrical circuit to providing clean power and reduced electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation. Two Pure Power Plug-Ins appropriately installed can produce a healthier and more efficient electrical system"
2.Jps Labs Digital AC: "Using advanced engineering, THE DIGITAL AC-X effectively ISOLATES and ABSORBS any noise within the cord itself for over a 100 fold decrease, allowing any quality digital component to provide amazingly real inner detail and resolution while offering smoother sound and video"
3. PS Audio Ultimate Outlet: "The claimed advantages of the balun-based over the series/parallel filter or isolation-transformer-based approaches to power-line conditioning are: a) cancellation of noise at a much wider range of frequencies, b) reduction of differential as well as common-mode noise, and c) no limitation of power."
4. PS Audio Noise Harvester: "The PS Power Noise Harvesterâ„¢ is the world's first true power line noise converter that actually eliminates power line noise - instead of shuffling it off somewhere else."
Would the Rochelle salt tweak help?
Cut to razor sounding violins
This tweak is more effective, especially if the whole home is treated. Meaning the results are much more profound than any of the products you listed. I will say that when I have tried the products you listed was A/B or A/B/C type testing or listening. And in other peoples system except the JPS power cable.
Yesterday I started to experiment with a compound that absorbs microwave frequencies. When used with the Rochelle salt tweak the results so far are spectacular. All I can say is try it for your self if you want to compare. Most of the AC plug in filters "if" improves performance is subtle. This tweak or process to absorb EMI/EMF is not subtle.
Ok thanks. I can try it but can you explain where to put the bags of salt. I read the original post and got confused. You said Hot and ground and it shows vertical and horizontal bags. I think the vertical are near the hot, so that makes sense, but the ground or horizontal is only by one of the grounds and there can't be a 2nd because of the middle screw. Then in tuning you talk about horizontal vs. Vertical which is now confusing.
So where do you put the bags? What value to start with? One was .5g IIRC...but was it vertical or horizontal? 1g was that vertical or horizontal?
Assuming I can just duplicate the picture is the vertical 1g and the horizontal .5g?
Thanks
Cut to razor sounding violins
Since this tweak absorbs HF noise on the AC wiring line that is doing something different than the plug-in filters you have, I suggest you invest in a .01 gram scale. They are about $10 on Amazon. For I soon (or eventually after I finish fully testing) will be posting about a compound that filters microwave frequencies that can be used with this tweak and other applications with fantastic further performance gains.
Yes you can start with on the hot leg (vertical) 1g and the ground leg (horizontal) .5g. This is total Rochelle salt and bag weight. Which equates to about .5 gram hot leg and .2 gram ground leg. I highly recommend that you tune at each junction install by ear. Tuning is accomplished by adjusting the amount of the Rochelle salt used at each leg, depending on the effect you want. Just experiment and you will understand. At any junction, you can (and should) tune system tonal balance and presentation body weight. For every 1-3 junction installs you will hear your system become more resolving. Key is make sure after each and every install you do not lose resolution. I have posted here and on the Head-Fi thread on how to do this.
What is extremely cool about this project is that you learn that your entire home's wiring acts like an antenna. Picking up and accumulating airborne and electronic noise generated by your home's electronics. Even a junction at the other end of your home, on a different circuit from your audio system treated can be heard. Must be the noise on that circuit is transferred at the main panel.
This project is extremely inexpensive, yields very high performance gains and is easy to do.
Ok so I took the plunge and while I don't think I am putting things in the right place, after the 3rd junction (2 outlets and a light switch) it seems like a blacker background. I will try some others. Sadly I am betting I don't have the patience to tune anything especially since I didn't hear any differences on the 1st two applications. Also I screwed up the measurements because I missed that the weight included the bag...so I have more salt than it mentions.
There are tons of outlets in this house...
Cut to razor sounding violins
Well I am a bit surprised you do not hear a difference, especially with 1 gram at Hot and 0.5 grams at ground after 3 junctions aside blacker background. Takes a few mins a junction and next to free to treat a junction. Keep treating more junctions and see what you hear. Where in relation to the sound system are the three junctions you treated?
They are in the same room though I am not 100% sure they are on the same circuit. I will do the outlet the system is plugged into next and see if that helps more.
Its also possible I am not clear on where to put the bags of salt. One is vertical and one is horizontal at the bottom of the outlet.
Cut to razor sounding violins
Where you place the Rochelle salt matters a lot. 1 gram vertically on the the hot side. The 0.5 horizontally is where the ground is installed at the light switch or AC outlet.
Well I don't have an outlet like that. The ones I have are normal with the screw in the middle, so the only place by a ground is at the bottom. Is that ok?
Cut to razor sounding violins
That is fine. The picture is just to depict how to easily tell hot (smaller blade) from neutral (larger blade). You also have to look at the light switch and outlet to verify where the ground wire is actually being run to the outlet or light switch.
If you hear no changes after an install it very well could be where you installed/placed the Rochelle salt. You are the first I know of that hears no or slight change sonically after 3 junctions.
Ok at this point I have done 4 outlets and a double gang light switch.I didn't really look where the wires were run and maybe that is the issue...i just did one vertical and one horizontal. The horizontal could only go on the bottom because that is where the ground is and if it is the top one, well I can't get the salt there anyhow.
Don't get me wrong, it sounds better and cleaner especially after putting it on the outlet where the gear is plugged. This is an example of what I am doing. Also thanks for the tweak and the help.
Cut to razor sounding violins
Edits: 12/22/23
No worries, it is my pleasure. Usually the performance gain is very noticeable after 4 junctions. The more of the junctions across the home is treated the better the performance gains. System should get more and more resolving.
BTW, this is the closest I have come to feeling like a drug dealer...
Cut to razor sounding violins
The same thought crossed my mind.
especially given the high this tweak gives!!
Cut to razor sounding violins
Hey DR,
Always nice to see your posts. Gonna hop on the "Salt Train" soon. I had to see why my new streamer (WiiM Pro Plus) was dropping out. Had to replace my router. Oh well, at least now I can listen to old tunes, '49 to '55 when the feeling hits me.
The inmate cdc was VERY kind to share his discovery on AA. Plus, his directions are clear and concise!! Kudos to cdc
Stay well, and hope you have a Happy New Year!!!
Awesome. Knew you would show up to the party! So glad you are around. Bet your salt train exp will be awesome. Yep, cdc was super nice to share this great tweak.
Best for 2024!
hopefully there is no new tweak involving kilo size bags...
Cut to razor sounding violins
Well, was there not a saying along the lines that music is the opium for the masses? Or something like that :) Happy holidays, to you and all the inmates.
Our good friend OG42 alerted me to this thread. It is good to see you keep experimenting. Since I am away for home, I will have to wait a couple of months before trying this stuff.
A couple of thoughts came to mind as I read the thread. Has anyone tried pill capsules to hold the stuff yet? They come in 1 and .5 gram sizes and, if they can take the mechanical/chemical challenge, they may help in some situations. I wish I could remember where I got the ones I once bought for a little project, which involved hot-gluing them, BTW.
Also, your neighborhood Harbor Freight may have at least one scale that is cheap and accurate enough. (Mine has lasted well beyond the usual HF short life expectancy.)
Have fun!
Hey J,
Good to see your post here!
Wishing you the best in 2024!!!
Hey OG42, I guess you knew I would show up despite my "quiet mode" of late. A compellingly attractive -- if "absurd-sounding" -- tweak PLUS you and Dawnrazor looking into it...can't have you both having all the fun...just like old times :)
Frustratingly, TODAY has been a shocker. So, we are going home in Feb. and I was salivating for my tweaktime with this new "toy" as soon as I get back. Well, as the day progressed, all manner of new "February to-do's" have popped up to impinge on my God-given right to musical joy. Gotta find a way!
Hey J,
Man oh man. You bring back great memories of "Mag-Wire"!! You, DR and I each had our own configuration of Mag-Wire speaker wire on the Pans. I had great fun back then! Measuring, repositioning the Pans, choke tweak and a whole lot more. Me getting great advice from both of you to enjoy my tunes a lot more.
I am betting you will find something to add to this salt tweak even with a late start on implementation...-.
Hope you get some time when you get home to work on your system!
Also, you are still the biggest gentleman I know!!!
Dude those were great times and I remember the excitement of coming to the planar asylum to report or read other reports and get all kind of mud thrown my way. On the magwire I have a convo with a world class electrical guru who pointed out that the maggies don't have the loading like a cone speaker and so its totally possible to use such thin gauges with them/ vs. box speakers. I wish I had that expert years ago so I could have explained what I already knew from experience...
But man things were going so well here and you have to go and fat shame Jben. Sad.
Cut to razor sounding violins
Hey DR,
"Fat Shame" JBen?????..WHAT???...-You MUST be kidding!! I would NEVER dis JBen. I am proud to call him my friend!!
And if you weren't kidding; in this case "biggest" means "TOP SHELF" gentleman!!!
Yeah it was a bad joke :) one you saw and in my sad sense of humor, funny because you would never act like that.
These days my sense humor has been replaced with sense of tumor. Dud ump ump.
sad. Get to doing this tweak man. I have found it best to do a junction or 2 each day and just go slow, but ymmv.
Happy new year! While 2023 sucked for me, it was actually a great year for audio in that my system is sounding better than ever.
Cut to razor sounding violins
Hey DR,
Thanks for your post!!
I would start this tweak today, but as I said before, I have a power cord on burn-in and changing the input tubes on the Valhalla...-.As soon as that is finished and I see if I like what I did, I will get to the salt tweak...-
Thanks for the tip on the application!!!
Well, hope '24 will be good to Dawnrazor as well as audio!!!
Well, OG42, tks but whatever the gentleman is, he's got a very rusty brain cell, for a brain. This morning I dreamt that my post to Dawnrazor last night was wrong. Darn, a hobby has no right to intrude so much in my life!
As it turns out, the dream was right, wow! I mentioned Tazsmonn's xover as what produced the imaging effect that had led me to Al Sekelas's choke. Wrong. In fact, it was actually YET ANOTHER suggestion by Dawnrazor for me to try in those days - the capless xover - which led me to Al's tweak.
Now, Dawnrazor never got any flack from neither of us on the magwire, which one way or another still is vital to my system's personality today. My wife does remember my initial skepticism as she helped me tame the thin 10ft-long single threads to each MMG while I kept muttering that this probably was very crazy!
Oh, and I think there is some kind of confusion. He might have meaning my staying away for so long. But then again, he did the same. :)
Weird dreams man. But I think you are wrong about your dream. IIRC Taz had several crossovers and the capless one was the one I tried. So I would say the original post was right.
So glad the magwire is staying and you had the balls to try it.
Ironically this is the one time I have cables that I didn't make. I figured it was just easier to buy them and given my state at the time I was worried about leaving on the soldering iron or something....so I bought some anticables for ICs and running headphones didn't need speaker wire (the electrostat earbuds have a cable that is non detachable).
Its ironic because I have all the raw material to make some ICs but am choosing not to. Maybe one day I will make some cables.
But really things are sounding great with this tweak. The next challenge will be addressing the outlets behind furniture and beds and oh my. Probably just take on the challenge of letting those outlets go...
Cut to razor sounding violins
Oh, strangely enough, the dream was right. You had experimented and used the capless xover before I joined the Asylum. After I joined, you told me about it -- but not that Taz was ALSO involved with this particular tweak. In any event, I tested it, like it very much, and noted its effect on imaging. Sadly, going capless was not practical in my case. But its imaging effect got me hooked...then Al Sekela's tweak saved the day for me.
Anyway, the testing of "a Taz xover" I mentioned, was done later, based on the currently still available diagrams in the MUG. Until today (I checked the archives) I did not realize that Taz was also involved in the capless xover. More Kudos to him! Ok, some Kudos to you, as well. :)
I know what you mean. Kind of feels like one has to apply at least SOME tweak by ourselves. Otherwise the universe is out of alignment, or something. In fact, having a desired tweak but done by someone else ain't fully right, either. Case in point, I bought my 1.6QR used and they had Razoring already on them. Beats me, but I still fight an occasional impulse to disrobe these Maggies, take the strips off and redo that cumbersome invention of yours again!
Oh yeah, you may want to let those other outlets alone for now. Enjoy what you now gained, and keep your back safe...until the itch returns :)
Hey J,
So glad to hear from you! hope you are well and merry christmas.
I can't wait for you to try it and expect tons of measurements and listening tests. It reminds me of the maggie RF choke tweak in that it creates a clearer background and probably does a similar thing...wonder how much salt you should put on the maggies :) said another way, I wonder if it may also work on other things besides power.
Enjoy your trip and have fun getting to know your home electrical system.
Cut to razor sounding violins
Great to see you around D!
LOL, you know how it is, tweaking is in our blood, though I've been kind of offline on this longer than I wished. The current Maggies (1.6QR) came Razored and I left that alone, as should be with this creation of yours. They did get their RF chokes, which are doing their imaging thing, as expected. However, I stopped the tweaking there due to...stuff.
This should start changing when I get back home. And this little new tweak may have a very timely chance. By evaluating it before I implement other planned changes, I should be able to perceive changes vs the current known system sound personality.
Like you suspect, it sounds to me like the Salt could add more of the same spicing and charms that the chokes already bring to the plate. We shall see.
Merry Christmas and happy tunes!
The hollow pill capsule idea is interesting but will not work. Three reasons...
1) Works best if the Rochelle salt is spread across a longer distance for more coverage.
2) The width of the hollow pill will or likely will not allow the wall plate to properly fit back into place. Meaning you need a flatter holder of the Rochelle salt.
3) Bag makes tuning easier. Easier to add or remove the Rochelle salt from the bag and weighing.
Interesting, never checked Harbor Freight. Amazon is easy also to get a $10 .01 gram precision scale.
Thanks for the feedback on the pill capsules, CDC.
Have you heard from anyone trying this tweak on isolated power conditioning setups?
While I am months away from being able to try this tweak, I am staying tuned so I can quickly ramp up the testing once I return from this trip. It is likely that when we get back home, my wife will leave again to babysit the granddaughters for several days. That's precious tweaking time for me! Staying home alone - to do as I please - typically works great to tune my audio stuff. Pink noise and loud music tends to get me in trouble... :)
I have what I would consider a isolated power setup for my headphone system.
What do you consider an isolated power setup?
In my case, the full audio system feeds off isolated power conditioning units. Nothing fancy though, largely OneAC medical grade stuff. When I go on "best listening mode", even the ethernet hookups are taken off (I don't do wireless either).
The power isolation helped achieve a significant SQ/imaging jump long ago. Not as obvious with the present Maggies, which are not as tweaked as my previous ones, but resulting in often solid 3D imaging within a (walls-erasing) huge soundstage. To be sure, not everyone can perceive this. However, those who can, will notice that something is amiss if power isolation is off when they return at another time. If playing something they know well, some of them even point to the space where things were expected to be, and no longer are.
That said, there no such thing as full isolation, which I am sure you know. Thus, one fights the macro noise sources and also tends to the less obvious ones. When I do even a little more, the ears usually confirm the fruits of labor.
Along with many other inmates, Dawnrazor and I have tried some radical ideas over the years. Some work and others don't but the average still favors having tried. Which is why the "Salt" deserves to be tried, me thinks. :)
Yes, the tweak works the same with your power conditioning units and setup.
LOL don't snort the stuff. The only thing that matters is does the tweak improve the performance of your sound system?
I was able to do 6 outlets, 3 light switches and one breaker in the sub panel before I snorted all the salt. No tuning, just install. Sorry good luck with me tuning. Anyhow it sounds cleaner and more nuanced with fine details that used to get lost. Bass is more resolving and staging is a touch wider. Will keep at it. Thanks again.
Also, I have some power strips with outlets on them. Will treating those help, or is the outlet enough?
Cut to razor sounding violins
You can place a 1 gram wrap at the wire out of a SMPS (works well here also) on a power strip but would not treat the individual outlet of a power strip, may over damp. Of course there is nothing preventing you from experimenting.
I personally would stick with treating the junctions, whether on the same circuit or not. Notice the more junctions you treat the more resolving your system is getting? And of course tuning at each junction offers the best balance and performance, but that is your call.
7 outlets
11 light switches
7 SMPS
3 PoE connections on my switch
1 breaker at a sub panelsounding really clean
Cut to razor sounding violins
Edits: 12/28/23
Nah, nah, none of that "sounding really clean" generality, D! We want details, like CDC seems to suggest. Tell you what, remove half of them salt bags for a comparo, and then remove the rest also. Report the increasing levels of depression felt as you accomplish this.
Anyway, you can be much more colorful about SQ changes. I've seen you do it! :)
Sorry to disappoint. I added some color to a post with cdc below. Everything is just bigger. Bass though is a bit smaller but with more definition. Its like when looking at a microscope and everything is out of focus and when you focus it, the image is now smaller but clearer.
There is a sweet tone too that I am getting.
I will try to get specific. There is a song that is recorded a bit bright and I use it to test the highs. These days I am listening on electrostatic earbuds and the highs are super transparent. Anyhow its harder to listen to that song loud....it gets to a point where its too bright. Anyhow, now I can crank that track and the highs are listenable and even enjoyable. Its like there is enough separation not to overwhelm.
I used to wonder what happened on that track.
Here is the track if you want to listen, though I can't vouch for Youtube quality:
Cut to razor sounding violins
Yes, I read the one you expanded on earlier, much appreciated.As I read what you posted now, I was reminded of Tazsmonn's xover (which YOU "made me" try:) and of an "imaging effect" it caused. This was in 2009. I was on my way to finalizing the line-level xover for my Maggies and, suddenly, I just knew that I had to find a way to replicate this "imaging effect" with the new xover. This led me to eventually discover Al Sekela's chokes.
The point I'd like to make is that my discovery of Al's choke tweak's virtues was due to the rich and detailed manner in which several people described their effect . It was shocking to hear folks with higher-end Maggies describe what my MMGs were also doing but with Tazsmonn's xover (despite its other limitations). As a result, my MMGs got Al Sekela's chokes (but not Tazsmonn's design limitations), all thanks to those ample descriptions .
Hell, it was YOUR good descriptions of your own MMG's sound which led me to the realization that yours and mine were of the same design generation. Which explained why their highs were so clean and their bass stronger...much more so after tweaks.
Edits: 12/29/23 12/29/23
Cool man. Man audio is a journey. I wish I could set up my maggies and listen. I had just built my stands and was super excited to listen but it never materialized.
It is a good description that "imaging effect" you mention. I think this tweak is working along the same lines. Maybe get a trashcan size bag and fill with salt :)
Are you planning to do measurements/ tuning? Or just jump in like I did?
Cut to razor sounding violins
Hey DR,
About 2010 or so, I installed those shorting rca plugs in the unused inputs on my pre-amp. I also installed rca caps in the unused outputs on my pre-amp.
This tweak was immediately apparent. Sounded like what you described happened to your treble after you applied the salt packs!
I am going to get started with the salt packs after I finish burning in a power cord and in breaking in a new pair of input tubes.
Glad this salt tweak is working for you and others!!
Exactly. I did the same and even capped unused usb and word clock ins and outs and aes/ebu and rca. So the salt helps even if you have done the shorting plugs.
yikes I just realized the dac I am using has open connections and I am out of shorting plugs. Woe is me...
Cut to razor sounding violins
Nice, glad you like the tweak. The more of the AC wiring in the home treated, the better the performance. This project became very interesting for me when I realized this.
You mentioned "sounding really clean". Can you elaborate on what you are hearing that changed after applying the tweak as you have?
Soundstage is more 3d and the background is blacker. The sound is "bigger" and more resolving. I find myself playing things louder than before because of the absence of distortion that would equate to loud.
The bass is better defined and while smaller, its def more 3d and warmer.
Cut to razor sounding violins
Yep..... that description puts us on the same page ;)
I will add that dynamics scale with greater ease and clarity. This especially noticeable on vocals. So basically, I'm getting a less confused presentation when things get dynamic and complex.
Well said. I would also say that there is more 3d texture to those voices.
Cut to razor sounding violins
For what it's worth, I've gotten very good results using 1 gram and .5 gram of Rochelle salt in each duplex application. This equates to 1.3 grams and .8 grams respectively when the bag weight of .3 gram is added. I've also mounted both bags vertically. Just used a single 1 gram bag (1.3 gram total) mounted vertically at single switch plates. All I can say is that there appears to be more than one way to tune one's system in regard to this tweak.
I have done the same as Mick - 1.0 and 0.5 grams of salt in the bags.
Do the lesser amounts you are using make a significant difference?
So long as you tuned after each junction you installed you are good. Many just install several at a time and do not tune/adjust by ear as they install at a junction. The lower amounts are helpful for those that do not follow instructions. LOL
How is the tweak working for you? Did you treat your whole home or?
I agree. I have to look, I think I noted the effect and provided a pic of the ground side also being installed vertical on junction plate. This does effect system presentation.
Yes, I revisited all my switch plates this morning and added a .5 gram bag mounted horizontally as shown in the link. So my baseline remains as stated earlier....1 gram and .5 gram of Rochelle salt with bags mounted vertically in the duplex plate. Same with the switch plate only the .5 gram bag is mounted horizontally as shown in the link. As stated earlier, these are weights of the salt. The weights with the bag are 1.3 grams and .8 grams. Regardless, this tweak is truly a great find, but it will be up each individual to tune to a level that sounds best. It's probably safe to say that the 1 gram/.5 gram formula is probably the maximum amount of Rochelle salt one would want to start with. Trim the amount of salt from that point if the effect seems to be taking things in the wrong direction.
N/T
NT
Probably better I just post it separately. Super easy 5 mins max per power cord tweak. Will upgrade performance of almost all power cords, headphone cables and SMPS.
Happy Holidays!
Is there any added value in treating outlets that are not in use and/or light switches that are in the "off" position? No current is flowing in those two instances, so no EMI, I would think.
Great question. The answer is yes.
Think of it this way. For every square foot of living area in your dwelling/home it takes about 1' of wire to wire up the entire home. So a 2000 square foot home takes approx. 2000' of wire. All this wiring is acting like an antenna picking up and accumulating EMI/EMF noise. Once you treat the junction points (AC outlets and light switches) throughout your home, you will realize this is true.
Very easy to test the above. Treat an unused outlet or light switch wired on the same or different circuit and "hear" it effect your sound system. The more of these junctions treated across the AC wiring in your home, the more resolving your system will get. Just try what I am sharing, you will understand.
Is it possible (as in most tweaks that I've had) to overdo this....or as it would seem to be...just do the whole house.?? I've done about 1/2 the house and I seem to be hearing a closing in rather than opening up?
If you are hearing a shrinking of the sound stage, presentation getting too warm or rolling off top end, you are using too much Rochelle salt on the ground side. If you are hearing a loss of detail or ultra fine resolution you are using too much on the Hot side. Resolution should be improving with each and every 1-3 installs/treatments of junction points. If done properly, your system will get more resolving all the way until all the junctions are treated. Trust me on this.
..so, if as you say I used too much salt, would you remove all the packets and replace them with 1/2 amount specified, or continue using the half and leaving the installed packets
Whatever I say at this point would be a guess. That is why I recommended to treat one junction at a time then listen, then tune/adjust. Then move to the next junction point and repeat.
In your case if I were you, I would start at the last junction point you think where the sonic improvement stopped and adjust from that point.
Think of it this way. After each junction point you treat there should be no sonic degradation, should be an improvement. Use what I said in the previous post to you as a guide for ground and hot side tuning.
From all the reports back from people around the world that have installed this tweak, they report preferring any where from .33 grams to 1 gram is best for them. All report after finding the correct amount to use for them, after every 1-3 installs, resolution in there systems increase until all junctions in their homes wiring is treated.
Probably it all depends on the amount of EMI/EMF that the homes wiring is exposed to, picks up and how sensitive the system is to the noise.
No question that this low-cost tweak moves the sound of digital recordings closer to live music - more analog, open, clearly defined and relaxed. Plenty of sparkle and air! Easy to overdo the amount and be disappointed at first but persevering with smaller amounts paid off. In my case less than a quarter of a flat teaspoon.
Many thanks for sharing your excellent tweak, cdc - they don't come along like this often.
N/T
CDC,Did 20 AC outlets after settling on roughly 0.100 - less is more as you advise.
Recorded music now emerges as lightly and naturally from silence as live music and whips across the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the sound-stage with P/R/T ease and precision. Music sounds both more interesting/ exciting and easy on the ears/ brain.
As with any major audiophile improvement, attention then snaps to the next flaw. In the case of my modest headphone setup, it's the even larger distance revealed of tone between recorded and live music. Did I just reveal or create it with this great tweak? I don't know but it will be a long time before I consider reversing it.
Thank you again.
DG
Edits: 12/30/23
Appreciate the feedback, useful and interesting to read users experiences.
Well, you can tune the tonality of the setup so it sounds more natural to you. But yes as you lower the noise floor more of the recording and nuances of what is in the recording becomes available to your gear to reproduce. Then it comes down to how your gear audibly reproduces this information.
If you want a warmer or fuller body in the presentation add a small amount stepped at 0.1 grams to ground wire wrap. You may be able to just do this on one or two light switches or outlets. Just install the wall plate and not screw it in, then listen. Tune, replace plate and listen. When you get it where you prefer it sonically screw the plate into outlet. Kind of crazy how well and easy it is to tune a system's tonal balance is with this tweak.
CDC
Completed your flaw-free tweak today after learning for my headphone system:
1. AC OUTLETS - The optimum amounts of Rochelle salt placed in proximity to Line (affecting tone) and to Ground (affecting sound-stage and P/R/T) need to be different. Relatively little or 0.1oz next to Line/ double that or 0.2oz approx. next to Ground.
2. LIGHT SWITCHES - 0.2oz of Rochelle salt improves sound-stage & P/R/T at the bottom near Ground but none near the sides near Line/ power as it degrades tone there for some reason.
Again many thanks for an outstanding tweak fully justifying all the experimentation spent on its implementation,
DG
OK... just to clarify. You're placing 3 grams (or .1 oz.) next to the hot lead and 6 grams (or .2 oz.) at the bottom of the plate near ground? That's quite a departure from the original 1 gram hot/.5 gram neutral formula originally discussed. I was under the impression most were lowering the amount of salt for the desired effect starting from the original 1G/.5G formula. That said, if you've done quite the opposite and gotten good results, I'm in no position to dispute your findings. Just a question now of which way I want to take the experiment. Or leave well enough alone.
OK forget about weight and eyeball it for your testing.
Insert sufficient salt in a little vertical bag to just cover the extreme bottom and then double it. That's the amount I roll up and affix at the bottom under 'Ground'. Make seven of those. Then make seven with the single salt amount so it's thin and scarce at the vertical bottom and roll it ready to be affixed for 'Line'. Start by treating each range/ refrigerator/ dishwasher/ disposal outlet. Those circuits are amongst the heaviest EMF contaminators of home electricity. Then just do the ground on each outlet/s for your music system. And see if you like what you hear. Or you can start with your music system outlets but the sound quality improvement is far less encouraging and pronounced.
The beauty of starting with too much salt is you then know exactly where you are and what 'going over-the-top' sounds like. The danger of just copying the above is that it may be insufficient and you'll quit disheartened before discovering the benefit of a remarkable tweak.
Hope this helps. Best of luck!
Dry Ginger
Right now I'm evaluating the effect of 35 receptacle/single switch plates treated with the original "formula". (1g/.5g) If I become curios or better yet, ambitious, I'll give your approach a shot. For now I just want to sit down and listen to music.
Dryginger2
I am a little confused.
You use more than twice the amount CDC advised? 0,1 oz = 2,83 gram.
And further, as I understand, the amount on the ground should be about half (0,5g) of the amount on the + side (1,0g), you do the opposite?
This is a powerfull tweak, thank you CDC.
mojul
Actually you'll find as I did that you'd have a hard time cramming much more R salt behind a standard wall plate than the originally mentioned 1 gram/.5 gram formula. This unless one wanted to encase the entire plate in R salt. When I experimented, I reduced the amount from that point down to .7 gram/.3 gram on a handful of receptacle and switch plates.
N/T
Mojul,
To be candid, I bought CDC's recommended Chinese measuring device from Amazon and found that it never gave me the same answer twice. So I guestimated from its indications that ~0.1g was a thin amount at the end of a bag and an even thinner amount spread along the side of a bag was ~0.05g. Not satisfying to read but buy one of those devices and you may start to understand the problem...
I use bracketing (i.e. going over the top) to discover what's too much and then reduce from there. Having applied Rochelle salts to Ground (@ bottom) and Line (@side)to hear the effect on room outlets, I stripped out the sides to determine the sound contribution from Ground and by deduction Line. I then added the salts to Ground (@bottom) of room light switches.
It was clear to my ears that ~ 0.1g works without deleterious effect on Ground but ~0.05g is the max before sound degradation with Line. I then carefully applied the tweak to waste disposal/ refrigerator/ range outlets. And the result launched the tweak to a completely new level, probably because each has its own circuit and they generate much more EMF. I cannot emphasize sufficiently the disproportionate sound quality improvement from investing the extra time and trouble.
Have ended up by using Rochelle salts near the ground of every single outlet but only adding them to the side of Line with outlets of disposal/ refrigerator/ range and the AC conditioner for my music system.
No way to avoid testing levels for yourself as systems, taste, ears vary - to say nothing of measuring machines. Your time will be well spent as CDC has unquestionably given us the most valuable tweak particularly when applied to every single active circuit whether in use or not.
Dry Ginger
I found the project to be interesting, educational and inexpensive. If one takes the time to tune while applying the tweak at enough junctions in the home, the performance gains are outstanding. There are a lot of high performing tweaks I employ, but for the money spent this tweak yields the highest performance.
I am glad you are enjoying the benefits of the tweak.
Here's another Line application if you have a conditioner isolating Line as the W-3900 'Hi-End Noise Filter' does with its single circuit to the 'Reset' button. Attaching a small bag of Rochelle salts against the casing nearby significantly boosts musical depth dimension and volume without bloat. Put too much and noise raises its ugly head.
There are several other uses or applications for Rochelle salt to lower noise. You would have to experiment with the amount to use. I would start with "less is better". Inside components by LED lights and by fuses. If placed into a small zip lock baggy just place the bag by different sections within components and listen for changes. Once you find a positive placement, fine tune placement and amount to be used. Obviously going inside components be safe and is at your own risk of shock! I am not responsible for anything you do!
A very small amount of Rochelle salts opposite the transformer of a linear power supply (and nowhere close to its circuit board) has proved beneficial.
Apologies. After applying even tiny amounts of R.salts to three LPS's, it proved SQ degrading.
There is a lot of trial and error or experimenting required. By LED lights work well, fuses, SMPS cable at where the wire exits the unit are a few places to try.
My improvement from applying Rochelle salts to outlets/ light switches/ and Internet proved to be limited and distorted by RFI from four overhead LEDs and two twin sets of fluorescent lights sometimes used nearby while listening. That invoked a 'congestion' ceiling of fatigue limiting listening enjoyment and messed with proportions of line and earth treatment.
Neutralizing that RFI with Rochelle salts has ushered in a new world of open, free sound that changes everything including those line/ ground proportions.
So, if anybody out there has congested/ fatiguing sound, treating the RFI of LED's/ fluorescents with Rochelle salts as CDC advises, is likely the key to the listening prison which just became so much more clearly defined.
Has anyone tried Carbon Fiber? Carbon fiber is known for absorbing EMI. I would Iwould think a faceplate made of CF would also work.
There is a lot of trial and error or experimenting required. By LED lights work well, fuses, SMPS cable at where the wire exits the unit are a few places to try.
N/T
Three for the initial testing but will now be adding another twelve.
Makes sense. The more junctions across the AC wiring that is treated the more resolving your system gets. Just be sure to critically listen after each junction install to make sure system is tonally balanced and you did not over dampen. You will know if you over dampened if there is a loss of resolution.
Will be interesting to know your thoughts after you treat all the junctions in your dwelling. In my experience treating 3 junctions is like upgrading a glass fuse with a high end audiophile fuse. Treating entire dwelling transforms a system.
Thanks for the info....are you saying put the small bag near ( next to the black wire and the smaller of the two next to the white wire? Thanks again
Since I do not know where you reside in the world, I will assume you live/have US style wiring. In the US "usually" black is Hot, white is Neutral and green is ground. I included a pic of a standard AC wall outlet and light switch. The light switch pic shows me pointing at where the ground is installed at the light switch. The install of Rochelle salt wraps is on the inside of the wall plate itself, by Hot and ground wiring only. Read and re-read the DIY post linked in the original post on this topic.
I call this a tweak but it really is just a safe process to absorb or remove EMI/EMF from being accumulated across the hundred to thousands of feet of AC wiring in your home. My apartment is 1100 sq feet with 35 such junctions. There have been people telling me their 2500 sq feet homes have 85+ such junctions, just to give you and idea. As crazy as it sounds, just applying this technique at one junction in your home can be heard from your audio system. The more of the junctions along the AC wiring is treated the effect is cumulative. For optimal system performance increase, follow my directions in the DIY post exactly to start. Once a home is treated, the performance increase to your system will be like nothing you have experienced from your system before. For the price of lunch... LOL
Then I also highly recommend reading my tuning guide posts that followed. This will sound ridiculous or insane, but even fine tuning one junction point across the AC line can and will let you tune tonal balance in your system. This tweak is highly effective, which you will experience, do one junction point at a time and tune system by ear.
Thanks ...US is correct....I'll let you know when do as you suggest
do you use paper/masking tape?
Feels like paper. The masking tape is nothing special, just a general purpose 3M brand masking tape.
Thanks for your post.....My system is all Ayre electronics (preamp, amp, silver disc player) with Vandersteen 5A speakers. and turntable with Windfield cart. All components are differentially balanced and am using balanced cables...so that noise doesn't intrude. I treated 4 outlets which power the speakers amp, preamp, and CD. The result was cleaner and clearer picture with more separation of instruments, especially an increase in depth perception . Will continue treating more outlets, but a definite thank you to you.
Yes, keep treating more junctions. The more EMI/EMF that is removed from the AC wiring (across all AC circuits) the better it gets. Eventually ultra fine detail and layering of micro harmonic information becomes available. Noise floor keeps getting lowered as more and more EMI/EMF is absorbed from the AC home wiring.
Eventually from utilizing this process or technique of absorbing EMI/EMF, you will realize that our home's AC wiring is acting like a giant antenna that absorbs high frequency noise. Just be sure to tune each junction before moving on for tonal balance and make sure you do not over damp. You can tell that you over damped if some of the ultra fine detail/resolution is being masked. As you treat more junction points your system will become more resolving.
As the resolution increases it effects different aspects of system performance. From sound stage, to fine then ultra fine micro detail, to micro and macro dynamics, to separation of all sounds, to space of venue, reverb, attack and decay trailing detail and so forth. You will understand as you treat more and more junctions. Will likely improve any video devices in your home like TV monitor or computer monitors.
Look forward to reading or knowing how it works for you. If you have questions, just ask here or in that thread where the DIY post is. Have fun, it is a very simple but interesting project.
Do you have a suggestion as to where I get the scale....thanks
Fastest is from Amazon. You want a .01 precision digital scale. I got mine from Aliexpress (pic is of my scale), lower price but have to wait 2 weeks vs a few days from Amazon. Mine is a 500g max weight, .01 accuracy. Below is a link to a Amazon option, which I do not own so look at the reviews. I will also provide a link to the small zip lock bags I use and purchased from Amazon and Rochelle salt I use but available from Amazon.
Amazon .01 precision scale option:
https://www.amazon.com/Vitafit-Scale-Digital-Pocket-Jewelry/dp/B0936D7DJ5/ref=sr_1_6?crid=TW6PU7ZBPLPX&keywords=precision+scale&qid=1701638879&sprefix=precision+scale%2Caps%2C168&sr=8-6
Amazon bags I use (NOTE: this project only needs the 2 smaller sizes):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BK48CFF2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1&tag=headfi-20
Rochelle salt I use but sold on Amazon (I buy 1-2 lb at a time from eBay):
* 4oz ($10.99 includes shipping):
https://www.amazon.com/Sodium-Tartrate-Rochelle-Salt-ozs/dp/B0B51ZHQKN/ref=sr_1_6?crid=17ILY5W63DXKY&keywords=rochelle+salt&qid=1701639524&sprefix=rochelle+salt%2Caps%2C157&sr=8-6
* 8oz ($14.29 includes shipping):
https://www.amazon.com/Sodium-Tartrate-Rochelle-Salt-ozs/dp/B0B51ZPSN4/ref=sr_1_3?crid=17ILY5W63DXKY&keywords=rochelle+salt&qid=1701639595&sprefix=rochelle+salt%2Caps%2C157&sr=8-3
Couldn't agree more. I had to redo all the plates I had previously treated because I "thought" the scale I use for coffee roasting would be good enough. Well, it wasn't even close and that's on me. The first key step for a successful Rochelle salt tweak is to get a scale accurate to .1 gram. They're not that expensive as already noted.
Glad you figured a way to implement the tweak. I have a few questions for you that may also help others contemplating the tweak or is utilizing the tweak:
* how much Rochelle salt are you using at the Hot and Ground sides of the junctions?
* have you treated all junctions in your home or just some?
* what are you hearing from your system after implementing the tweak? Basically what has the tweak done for you?
Thanks for the feedback! I shared this tweak hoping as many people as possible got to experience it.
1.Used the 1 gram(hot) .5 gram (neutral) formula.
2.33 duplex and single switch plates treated.(probably 80%-90% of what's possible in a 1360 sq. ft. house)
3. Listening sessions have been limited and I haven't even listened in my smaller room set up yet. So briefly after listening to 3 or 4 CD's in my larger set up... lower noise floor, increased clarity, better separation of instruments and vocals in the soundstage...IOW, a little less confusion when things get complex. Individual vocals and instruments that are highlighted in a recording seem to "pop" and be more vivid.
This all said, much more listening is in order in both systems to possibly come up with a more accurate assessment, but I certainly hear no downside at this point.
Meaning is your system more resolving now? And what does "IOW" mean?
IOW = "in other words"
Yes, initially more resolving as I've hinted already. That said, I just went thru a major flooring project and with the rooms empty, it made access to duplex and switch plates a lot easier. Now with everything put back together,(finally) I'll have more time to further evaluate the effects of this tweak in both systems. Thx for your discovery and input in regard to this project.
.
Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
"Still Working the Problem"
Edits: 11/27/23
Goal is to remove or absorb EMI noise, not reflect or shield EMI.
This tweak using Rochelle salt is an easy way of removing or absorbing EMI from the AC wiring across your home. I was told by a client that is a contractor and confirmed via Google search, that for every square foot of a home or dwelling, takes about 1' of wiring to AC wire up the entire dwelling. So a 2000 square foot home has about 2000 feet of wire. I have found that this long wiring run is acting like an antenna. By treating a single junction (light switch or AC outlet) whether on the same circuit as the audio system or not, the lowered noise floor can be easily heard through your system.
In the original link is to a thread that people in US, Canada and UK are trying the tweak. They are starting to post their results, feel free to go read them. I have also posted further system tuning during install notes and tips. The performance gains from this tweak is stunning. If my instructions and suggestions are followed, this tweak will outperform any upgrade (including component) or tweak you have ever tried. Will upgrade the performance level of your system beyond what you thought it was capable of. I am not kidding. Just read the post in that link and the following posts to better understand what the tweak is all about.
"The performance gains from this tweak is stunning."
How are you verifying the results?
Tre'
Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
"Still Working the Problem"
The difference is audibly obvious right after the first junction (light switch or AC outlet) is treated. Audible effects from treating a junction is immediate. The more junctions across the AC wiring that are treated, the more resolving your system gets. Tonal balance (range between warm and neutral) and body weight of presentation can be adjusted from any junction on any AC circuit in your home. This is all obvious, you will not be wondering "if" there is a difference.
I call this a tweak, but it is more a process of lowering EMI/EMF noise accumulated across your AC home wiring. The difference this tweak or process makes is so significant in the increase of performance of a decent to high end system, there is a caveat. Each junction must be tuned to the taste of the listener. I have provided guides on how to tune after the original DIY post. I highly recommend studying the tuning guides for optimal results.
If you do not follow my directions exactly, including the tuning guides I posted after, results will not be optimal. Tuning is not complicated, just follow the guides and will be obvious when you experience the tweak.
if it does cost about 20 bucks I may try it
NT
M
I am impressed. Started off overblown in terms of dynamics and tipped up in response. It has settled now and is everything you claimed. A big plus IMO. Thanks for giving the details here.
Edits: 11/27/23
Did you read my following posts as to how to further tune your system for tonal balance and bass slam?
How many junctions did you treat across your AC wiring? Did you treat your entire home?
Not yet.
I have been going through that long thread. I am very interested in grounding for audio. A few questions:
1. Have you felt any health effects since you treated your whole home? Many people report a sense of calm or destressing, better sleep etc. As, if this works, you are also lowering the EMR fields that enter your body.
2. Have you experimented with long term testing? Many of these materials will absorb EMR but tend to 'fill up' over time and lose their effect over a period of a couple of days to months. Shungite is one such material in my experience. Some people that know how to make the best products use a number of contrasting/complementary materials that can basically recharge themselves. This creates a cycling pump effect that works for years at a time. I don't know what those materials/ratios are, but I'ld love to find out :)
I have been experimenting with this tweak for about a month I think. I posted about it in that HeadFi thread maybe 2 weeks or so ago IIRC. I am chill by nature and sleep like a baby, so no changes in my mood or anything like that. Sonically the performance gains stay constant. You have to try this tweak or process to absorb EMI from the AC wiring. The performance gains will shock you. Especially if all junction points across the home's wiring is treated.
Also by treating a junction point on a different circuit than your audio system is on, at the other end of your home, can be heard through your system. This blew my mind. And your system is tunable from this junction point also.
While I'm thoroughly enjoying this tweak, Tuckers makes a good point. Will there be a point of saturation where this tweak no longer has an effect?
It has been about 2 months for me and I have not experienced a loss or change in performance.
That's good to know, thx. In a similar but not quite the same scenario, ferrite clamps don't seem to have a saturation point. Different materials for sure, but maybe it gives us a ray of hope :)
In this hobby, every time I have introduced tweaks to reduce RFI/EMI, I have experienced loss of high frequency sparkle and air. I prefer a very clear, vivid, detailed, forward sound.
I understand, been there and have experienced that also. This tweak is different. Not only will you get whatever HF extension you desire, you will get to hear more macro and micro detail. If your system is already highly resolving, tweak will allow for more ultra fine nuance of detail to be reproduced by your system. You can tune system warmth or take it to very analytical. Allows for tuning of presentation body and bass slam.
Essentially what the tweak does is systematically remove EMI from the AC line running throughout your home. This is accomplished by absorbing the EMI from easily accessible junction points along the AC wiring. The EMI is masking information in the recording. If you follow what I recommend in the DIY, this will upgrade your system.
As simple and inexpensive the tweak is, the performance increase is likely beyond any tweak or upgrade you have ever experienced. For about $20 in materials. If you follow the "free" DIY I offered the performance gains are immediate. You will hear information/detail in your recordings that were not available to you before. The DIY instructions were only made available recently. But audiophiles that have tried the tweak are reporting similar results to what I get after installing the tweak. Which is the following:
* increased speed and impact of macro and micro dynamics
* increased ultra fine micro detail retrieval across the entire note or sounds being heard. This is across the whole note or sound(s) from attack to decay and effects the entire frequency spectrum.
* Blacker/quieter background
* improves timbre, probably because of the first two benefits noted above
* separation and space within the sound stage is also improved
* Bass slam and bass detail retrieval of ultra fine detail is improved.
CDC, since I can't do a thing about this until I get home in February, I've been looking into the history and properties of the salt itself. This has been haltingly, in between croissants, but I find interesting stuff. (Like, I am not supposed to aim my X-ray gun at it, really.)
One item caught my attention. It appears that some of this salt's properties change if it absorbs humidity. Which, for us living in Florida...
I may be a few croissants and espressos away from finding specifics as they may relate to our purpose. Have you seen or observed anything along these lines so far?
If I remember correctly I introduced this tweak about 2.5 months ago. I have not read or had feedback that the performance of the tweak has diminished over time or has not worked for someone. The users of this tweak are from all around the world. What I do not know, and is impossible for me to compare to is the differences between climates. I personally live in a dry climate. If where you live has a humid climate, you can share your experience when you try the tweak.
Thanks. The impression I got from reading about this effect is that it is not "quick". Furthermore, the salt is encapsulated in plastic, which would delay whatever impact there might be. Oh well, perhaps I'll just prepare an extra set, with "wet bags", and compare during the initial round; with a just a handful of outlets. LOL, we might discover a Wet Sound SQ dimension to the salt.
...or I overdo the wetting and get electrocuted. :)
I have used Tourmaline in Christal and power form for years to good effect.
Good, and then please post what your experience is. I think you will be quite happy with the results. Performance gains/effect of the tweak are immediate. The more junction points along the AC line that is filtered or treated the more resolving your system will get. I just highly recommend following the DIY exactly regarding placement and volume/weight of the Rochelle salt used to start.
I use Tourmaline powder and small chip sized pieces as part of a ground box recipe and ground cable enhancement wrap. I also use several other minerals. So far I have found Rochelle salt to be the most effective at absorbing EMI within the context of an audio system. The key is where to apply/use and volume used.
Did not know Biden was an audiophile!
Edits: 11/16/23
N/T
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