[arthur]

learning from previous posts on this site I just modded my Sony DVP s7000 with a new power cable. The sound improved dramatically in just about every aspect - especially bass. (Thank you Nathan!).

Before i had enough time to allow the mod to burn in i was a bit bothered by the apparent slight looseness of the bass so i tried out the Dakiom stabilizers.
I appreciated their couragous step to cut the price for those who are willing to review it.
 Unfortunately, in my system Dakiom stabilizers only degraded the sound - the instrument separation became fairly diminished and the soundstage shrunk. The bass was reduced but not tighttened. It was similar to changning my cables for ones from Radio Shack. I'm sending it back.

Without stabilizers, after waiting for about a week the bass tightened up on its own and it all sounds good now. the only thing i want to experiment now is trying the Groenberg Quattro IC's (if i find them used for a good price) and speaker placement.

my system
SONY DVP-S7000
DAC: TubeDac+  (http://www.scott-nixon.com/dac.htm)
Preamplifier: Odyssey Tempest (www.odysseyaudio.com)
Amplifier: Odyssey Stratos (120,000 uF capacitance odysseyaudio.com)    
Speakers: Legacy Classic (legacy-audio.com/2003/classic.html)
Digital Cable: BOLDER Digital Cable 1.5m (Bullet Plugs)  
Interconnects: BOLDER Type 2  
Speaker Cables: Groneberg Quattro Reference (biwired)
Power Cords: Bolder Type 2 Power Cord for the CDP, Zu Birth for amp and pre.
Power Conditioner: T L C POWER CONDITIONER by Orlando Colom

[TheChairGuy]

arthur,

You don't mention which Dakiom's you tried and used.  I have both the R103's (for line level components) and A103's (for amps).

The R103 worked well with my (then, unmodded) Sony DVP-S7700.   More bass impact and more dynamic overall.  Perhaps a little 'cloudier' presentation, but the effect was mostly positive.

The R103 in tandem with my MSB Gold Link III was poor. I think the MSB uses no negative feeback in it's design...a no no for the Dakiom's.  They don't work with certain equipment using not using negative feedback.  After all, it's a 'feedback stabilizer'.  The disclaimor is somewhere on Mr. Dao's site.  Try it solo with the Sony...the problem may lie in the synergy with the Nixon DAC.

The R103 worked so-so on my preamp and did not synergize at all with my JVC (hybrid digital) receiver.  However, I use it on my 20 year old Onkyo receiver in the (modest) video room, and it works great.  Ditto on the (unmodded) Pioneer 656a.

I use the A103 on my JVC receiver currently and I think it adds far more than it detracts.

Food for thought - on all.  None other than Brian Cheney, of VMPS, uses (or at least used 2 months ago) the Dakiom's.  The man has a pretty good ear with awards piled up over 20+ years.

That's not to say what you heard is not real or relevant...but the Dakiom's may merit further investigation befre sending them back.

Your call - good luck.  

[Red Dragon Audio]

I had ok experiences with the Dakiom speaker version on a panny digital amp but I don't think those amps use feedback so I might have been just hearing things or wanting to hear things one way or the other.

However, when I installed it on my friends Marantz Receiver it was clear as day that it had improved the overall audio spectrum.  Cleaner, richer mids and highs were more relaxed but not attenuated.  Bass was more articulate but didn't feel more powerful...just slightly better textured and resolved.

They do require proper placement and aren't designed for ALL systems.

[arthur]

i systematically tried both stabilizers in ever possible combination but in all cases they took away from clarity, soundstage, bass, presence (especially the ones in line with IC's). the most damage was done to orchestral pieces.

but yes this only applies to my system. the courage of the manufacturer to offer a discount for reviews tells me that they must be pretty confident about the product, it must have worked out quite well for some listeners.

[TheChairGuy]

i systematically tried both stabilizers in ever possible combination but in all cases they took away from clarity, soundstage, bass, presence (especially the ones in line with IC's). the most damage was done to orchestral pieces.

but yes this only applies to my system. the courage of the manufacturer to offer a discount for reviews tells me that they must be pretty confident about the product, it must have worked out quite well for some listeners.

Yep, don't know your system, but it seems the cheaper your gear, the more impressive the result with Dakiom's.  Again however, Brian Cheney uses them on some pretty fine gear...and he's not tin ear, ya' know?  

Whatever, you hear what you hear and so do I.  They do indeed seem like thay work in certain instances, but not all tome (and yes, the inline IC R103's seem to add the most coloration and least return on the dollar).