Z-Sleeves

satfrat · « **on:** 14 Dec 2003, 07:34 pm »

On a lark and because I do love the usage of Stillpoints ERS which is the basis for Z-sleeves, I picked up a Z-sleeve from Mark Hampton 2 weeks ago. I had intended to place the sleeve on my L-9 Litz power cord to my BPT conditioner for maximum system effect. But because of the hassle involved with the installation and receiving the package toward the end of the day, I slipped it over my Ridge Street Bybee digital cable from my C-band satellite receiver instead. The Z-sleeve never came off!

I was literally stunned by the clarity gains (or resolution?) made to my Odyssey Lorelei's. All of a sudden, the highs that I had never missed appreared in all their glory. Mark says that a system needs 20-40 hours to adjust to the Z-sleeves. I needed 0 minutes.

Now this was what had been missing from my system. I had tremendous soundstage depth and body from all the Bybee's in my system but the highs weren't there. This is something I hadn't noticed missing until it appeared. Once I overcame the emotional rise from this new Lorelei delight, I did what I'm all too famous on doing, I went overboard and ordered 7 more!

On Mark's advise, I ended up placing 2 sleeves on my Sunfire processor power cord, 2 on my center speaker cable, 1 each on my Lorelei speakercable, and the last one on my other Ridge Street digital cable to my DVD player. I first had the sleeves on my speaker cables as close to the speakers and the Bybee speaker filters as possible for greatest resolution but this placement literally overdosed my speakers with resolution. The overabundance of clarity completely washed out the sound and made it unbearable to listen to. After a day that I had hoped to have the system adjust to the additional sleeves, I moved the sleeves up tight to the Butler amps and started thinking about sending some of the sleeves back. Those thoughts disappeared within minutes of the new placement. I'm not sure if it was the Bybee speaker filters or what but the sleeves came under control by having them as far away from them as possible. Even after a week, I moved them back down thinking maybe time had seasoned things. WRONG! After an unbearable song or two, back they went. Now this placement is a hassle cuz tese sleeves are hefty and need to be supported to take the tension off the terminations. I used cotton twine nooses and hanged these SOB's from my Sanus rack.

Letting them lay on the floor behind the speakers would have been easier but by hanging them behind the amplifiers, the sleeves are out of sight. AS is my custom, I have ordered 3 more sleeves ($1100 total) and plan on putting 2 sleeves on my BPT power cord and 1 on my subwoofer cable. Lonewolfny42 is auditioning them as we speak and it's my hope that he'll chime in (all in due time) with his reactions. There is no doubt that I went waaay overboard here on these Z-sleeves

but it should be an indication to you folks on how much I like them. (or how sick I am)

I would recommend one Z-sleeve on your power conditioner PC for maxiumum system benefit OR one on each speaker cable for strongest resolution gains OR one on your source digital cable for excellent source resolution improvements. But beware, it's effects are addicting and you'll end up having all these bases covered. And for $99 a pop, it add's up quickly.

You have been warned,,,

Regards, Robin

zybar · « **Reply #1 on:** 14 Dec 2003, 08:06 pm »

I just got my BPT 3.5 Sig and an additional L-9 cord. Both have the Z Sleeve. I won't be able to critically evaluate the 3.5 Sig since I am using cheapo ic's and zip cord until I get my upgraded ic's and cable.

Maybe I will try a few Z Sleeves and see what they do...

BTW, I noticed the price BPT charges is the same as buying directly from Z Cable....

Glad to hear they are working for you

Have you tried any of Z Cables's other products?

It would be great if their power cord was really nice (since it is relatively cheap).

GW

satfrat · « **Reply #2 on:** 14 Dec 2003, 08:16 pm »

Zcable does have a line of cables utilizing Z-sleeve technology,, and they're NOT cheap.

Actually, it was Chris Hoff's use of a Z-sleeve in place of Bybee's in his flagship Signature conditioner that made me look at them. But it was Chris's use of Bybee's that made me look at them too. Now I have 23 Bybee's and 11 Z-sleeves.

I would hope he's done with his balanced power conditioner upgrades.

Regards, Robin

cryotweaks · « **Reply #3 on:** 15 Dec 2003, 02:56 pm »

From careful observation of the Z sleeve photographs, all I can see is a copper tube with three strips of ERS on it that is then covered in shrink tubing. Is there more to them than that?

satfrat · « **Reply #4 on:** 15 Dec 2003, 07:00 pm »

Quote from: cryotweaks

From careful observation of the Z sleeve photographs, all I can see is a copper tube with three strips of ERS on it that is then covered in shrink tubing. Is there more to them than that?

I think you'll find that there are layers of aluminum between the sheets of ERS. You'll also see from the recent 6moons review released that Furutech has a digital cable out now that utilizes a similar device on their cable and Zcable will be coming out with their cables that incorporate Z-sleeve technology. Their is definitely something to this or I would not have spent $1100 and Chris Hoff would not have replaced his internal Bybee's with 2 Z-sleeves, one on the L-9 PC and an internal one on his flagship Signature.

Regards, Robin

cryotweaks · « **Reply #5 on:** 15 Dec 2003, 07:17 pm »

Thanks Robin,

I am always curious about new tweaks, and the DIY'er in me needs to know

I wonder if the effect of the sleeve is to space the ERS away from the cable, or if there is more to it.

satfrat · « **Reply #6 on:** 16 Dec 2003, 04:15 am »

Quote from: cryotweaks

Thanks Robin,

I am always curious about new tweaks, and the DIY'er in me needs to know

I wonder if the effect of the sleeve is to space the ERS away from the cable, or if there is more to it.

I know what you mean Mike, I'm always looking to improve one thing or another in my HT system. There's an upcoming review of Z-sleeves from 6moons due, I'm sure allot of answers will be forthcoming as is their custom.

From the Zcable website, Mark Hampton says the effects of ERS is magnified 10 fold with this combination of ERS, aluminum, and copper. It's my feeling that this combination and the cylinder encloser combine to effectively negate any interference from the signal. As has been the positive results from wrapping cables with ERS tape, I think Z-sleeves expand on this,,,, at an increased cost of course.

I'm finding a happy medium utilizing BOTH Bybee's and Z-sleeves in my system. Z-sleeves with an increased resolution and Bybee's with it's dynamic soundstage presense. Have I tingled your curiousity enough for you to try one out yet Mike?

Regards, Robin

Tuckers · « **Reply #7 on:** 16 Dec 2003, 04:40 am »

I've got two on order. We'll sort these out soon enough!

satfrat · « **Reply #8 on:** 16 Dec 2003, 04:55 am »

Quote from: Tuckers

I've got two on order. We'll sort these out soon enough!

Only 2?

You do have a 30 day audition with these babies and what would it cost to return them, $10? I have no doubts that you'll be posting your impressions, hea Tuckers?

Where do you plan on placing them?

Do keep in mind that it takes 20-40hrs for your system to acclimate itself. Good luck! Regards, Robin

eichlerera1 · « **Reply #9 on:** 16 Dec 2003, 02:44 pm »

As usual Robin, you have tempted me into considering the Z Sleeve.
After the "Christmas Crunch" has abated, I'll likely get a couple to try on my DVD/CD source. Good review. You are truly a man of extremes.

One question: I checked out their website and saw no mention of the use of copper within the Z Sleeve. From your previous posts, you had mentioned that aluminum was used. Did you get the copper info directly from Mark?

Paul G

Tuckers · « **Reply #10 on:** 16 Dec 2003, 06:19 pm »

I will be trying them on speaker cables and interconnects. I will also be trying them inside the VRS Music Computer on power wires when I get it.

Another product I like is the AudioPrism Waveguide, which is a similar product. I'll see how it stacks up there too.

zybar · « **Reply #11 on:** 16 Dec 2003, 06:21 pm »

Tuckers,

Will you be using the Z Sleeve over the Pursang ic's and cable?

If so, I will be very interested in hearing your thoughts.

GW

satfrat · « **Reply #12 on:** 16 Dec 2003, 07:12 pm »

I read it somewhere Paul, either on 6moons or the only Z-sleeve review that I've seen at http://www.stereotimes.com/acc081303.shtm . The use of aluminum I got from Mark. And thanks for returning the favor with the Symphony enticement PAUL!

Regards, Robin

zybar · « **Reply #13 on:** 16 Dec 2003, 10:48 pm »

Robin,

Silly question, but how do you get the Z Sleeve on your power cord without taking the cord apart?

I can't see how the Z Sleeve would slide off of my BPT power cords on either end.

GW

satfrat · « **Reply #14 on:** 17 Dec 2003, 12:23 am »

Quote from: zybar

Robin,

Silly question, but how do you get the Z Sleeve on your power cord without taking the cord apart?

I can't see how the Z Sleeve would slide off of my BPT power cords on either end.

GW

One end will have to be taken off George and with the L-9, it's the AC end as the IEC end is soldered. It's really no big deal for my old style L-9 as there's 6 wires (2 per conductor) that are placed in 6 holes on the top of the AC plug and just screwed into place. You have the Furutech plug and I have no idea how that connection is made. I would imagine that it's the same screwed into place concept. Thinking of adding more sleeves?

Regards, Robin

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #15 on:** 17 Dec 2003, 10:54 pm »

Quote

Lonewolfny42 is auditioning them as we speak and it's my hope that he'll chime in (all in due time) with his reactions.

A few days ago, Robin sent me a package with three of these Z-Sleeves enclosed. It came the same day as the Selah FXT speaker audition packages. I said "what the hell are these things"? He said,"put one tube on your digital cable, and one tube on each speaker cable. Let me know what you hear, it takes 20 to 40 hours to break in". Ok, why not.

Tuckers · « **Reply #16 on:** 18 Dec 2003, 07:39 am »

Boy, that was quick! I ordered just over 24 hours ago and they came in at the end of the day. I did ask them to overnight them.

Since I got them in time, I can try them out on the VRS music computer when I visit them this weekend.

Unfortunately the power in my neighborhood was out for a couple of hours tonight. So my system is cold. But I probably will try them anyways.

These babys are not flexible like I thought by the description and pictures. The have a fairly heavy steel tube running in the middle with stuff wrapped over it. About 1/2 pound each I'd say. So some caution will be needed trying these on cables. Could use them as audiophile nunchucks with the right wire I think.

Tuckers · « **Reply #17 on:** 18 Dec 2003, 12:18 pm »

I have a ZSleeve on my interconnects going from my DAC, and one on the digital cable.

Yes, there is an audible difference right off the bat. And in an hour it becomes more pronounced. I hear two positive effects.

Increased image density. It's like instruments and voices are more fleshed out without a tonal additive (sometimes adding lower midrange can add flesh to them bones, but that's not what's happening here).

I can hear farther back into the soundstage, in some cases I can hear the back wall of a recording studio. This is an effect I don't really grock most of the time.

It does seem to roll off the highs a bit and possibly compress the dynamics. I'm supposed to give em two days before final judgement though. It's definitely interesting and I think a net positive so far. I'll post more in a couple weeks.

satfrat · « **Reply #18 on:** 19 Dec 2003, 01:56 am »

Tuckers, these are Mark Hampton's exact words to me; "The musical information should increase and the glare and the harshness decrease". I think what you and Lonewolf are calling high rolloff is actually this digital glare & harshness that Mark is speaking of. Mark says give the sleeves 20-40 hrs for your system to adjust to them. I would say include yourself into that equation. After all, it's in the highs where all this digital hash is located and what your ears have been conditioned to hear. Listen to them for a while, then take them out and compare. In my system, the Z-sleeves did just the opposite, it brought back the tingling highs. I'm glad tho that you heard immediate positive effects unlike Lonewolf whom it took time for the sleeves to do their magic. I'll be looking forward to hearing further observations from ya.

Til them, I'll be looking for a used Quantum Symphony Pro.

I'm also considering room treatment from 8th Nerve. Regards, Robin

Carlman · « **Reply #19 on:** 19 Dec 2003, 02:50 am »

Does anyone know if these sleeves would prevent a nearby radio station from leaking into your IC's? If I have just my speakers and amp on, no radio... but, when I turn on my pre... I get Foxy 107 but, I have no tuner.

I've moved the wires around, twisted them, and done all sorts of stuff but, I only temporarily disable Foxy 107. They seem to come and go... sometimes really loud, and other times very soft. The same thing happens on my PC speakers. When I turn the volume knob, the volume of Foxy stays the same. Welcome to my little hell.

Anyway, would this Z stuff help/eliminate this issue?