To follow up some of my original questions in this thread...
1) There was a strong impression that connectors potentially offer one of the larger sonic difference between cables
2) The sonic improvements offered by the various silver grease treatments (Walker Audio SST, Mapleshade Silclear, etc.) have been very positively reviewed when applied to cables
I'm now wondering if the application of (2) reduces the effects of (1)... Has anyone taken two identical cables - except for the connectors - and done a before and after SST/Silclear/etc. comparison?
It only stands to reason that each and every "pressure" or compression connection is inferior to a "straight wire" when it comes to the flow of electrons.
While I haven't done an A/B (which is pretty much impossible) of a "treated" vs "untreated" group of system connections, I did just do 90% of my system today (including fuses, all power connections, interconnects, tubes, etc)
The results are incredible. I would guess that the improved "electron flow" capabilities (remember, I'm not an electrophysicist) is increased dramatically, by filling the old "gaps" that did not allow flow with a "conductive medium" that does so.
The ability to hear "into" the music has increased as has just about every other sonic component that I like.
The key element that is so telling, is the song by Josh Groban that we (I) often use to see how well a system performs. There are a couple "key" words that Groban sings that are slightly distorted/grainy/sibilant if the system is not an "over acheiver".
What I just heard after the initial treatment has reduced that "sonic gremlin" to a residual that makes me wonder if it is not a "pure" sound and is just distorted slightly by every system I have heard up till now.
If so, this is truly a remarkable find. That is, for $35 you can "change" your system, without changing a single cable.
I received it yesterday, and treated "every" power connection, from the wall to each component. I did this "after" doing about 30 minutes of serious listening. Once treated, I powered up again. It was quite remarkable. The biggest improvement seemed to come in the bass and the rich "realism" from piano and cymbal sounds
Today I did the same thing, and treated fuses, and all tubes (5 tubes total in the preamp and CDP)
Another nice improvement in cavernous (3-D and deep) bass and dynamic attack (Steely Dan - Two Against Nature) I won't say blackness increased, but it seemed like each image gained a greater sense of natural fullness and had a more solid presence.
Finally treating the interconnects and speaker cables. This yeilded an improvement, but it was smaller than the other two.
This seemed smaller and it might have been since the two main interconnects involved had been treated previously, and might have had some "residual film" already in place.
While I can't guarantee it will do the same for your system, I can certainly suggest with enthusiasm, that it certainly offers potential for those who listen seriously.
And while I have contacted Mapleshade about being a dealer (and I now am) it is not worth it to me to "offer" it for general sale.
I'll probably give it away in future packages.
I suggest that if you're interested, give Pierre a call and order some. For $35 it is a steal, and if you live close to other audio buddies, buy one for 2-3 systems and still have enough for 4-5 more. I don't think I'll ever use up all of one single container.
This stuff rocks
