OK here's the scoop, the skinny, the lowdown, the deal... Power conditioners DO have a break in period. After about 3-4 days, the music sounded as good as it did before. I can't say it sounds better but at least the equipment is warrantied against nasty surges that try to wreek havok on it.
Now as for the chicken blood, it did wreek havok on my cd player. After dipping its "inductors" in the chicken blood it developed a problem in its electronics and has to be sent off to the shop. Therefore I have been without a good cd player for a week, thus the delay in my follow up post. Not to fear though, the true audio God (you know; the one who gave us the music and the ears to listen) has sent Mr Theta Miles to the rescue. He is on his way now and should arrive Wednesday. |
Perhaps chicken blood is a good contact enhancer. There's one Audiogon dealer selling shark oil from Japan as a contact enhancer for $88 a small bottle*. Hey, I have shark oil a marine biologist friend of mine gave me and that's pretty sticky, messy, stinking stuff. The Voodoo also comes in small, expensive bottles...
*I wonder if it's authentic cold pressed like mine or hot pressed... |
So as not to make a mess on my hands I apply the chicken blood with tissues from the winey non believers who can't get over or accept the fact they can't hear a difference or leave the rest of the world alone because they can. I tried to use a page from a owners manual once but they nearly took my arm off, it was the page with all of the specs on it. ;) |
Stevenmj, I am surprised that a person so technically minded as you admits to using free-range chicken blood, just like the rest of us.
And using an old piece of RS gear to break it in! What a great idea (I had not even considered). Having read that excellent suggestion, I am on my way over to EBAY to search for one :~) .
I must admit I never knew that XTC supplied damping factor. I only knew about "English Settlement" and the other great releases they did on LP. Oh well, live and learn! |
I have found a dramatic difference using free-range chicken blood, but only if it is broken in first. I break the blood in on my RS beater gear. Golden Divine Supernatural Translucent XTC provides audio quality chicken blood. You can also order a magnitude of highest quality damping factor from them. |
Gross, that is! At least my powers are mental, no blood involved!
Call me now for your free reading! |
Most gods behave like spoiled, demanding, ego-centric children. They're always bringing plagues or smiting this and that when their "subjects" don't behave as expected. Especially when said subjects try to think for themselves. Looks like audio gods are no different. |
Let's get it right "Voudou", not "Voodoo". |
Hmmmmm.. sounds like a good idea... thanks. |
If you dip the inductors in chicken blood blessed by a Voodoo priest in full moon they sound better. |
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Thanks guys. Played the system a little tonight. It seems that it may be coming around some. Nowhere near as thin as it was. Still not as warm as it should be but getting there hopefully. At this point more analytical than I'm used too. I'll give a progress report in a couple days. Again thanks for your help |
Yes, I have the HTS5000 and it took some time to break in. In fact I was pissed at what it did to my receiver at first (thin and harsh sound), but it warmed up after aprox. 100hrs. |
As with ANY solid state (and tube) electronics, there is always a "break-in" period in which the electrons of the metals in the circuit settle. But I doubt that any break-in period will solve your woes. From what I have seen, an upgraded power cord will serve you better than any conditioner, especially for amps. Unless the manufacturer recommends using a conditioner, then I would steer away from them. Exception: PS Audio. But not for amps. They just demand too much current quickly to have any real positive benefit from a line conditioner. |
There is a break in period for each "individual" outlet as well as the whole unit. I have noticed the same thing when replacing the A/C wall outlets that I use for audio. I own two of the HTS-2000's and from memory think that it took approx. 72 hours (of pumping current through each individual outlet) for the sound to smooth and flesh out, though the sound will improve a bit more with addtional time. On occasion I have plugged either the DAC or transport into a "virgin" plug (one that has not been used before) and the difference in sound was very noticeable. Give it a week and if it still does not sound right, return it. |
Although I have not personally observed the breakin phenomena occuring with AC conditioners, I've been told by both a manufacturer & an "authority" (one of their dealers) that breakin does in fact occur with their devices. I've certainly experienced breakin improvements with interconnects & speaker cables, but I haven't noticed this happening in my rig with line conditioners, or even AC cords for that matter. I'm not saying definitively that it does / does not happen; just haven't had the pleasure at my house, but as always YMMV. |
No Money is right on the money : ) Sean
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Try plugging the amp directly into the wall and see what you get. |
Not aware of a break in period. Bloated bass is sometimes caused by dirty power, so maybe the bass is OK and you need to adjust your speaker placement or other room effects. I personally think the Monsters are good for HT as demonstrated by the TV improvement. I have two Monsters hooked up to 2 different TVs, but I use something better for audio (Vansevers and Blue Circle). |
