ground control devices


Can anyone share their experience with ground control devices, such as the CAD GC1 or the Granite Audio unit, used in a system with already very low background noise/hum?

sstorch
Yes it’s only been less than 2 months but I’m now a believer in grounding boxes. I was sent a Zebrano Signal Ground Solution box from Scotland and after some experimentation (yes it was not a simple as plug and play) this is what I heard. The Zebrano brought out a more defined timbre and nuances that I had not heard before. There is a more extended/ dynamic pace to the music and an intimacy with how the instruments/ voice are captured. Recordings that you regard as uninvolving and disappointing were now captured in a different way! very much a different listening experience, the room becomes more energized. Yes these are not subtle things but a whole new experience I’m having.
http://signalgroundsolutions.com/page-11/index.html

Full disclosure ~ after hearing what this brought to my reference system I became a dealer.

(Dealer disclaimer)
@sksos 

How do connect these units? Do they connect to your components only, or do they connect to the components and the mains? Thanks.

A wire is connected from the grounding box to a component. You can connect to the chassis ground of a component (i.e.: amp, dac, pre, phono) which is usually the best however SGS is rather unique as you can do signal ground as well, ITS ONE OR THE OTHER BUT NOT MIXED. Again it took a bit of experimentation but once I found the right area it was pure bliss. For me I connected it to my amp and my line controller (which is basically a pre-amp/dac combo) and then also to my phono. 


I heard a demonstration of the Nordost grounding system at a local dealership.  The system had multiple dedicated power feeds from a dedicated subpanel and was dead quiet.  The addition of the grounding scheme improved the sound to a surprising extent—instruments seemed to float more freely in space instead of being pasted to the back wall, small detail and dynamic changes were more natural.  I would have bought the system except for the fact that it must be hooked up to an unused input on each component and iI don’t have such an input on my amp (chassis ground does not work).
It is certainly something to look into, at least as effective as good power conditioners, in my experience.
@sksos

To confirm I understand correctly; the grounding box is connected to a component (DAC, amp, whatever) via grounding post, or other grounding (single wire).

The grounding box is NOT plugged into the mains - i.e. it is a passive device.
The component (DAC, amp, whatever) still uses a regular 3 prong AC cable meaning the component is still connect to the mains ground.

Question; have you ever used the device and while the ground from the mains is disconnected from all your components? 

The reason I am asking is I use batteries and have no mains ground. When I connect to mains ground, I pick up noise. For safety reasons, I’d like to have mains ground connected. I’m wondering if a grounding box would allow me a connection to mains ground w/o the additional noise.
Thanks.
@pauly yes the wires are connected FROM the grounding box to each component. Each component is still plugged into an outlet but the grounding box is a passive device and does not require AC to operate. 
I could not tell you if using the SGS while your own components are connected to the AC outlets if it will eliminate your noise issues. There's only one way to find out and that is to try. Where are you located?

Steve
SOS

(Dealer disclaimer)
@sksos 

I'm on the east coast however I am not (yet) interested in trying a grounding device. I am in the middle of a number of upgrades so my ability to discern the contribution from a specific product is probably close to zero. 

I am interested in how these devices work and how they are to be used,  as I believe it's worth pursuing once my ears adjusts to my "new normal".