There doesn’t seem to be much interest in this thread. Too bad though because it really is the great unknown as to the level of improvement in sound quality it can provide. I mean what I am hearing is a deeper, wider, clearer- soundstage. All positives, no downside.
It’s sort of like star grounding the signal cabling but with a base sink that dissipates any noise (present or unheard buried deep) that may be present in the sound quality.
ozzy
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afg101, Thank you for that information.
I have been experimenting now quite a bit with this grounding method. It is better to separate digital from analog into 2 different grounding boxes. Luckily, I built several DIY boxes that IMHO are better than the Entreq,
What I am hearing is a deeper soundstage. Music that I am way too familiar with such as example: CCR "Green River" perhaps not the best recording but one of my favorite tunes, I can clearly hear brother Tom strumming along in the top left of center quadrant. Previously it was buried in the mix. Also listening to Linda sing "Blue Bayou" is really captivating.
ozzy
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I use a Nordost QB4 with both QV2 and QK1 plugged into the two outside receptacles. I use the QB4 only for whichever power amp I’m using, only one plugged in at a time. When I first picked up the QB4 I did not use the ground post at first but later made up my own cable using what an Electrician would use, No. 10 insulated ground cable I picked up at the HomeDepot. On the QB4 side I picked up an AudioQuest gold plated speaker spade and on the other end of the ground wire connects outside to an 8’ buried ground rod. I’m not saying the difference is drastic but it is there being with using the ground the noise floor is lower and especially on my Pass amp it really opens up and with a sense of you’re more there and not listening to a HiFi. I needed a 20’ of cable which one from Nordost would be probably more than I’d want to spend. Very happy with the cable I built for less than $50, plus the grounding rod and clamp.
All my other components go through a PS Audio P10 on its own dedicated circuit. The Nordost is on its own circuit which I only use for my power amp, either a Pass or a Cary.
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Thanks for commenting. I was beginning to think that I was the only one using this type of grounding.
BTW, the silver 3 foot 16 ga .999 wire cost me $21 including shipping. Compared to the $1600 for the Entreq Atlantis.
ozzy
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Ozzi,
By my own ear, I chose:
VH Audio UniCrystal™ 5N OCC SILVER 24AWG, Duelund 1.0 5N Silver, Neotech STDST-24 Silver 24AWG and SR HD.
The copper wires didn't work for me
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Just connected up the new .999 16 ga silver wire. I used no connectors. Made a loop at one end to go over the outside of an unused RCA and then used an RCA cap to keep it in place. At the other end into the Entreq I made the wire end into an arrow shape that then went inside the banana terminal.
Thus far, I think I hit the right gauge/wire.
What this type of grounding does is it creates a more solid stable image. Delicate nuances that once were buried in the music become more apparent.
ozzy
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I'm expecting today some 16 ga .999 silver wire that I ordered thru Amazon to try.
BTW, drpie,which wire is the more subtle?
ozzy
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I compared the AWG effect in my system with the silver wires of VH Audio and Duelund (SR SX ground). The more subtle worked better.
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I agree with the cost being outrageous. I wish some "rich guy" would take one apart and reveal the insides.
Surprising though, the grounding boxes do work well. I use it with my Lumin X1 and with my JL Audio CR-1 crossover. I have a separate DIY box on my Amps and other smaller DIY versions on my speakers. This seems to be the best configuration.
Funny though, grounding the amps and/or subwoofers together with the other equipment degrades the sound quality giving it sort of a congested sound.
I am only talking about signal ground. That is; from the grounding of a rca or spade input/output. Not AC or chassis grounding.
ozzy
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That’s what I think. Do you think 16-gauge silver to be ok?
Of course! Like I said, if the wire really has to take any current you have much bigger fish to fry due to some sort of Bad Thing going on with a component or AC outlet miswired. When things are set up properly the wire will see no current at all.
Now I feel compelled to mention that if all the equipment has a proper grounding scheme and your home wiring meets electrical code there will be no benefit whatsoever from any external grounding systems. But its a sad fact that many ’high end audio’ components have poor grounding (or none at all).
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Because someone will pay it and they'll make a big profit.
Then why is the Entreq Atlantis cable $1600?
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Try both. A 1600.00 ground cable is just too much. Not money, just stupid. Try both silver and copper, or any other. Make a good connection, which is ALWAYS a must with any ground and see which you prefer.
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Then why is the Entreq Atlantis cable $1600?
I have found an old description of one of their cables:
"Our top cables Apollo & Olympus are made of Silver, Cotton and Wood.
The silver conductors are twisted by our own developed system and then threated with high presure. This insure you will get best possible performance together with Entreq groundboxes. Simply, since they are developed by the same constructor for best performance. 1* 15 AWG conductor made by 4 different AWG´s twisted pure silver threads and threated with our high pressure process."
ozzy
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Ah, no current then pretty much anything would work. I would use OCC copper personally. But silver would be fine.
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That's what I think. Do you think 16-gauge silver to be ok?
ozzy
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There's no current in the wire unless something is terribly wrong. So a light gauge is no worries.
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Thanks for the comments. It is a signal ground not an AC ground.
It is sort of remarkable in the way the soundstage stage solidifies with this type of grounding.
I've just got to zero in on the proper gage. I agree that the cost for a Entreq Atlantis cable is ridiculous that's why I would like to know what it consists of.
ozzy
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General rule of thumb is ground wire is at least the same gauge as the supply wire. 1600.00 for a ground wire is stupid. And I’m a cable believer…
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Might be some deals here.
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I ask this question because the Entreq Atlantia cable sells for about $1600. This seems rather expensive for a short grounding wire.
I have tried 10-gauge copper and 18-gauge silver. Each gives a slightly different sound.
ozzy
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