High Fidelity Cables MC-0.5 Effect
@lowrider57 , I use one Gutiwre on my SACD player and noticed a bit of improvement. Since all of my RCA inputs were used on my integrated, I had to wait for the XLR adaptor to use it and with the MC-0.5s in place, the improvement was more than without it on the SACD side of things. All things not being equal and me being too lazy to try it out all ways, I'm going to believe that with the MC-0.5 in place, using the Gutwire would be more noticeable an improvement than without the MC-0.5 in place. Also, I haven't tried any grounding blocks and simply don't have the room for any more clutter around back on my media rack. 👍 All the best, Nonoise |
I just spent the last hour with the adaptor back in place sharing two MC-0.5s with my integrated's outlet. All it took was about halfway into the second track and the odd effects I heard before were tamed down. By the third track, it was wonderfully balanced and I was getting what @lowrider57 was describing as that 3-D effect. If I need to wait another 200 hours for it to get better, than it will be icing on the cake as it's great right now. Vocals and acoustic guitars are eerily present in the room. Mixing and recorded effects are behind them as there are now distinct planes of music before me. I like it so much now that I may get just one more to add to the other one that feeds my SACD and ancillary equipment. I've got nothing to lose and everything to gain. On an aside, after getting the first set of MC-0.5s, I also got a XLR to RCA adaptor so I could attach my Gutwire Grounding wire to the unused XLR input so I could ground my Kinki EX-M1 integrated at the circuit board. That was another step up, specifically in overall clarity. Kind of like popping your ears, though not as drastic, but still noticeable. All the best, Nonoise |
I found the base to be more prominent but also, more detailed, lower, and tighter in presentation. I've been wearing out some Billie Eilish CDs lately (I find her fun and refreshing) and the synthetic base simply growls and excites my room in a way I've not experienced before. I'd give it some more time before you reach a final conclusion. All the best, Nonoise |
@lowrider57 , It's reassuring to hear someone second my impressions. It took a bit of experimentation on my part but the nice thing is, you pretty much hear results upon insertion and removal, so double checking is an easy matter. I'm still on the fence about an actual power conditioner but can see how one would benefit from an MC-0.5 or two and how they'd pass that benefit on down the line to one's components. All the best, Nonoise |
Just an update here about the use of two instead of one on the outlet serving my integrated. After rounds of hours listening to familiar recordings, I went back to using just one device per outlet. It could be just my system and ears but with one per outlet, it sounds marvelous. With two on the integrated, it was kind of like turning the contrast up on a TV maybe a notch too much. It sounds great and is all the more engaging but I felt it was at the expense of something else that I couldn't quite put my finger on. Others might like it but right in the middle of some Bach Concertos, I hit pause and removed one and resumed play. That is where my sweet spot lies. There’s a hint of more body/flesh/meat and a touch more weight down low (from the midband, down). As always, YMMV, but there’s no doubting the efficacy of these devices. All the best, Nonoise |
68pete, 49! I somehow feel inadequate. 😞 I think I have MC-0.5 envy. 😄 I don't know what or how they do it, but do it they do. With just the one on each outlet, I was perfectly happy with the sound. Flushed with content. With two on the integrated's side, it was a bit overwhelming, at first, but didn't take long at all to get in order. There's some kind of adjustment period, albeit a very short one, that I can't quite put my finger on, and then it's off to the races, as they say. What a product. All the best, Nonoise |
Got my two B-stock units and tried just one on the same outlet as my integrated with the other on the outlet with the rest of my gear, including my SACD player, which I moved it to a few days before, and even that paid dividends (even more clarity). Again, a big improvement in clarity and realism eliciting smiles all around. With that clarity comes instantaneous scaling of dynamics, as if something was applying the brakes just a tad (if not more). Adding another the next day, for a total of two (using a three outlet adaptor) on the integrated side was the real eye opener. Being early in the morning, I kept it low so as to not disturb the neighbors but I found myself lowering the volume even more to the point where I was listening 2-4db lower than my normal listening levels and still the dynamics and impact were astounding. It could be something like a chime or cymbal strike and it would come on as strong as a plucked base note or drum strike, even when done lightly. I'm talking real micro-dynamic improvements that equaled macro-dynamics like in real life situations. Nothing comes out of virtual blackness anymore as sound abound, again, like in real life. One hears the recording venue and any ambience it contributes. The see-through and decay are amazing. I've read on other threads where some members have 17-20 of these units in their systems and I can see why, although I won't be buying anymore as I've run out of outlets (unless I get another 3-way adaptor). In my limited experience with power conditioning, I still feel it's best to go directly into the wall and this has been strongly reinforced by my experience using these passive, magnetic, conditioners. At their B-stock pricing, they're a no-brainer. All the best, Nonoise |
They ran out the first time last week and got more in stock. Hopefully, it'll happen again. As for the placement, I used an open outlet socket to get the results I got. I'm lucky in that although I live in an apartment, my two outlets that serve my audio/video needs are the only two on that particular breaker. Since I have only one available outlet left on a power strip, I was advised to just get a 2 or 3 way (t-shape) adaptor for the wall outlet, running two MC-0.5s on it and use the third on the power strip. It will all work out the same due to the proximity of the devices and the isolation of them as well. All the best Nonoise |
As much as I liked what I heard, it was when I retired to watch some TV, which is on the same line as my audio gear, that it hit me. I need more. The picture had an unusual sharpness that still retained a natural look. The colors and contrast didn't pop as much as one would expect but were nonetheless more contrasty, defined and again, more natural looking. I liked it so much that I went and ordered two of the B-stock units to add to my system. Now I see what all the hub-bub was about when High Fidelity first came online with their products. All the best, Nonoise |
@jerrybj, Just listened for about 4 hours with the MC-0.5 in place and it’s staying there. I just might get another. No more need for the Blue Circle Thingee anymore. Loving the results would be an understatement. Sliced bread is now relegated to 2nd place. 👍 Also, thanks @lowrider57 for your perspective and impressions as it got me interested enough to buy one. It’s everything you mentioned, and more, without one bit of negative to relate. It’s the most realistic presentation I’ve heard in my room. All the best, Nonoise |
Don’t bother looking anymore: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgS4DD0CgHs&frags=pl%2Cwn I should have said nothing as I was planning on getting another if it proved to be of benefit. Oh well. 😉 All the best, Nonoise |
