I just returned from CES 2007 where I met Ron, the creator of the Marigo Labs Signature 3-D Stabilizer. In the KR Audio room, which had their new "Kronzilla" 50wpc SET amp teamed up with a pair of Escalante Design Fremonts, using an Esoteric X-01 CD player, I played some tracks from different CDs, both with and without the stabilizer.
Let's understand one thing: I am hardly a babe in the audio woods. I have seen more than my share of 'snake oil' in the realm of audio gear, and consider myself to be extremely objective when it comes to the evaluation process. I have walked away from many products if I heard no difference, or if the differences were not clear or consistent enough. I have heard 'uber-systems' that stood on reputation, but did not stand on their sonics, in my opinion.
But in this case, the difference in sound was astounding! Voices and instruments fleshed out, and the background was considerably quieter -- much of the digital 'haze' had been removed. The bottom end was more solid, while the top end was smoother. Overall, the entire system had more focus and clarity.
I bought two immediately, knowing that one would be lost to me forever once I installed it into an audiophile friend's system back home (it was). Upon installing it into said system, not only were the above improvements achieved, but the imaging improved by leaps and bounds as well: the entire image no longer seemed constrained by the speakers, but instead seemed to fill out spaces around and beyond the physical location of the speakers themselves.
My friend remarked that the system had improved as though I had brought in a new pair of speakers, along with a new amplifier.
As to why it works: the theory behind the improvements may or may not be valid; perhaps Marigo Labs has stumbled upon something that their theories are not explaining accurately. To tell the truth, I don't really care. What matters to me are the results.
Actually, what matters to me just as much is "bang for the buck" -- how much improvement is realized for the amount of money spent.
In this, the Marigo Labs Signature 3-D Stablizer excels. I cannot think of a better "upgrade", for anywhere near the price. Now I am left with a choice: buy more of them, or disown some of my audiophile friends. Hmmmmmm...
Let's understand one thing: I am hardly a babe in the audio woods. I have seen more than my share of 'snake oil' in the realm of audio gear, and consider myself to be extremely objective when it comes to the evaluation process. I have walked away from many products if I heard no difference, or if the differences were not clear or consistent enough. I have heard 'uber-systems' that stood on reputation, but did not stand on their sonics, in my opinion.
But in this case, the difference in sound was astounding! Voices and instruments fleshed out, and the background was considerably quieter -- much of the digital 'haze' had been removed. The bottom end was more solid, while the top end was smoother. Overall, the entire system had more focus and clarity.
I bought two immediately, knowing that one would be lost to me forever once I installed it into an audiophile friend's system back home (it was). Upon installing it into said system, not only were the above improvements achieved, but the imaging improved by leaps and bounds as well: the entire image no longer seemed constrained by the speakers, but instead seemed to fill out spaces around and beyond the physical location of the speakers themselves.
My friend remarked that the system had improved as though I had brought in a new pair of speakers, along with a new amplifier.
As to why it works: the theory behind the improvements may or may not be valid; perhaps Marigo Labs has stumbled upon something that their theories are not explaining accurately. To tell the truth, I don't really care. What matters to me are the results.
Actually, what matters to me just as much is "bang for the buck" -- how much improvement is realized for the amount of money spent.
In this, the Marigo Labs Signature 3-D Stablizer excels. I cannot think of a better "upgrade", for anywhere near the price. Now I am left with a choice: buy more of them, or disown some of my audiophile friends. Hmmmmmm...