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My Snubway and Main Stream Master Class Combo Review

I must admit I am a sucker for tweaks.

I have owned and tried so many. I have always admired those who think outside the “box”. Some of these items were great, some maybe? And then some were just a “swing and a miss”.

I have communicated with Mark through the years and have used several of his products. So, I ventured into the Vera-fi Audio filters that many of you have expressed that you have liked. That is specifically; the Snubway and the Main Stream filters. I’m not sure if that is the appropriate category but I think that is what they do.

When I first received them, I tried them on my Audio dedicated AC line. First listen, the music sounded louder and more in my face. I was concerned that perhaps they were too much for my already “clean” audio system.

I then moved them to my dedicated Video AC line. On this line, I have an AudioQuest 1200 conditioner, an 85” Samsung TV/LED, Oppo 205, Satellite Dish, Apple TV and a 7 channel Outlaw amp. And I also had a Puron filter. When I first viewed this Video system with the filter combo now in use, boy, was I impressed! I watched a few pre-season NFL live games and the image was fantastic! So clean, immersive, with deep contrast, and deep colors. I knew these units would be a permanent part of this system.

So today, again, I tried that combo on my Audio Dedicated line. On this line is my AudioQuest 7000, Lumin X1, and 2 Michi 8 power amps. But now this time I did not get the image overload, perhaps these take some time to burn/break in. I will let these units percolate for a few days before I pass additional comments. But… I did order another set of them.

ozzy

ozzy
ozzy's avatar
ozzy OP
7,574 posts
 

So, I have a question for all you Snubway- Main Stream users.

Are you using these devices at the wall outlet or at the power conditioner?

I just tried the combo into my AQ Niagara 1200 PC which powers my subs instead of directly into the wall (dedicated line). And I think... its sounds better. Perhaps because it is closer to the action?

I ask this question because my main system is plugged into a Niagara AQ 7000 (another dedicated line) and plugging into that unit will require some contorting and swearing on my part to try it.

So, what is the preference?

ozzy

ozzy's avatar
ozzy OP
7,574 posts
 

Well, I was hoping for other users to reply to my question, but...

I went ahead and tried the Snubway/Main Stream combo directly into my Niagara 7000 in the same first outlets that my amps are plugged into instead of the at the wall outlet(s).

The result:

Much more of the open, deep soundstage, charming results of these units. I can only conclude that placement of these units does matter. And I now believe that the closer to the "action" contributes more.

ozzy

t_ramey
647 posts
 

Hey ozzy, in my moving the subway/main stream around I did find it better suited at my psm156 next to my amp and dac. More clean and detailed in that location than anywhere else. I have a second set of snubway/main stream that if I put them around my router area ( which is the same electrical circuit as the psm156 ) things get a little darker sounding. I didn’t leave them there long enough to see if that would have changed because I really love what they do for my oled tv in another room. 

ozzy's avatar
ozzy OP
7,574 posts
 

Thanks for your response. I guess placing them close to the equipment being filtered is the best. I am fortunate to have 3 dedicated lines.

Perhaps too many on one AC line is overkill. Try placing the combo with your router on a different AC line, it could enhance that line too.

ozzy

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