My Snubway and Main Stream Master Class Combo Review

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

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. 

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

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

Thanks ozzy. 

Yes, correct the Snubway does not light up.

ozzy

I’ve had a mainstream, two of them actually, for a while and was using them on my tv with great success and now have moved them to the audio rig and just received a snubway last week. While still playing around with placement I’ve noticed the snubway does not light up when plugged in like the puron and mainstream. Just wondering if this is how the snubway is compared to the others. 

@verafiaudio 

Mark, I appreciate your feedback and am willing to give Graphene a whirl.  Will contact you privately.

Robert

@traubr 

Taken with great gratitude - Thank you... Hope you might consider Graphene at a later date. Best we can do

@miracle1980 

Many thanks - well appreciated (love the photo too)

Best as always - Mark
 

Ultimately, I connected two sets of Snubway/Mainstream power plugs to my Ansuz C3 Power Distributor.

Due to having only one available wall socket for the Ansuz, I did not test alternative outlets.

The result is that my system now sounds better than ever. As I previously noted several months ago, these power plugs are remarkably effective.

Thanks @verafiaudio

@sgordon1 

To my consternation, I've found additions (tweaks) like the SDFB or upgraded power cords have resulted in subtle to almost imperceptible changes, to the point I questioned whether I could notice any difference at all.  That said, I took your question as a challenge and climbed into the tangle of cables behind my system.  Removing the SDFB caused the overall sound and system clarity to shrink just a bit.  Replacing it added it back.  Big change?  No.  Better?  Yes.  Worth the expense?  To me, yes, at the discounted price.  I've read where others perceive a noticeable difference so, ultimately and obviously, it's your call.  Hope that helps.

How does removing SDFB change the sound?

@ozzy 

Sorry, did not see your post until today.  I started slow with the SDFB and opted for the included super sluggo fuse, which offered a bit of warmth (always good this time of year).  I felt that if something was lacking, I could always upgrade to the better fuses.

As the SDFB settles (ingratiates itself?) into my system, I am at a total loss now to determine its impact, as I have been on a tear of late to assist the audio industry's economy.  There have been way too many substantive changes in my system in the last month to isolate the impact of just the SDFB.  Scientific or not, for the short period where it was the latest addition, it was a positive.  VeraFi can take that as a win.

Robert

traubr, Sorry I misspelled your moniker previously.

What fuses did you choose to use with your SDFB? I am using the graphene's.

ozzy

trabur,

Which fuses did you get for the SDFB?

ozzy

@ozzy I was remiss and should have mentioned that I gave VeraFi another shot and bought the SDFB when it was on sale recently.  Attached it to my Mac amp and was pleased to hear "more" there: bigger, bolder.  Overwhelming, no, but better. 

I have been researching power conditioners as another area for improvement.  All my equipment is plugged into my Furman PC.  Some indicate a better conditioner is no conditioner at all, plugged directly into the wall.  I gave it a whirl today, and will say (perhaps giving credit where it isn't due, but that's OK), my amp and SDFB plugged directly sound better than before.  It makes me wonder whether the Furman is holding me back, or are there myriad other issues as yet undetermined?  That is a topic for another thread, but I doff my cap to VeraFi for the SDFB and its positive impact.  Better is always better.

jayctoy,

Do you have or have you tried the SDFB?

ozzy

Ozzy yes sometimes Hit or miss.

cappuccino,

Yes, they are very effective.

Next, same your money, and get a Swiss Digital Fuse Box for your amp. Another big uptick in sound quality.

ozzy

I am very impressed of Main Stream and Snubway. The Combo of these has elevated my systems quite a lot.

I already have tons of other power conditioning stuff, from brands like Nordost, Ansuz, Akiko, Add Powr, Furutech, Isotek, Synergistic Research, Puron, Telos and a few others.

I would mention that I have found that the Snubway does an extremely good job on the circuits for refrigerator and freezer, even with dedicated line for my stereo. It seems to be very effective in reducing the noise these devices send back to the meter board, best device so far in my experience for this. Result is completely black background and revealing new levels of information I didn´t even exist on the recordings. Also TV image is vastly improved with these devices.

traubr,

Very interesting and well written post. Sometimes these "tweaks" are a swing and a miss.

I have never tried just the Snubway, it was always in conjunction with the Main Stream device. I am not sure what the Snubway by itself is supposed to arrest. Perhaps with your clean power it accomplishes nothing.

I know you have already returned the Snubway, but perhaps in the future you can try the Snubway/Main Stream Tandem, it would be interesting to hear those results.

ozzy

My audio/ video system runs from a single 20-amp dedicated line using 10ga (30 amp rated) wire from panel to outlet.  I am in a rural area, my house is 225+ years young and the stone foundation has 6-inch hand-hewn posts at the base of the walls, making electrical work and modifications a nightmare.  Wall outlet is Cardas, plugged via Shunyata Alpha to a Furman IT-REF 15i power conditioner.  A Wisdom power distribution box adds more outlet capacity to the Furman.  Instead of a long ethernet cable from router to my system on the other side of the house, I use fiber optic cable with converters to minimize electrical noise to feed the streamer and home theatre.  My system grew from 5.1 to 7.2.4 home theatre, then I added a separate audio setup to it to stream music.  With all the gear, I have 15 devices plugged in, 17 interconnects and 13 speaker cables; a huge tangle of spaghetti behind the rack.

I’ve been upgrading everything on the audio side, driving myself crazy in the process to reach some level of audio contentment.  My room layout is far from ideal, but it is a shared space with the wife, her daytime office and my listening/ HT area at night, so it is what it is.  One of the upgrades/ tweaks I tried were various flavors of the Synergistic Research HFTs, which my wife calls “bugs,” placed as unobtrusively as possible around the room.  They were additive, not game-changers, but enough of a positive to keep them. 

Cognoscenti on this Forum consider power cords as a reliable upgrade path.  My foray with cords from quality manufacturers, albeit from the modest, not top end of their lines, has produced small yet not transformative improvements.  Even buying used, I have a hard time rationalizing a low to mid four figure investment to get to the next level.  (Yes, I am familiar with The Cable Co’s lending library as a resource).  I also tried Herbie’s footers to reduce vibrations (no discernible help but kept them just in case) and a Synergistics Research Tranquility Pod, but the results were marginal at best, and back it went.

Having read the positive reviews, I thought the Snubway would be a cost-effective means to improve SQ.  I hate to be a naysayer, but after 72+ hours of it being plugged into the unused outlet on the Cardas duplex receptacle, with my system/ room/ ears, I could hear no difference when plugging and unplugging the Snubway.  After a week, there was still no joy.  As you can see, I am all for tweaks and modifications.  Depending on the device, I can hear changes with a new streamer, DAC or better interconnect, but the Snubway didn’t do it for me.  I am very happy for the many satisfied users out there and do not for a moment question the positive impact on your systems.  It just didn’t work for me.  Oh well, my loss.

Btw, I tip my hat to Vera-Fi, as they were honorable and efficient with their 30-day no questions asked satisfaction guarantee.  Dealing with them was easy-peasy, to the point where I would give another of their products a shot when I have an audio itch that needs a good scratch.  Best in the new year to all,

Robert

I’m currently running 3 pairs of Snubs & Main Streams. Using 3 of the 10 gauge 1ft 3 outlet extension cords mentioned in one of my previous posts above, there is 1 Snubway & 1 Main Stream on each cord. I plugged one combo into wall receptacle of dedicated circuit, one combo in top left receptacle of Equi=Core 1800MK3 & one combo in SR Powercell 8SE distributor that feeds A/V equipment. Very worthwhile improvement over the 4 Purons I’ve been running since they burst on the scene.

Recently received 2 sets of Heartsound Audio HoloStages. Initial impressions are frankly mind blowing! I’ve tried many tweaks & this one moves the needle more significantly more than some others that address the acoustics of the room. These are completely passive devices that are out of the signal path. 

@rlb61

+1

Combo of Snubway and Mainstram gave significant upgrade.

It removed remaining hash and made soundstage wider and deeper.

Thomas

After having found additional receptacle space on my Zerosurge to plug in the Main Stream, I can state confidently that the Main Stream is the missing piece of the audio puzzle. The Snubway works great on its own, but both of them working in tandem have raised the listening experience to an entirely new level.

In particular, micro-detail now is off-the-charts as I am hearing things on very familiar recordings that apparently had been blocked due to "dirty" electrical lines. We all likely have heard about "blacker backgrounds," but I’ve experienced that with these products first-hand as I now have a prior point of reference.

I don’t think that folks realize the large degree of hash and other noise residing on their electrical lines, particularly where the line isn’t a dedicated one. We spend so much time and money on components, but don’t give much, if any, attention to power concerns. That may be due to ignorance or the ridiculous cost of many "audiophile" power conditioners, many of which have a deleterious effect on sound quality. These products are the antithesis of that general reality.

You know how you can have a great listening session one day and a not so great one the next? I think that inconsistency is due to what’s going on at any particular time with the amount of line noise. Nights are usually better because there’s less equipment operating. Well, that’s not the case with the Snubway and Main Stream. So far, my listening sessions have been consistently good and satisfying with both of them in the system.

To me, the Snubway and Main Stream, when combined, are the equivalent of a huge component upgrade at a very reasonable price. I really am floored by these little wonders, and am getting so much more from my system than I did before. It’s really quite astounding.

I have had my mainstream and snubway combo for 3 days in, and another mainstream at the outlet for my amplifier for a day. Let me tell you, all the things i hated about my system: Buzz, Mediocre soundstage, lack of clarity, digital glare, and boomy bass is all gone. I don’t know but these conditioners are basically the backbones of my system. It made music so much more enjoyable and exquisite like eating steak to now eating wagyu. Mark was remarkable, always there to assist me when he can. Still waiting for the 120hr mark for thrm

Huge backlog shipped Thursday and Friday 

By Monday we should finally be all caught up. Over 170 total combined units shipped last Thursday and Friday. 

Thanks all for the patience and kindness shown 

Best wishes - Mark 

Read with interest

Re Delivery - all orders are queued according to date received 

The facility in CA has been entertaining visitors from Hong Kong and China - we did have a slower than normal delivery week. 

We also had our Patience Rewarded Coupon and that produced a lot of new orders also. 

If you need your order checked for schedule - verafiaudio@gmail.com

Appreciating the support

Best wishes - mark 

This 10awg 3 outlet 1ft extension works quite well. I have 2, 1 is configured with 2 2Main Streams, the other has 2 Snubways plugged into it. Both extensions are plugged into 2 of the receptacles in the quad box servicing 20a dedicated circuit.

Mid-fi 2ch streaming system is extensively optimized, but there has been a very stubborn, faint, but annoying buzz coming from both speakers. Slightly more audible in the speaker nearest amplifier vs the other. You literally have to place your ear flush on the cone to hear it.
 

This combination of MS’s & SW’s at the wall outlet has chipped away at that last bit of remaining noise where others have fallen short. 
 

Below is the link to the short multi-outlet extension. It’s the only 10awg in a 1ft length I could find.
 

Maximm 10/3 Indoor Extension Cord 1 Foot, 10AWG Black ETL Listed, 3 Prong Plug 3-Outlet Heavy Duty Indoor, Power Cord 1ft https://a.co/d/cPgxjQd

Be nice if they could deliver….

Got it… does it improve the sound?

sgordon1,

You evidently do not understand what I posted. Or perhaps I did not make it clear.

The dual plug in I suggested will take just one socket space allowing you to use both the Snubway and the Main Stream into that open socket.

And, because you are just inserting the Snubway/Main Stream into it, all of the other Audio components are then using appropriate outlets.

ozzy

What do you say to someone who maintains that the last three feet of the delivery of power to your electronics can’t possibly influence the delivery of power to your house?

If you are an audiophile who cares about sound, and you follow and pay good money to use the latest products in the industry…. how on Earth can you honestly believe that a $2.95 extension cable is desirable, or justifiable?

I invite you to consider previous threads here, that address the “best” length of a power cord.  How can a six inch cord for $2.95 possibly do justice to the tens of thousands of dollars of quality equipment that is forced to depend on it?

I have the AudioQuest 7000 power conditioner, so I do have my amps plugged into it. The Snubway/ Main Stream is plugged into the same quad box as the 7000.

Take a look at these adapters on Amazon : Do a search, they are called:

CyberPower GC201 6" Heavy Duty Extension Cord.

ozzy

Not sure of the spacing.  I’ve heard these are pretty big.  If I use the linked box to come off my AC outlet, could I plug in two audiophile power cords (one to my amp and one to my power conditioner), and also have room to plug in a Snubway and a Main Stream?

Thanks,

Tim

https://i0.wp.com/cullencable.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Gold-Series-Power-Box-4-Oultet-2.jpg?w=2280&ssl=1
 

Thanks Ozzy.  Do you condition your amp with these, or do you have the amp plugged directly into the wall and these conditioning everything else downstream of the AC outlet?

I’ve always had my amps plugged directly into the wall, along with my power conditioner, and then every other device plugged into the conditioner..

Thanks,

Tim

toolbox149,

I still think they work better as a combo. There are many devices that can add an extra outlet. Check Amazon.

And in my opinion, these types of devices work better before the power conditioner.

ozzy

If you only had outlet space for one of these, which would you choose. The mainstream or the snubway.

Thanks,

Tim

Those of you that have these, do you have them on the same outlet as your amp? Or, do you have them installed downstream - like for instance, on a power conditioner that conditions every other component but the amp?

Thanks,

Tim

Guess I’ve put 72-84 hrs on 3 Vera Fi Main Streams & 2 Snubways.
 

1 MS & 1 SW plugged into a 1FT 10ga w/ 3 outlets pigtail. That is plugged into the only dedicated circuit & its quad wall outlet. A single Main Stream goes in 1st position of SR power distributor #1. A 2nd rig just like the first is plugged into SR power distributor #2 where the flat panel TV is.
 

After trying several combinations & locations, I felt this configuration offered the biggest return. At this time, I’ m noticing more dynamic bass, deeper soundstage, more focused center image & slightly more detail. The overall presentation has been subtly, but noticeably, elevated to a higher level, resulting in a more emotional connection to the music. I simply feel closer to it!

immediate

Good Evening
 

@shkong78 

My apologies for a tardy reply - I thought I had replied. My apologies if I missed one. 

We have a brand new employee running the fulfillment portion on Shopify. Some labels were run too early. He is learning and so am I 

Production is going great. - so much so I released a coupon today 

Thomas - if I can do anything to help you are welcome to call or text at 303.594.7686 - your satisfaction is vital to us

@tksteingraber 

I show delivery today before noon. 

I DO show some Sluggos going tomorrow - according to the queue log in CA

Thanks so much to all of you for your support 

New systems working better and new web site coming soon with upgraded CS portal and up tpo the minute shipping data. Our new fulfillment fellow is doing great also. 
 

Main Stream Master Class  was shipped today and I expect to get it on next Monday.

I still keep three Purons in my system.

I will see what happen.

Thomas

I ordered my second set of Snubway, Mainstream and 2 Graphene Sluggos late August.  Still no update on shipping.  Victim of their own success and Labor Day Sale Discounts.  Chalk it up to growing pains getting their business set up in the US.  It would be nice of them to provide expected ship dates and  shipping updates.  Maybe once they catch their tail and get caught up.  Worth the wait!

I ordered Main Stream Master Class on Sept 2nd.based upon Ozzy’s favorable review.

But I had not got it yet.

I contacted Mark on Sept 6th, then he gave me tracking no of USPS.

But USPS site showed "pre shipment" for two weeks.

I contacted him again yesterday, but no reply.

What is going on?

Thomas

Thanks, tommyu for your post. These products are probably the best bang for the buck there is.

ozzy

I now have 3 sets of the Snubway/Main Stream. One set per dedicated line.Very nice, quality improvement.

Anyone else feed the beast?

ozzy

Yeah, I don’t know. That’d why I said confused. Wasn’t the typical phases of cable and electronics burn-in that I’m so familiar with. At first with the Snubway, I was just thinking "Ummm, no". I even texted a friend that I would probably return it for another Main Stream unit. But then the wiser, more patient part of myself realized that I hadn’t given it any time to settle or whatever. Happy I gave it a chance. And they were both sounding pretty good after 4 days, but 5 or 6 days seems to be revealing the sweet spot with whatever had been occurring.

I also a have a handful of strategically placed Purons in my system, but I have modified them all to my satisfaction, so I decided to leave that info aside for the report. Altogether, the whole system is so complex, that I can only merely share my observations. I don’t have an explanation for the warm-up period...

gladmo,

Your experience sorta mirrors my first reaction as in my original review. I think... they take time to breakin or maybe the word is adjust?

ozzy