I’m curious about this product from Perfect Path Technologies and would like to hear from those that have experience with it. I’ve bought and used the Total Contact enhancer and like what it does for my system so I’m interested in hearing how this Omega E mat performs.
Just a thought to those using mats around tapes. Magnets will wipe the information right off. I am sure you all know this though. It's been a while for some to handle tape, and the larger mats apparently have magnets?
Magnetic field strength falls off with the square of the distance. If the mats are only “magnetic enough” to attack to ferrous objects, it’s not an issue.
Good morning music lovers! My name is Krissy, I am Timmy's Mrock's wife. He mentioned the thread was a little slow this morning, and what a great time to sign up. Between building the website and working on the Alpha cards...it's been non stop for Tim! I want to thank everyone for believing in him and supporting these ground-breaking products. This is a passion project for Tim, and we are both elated by it's remarkable growth. Thank you. <3 K~
Good morning Krissy! Thank you for joining the fray. Also, congratulations on your remarkable products. Every bit of success being attained by you and Tim has been well deserved.
It's been three weeks + since I put the last mat in my system, and I haven't made any other changes in that time. I'm loving the sound, and wanted to reiterate the importance of leaving the mat(s) in place. In my experience, there's a leap in transparency, clarity & coherency around the two week mark, and you begin to experience fully what it is capable of. Then, the improvements continue out to three weeks, and beyond.
Welcome Krissy. Thanks to you Tim, my system has improved more than I ever thought possible. I just pasted my interconnects with tc, and I am getting even closer to live music
I've had two Omega E Mats under the
Sound Application power conditioner for over two weeks now. It just continues to get progressively better. My friend Robert, born a cynic, called after our last listening session to say that it was the best upper mid-range that he's ever heard.
I haven’t tried them under my turntable or on my speakers. However, I did place one E-Mat on top of a pair of my monoblock amps and it did not sound good even after 3 days. It covered the electronic portion rather than the transformers and tube portion of the amps.
I’d like to know how far horizontally the E-Mat is spread. Does it just radiate its effect vertically above/below its surface or does it spread horizontally beyond its’ surface dimensions? (Note that I say surface as I have it on power panels vertically attached but penetrating from the surface of the E-Mat).
Ok, who has the most mats in tier system. Just wondering if I should order ten or twenty. I do not want to wait or spend the next 6 six months waiting the things to settle in. I do believe they can improve the system but I not sold on the quanity needed or the break in time.
I think you should go ahead and order 20 mats. Let them settle for 2 weeks and then report back, also while you are at it you should get some total contact. They do gradually break in and that is part of the fun.
I started with 6, added 4 more, then 1, then 1. Unless you have a lot of equipment or want to triple everything, maybe 12 would be a good start. I heard 12 at Frank's home the first time, then thought there was a significant drop off when he removed 6.
6 sounded great on my system, better than Frank's 6. At 10, my system sounded more like Frank's 12. I haven't put any on my speakers or amps.
Maybe Tim could make a double-thick pad with twice the enhancing power at around $900.
I sure am liking the two pads I have and will be ordering another.
Regarding the question of the vertical zone of effect, Tim did tell me that there is also a horizontal pattern of enhancement that exceeds the actual dimensions of the mat, which is why they were not made larger.
I think it helps to have some space between the mats and the intended device.
I have space between my devices but 3 E-Mats are magnetically attached to the two electrical panel boxes. It's good that the E-Mats have a horizontal dispersion pattern so that they don't have to be made larger and so that more are needed to cover larger equipment. Only Tim would know if a double thick or double treated E-Mat has the same effective quality as two stacks E-Mats.
First post in quite a while. Just wanted to chime-in and say that I've purchased two of Tim's mats about 4-weeks ago and I love the effect on my system (sorry I don't have it posted - yet). I enjoy the improvements enough that I just purchased two more.
The effect is as previously stated by others - the music is much more relaxing to listen to, more enjoyable. It did not seem to impact or alter any particular frequency range over the other, but I find that listening at lower volumes is more enjoyable and I am able to play music at a higher volume setting on my pre (Parasound JC-2) and it is more clear and lifelike.
I struggled with placement. The first was my breaker panel (exterior) and then under my DAC (Parasound Z-DAC). After 3-4 days I was enjoying some sound improvement, but not like some had expressed. So, I removed the one from the DAC and heard minimal changes...interesting. I then removed the one from the breaker panel and the remainder of the effect went away fairly quickly... Next-up was Power Conditioner (S.R. PowerCell 10 uef se) and Preamp...after 3-days, not quite as good as the original setup. I decided to try two on the breaker panel...wow, sounded pretty good w/in 24-hrs. Next step was something I probably should have done moment-one. I had 3 MC-0.5 units in my dedicated outlet that feeds my stereo...I removed them and seemed to get a nice bump in sound...however, I'm not certain if it was the removal that helped or the "breaking-in" process...but I have begun to wonder if the HFC cables that I have connecting my components might not be playing "nicely" with the mat, when in close proximity...? I will run this down beginning about 3-weeks from now, once all 4-mats have settled-in.
I allowed the mats to settle-in for ~2-weeks and decided that I needed MORE of this. As others have stated, the music is much more emotionally involving and engaging. I purchased two more.
Presently, I have three mats on my breaker panel; 2-thick at the top where the dedicated breakers are for the stereo and surround/TV, and one on the lower section where the breaker for the computer resides. the fourth mat is now under my DAC.
I've purchased and kept some other tweaks in the past, but some did not do much for me:
1) Z-Sleeves - extra heavies, I like these a lot...still use them (I think I posted on them here, many moons ago), 2) Alan Maher's older Products: parallel filters, power factor correction, etc... (per his earlier descriptions): all removed from system...for the moment...they were used on non-audio circuits (microwave, dryer, PC, etc...) and helped 3) Shakti stone and onlines...never really did too much for me, 4) Highwire PowerWraps - same, not much of any impact for me. 5) Walker SST Extreme - nice initial impact but dulled the sound after a few months and a PITA to clean-off. 6) Total Contact - good stuff. breakers and ground ere first - good...then outlet, interconnects, plugs, soldered connections in speakers & DAC, same in subs, etc... quite happy with TC, also still in the system - application about 3-4 months ago.
I'm anxiously awaiting the mini-me version of the mats! I know I'm a bit all-over-the-place in this, but I wanted to share that I am quite happy with my purchases.
I will call. Just got distracted with my ac repair for my home. Let’s call it, Murray’s way of slowing down reality. They want 2k to repair to minor components, it’s 7.5k for new unit. New ac unit are not as effective as the older Freon designs. They what the call progress in 2018. I stop my rant.
Good morning! Hiya everyone. :) Thanks for the welcome! @zermatt Timmy loves to talk to hi-fi folks on the phone! However, "Happy life, Happy wife," and all that...AC is a must. At least in this tiny corner of humid New Hampshire.
We both enjoy reading these threads; and all the independent reviews are pragmatic and sincere. There is so much more to come! Thank you all. ~Krissy
Hi, could you ask Tim if he thinks that doubling the thickness and doubling the treatment would be equivalent to doubling the E-Mats effect? If it doesn't, then there's no need for a thicker E-Mat as some have suggested is possible.
Hi Steve. Tim said that the thickness has nothing to do with effectiveness....however, you can double and triple them to very interesting effect. When stacking, it is best if the two magnet surfaces are touching each other, both label sides out. You must try a mat in your car! Krissy
Thanks Krissy. I've been stacking them back to back, magnet side towards the equipment, so I guess that's wrong. Also, on my large isolation transformer, I have one magnet side facing up and two on top magnet side facing down, spread rather than stacked since it would take three to cover it. Should I change all of them to have the magnet side face away from the equipment? And I guess I have to change the stacking protocol as well.
I don't think so. The E-Mats don't require live power to become effective or diminish their properties without it. I still found improvement after 3 weeks, just sitting in place.
I think about 3 weeks. I've had them for nearly 4 weeks now and the biggest change now was the promised GroverHuffman Pharoah ICs. That took my system to High End land this weekend after breaking them in. Combining the two, I don't feel the need to upgrade to $60K speakers from my Legacy Focus. I'm sorry that the E-Mats do cost a lot (4X that of the ICs) but they are not bling, but the real thing-great!
Another apparent benefit of the E-Mats, I haven't had one day or time of day where I thought the system was not sounding great. Installing a Bryston BIT-20 three years ago eliminated most of the problem but the E-Mats appear to have totally eliminated that problem.
Have others experienced a cessation of daily sound quality fluctuations as well?
I put a second Omega E Mat under the Sound Application power conditioner about three weeks ago. It continues to improve.
While the second mat degraded the sound for a few hours, the SQ quickly came back to where it was before. After the first week, the upper mid-range was spectacular, way better than before.
The lower bass was still a bit weak after placing the second mat .. and it still hasn’t come back completely. However, not only is the upper mid-range spectacular now, the entire mid-range, upper, middle and lower is drastically improved over the single mat. Hopefully, the solid, lower bass will return better than ever in another week or so.
Last night I listened to Rachmaninoff’s Third piano concerto in its entirety. This is a recording of the live event transferred from the master tape to the CD. I know this recording like the back of my hand. I’ve played it countless times. I hadn’t played it since putting the two mats under the power conditioner. To say that I heard it for the first time last night would be an understatement. This was an entirely new experience. The expanse of the hall was clearly "visible." The audience rustling, hacking and coughing was right in the room, or I was transported into their room. Either way, it was an experience. The real joy was in the music of course. What a wonderful orchestra (L.A.Phil), and the piano from top to bottom was super dynamic and real.
Two Omega E Mats under a power conditioner can do that? Who knew??
I have one E Mat under and two spread over the top of my Bryston BIT-20 isolation transformer. Apparently, they are incorrectly placed with the magnetic sides facing the unit but it appears to work great.
It was so nice to speak with you the other day, Frank. Glad to hear your voice. Timmy and I often play a game in the music room...put on a CD that you know very, very well....and listen for anything different. Rock, jazz, even opera....we are on the floor in amazement! We look at each other, and say there's EVEN MORE information! Oh, and yes. The Alpha cards are coming right along.... he's super pleased and the latest batch are with quality control right now being tested. Should be just a bit longer, thank you all for your patience. Lastly, shipping. Sometimes Priority USPS shipping can take 7-10 days, and sometimes it can take 24-48 hours. <3 All packages are normally shipped day of purchase, by me. <3 Any issues? Please contact me! ~ Krissy
Today three more E- Mats arrived for Mother's system. She already has one on the apartment circuit breaker box, one on top of the Pass Lab DAC, and one on top of the Pass Lab First Watt amp. All component's are already on Synergistic Research Tranquility Bases with Synergistic Research active grounding.
The first Mat went under the Computer which streams music to the DAC. Within one song she commented the music was more relaxed. It was fun to listen to the music develop an increase sense of flow over the next hour of listening.
The other two Mats were placed on top of the Sonos Sound base where her OLED TV sits. At this location hopefully the Sound Base and the TV picture will benefit from the E Mats. The sound and picture of this system will begin to be evaluated starting tomorrow.
Good music and good company - a most wonderful evening.
Twenty Four hours after two E- Mats were placed on top of Mother's Sonos Sound Base, her audio visual system has taken a definite step up in improvement. The sound is more relaxed and there is much better 3D effect to match the image on the TV screen -a 55 inch LG OLED. This TV sits on top of the Sound Base, and by placing the E Mats on top of the Base it was hoped the Mats would have an additional beneficial affect on the picture image.
Indeed the image has significantly improved. There is no grain in the picture, images are sharper, colors are richer. The screen images display more emotion. Mother with her advanced vision loss due to Macular Degeneration could detect the improved picture. " The picture is richer. It has more Pop".
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to visit with Mribob (Bob) at his place and help him paste his new speaker cable connectors with a new batch of Total Contact.
Prior to applying the Total Contact, we listened to Bob’s system. It was the first time I’ve heard it since he installed eight Omega E Mats into the system. To say there was an improvement would do an injustice.
Bob’s system prior the the Omega E Mat installation was nothing to be ashamed of by far. There’s as much of a monetary investment in the speakers alone as I have in my entire system. Its always sounded impressive to my ear. The improvement was a revelation.
I heard the improvement the moment I walked in the front door ... far removed from the listening room. When the critical listening began, on cut after cut, on music I was very familiar with, the improvement was readily apparent.
Where the sound used to be really enjoyable, I now realized that it had been somewhat diffused and not focused. With the Omega E Mats installed, the sound had become much more intimate, relaxed and real. As I’ve mentioned before on the effect of the Omega E Mats in my own system, it was seamless from top to bottom.
Starting from the bottom, stand-up acoustic bass was way more defined and tuneful ... so important to the foundation of jazz recordings. As I told Bob yesterday, I thought I was the champ of accurate bass reproduction. Now, he holds that title.
The mid-range has really locked into place. Human voice is right on, and this was an area that I detected some problems in Bob’s system before the E Mat installation. No problems in that regard now. We went through cuts by Louis Armstrong, Ella, Sinatra and Peggy Lee ... dead center and entirely focused. Ella’s sweet personality shined through with astounding reality. Totally enjoyable and involving.
Highs were natural sounding ... drummer’s brushes on cymbals and snares were very articulate, delicate and lifelike.
Bob’s system, by any account, is qualified for the title of "high end." Most folks would put a system together like this and think there is no room for improvement and be totally proud of it ... and for good reason. Not Bob. Me either. The proof is in the pudding ... and in the Omega E Mats.
Bottom line ... with Tim Mrock’s products in the system, its akin to listening to truly great planer speakers. Seamless ... except with better bass and better highs. What’s not to love about that??
Man ’O man, do I ever LOVE those Venture speakers!
Frank
PS: Bob ... I’d like to come back for another visit and hear the effects of the TC on the speaker cables.
Frank; thanks so much for the kind words about my system; I owe you a debt of gratitude, for turning me onto both the SR Black fuses, TC, and the Emats...all three tweaks have greatly improved my system. I am now just listening to wonderful music! Its been two days since we've pasted and about one month for the matts, best sound my room ever has produced. Listening now while my wife is preparing holiday meal for New Years...simply glorious. complete intergration of all the drivers, into one balanced speaker, tonally correct, great 'sonic density', or 'meat on bones', great detail, allows me to hear deeper into the music, and appreciate more of what the artist was presenting. Can't thank you enough for your time, patience, guidance, and most importantly; your friendship and the gift of exposing me to more wonderful music. Thanks, best to all. Bob
Thanks to all of you who were early adopters of the Omega E Mats. I read all of your postings here and over time the consistency of the comments began to convince me of the Mat's efficacy. I was very skeptical of the Mat early on as I could not make sense of how it would affect the electricity to the degree that it does. Remarkable!
There are so many fine people here who love listening to their music as much as I do but without at least a couple Mats treating your home's electrical service, you simply are denying yourself of hearing the true beauty of music on your system
Hey, I know dropping $599 per Mat sounds like a lot to invest in what you may think of as a non-component. What we may have here is a new classification of a component. "Electrical Optimization Component"??
Last evening as I couldn't seem to end my listening, what the Mats do for the music, in my system at least, became apparent. Many have opined that it lowers the noise floor of your system and with that, I concur. (Remember that in optimizing your electrical service it lowers the noise floor of your video equipment as well) Yes, you will notice a smoother, more saturated picture where depth of image is enhanced. Beautiful.
So what really hit me last night? It was the effortlessness of the sound. I played discs that pre-Mat would present a loud section of music and I would reach for the remote to turn down the sound. What I am now having to be wary of is that I don't listen to the music at too high a level. Those loud passages just get loud. There is no "glassiness" or "coarseness" to the sound.
@oregonpapa recently posted "With the Omega E Mats installed, the sound had become much more intimate, relaxed and real.".. BINGO! @oregonpapa also mentioned the focus of singer's voices. And how. I listened to Kandace Springs' "Soul Eyes" last evening and again as I type this. She is in the room singing for me. It is my addiction! I am happy to have it.🎼
Much thanks to Perfect Path Technologies for producing the Mats and all of you who helped me to take the leap. I owe you!
@hifiman5 - Thanks for mentioning Kandace Springs. Never heard of her, and it's great when someone shares a talented, not so commercially well known artist (well, to me anyway). Good stuff! I see her songs in my future....
"So what really hit me last night? It was the effortlessness of the sound. I played discs that pre-Mat would present a loud section of music and I would reach for the remote to turn down the sound. What I am now having to be wary of is that I don’t listen to the music at too high a level. Those loud passages just get loud. There is no "glassiness" or "coarseness" to the sound."
I totally agree. There is no longer a "cringe" factor on loud sections of the music. These sections are particularly important on classical music, especially symphonic music. They convey a lot of the emotion of the music and they’re supposed to be loud.
Another benefit of the Mats is what they do for percussion instruments. Examples are ... kettle drums at the rear of the orchestra, the natural timber of a lightly struck triangle, the natural metallic tones of vibraphones, the beautiful mahogany wood sound of marimbas, even the contact of the skin of the hands meeting the taught leather on bongos and conga drums, not to mention rim shots on snares. Percussion is simply amazing on my system now.
hifiman5 ... you’re not the only one losing sleep. I think there’s a lot of us with black circles under our eyes these days. *lol*
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