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.
How do these mats differ from Bybee QSE's and IQSE's? Observing similarities in their form, function and mode of operation it would appear that very similar technology is at play. However, because nothing is published it would be very easy to deny this hypothesis, as I suspect it will be.
@perfect path technologies, thank you for your reply, good to know that the mats properties should be long lasting. Interesting that they work better on there own.
@ozzy, I read your post about the Akiko Corelli and how it’s performance may have been diminished by all the other noise reduction components you are using. It will be interesting to hear your review on the E-Mat and wonder if the same might apply? Are you prepared to try the mat without the other noise reduction components in your system, that would be an interesting test?
All four mats in my system have been in place for 14+ days, and that relaxed quality is in full bloom. It's like the icing on the cake of the other benefits they bring. I don't want to be without it, that's for sure.
My approach to placement was to simply pick the spots I thought were likely to provide the most benefit, and leave them there. The nice thing, though, is that one could experiment with placement for a week, then leave it/them in place for two weeks, and still be well within the 30 day return period.
I do have one of the E-Mats. I just got it a couple of days ago. I tried it first over my dac for 2 days, and now its over my CPT 1800 balanced power. Since I only have the one I'm not sure where the best spot is to try it. I do have Bybee IQSE (8) inside all of my components so it may be too much of a good thing, I'll find out.
If you have a TV service like Direct TV, try putting an Omega E Mat under your satellite box by the TV. I tried it last night with Tim's suggestion. Wow! The color saturation and clarity is improved by a very noticeable degree. If you have cable for your TV, try it under the cable box.
If anybody who has a mat and streams a lot of their music like from Tidal I’d be curious to know how a mat under or near the modem/router affects things.
Is what pesky stated true? It would be a pain to remove all of the Bybee units.
tommylion,
I do plan on trying the mat in every possible position. I think you stated that it takes about 2 weeks to achieve its potential. But where do you recommend it will show the fastest results?
I would try either on your main power panel, or underneath a front end component (CD Player/Transport). You should hear significant improvements within the first 24 hours, but two weeks will show you what it is really capable of. You may experience some temporary break-in anomalies in the bass and treble during the two weeks.
I hit two weeks yesterday, and that wonderful relaxed quality has really come into bloom today. The difference between yesterday and today is readily apparent, and quite remarkable.
As far as the Bybees (and other similar tweaks) it would be good to remove them, just so your results are not skewed by any negative interaction.
tommylion, After one week, I haven't experienced any treble or bass anomalies, just mid-range for the first 24 hours. The treble and bass improved immediately. It proves every system is different.
I placed my mat on top of my CD player disc drive because I have stillpoints under it. There are no cooling vents on top. Sounded great within an hour.
Ozzy, you are perfectly placed to do some great unbiased additive / subtractive/ comparative experimental work, keeping the Bybees in the equation. Just don‘t let popular opinion sway you from grasping this opportunity.
Perhaps the effects of these devices is proportional to their suface area, and the greater perceived effect of the E mat is due to their greater size?
Impressions after first E Mat placed inside the sub breaker panel. The E Mat is attached to the inside of the outer pannel door so it is not exposed to the outside sun and weather. It is not attached to the metal plate that actually covers the circuit breakers.
I have been following the break in process by watching and listening to Blue Ray movies on my AV system. Forty Five inch Sony 4K TV 2017 model with an Oppo 203 Player ( upgraded with Oppo Mod.com power supply, analog sound board, improved cover to transport mechanism, and SR Blue fuse. Audiophile grade wall outlets, power cords, interconnects, and power conditioner are used. The sub panel individual wire connections- hot, neutral, and ground have all been treated with Total Contact . Also all cable connections have been treated with Total contact. All in all a system that has had a lot of effort to maximize the audio and visual aspects to watching movies.
I use the wonderful Blue Ray edition of the movie- The Fifth Element to evaluate changes to my system.
After three days the visual quality is significantly improved. The edges to images are sharper, details like the weave of fabrics easier to see, and the front to back focus of the images in a scene are sharper. There is less blurring during motion sequences. Colors are richer and the black white difference is greater. Movies are more fun to watch visually.
Audio has also improved with better clarity and a better sound stage that matches the size and depth of what is visually seen.
The E-Mat placed at the whole house circuit breaker position has significantly improved my already optimized AV system.
I next will be evaluating the Mat's effect on the separate audio system and the separate headphone system.
After this Mat has been in this location for seven days, I will add Mats to the components of these three systems to see where additional benefits can be obtained.
I have previously tried several Bybee IQSE in my system and I find the E-Mat to be a better product for my audio-visual enjoyment. David Pritchard
One aspect that has been overlooked is that a mat will affect the component above and below it regardless of shelving according to Tim. My components are in a vertical rack and I have placed one under my Preamp, magnet side down on the shelf. Immediatley below this is my PS 10. My second is magnet side down sitting on top of my Sony Sacd player and below my Meridien 508 which sits on top of the sacd player. My top shelf has my turntable. My VAC monoblocks are on separate floor stands. This was Tim's suggestion. I might add he has been very willing to help me find the best starting place for the mats. I added them a week ago and I have found a a significant improvement in the sound stage in all directions, especially depth. The timbre of each instrument is more there-the only way I can explain it. The result in not terribly subtle-my wife with hearing aids noted all of this without prompting. It's clear from the discussion that the next mat will be in the breaker box.
I tried one inside the circuit breaker box at the same location as the E-Mat.The IQSE certainly did affect the sound. But in my systems the result was too much damping. The sound was less 'alive'. The IQSE seemed to have a greater effect on some aspects of the sound than others aspects. It is less expensive and works well at it's price point. The Tweek Geek was very easy to work with and does sell the IQSE with a 30 day trial. The E-Mat is more expensive and for me does more things right. I am looking forward to how the system sounds and the 4K TV looks at the 10 day mark with the E-Mat in place.
My wife and I notice more vibrant colors, maybe more 3-D like depth and sharpness on our TVs. We tried an E-mat on top of our cablebox which sits on mini-ultra stillpoints and is plugged into an SR red duplex. The results were that we couldn't see a difference. Maybe we should try the bluray player but I don't want to take away even one E-mat from my audio system. Just one E-mat on the main breaker panel improved the TV audio (outboard systems) with much deeper/fuller bass and overall improved sound.
My TV system is also plugged into a Synergistic Red duplex. I am definitely experiencing a very satisfying improved 3-D like picture. I will next be trying an E-Mat on top of the Oppo 203 player and then I will try one on the back side of the Sony 4 K TV itself. Four more Mats on the way and so a lot of fun is in store. it is good to know that the cablebox is not a critical location for a Mat.
My e mat arrived on friday. The first thing I noticed was the soundstage was wider and deeper. I can now hear even more details that are hidden in the music. The e mat also does lower the noise floor even more. When I cranked the music with the e mat in place for 24 hours everything was more natural and organic. I can't wait to try another one but that may be a little while. Another great product from Tim
amg56 ´ you could try to put one in your a.. so you can enjoy for free during 30 days before shipping it back and you could describe the Emat effect and the new way you consider the world after that.
My review thus far of the Omega Mat. Note: I have not used the TC coating.
First a little background information.
I have (3) 10-gauge dedicated circuits, and my power conditioner(s) is a Core Technologies 300 for the digital and 1800 for my analog equipment. My (2) JL Audio F-113 subs are plugged into the 3rd dedicated line. I am using Furutech Nano outlets throughout and Cerious Technologies Matrix cables.
Inside each of my components I have Bybee IQSE’s (total of 8).
I have Tweek Geeks Sonic Tonic on HDMI inputs/outputs and on the main power cables (2) inside the circuit breaker.
Over the breakers themselves I have (2) ERS cloth.
Synergistic ECT’s (3-5) are inside each of my components.
HFT’s on speakers, components, and on the room walls. ACS tube traps in the corners.
So, when I received the one Omega Mat I was not sure of where to start.
First, I placed the mat on my PS Direct Stream Dac (with a Bybee IQSE and ECT’s inside) for a couple of days. I noticed no improvement.
Then for a couple days I placed the mat over my Core Tech 1800 balanced power. Note: This unit has a Bybee IQSE inside and a very thick-walled case. I noticed no improvement.
Finally, I placed the mat on the outside cover of my circuit breaker box. As noted previously I have 3 dedicated 10-gauge dedicated breakers for my Audio system. Note: the inside circuit breaker panel door has (2) original Bybee’s attached to it. And over the breakers themselves is 2 ERS cloths. I noticed no improvement with the Omega mat.
But, I didn’t want to give up since there are so many glowing statements on the Gon. So, I removed the ERS cloth and the Bybee’s from the circuit breaker box and placed the Omega mat over the breakers and closed the panel door. Well now, I did notice an improvement in the bass and treble. The midrange did seem to be recessed, however today it seems that the frequencies are starting to balance out.
Very interesting…
At this point I think it is safe to conclude that the ERS cloth not only shields the breaker switches but also prevents the Omega Mat from doing its thing. And the Bybee’s may or may not be affecting the performance of the Omega mat. I will reintroduce the Bybee’s later on the inside panel door just to see what effect that has on the Omega mat. I think the Omega mat is a keeper at least for the breaker box. And if I had more mats I would try taking out some of the internal Bybee’s and go Omega only to hear what happens. I think with one more mat I would try it either on the Dac or the Core Power 1800 conditioner.
Yes, very interesting indeed. So much potential learning from your efforts here. Thank you for not giving up and pressing onto more options. Perhaps one does need to remove the other tweaks first? Perhaps these other tweaks are enough and the mat adds nothing more if these are already in place? Perhaps, or perhaps not. Look forward to your comments in the future. I use ERS in my conditioner and my breaker box. Perhaps ERS is a mat blocker of sorts?
Thanks I'm going to let the Mat play solo for a while in the breaker box but I do want to see what happens when the Bybee's are reintroduced. Yes, it may be as simple as too many of the same things or perhaps there is a conflict with some of items used together.
aniwolfe,
Yes thanks for asking about the MC-05's. I do have 10 on my analog line and 10 on my digital. Do you think that matters?
Its all about interfering energy..in this case a conflict. Much like using direct mechanical coupling and then using de- coupling as a counter. How by mixing multiple energies..speeds ...directions ..attack..decay and phase angles..and then add time as it will relate to breakin and then what you may hear and feel..The only relationship in testing all these devices at the same time and place is conflict and false conclusions. Try and take hold of that soup sandwich and wrap your brain around that.
Remove one or all similar devices and apply the new device for sonic comparison. How else can you find the sonic truth the good or bad. Tom .
@ozzy - I actually think the E-mat may be doing something very similar as the MC-0.5s i.e. manipulating the signal via magnetics. Would also explain why the mat seemed to work once the ers cloth was removed from your breaker box. The cloth is for blocking rf and emi.
Nope. The magnetism has already been explained as simply a way to attach the mat to steel surfaces. If it operated via magnetism you could just attach a large magnet plate to the chassis or breaker panel door. It would be a whole lot cheaper. Besides the ERS cloth doesn’t work in most places. It hurts the sound. Which explains why the sound was better once it was removed. Hel-loo! The ERS cloth is the poster child for expectation bias.
I’m currently experimenting with magnetic mats in my system. Ive placed a number of them on my music server which actually did improve the sound. Ive ordered 30 more to try in various places including the breaker box.
The magnetic mats are on top of your server? I'm just wondering if the improvements you are hearing could be due to them dampening vibration, rather than the magnets?
@tommylion - could be. The mass should help with dampening the case. I’m going to experiment with them some more and even cut the mats into smaller sizes to put in various places in my system.
sbayne..Could you tell us what mil/strength specification of magnetic mats you purchased? They typically come as 15, 20, 30 and 60 mil thickness. Thirty mats are a lot of mats.
I can say that the E-mat after nine days, has fully resolved the mid-range anomaly whereby the upper mids smoothes out and the lower mids have strengthened. A nice balanced sound.
The first thing my engineer friend said when he heard my system with the E-Mats yesterday was how did the bass get so prominent and deeper. He looked at the breaker panel mat and said it was a big kitchen magnet. He also doesn't like Total Contact on micro-voltage locations but said it was okay on higher voltage locations like speakers and A/C plugs/outlets. He was impressed with the improved sound through in my system though.
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