Category: Accessories
this review was posted a day ago on another site, but thought i'd post here so that some internet tweaking confidants would find it.
Bob Crump (RIP old buddy) turned me on to bybees, but he never found them acceptable in signal path applications; he only used them on AC, but to very good effect. Well, over the years Jack Bybee has expanded his product line to include bybees that are designed to go into the signal path. One of the best line of cables available, Jorma, uses bybees in its interconnects and speaker cables; i've wondered if direct DIY application into component signal lines would be effective.
Applying directly on the XLR input of my Einstein Tube preamp (easy but tedious), after a day of break-in the effect is obvious, substantial and much improved.
With tweaks, its more subtle as to what one hears than the night-and-day differences associated w/ speakers or electronics. Well, the pre- and post- bybee differences are like going from a $1k CD player to a $5k CD player in magnitude and nature of changes. An upper midrange glare and distorition frequently heard in digital is markedly reduced, giving greater resolution to energy heard in this area---inner detail of vocals (making it far easier to follow lyrics and multiple voices separately), separation and definition in strings and horns, and better definition of space within and between performers. the soundstage disassociates from the room & speakers in a surprising way.
I recall my review of the Audio Magic Pulse DX that i wrote for Positive Feedback, and for all the reasons i flipped for that item are heard again w/ the bybee in the signal path; unlike the DX, i've not found a CD that i disapproved of the bybee's effects.
of course, YMMV. if you haven't addressed the major starting points in tweaking, bybees might not be the best use of your $ and effort. i will say in advance my ambitious rig is already heavily tweaked, with room treatments on every wall, extensive work addressing vibrations and AC quality, and using high caliber cabling (though all the cabling, excl the KS Emotion speaker cable, is very affordable; AC cords are DIY, interconnects are TG Audio's current stuff).
and let me be clear: i have no interest whatsoever in bybee products.
Associated gear Click to view my Virtual System
