PPT was a popular discussion awhile ago. I got a sample of PPT, but it came without instructions, and so it sat. My recollection was it took a good while to settle in, and I had an audio guest coming to visit, so I held off applying it. Well after several attempts to visit (over a year), due to various hospital visits, he still hasn’t made it. In the meantime I did a couple things that were audible; the second to the last one- free.
One was replacing old single spring isolation devices under everything with Nobsound springs, then playing around with different amounts of springs in each "puck" (if interested there’s a great forum discussion). My Marantz HD CD-1 (built like a tank with very high quality guts) developed laser mechanism issues. It needed a new drive mechanism, no longer carried by Marantz. I located one, but $150 + shipping from Asia did not make sense to me. I decided to forgo hedging my bets using a player as a transport. Research and budget led me to Audiolab CDT6000, which is sonically miles ahead of the HD CD-1. It’s been in my system for several months now, bringing new life to all types of music I am very familiar with.
I also have an Oppo 105 that I bought new, specifically to play SACD/DVD-As. Eventually I upgraded OEM power supply, Furutec IEC, silver wiring to the PS board, and a 110/220 bypass jumper. I would go on hi-rez binges. However, post CDT 6000, which is so good, I decided to compare MoFi SACDs on the 105 to the identical discs red book layer: the 6000 bettered it, by a lot! Though I stopped binging, I neglected to disconnect the 105 from my preamp (Audio Alchemy DDP-1 + PS 5). Earlier this week it occurred to me that it could be interfering sonically, so I disconnected it. It was like removing a layer of static electricity from the music; everything was more focused and better separated, no doubt due to blacker backgrounds.
Earlier this week a fellow ’file sent me a copy of the PPT instructions, so yesterday I decided to dip my toe in, and first apply it to just the coax cable between the CDT and dac/pre. First I played Elvis P CD That’s the Way It Is dinner show disc, which I bought last week, but was less then happy with the sonics (had to set volume low at 36), as well as not knowing "dinner show" was just a rehearsal for the actual show, lots of chitchat, none of the songs were played completely 😨. I then applied PPT to just the coax I/O shafts (neglected to also treat the female RCAs). Not expecting much until it settled in I hit play...
OMG, Elvis and band and audience came to life. * I cranked the volume to 39, it still sounded great* I then played Sinatra The Capitol Years. Ditto! A followed this with a female trio; The Dixie Chicks DCX. Clearly way better then it ever sounded, but if you’re familiar with it, it can be quite strident in places, but Natalie’s voice was amazing.
Next up is to treat the coax out/in RCAs, and the WireWorld Series 7 XLRs. So signing off
Suggestions are welcome
TBC
