Tiny bridges everywhere, but why?

@izjjzi
Google it, seek various sources of information. Give more weight for reviewers with many comparative experience keeping in mind the ability of their audio chain for transparency.

This forum has many who assume “it’s wrong till proven right”, “my experience means universal truth”, “my reasoning (which is usually an opinion) is universal truth”. People have different audio chains, room modes, hearing acuity, etc. Like most men who has an inflated sense of their automobile driving skills, my “I’d bet big $$$$” guess is that most audiophiles believe their hearing is at least above average and likely inflated beyond. A few here project on others what they can or cannot hear- makes no sense one claiming what others “perceive” - seems like a bit of arrogance. Often empirical evidence is ignored/belittled, and the fact that the more $ outlay the more one tends to be more scrupulous (making sure they get their money’s worth).

Find out for yourself. It’s best not to look at things black or white but as probabilities. If most reviews say one thing, then “chances are” you’ll experience the same in your own system while keeping in mind their different audio chains, room modes, hearing acuity, etc is different than yours. Look at many sources to try to get a good sample size before drawing your own conclusions.
Nothing is guaranteed.

Also, research the best way to run audiophile cables. Coiling and running them in parallel degrades the signal/sound.

Perhaps Googling “Furutech cable lifter reviews” a good place to start.  Maybe you’ll find the explanations you’re looking for then try to replicate the some of the benefits on the cheap.  It may be a good idea not to use materials that easily retain static electricity which seems bad next to cabling.

I miss Mythbusters! Can you imagine a HiFi YouTube channel that puts things like elevators to the test? A Mythbusters for HiFi.

I love this forum. I fully expected to hear from all sides. The advocates, the conspiracy theorists and possible folks with ties to companies that make these things. It’s fun. We have to remember the common denominator - we spend time here because we love music. We all appreciate whatever it is that results in the best SQ for us.

I had a three hour AB session last night that compared the Merging+NADAC, Meitner MA3 and Acuphase DC-37. To complicate things we tested the new Canor Audio AI 1.10 integrated. Off topic here, but this system drives new Focal Scala Utopia and Dynaudio Confidence 60s. I was very fortunate to be included last night. What you do not see in this system are cables northing of a few hundred dollars, nor do you see elevators or anything "isolation". I was blown away by the sound and it’s difficult to imagine it getting much better. If anyone is interested I will recap last night’s results, but spoiler alert - the Canor may be the most analogue sounding ouput regardless of source I’ve heard to date. I also learned some critical things that really surprised me that have nothing to do with a particular piece, but rather positioning and the overall shocking synergy you can achieve with good speakers as your base and mid-to low-fi components.

So many have posted that I do not have time right now to reply to each, but thank you! Also appreciate a dose of humor. Life is too short to not laugh.

My position after all of this input is to pause until my room treatments are up. I’m down because the shipping date from GIK is 6 December. Everyone is so backed-up. Our poor country... So by mid-December I should have a streaming / dac plugged in and will be ready for elevator and other isolation testing. Winter, whiskey and this hobby. Going to be fun!

I looked at the pictures of your setup.

You have very nice gear, but I see zero room treatment in your photos.

I wouldn’t spend a single penny on cable elevators, or any tweak of that sort, until my room acoustics were completely figured out.

The gear you currently have is already being severely limited by the acoustics of an untreated space.

A thousand dollars of used gear in a well-treated room would yield you much better results, in my opinion.

edit: I just saw your comment that said you’re waiting on a shipment for room treatment. I think that will be the upgrade that will make you the happiest of all!

OP.

The good thing I see in your room is carpet, wall to wall, which is good.

Would you/have you tried your system on the long wall? Short wall can be fine but it looks like your speakers are a bit to close to the side walls. Usual (but not limited to) distance from side wall is 3 1/2 feet to 4 feet. General ill effects are midrange colorations.

The recommendations for room treatments are a very good idea also.

@mr_m It's berber with a carpet pad followed by concrete. I have been asked by others about the long wall as well, but it would end the goals I have for the room, which is having up to four people sit and listen with a little leg room. That said, the GIK engineer has me moving the Sopras much further into the room and away from the walls. I'm eager to try it, but mostly from last night's AB session where I was seated maybe 4? 5? feet max from the front line of Utopias and Confidence 60s, which BLEW MY MIND. I never thought to be so close to large speakers. My epiphany was the resulting 3D imaging, stage and instrument separation. Never fully understood these adjectives until last night. Two and a half hours to go before I can wrap up the work I'm doing from home so I can go play. :)