Equinox user group performance tips

[jserdechny]

This thread is designed help users get the most out of their Equinox audiophile headphone cable and associated components.

We will add problem/solutions periodically and we encourage questions.


Review of the Equinox GS1000 and K701in the latest issue 15 (page 155 and 157) of TONEAudio Online.


http://www.tonepublications.com/MAGPDF/TA_015.pdf


Endorphin headphone system ribbon power cable review in a coming issue of TONEAudio Online.


Tip: If you are using a expensive (or inexpensive) power cables and a power conditioner, they are slowing down AC current delivery to your components which degardes the dynamics of the music – soundstage, bass response, detail etc. A significant way to improve the overall performance of your headphone listening system, is to replace your power cables and conditioner with the New Endorphin Ribbon Power cables which are now available on our site:

Stefan AudioArt Home


Tip: The Equinox cable can be disconnected during the break-in period. The only requirement is that you do not disturb (wipe-off) the soft-plating treatment from the 1/4", 3.5-mm or XLR connectors during the first 72 hour of use. The soft plating is designed as the final stage of the electro-chemical process as it reacts with the electrical (audio) signal to condition the surface material of the connector.

It is best to leave the soft plating on the 1/4", 3.5-mm or XLR connectors. If there is some excess from application during assembly, you can wipe off any excess soft-plating on the 1/4", 3.5-mm or XLR connectors with a soft dry cloth after the break-in period.

Do not remove the contact enhancing solution which is applied to the spade connectors which plugs into the headphone. The solution is designed to optimize conductivity at that connection point. You should not disconnect the spade connectors from the headphone more that about 25 times to insure the solution remains effective.


Tip: Before the Equinox cable is shipped, it undergoes an ionization treatment. This eliminates the static charge build-up which occurs during assembly. During shipping and during regular use, a static charge will build-up proportional to the use. The more the cable is used, the more it moves and thus the quicker the static charge builds.

When you receive your Equinox cable, use a ion gun (static gun) to eliminate any static that built-up during shipping. When using the Equinox cable, apply the static gun once a week. Also, for optimal performance either keep the Equinox cable elevated from the headphone amplifier to you. When the cable touches the floor (especially carpeted floors) the material from the floor absorbs a portion of the audio signal and degrades it.

We recommend the Mapleshade ionocast which can be found at:

Mapleshade Audio Products - Ionoclast


Tip: The AKG K1000 with the Equinox headphone cable is a major step up in terms of the sonic presentation of these wonderful headphones. AKG designed one of the best if not the best headphone ever produced. But many audiophiles who do most of their listening with headphones may not be aware of this. The two biggest K1000 design flaws are the stock cable and the metal grills which enclose the drivers. Installing the Equinox cable and removing the grills offers such phenomenal improvements we could not believe we were listening to the same headphones - incredible detail, bass and mids with a warm organic overall presentation. The analogy here is, you would not consider listening to your speakers with sound degrading speaker cable surrounded by a metal cage that vibrates and further degrades the sound.

Tip: Experiment with your headphone system (all aspects) constantly and you will reach near perfection due to the number of wonderful component options available. The biggest areas to explore are cables and vibration control.


Tip: The Sennheiser HD25-1 II headphone with the Equinox cable upgrade is one of the best sounding "closed" design headphone available. It is light and small, thus ideal for portable use and out performs the best IEM's. The Equinox HD600/580 easily fit the HD25- II by simply sliding the earpieces off the headband, turning the earpiece around and sliding the earpiece back on the headband. Now simply plug in the Equinox and enjoy the naturally detailed, warm, organic sound of the HD25-1 II with great bass and soundstage. The HD25-1 II can not exhibit these qualities because the stock cable uses steel as the conductive surface and is surrounded by sound degrading dielectric. The steel stock cable is why many do not consider the HD25-1 II for serious listening when they hear it right out of the box. By just connecting a Sennheiser stock cable from a HD650, 600 or 580 headphone, one can hear improved performance. Connecting the Equinox will double or triple that improvement which a much bigger soundstage. The HD25-1 II are unique in that they do not exhibit the typical characteristics of a "closed" design headphone. They do not suffer from reflection problems and sound very close to an "open air" design headphone. Another very important consideration is they are light, very comfortable and offer one of the highest attenuation from outside noise available from a headphone.

Send us an email if you are interested in a single-sided Equinox audiophile headphone cable (same configuration as the stock cable) for the HD25-1 II.


Tip: The Sennheiser HD580 headphone with the Equinox cable is the most cost effective way to get a true audiophile headphone listening experience. Many dealer still have the 580's in stock (we have seen them as low as $150.00). This combination delivers a naturally balanced, organic sound with great bass, treble and that classic Senheiser midrange.


Tip: An important thing to understand about balanced headphone cables is that they are designed (configured) to accommodate the balanced circuitry of the amp. and the headphone cables "part" is to keep the left and right return (ground) separate. The actual performance enhancement of a balanced system (if there is one over a single-ended system. In some cases single-ended systems will out perform balanced systems) comes from the internal design of the amplifier and not the headphone cable. Our Equinox audiophile headphone cables allow the user to hear considerable improvements over all the other aftermarket cables (and the way the headphone amplifier is designed to sound) because of our technology, but they will not make a poor sounding system perform better.

When adapting a single-ended headphone cable to a balanced amplifier, the grounds (left and right) will cross, but this will not change or degrade the sound of the balanced amplifier. Again, this is because keeping the grounds separate is not a function of the sound quality but of the internal circuit design of the amplifier.

The SAA Equinox adapters are extensively treated with several proprietary procedures and will not degrade or change the sound quality. Therefore, if you use an Equinox adapter to listen to a balanced amplifier with a single-ended Equinox headphone cable it will sound true to the balanced amplifiers sound quality.


Tip: If you are not currently taking measures to control the vibration in your headphone listening system, the most cost effective way to experience how much you are missing is to put 4 mapleshade isoblocks (http://www.mapleshaderecords.com/audioproducts/isoblocks.php) under each component of your headphone listening system. You can double or triple this improvement with the full mapleshade platform system.


Tip: Try listening to music with your headphones at a volume lower than you normally do (try several different lower volume settings). With a well recorded piece of music you will be able to better experience the fine detail of instrument and voice. Give it some time, it might take a bit of getting use to but could be an "eye opener" for you.


We are starting to get more and more emails like the following example which truely reflect our mission which is to provide products that have the most impact in terms of improving the overall performance of a headphone listening system.


".... left them (HD600's and the Equinox) on for the week to burn in and started using them this weekend and my scepticism was overcome straight away. I’ve always found the impact of cables to be minor compared to any component upgrades, but this was quite a different story. Bass, soundstage and clarity all considerably enhanced – but most importantly the music just sounded right – and that’s exactly what I was looking for. I’ve been searching for a solution to let me wander around the house taking the music with me and I finally think I found it with an IMod, Hornet Headphone amp, HD600’s and your cables – at last the search is over!"


We've just added the Equinox Audiophile Headphone Cable Adapter page to our Web Site. If you are in need of a balanced or singled-ended adapter to connect to a source with a different configuration, follow the link below. These adapters are invisible due to extensive proprietary treatments and will add flexibility without compromise to multi-system users. Go to:


Stefan AudioArt Home

The following is one of many recent positive comments regarding the Equinox Audiophile Adapter Cables performance:

"Nice cable. No hashiness, well defined clear bass, clear but not piercing."


James S Serdechny
Stefan AudioArt Welcome