![20250330_151452[1].jpg](https://cdn.head-fi.org/a/12709517.jpg)
![20250330_151553[1].jpg](https://cdn.head-fi.org/a/12709515.jpg)
![20250427_185006[1].jpg](https://cdn.head-fi.org/a/12709514.jpg)
![20250330_151524[1].jpg](https://cdn.head-fi.org/a/12709516.jpg)
beisen
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2017
- Posts
- 5
- Likes
- 2
I use the 8TC has the ground cable straight thur the box. I do not use a binding post.
DIY Ground Box Thread
- Thread starter dougms3
- Start date
beisen
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2017
- Posts
- 5
- Likes
- 2
I used the 8tc for a power cable year ago. I worked great
Boodle
100+ Head-Fier
Maybe getting our wires crossed. I am using 8tc as a power cable with crimped spades into the iec and mains plug And a separate mains ground cable outside the 8tc. I think beisen is using an 8 Tc for his ground box. the combined gauge of an 8tc would be 6 or 7. a total of 16 conductors and a lot of teflon. Maybe an Ali Exp 4 TC could work well as a ground cable from component to ground box. If you like 4tc as a ground cable you can double it (4tc twisted pair) it will become an 8tc. Also keep in mind that both 4 and 8 tc are very high capacitance cables being tightly woven. But one never knows how a cable reacts in different locations until one tries it. Maybe the weave could be affecting rfi/emf - claimed by Kimber as a an attribute of his woven cables.
cdacosta
Headphoneus Supremus
That makes more sense. Thanks for the clarification.
Boodle
100+ Head-Fier
Kimber 8tc is $126 per meter in the U.K. $ 13 approx at Ali Exp. But I don’t know about the purity of the AE cable. Once my ground box is done I will experiment with the real Kimber as I have some 4 tc lengths in my cable bin.
cdacosta
Headphoneus Supremus
Ok for kicks and giggles, I just ordered 3m of the Ali version. Was cheap and can make 2 cables at 1.5m-ish a piece with connectors. Cost shipped was $23.81 USD. Will test and report how it compares to the 6N 11AWG dual twisted I like. Would be cool if there is another inexpensive alternative, especially if it sound good. This 4TC should have an aggregate of about 9AWG.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256..._id=202309231729256340056427215800005777222_1
cdacosta
Headphoneus Supremus
Ok I think I got it... Presenting the Ground Box enhancement wrap! Lets call it the "GBC Enhancement Wrap"
What does it do, even installed on just one ground box cable? The more cables outfitted with these wraps the more you get of the same...
* Enhances Bass Slam. And adds a tad of weight to the overall presentation.
* Upper frequencies are more articulate, reminding me of silver cabling without the sibilance or thinner overall presentation. Cymbals crash harder, piano notes bite harder, clarity improvement on drum snares, you get the gist.
* More air to mid frequencies and up.
* Sound stage on my headphone system already feels really open. The wraps do not seem to change that on my system.
* Noise floor is lowered more. Quieter background. You hear a bit deeper into the performance or whatever you are listening to. A bit more texture to notes, especially in the upper frequencies. Basically increased resolution.
* Vocals are slightly less warm but are more articulate. Using a headphone system I do not sense a distance difference (forward or back) movement of the vocalists.
* Slightly better separation of all instruments and sounds.
* Here is the caveat. To get all the upper frequency articulation improvement, the overall presentation notches slightly from warm to neutral. But wow it sounds good. You can slide the wrap along the length of the cable for a slightly different tonal presentation but it sounds the best like you see in the pic, at the ground box. I am listening to Tidal, Diana Krall's Live in Paris album as I write this. Her voice is not as warm as I am use to but the separation, detail and articulation throughout the presentation (including the clarity of her voice) is awesome. Now if I turn the volume down a bit, her voice tonally is almost what I am use to, and everything else heard is still awesome. I have never heard Diana Krall's voice with this level of clarity, very cool.
Ok with what I am describing above, is with three random installs of the wraps. Currently the GB at the Internet wall coax connector, the amp input and a digital BNC input on the DAC. All three wraps are installed on GB cables that are the 6N 11AWG, but I do not see any reason this will not work on any GB cable.
There is a slight break in... For optimal cohesiveness, takes approx. an hour after install.
Took me weeks to figure this out but takes 10 mins or less to make one of these wraps. If the materials are already available, which is likely if you are DIYing a ground box like mine, costs next to nothing. The vinyl you see I have covering the wrap costs almost nothing also... LOL
Parts needed and DIY construction to follow. Oh yah, what I am describing above is not subtle! For the members that built and are using my DIY ground box and like it, oooh you are in for a treat.
What does it do, even installed on just one ground box cable? The more cables outfitted with these wraps the more you get of the same...
* Enhances Bass Slam. And adds a tad of weight to the overall presentation.
* Upper frequencies are more articulate, reminding me of silver cabling without the sibilance or thinner overall presentation. Cymbals crash harder, piano notes bite harder, clarity improvement on drum snares, you get the gist.
* More air to mid frequencies and up.
* Sound stage on my headphone system already feels really open. The wraps do not seem to change that on my system.
* Noise floor is lowered more. Quieter background. You hear a bit deeper into the performance or whatever you are listening to. A bit more texture to notes, especially in the upper frequencies. Basically increased resolution.
* Vocals are slightly less warm but are more articulate. Using a headphone system I do not sense a distance difference (forward or back) movement of the vocalists.
* Slightly better separation of all instruments and sounds.
* Here is the caveat. To get all the upper frequency articulation improvement, the overall presentation notches slightly from warm to neutral. But wow it sounds good. You can slide the wrap along the length of the cable for a slightly different tonal presentation but it sounds the best like you see in the pic, at the ground box. I am listening to Tidal, Diana Krall's Live in Paris album as I write this. Her voice is not as warm as I am use to but the separation, detail and articulation throughout the presentation (including the clarity of her voice) is awesome. Now if I turn the volume down a bit, her voice tonally is almost what I am use to, and everything else heard is still awesome. I have never heard Diana Krall's voice with this level of clarity, very cool.
Ok with what I am describing above, is with three random installs of the wraps. Currently the GB at the Internet wall coax connector, the amp input and a digital BNC input on the DAC. All three wraps are installed on GB cables that are the 6N 11AWG, but I do not see any reason this will not work on any GB cable.
There is a slight break in... For optimal cohesiveness, takes approx. an hour after install.
Took me weeks to figure this out but takes 10 mins or less to make one of these wraps. If the materials are already available, which is likely if you are DIYing a ground box like mine, costs next to nothing. The vinyl you see I have covering the wrap costs almost nothing also... LOL
Parts needed and DIY construction to follow. Oh yah, what I am describing above is not subtle! For the members that built and are using my DIY ground box and like it, oooh you are in for a treat.
Great! Is it also magnetite you are using in these wraps?Ok I think I got it... Presenting the Ground Box enhancement wrap! Lets call it the "GBC Enhancement Wrap"
What does it do, even installed on just one ground box cable? The more cables outfitted with these wraps the more you get of the same...
* Enhances Bass Slam. And adds a tad of weight to the overall presentation.
* Upper frequencies are more articulate, reminding me of silver cabling without the sibilance or thinner overall presentation. Cymbals crash harder, piano notes bite harder, clarity improvement on drum snares, you get the gist.
* More air to mid frequencies and up.
* Sound stage on my headphone system already feels really open. The wraps do not seem to change that on my system.
* Noise floor is lowered more. Quieter background. You hear a bit deeper into the performance or whatever you are listening to. A bit more texture to notes, especially in the upper frequencies. Basically increased resolution.
* Vocals are slightly less warm but are more articulate. Using a headphone system I do not sense a distance difference (forward or back) movement of the vocalists.
* Slightly better separation of all instruments and sounds.
* Here is the caveat. To get all the upper frequency articulation improvement, the overall presentation notches slightly from warm to neutral. But wow it sounds good. You can slide the wrap along the length of the cable for a slightly different tonal presentation but it sounds the best like you see in the pic, at the ground box. I am listening to Tidal, Diana Krall's Live in Paris album as I write this. Her voice is not as warm as I am use to but the separation, detail and articulation throughout the presentation (including the clarity of her voice) is awesome. Now if I turn the volume down a bit, her voice tonally is almost what I am use to, and everything else heard is still awesome. I have never heard Diana Krall's voice with this level of clarity, very cool.
Ok with what I am describing above, is with three random installs of the wraps. Currently the GB at the Internet wall coax connector, the amp input and a digital BNC input on the DAC. All three wraps are installed on GB cables that are the 6N 11AWG, but I do not see any reason this will not work on any GB cable.
There is a slight break in... For optimal cohesiveness, takes approx. an hour after install.
Took me weeks to figure this out but takes 10 mins or less to make one of these wraps. If the materials are already available, which is likely if you are DIYing a ground box like mine, costs next to nothing. The vinyl you see I have covering the wrap costs almost nothing also... LOL
Parts needed and DIY construction to follow. Oh yah, what I am describing above is not subtle! For the members that built and are using my DIY ground box and like it, oooh you are in for a treat.
cdacosta
Headphoneus Supremus
GBC Enhancement Wrap - Parts list, Construction
Parts list:
There is not much minerals used, it is not needed. Actually using more has a negative effect. Here is what you will need:
* Cling wrap or Glad wrap, see pic for this household item. You will know what this is. I am using 12" wide version.
* Velcro
* Scissors to cut the Velcro
* Plastic spoon to measure minerals (my favorite measuring tool LOL)
* Magnetite
* Rochelle Salt
* High grade Graphite
* Tourmaline powder (I am using Brazilian Tourmaline powder)
* Vinyl if you want to wrap it like I did for esthetics. I will show you what I got and from where. I recommend a thin black vinyl, one that you can remove the backing. With the backing on it added a dielectric that had a audible negative effect. Once I removed the white backing, which just pealed off, the vinyl itself did not have a audible effect.
Construction:
STEP 1) You are going lay a piece of the cling wrap of about 13" long on a desk or table. Exact length is not critical, you just need it long enough. I used about 13" in my three final wraps. See 2nd pic.
STEP 2) Start laying the following ingredients in the order listed and the amounts listed length wise like in the pics. Once you have all the minerals placed on top of the cling wrap lightly mix the minerals. When laying out the minerals on the cling wrap do it slowly so you do not create dust you will be inhaling. See pic 3.
* Magnetite - 5 parts (5 parts= one flat spoon full)
* Rochelle Salt - 1.5 parts
* High grade Graphite - 1.5 parts
* Tourmaline powder (I am using Brazilian Tourmaline powder) - 2 parts
STEP 3) Lightly mix minerals. Keep in the same area you see in pic 3, you will be wrapping all the minerals together like a burrito next.
STEP 4) Take the cling wrap below (at bottom) the minerals and fold it over the minerals, pic 4. Then fold the mineral mix over two more times. You want the final burrito roll flexible so keep the width of the burrito about 1". Then fold the sides over so there is enough of the cling wrap you can double fold the sides. We want a thicker side to prevent breakage. see pic 5.
Now roll the burrito all the way until there is no more cling wrap. See pics 6-8 for clarification of what you want after the burrito is all wrapped up. If it is .5" shorter or longer is fine, do not sweat that detail.
Not sure how many pics I can put up so "STEP 5" in next post/to be continued.
Parts list:
There is not much minerals used, it is not needed. Actually using more has a negative effect. Here is what you will need:
* Cling wrap or Glad wrap, see pic for this household item. You will know what this is. I am using 12" wide version.
* Velcro
* Scissors to cut the Velcro
* Plastic spoon to measure minerals (my favorite measuring tool LOL)
* Magnetite
* Rochelle Salt
* High grade Graphite
* Tourmaline powder (I am using Brazilian Tourmaline powder)
* Vinyl if you want to wrap it like I did for esthetics. I will show you what I got and from where. I recommend a thin black vinyl, one that you can remove the backing. With the backing on it added a dielectric that had a audible negative effect. Once I removed the white backing, which just pealed off, the vinyl itself did not have a audible effect.
Construction:
STEP 1) You are going lay a piece of the cling wrap of about 13" long on a desk or table. Exact length is not critical, you just need it long enough. I used about 13" in my three final wraps. See 2nd pic.
STEP 2) Start laying the following ingredients in the order listed and the amounts listed length wise like in the pics. Once you have all the minerals placed on top of the cling wrap lightly mix the minerals. When laying out the minerals on the cling wrap do it slowly so you do not create dust you will be inhaling. See pic 3.
* Magnetite - 5 parts (5 parts= one flat spoon full)
* Rochelle Salt - 1.5 parts
* High grade Graphite - 1.5 parts
* Tourmaline powder (I am using Brazilian Tourmaline powder) - 2 parts
STEP 3) Lightly mix minerals. Keep in the same area you see in pic 3, you will be wrapping all the minerals together like a burrito next.
STEP 4) Take the cling wrap below (at bottom) the minerals and fold it over the minerals, pic 4. Then fold the mineral mix over two more times. You want the final burrito roll flexible so keep the width of the burrito about 1". Then fold the sides over so there is enough of the cling wrap you can double fold the sides. We want a thicker side to prevent breakage. see pic 5.
Now roll the burrito all the way until there is no more cling wrap. See pics 6-8 for clarification of what you want after the burrito is all wrapped up. If it is .5" shorter or longer is fine, do not sweat that detail.
Not sure how many pics I can put up so "STEP 5" in next post/to be continued.
Attachments
Last edited:
cdacosta
Headphoneus Supremus
Yah, posting construction and soon install. Dude, this is going to trip you out. You will really like this mod/tweak.
I have already sent the woman to bring cling wrap!
Last edited:
cdacosta
Headphoneus Supremus
GBC Enhancement Wrap - Construction continued and Install
STEP 5) We are going to wrap the burrito one more time the same way to make sure it all stays together and to prevent any breakage. Really solid after this step. You want a shorter piece of cling wrap this time, like 10" or so. See pic 1 and 2. You are now done with the actual wrap. That is it, once you have made one or two, the others are easy.
The Vinyl for esthetics. The vinyl can also be used for the AC power cable wraps, same install concept. Once the GBC Enhancement Wrap is installed (see below) just take a larger piece of vinyl than the length of the installed wrap and wrap the vinyl around the whole thing. Then secure with Velcro on each end like I did, see pic 3. You want a thin vinyl, one that you can remove the backing as I mentioned in a previous post is preferred. The backing material negatively effected the performance.
Link to what I purchased, I just went to the retail store and picked up a yard. You can buy this likely anywhere:
https://www.joann.com/signature-series-vinyl-54in-black/9131541.html
The Install:
I tested so many minerals combinations, volume, install variations, it was driving me crazy. For the install location, through what seemed like forever trial and error, I found that the best location is at the ground box. See pic 3, pic 4 is with the vinyl installed over the wrap. Oddly enough, how the wrap is installed makes a difference. I found the best performance was wrapping it like in the pic, snaked around the ground cable. Laying flat over the cable I lost some coherency. This wrap can be slid up and down the cable for a slightly different result. I also tried during testing (but not of this final mineral mix), that adding a second one at the component yielded differing results. I recommend what I am showing as a start point, sounds stunning in my system like this.
I know it looks like a turd LMAO, just wait until you hear what it does! I am glad I had the foresight to get the vinyl. LOL
Some final thoughts:
* As I added more of these wraps the system got more resolute. This is very cool because detail retrieval was not something my system is lacking at this stage.
* Because of the higher resolution and clarity I am listening at a lower volume level.
* I will be trying these wraps at other ground box locations in my system, including at the cable mods. I just picked these locations at random because I can easily reach them, so I can listen during install and removal. After the third install it sounded so good, I was like holy sh***t, this is it.
* For some unless they already have many ground boxes in their system or a very refined system, they will start to hear the room acoustics. If they are not use to hearing the acoustics of the venue, that may be odd for them. Until they realize what they are hearing.
* Lastly - have fun!
STEP 5) We are going to wrap the burrito one more time the same way to make sure it all stays together and to prevent any breakage. Really solid after this step. You want a shorter piece of cling wrap this time, like 10" or so. See pic 1 and 2. You are now done with the actual wrap. That is it, once you have made one or two, the others are easy.
The Vinyl for esthetics. The vinyl can also be used for the AC power cable wraps, same install concept. Once the GBC Enhancement Wrap is installed (see below) just take a larger piece of vinyl than the length of the installed wrap and wrap the vinyl around the whole thing. Then secure with Velcro on each end like I did, see pic 3. You want a thin vinyl, one that you can remove the backing as I mentioned in a previous post is preferred. The backing material negatively effected the performance.
Link to what I purchased, I just went to the retail store and picked up a yard. You can buy this likely anywhere:
https://www.joann.com/signature-series-vinyl-54in-black/9131541.html
The Install:
I tested so many minerals combinations, volume, install variations, it was driving me crazy. For the install location, through what seemed like forever trial and error, I found that the best location is at the ground box. See pic 3, pic 4 is with the vinyl installed over the wrap. Oddly enough, how the wrap is installed makes a difference. I found the best performance was wrapping it like in the pic, snaked around the ground cable. Laying flat over the cable I lost some coherency. This wrap can be slid up and down the cable for a slightly different result. I also tried during testing (but not of this final mineral mix), that adding a second one at the component yielded differing results. I recommend what I am showing as a start point, sounds stunning in my system like this.
I know it looks like a turd LMAO, just wait until you hear what it does! I am glad I had the foresight to get the vinyl. LOL
Some final thoughts:
* As I added more of these wraps the system got more resolute. This is very cool because detail retrieval was not something my system is lacking at this stage.
* Because of the higher resolution and clarity I am listening at a lower volume level.
* I will be trying these wraps at other ground box locations in my system, including at the cable mods. I just picked these locations at random because I can easily reach them, so I can listen during install and removal. After the third install it sounded so good, I was like holy sh***t, this is it.
* For some unless they already have many ground boxes in their system or a very refined system, they will start to hear the room acoustics. If they are not use to hearing the acoustics of the venue, that may be odd for them. Until they realize what they are hearing.
* Lastly - have fun!
Attachments
cdacosta
Headphoneus Supremus
I can't wait to read your reaction after trying a couple or more of these wraps. I have a feeling it will be entertaining...LOLI have already sent the woman to bring cling wrap!
cdacosta
Headphoneus Supremus
Ok I was listening to the YouTube video I will link below while I was installing a 4th wrap on the ground box. This ground box is filtering the amp's power cord at IEC connector. I heard things I never noticed before. Pretty cool since the recording is likely 128kps or 192kps. Like Elise LeGrow breathing throughout the song. The wood drum sticks heard at the beginning of the song is snappier and a tad more realistic. Even though timbre has been improving as more ground boxes had been installed, still a difference can be heard. Even when filtering a power cord. The cymbals have a bit more crash and decay to them. All the different instruments were a bit better separated and precise in the venue.
Attachments
Users who are viewing this thread
