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Other tweaks I've been playing with are ferrites (again).
I figure my house electrical wiring (like any house) acts as an antenna for the now-abundant-everywhere RFI in the ether. I trust the Brick Wall to effectively filter out RFI between the mains and my component plugs, as well as between components plugged into it. However, from the component plugs to the components runs a couple of meters of cable each (none of it shielded in my case). Additionally, digital components are known for introducing noise through their power cords (which is why good power conditioners are very often designed with at least one or two isolated receptacles just for digital equipment).
As a radio scanning buff, I accept that my cables (interconnects and power cables) act as antennas to some degree. I also accept that RFI -- to whatever degree -- is going to be unavoidable. While there's little I can do to prevent whatever RFI is entering my components through their cases from entering, I figure I can take measure to deal with RFI that enters the system through the long runs of cable that are the interconnects and power cables. So....
Ferrites. I have a lot of these around, so I decided to try various configurations. First I put two of them back on my SCD-C333ES's power cord (two ferrite units, each with 88 ohms of resistance at 100 MHz). Since I now have the Brick Wall between components, I didnt' notice any difference, for better or worse -- so I kept them there. Then I put two big ferrite loops on the Max's Quail power cable, just behind the Max (I'm not sure about the attenuation values for these loops). Again, no noticeable differences anymore (there were before I put the Brick Wall in place), for better or worse, so I kept them there too.
I've read some recommendations for ferrites on interconnects. I'm read some recommendations against ferrites on interconnects. Given how easy it is to put split ferrites on and take them off, I decided to give them a go on the Taras. Because the Taras are quite thick, I had to run out to a local store (The Electronic Connection) to find some ferrites big enough to fit on them. I found some ferrites at $10.95 each that fit on them almost perfectly, and that each provide 117 ohms of resistance at 100 MHz. I bought two. I put them on the Taras just behind the Max, and, voila, I actually like them there! Some people have found that with some interconnects, ferrites can blunt the highs. I have very good high frequency hearing, and there was no blunting at all in several A-B (remove/replace) tests. But the noise floor seems to have improved a wee bit, as well as the micro details as a result. This is the only noticeable change I noticed, with no negative effects on soundstage or dyamics. I was surprised by this finding, as I never intended to place ferrites on my interconnects. They're staying.
The idea behind putting them just aft of the Max is to choke RFI that might be being introduced to the system via the Taras and/or the SCD-C333ES via the Taras. I haven't thought to place anything on my unshielded headphone cord, but I might if I find some nice small ferrites for the job.
I will admit that even the effects on the interconnects aren't major. And I'll be honest enough to say that I wouldn't bet on my ability to blind pick it consistently or with any statistical significance. But it's doing something, and when I do hear it, it's doing something good. So, again, they're staying.
I know there has been discussion of ferrites before and on HeadWize, but has anyone else here had luck with ferrites on their interconnects?
I figure my house electrical wiring (like any house) acts as an antenna for the now-abundant-everywhere RFI in the ether. I trust the Brick Wall to effectively filter out RFI between the mains and my component plugs, as well as between components plugged into it. However, from the component plugs to the components runs a couple of meters of cable each (none of it shielded in my case). Additionally, digital components are known for introducing noise through their power cords (which is why good power conditioners are very often designed with at least one or two isolated receptacles just for digital equipment).
As a radio scanning buff, I accept that my cables (interconnects and power cables) act as antennas to some degree. I also accept that RFI -- to whatever degree -- is going to be unavoidable. While there's little I can do to prevent whatever RFI is entering my components through their cases from entering, I figure I can take measure to deal with RFI that enters the system through the long runs of cable that are the interconnects and power cables. So....
Ferrites. I have a lot of these around, so I decided to try various configurations. First I put two of them back on my SCD-C333ES's power cord (two ferrite units, each with 88 ohms of resistance at 100 MHz). Since I now have the Brick Wall between components, I didnt' notice any difference, for better or worse -- so I kept them there. Then I put two big ferrite loops on the Max's Quail power cable, just behind the Max (I'm not sure about the attenuation values for these loops). Again, no noticeable differences anymore (there were before I put the Brick Wall in place), for better or worse, so I kept them there too.
I've read some recommendations for ferrites on interconnects. I'm read some recommendations against ferrites on interconnects. Given how easy it is to put split ferrites on and take them off, I decided to give them a go on the Taras. Because the Taras are quite thick, I had to run out to a local store (The Electronic Connection) to find some ferrites big enough to fit on them. I found some ferrites at $10.95 each that fit on them almost perfectly, and that each provide 117 ohms of resistance at 100 MHz. I bought two. I put them on the Taras just behind the Max, and, voila, I actually like them there! Some people have found that with some interconnects, ferrites can blunt the highs. I have very good high frequency hearing, and there was no blunting at all in several A-B (remove/replace) tests. But the noise floor seems to have improved a wee bit, as well as the micro details as a result. This is the only noticeable change I noticed, with no negative effects on soundstage or dyamics. I was surprised by this finding, as I never intended to place ferrites on my interconnects. They're staying.
The idea behind putting them just aft of the Max is to choke RFI that might be being introduced to the system via the Taras and/or the SCD-C333ES via the Taras. I haven't thought to place anything on my unshielded headphone cord, but I might if I find some nice small ferrites for the job.
I will admit that even the effects on the interconnects aren't major. And I'll be honest enough to say that I wouldn't bet on my ability to blind pick it consistently or with any statistical significance. But it's doing something, and when I do hear it, it's doing something good. So, again, they're staying.
I know there has been discussion of ferrites before and on HeadWize, but has anyone else here had luck with ferrites on their interconnects?
