Equi=Tech Wall Cabinet System; whole system power solution.

[Mike Lavigne]

Great to hear the Equitech is working out even better than you had hoped Mike. I thought the power out there in the country would be very clean, but it's damn hard to beat 250 lbs of pure copper. If you have any video displays connected to the lines, let us know how they look.

fyi; my 2-channel room has no video (other than my lap top screen) and there are no plans to add any.

exactly what were my expectations?

i expected to hear a positive difference. i was not sure whether it would be 'nice', 'pretty significant', wow!, or 'a whole new ballgame'. my best guess of what it might be was somewhere between 'pretty significant' and 'wow!'.

now, 24 hours later i feel convinced it's a whole new ballgame. likely about a level and a half better than my most optimisitic expectations.

as listeners visit that had been familiar with the previous performance level hear the 'post-Equi=tech' system, and time passes, we'll see what the longer term view becomes.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

hi mike , as i posted on another blog, please let me know your first impressions...... & of course after the burn in. i know you will love the equi=tech.

gary

you were right.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

If it's as good as mine... you can take a trip and never leave the farm!!

Bruce; i've made it clear to my wife that this is all your fault.

i look forward to you coming over to give me your opinion on what's doing what, whether it's as good as yours is hard to say. i'd call it different.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Mike

Congratulations!! .. Now you can understand (or maybe you already did) why I have been preaching about the purest AC power possible to one' system ... One you get the AC, with minimum EMI and RFi and great power reserve.. that is what you get .. The more you listen the more you will re-discover your system.
That is the kind of investment audiophiles should look into , much more worthwhile than any of those audiophiles power conditioner or power cords ...

Before I am branded an audio-fool.. The effect of a power system like the Equi=tech are repeatable.. Plug your system in anything not to that level and you will consistently hear it .. At least in my experience .. I haven't cared to measure but I have no doubt that several parameters of components' performance would improve.

Frantz,

thanks for the encouragement. you have been speaking about this subject as long as we've interacted (since 2003 or so i think). i must admit that until just recently (my visit to Bruce's studio) i had not realized the potential degree of effect of really correct power might be.

i still have 'dirty' outlets in my room for anyone who might be skeptical.

 

[vinylphilemag]

I don't know whether to thank you for opening my eyes to this kind of technology, or cuss you because I now have figure out how to raise the approriate funds!

Seriously, your new toy looks fantastic, and I'm very pleased you like the effects.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

I don't know whether to thank you for opening my eyes to this kind of technology, or cuss you because I now have figure out how to raise the approriate funds!

Seriously, your new toy looks fantastic, and I'm very pleased you like the effects.

thanks Rich. i blame Bruce for me having to do it. he blames me for referring my room designer to him who suggested it to him to begin with.

the 'blame game'.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Equi=tech update; a week later.

*****for those who think new cable cannot or does not break-in please ignore this post.******

it's getting better. the last couple of days it's evident that it (the system) has a greater ease, a more pronounced degree of decay in notes, a slightly more vivid and clear sound, more openness and more low frequency energy than it had in the first few days of listening after the Equi=tech was installed. i cannot hear any negatives.

the improvements are not quantum leaps but are easily heard and i would say that the result is a marked improvement in musical involvement. like it's broken thru some barrier of degree's of reality. the pull of the music is quite strong....even the digital.

the 190 pounds of copper in the transformer are turned 'on' 24/7 so break-in is on-going.

maybe most of the break-in that will occur has already happened. my expectation is that it is 'most' of the way there by now.

 

[FrantzM]

*****for those who think new cable cannot or does not break-in please ignore this post.******

I could not help... I read your post ... Better AC power is that: A better System .. Now, for break-in and burn-in ....

...

...

 

[Mike Lavigne]

I could not help... I read your post ... Better AC power is that: A better System .. Now, for break-in and burn-in ....

...

...

i knew you could not resist. it's ok.

 

[MylesBAstor]

Mike: Now you can go to work resetting your body's biomagnetic fields

http://irenewbracelet.org/

 

[Bruce B]

Mike: Now you can go to work resetting your body's biomagnetic fields
http://irenewbracelet.org/

The hell with the bracelet... I work in a 3T MRI almost weekly!! Mike needs to work with me for a week or so!

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Mike: Now you can go to work resetting your body's biomagnetic fields

http://irenewbracelet.org/

well....er...hummm. ok, so i looked into the bracelet to see what it could do for me....

So, if you feel unbalanced and generally worn down lately, it is probably because your biofield has fallen victim to the electromagnetic radiation around you. The charming little bracelet will restore your body and mind’s natural balance to where it should be, thus allowing you a much healthier life. For a limited time, you can get two bracelets for the price of one.

....and i went ahead a got 2 for the price of one. but now my system has gone all weird on me.

so, smarty pants, what do you suggest now???

 

[audioguy]

I just read the iRenew Bracelet material. That's got high end audio stamped all over it !!

 

[BFlowers]

I have heard from several people that employing isolation transformers and other power alteration solutions alters the sound in often negative ways (lost dynamics, "whitewashed sound", etc.). What makes this solution different that the others? If the equi-tech is universally positive, why doesn't everyone do this. Given the cost of many of our systems, this is a small investment. I have in the past read with interest Franz's comments regarding his power solutions. I ask out of ignorance, so any information would be appreciated.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

I have heard from several people that employing isolation transformers and other power alteration solutions alters the sound in often negative ways (lost dynamics, "whitewashed sound", etc.). What makes this solution different that the others?

i'm not really qualified to say that i personally know why or even if the Equi=tech is better than other isolation transformer solutions as it's the only one i have experience with. i could 'parrot' the stuff on the Equi=tech website, but you can read that for yourself. i installed the Equi=tech because initially it was recommended to me by my room designer; who had designed and spec'd dozens of pro audio studios. i did not install it back when my room was built due to funding. then over the subsequent years the two best sounding (lowest noise floor, most detailed, most dynamic) rooms/systems i have heard both used the Equi-tech panel like mine. the final straw was hearing one of those rooms with my same speakers.

as far as 'lost dynamics' or 'white-washed' sound; it could not be more the opposite. tonal richness and dynamics are 'off the charts' better; as well as everything else. of course; that's my subjective perceptions.

If the equi-tech is universally positive, why doesn't everyone do this. Given the cost of many of our systems, this is a small investment. I have in the past read with interest Franz's comments regarding his power solutions. I ask out of ignorance, so any information would be appreciated.

in every Equi=tech installation i am personally familiar with it is percieved as a total positive. i have heard thru third parties that some 'might' have been removed; but when i ask for specifics i get no response. if i built competeing power conditioners the Equi=tech would certainly be a threat; so there are logical sources of negative information.

after hearing what it does, and considering it's cost both relative to many high end systems and even many much less effective power conditioners......i completely agree that the Equi=tech is almost a 'no-brainer' to use. it is a big panel so placement could be an issue; and it did cost me a good deal for installation. but relative to it's performance, even considering the installation costs, it's likely the most efficient dollars i've ever spent (other than my Lagavulin single-malt).

i've had a few visitors to my room so far since the installation; and so far their reaction was at least as strong as mine in terms of before and after.

it's right to be skeptical; things are just not suppose to be this universally great.

 

[Bruce B]

I have heard from several people that employing isolation transformers and other power alteration solutions alters the sound in often negative ways (lost dynamics, "whitewashed sound", etc.). .

I think this is because instead of the large wall-mount transformers which we have, people are buying these small shelf units and trying to plug their amps and such into. That's not going to work. You will hear a decrease in dynamics if you try to go this route.

 

[microstrip]

I think this is because instead of the large wall-mount transformers which we have, people are buying these small shelf units and trying to plug their amps and such into. That's not going to work. You will hear a decrease in dynamics if you try to go this route.

Yes, small transformers do not have transient power, as their small magnetic core can not supply the needed energy and wire resistance is too high.
I use some type of power conditioning - all from Shunyata, because I knew Audio Research used it with success and when I tried it in my system it sounded better. Now I do not have the patience to try another brand to compare. But when I installed three heavy duty dedicated lines to the power board I left the space for a symmetrical transformer.
I read a lot about the subject since Ben Duncan excellent article in HiFi News on symmetrical power supplies in the 90's and I also learn a few things from experience.
Power supply conditioning effects are dependent on the mains you get. The transformer will act as a bandpass filter and can remove noise and/or DC from the mains. If you mains is perfect you will not need it! Also with a symmetrical winding the ground leakage currents will be much reduced - it is why studios with many long cables, hundreds of line amplifiers and many power amplifiers use the Equi-Tech with great effect .
Your system will also be a part of the equation - as I read once "if the power supply of your equipment is properly designed you will not need all these strange devices"
One think is sure – Mike system is complex, using long non-balanced cables, active speakers, many analogue sources and a large room – just the typical system where we can expect large improvements.

 

[ths61]

I think this is because instead of the large wall-mount transformers which we have, people are buying these small shelf units and trying to plug their amps and such into....

Hi Bruce,

What is considered a "small shelf unit" (e.g. 1kVA, 1.5kVA, 2kVA, 3kVA, 5kVA)?

Is a 5kVA shelf unit considered small for a home system?

Thanks,
Tim

 

[JonFo]

Tim, I'm not Bruce, but IMHO, a 'small' shelf-unit might be a 2KVA and under.

A 5KVA is a pretty substantial beast, the Equi=Tech 5KVA requires 30amp 240v service. Which leads to funny questions from electricians, like "why are you putting a dryer back here sir?"

 

[A.wayne]

i've finally pulled the trigger on something i planned on doing when i first built my room back in 2004; i've ordered an Equi=tech 10WQ Wall Cabinet System and it could arrive as soon as the end of next week. it will have 3 of 10 circuits with the EMI/RFI filter option and the OFC (oxygen free copper) option.

it will replace my existing wall panel which is a high quality generic panel. my room is wired with #10 gauge Romex with Oyaide R-1 outlets and WPC-Z covers. there is a 'home run' (a 70amp, 3-phase run) from near my electrical meter in my house to my panel in my barn (the barn is 75 feet from the house) and a double-ground rod already installed. the 10WQ should be the final piece to that chain.

this should lower my already very low noise floor and significantly improve microdynamics. it will also significantly tighten the bass.

it should bring that 'late night magic' 24 hours a day.

in my room development path this is pretty close to the final touch. i'm excited to have made this move.

recently i had been in Bruce Brown's studio a couple of times. Bruce has the 7.5kv version of this same panel and he now has the same speakers in his studio that i have. i can 'hear' what this panel brings to the table in performance and it's not subtle.

Mike,

I must say , Im very impressed with your style and tenacity , you are one serious cat when you get going, nothing like a 300lb electrical panel for a lower noise floor when topping off the best of the best ..

Respect ...

PS: I showed my wife and explained to her about lowering the noise floor etc, her suggestion ..? why not have her take the kids out to lower the noise floor ...

Women ......