Holostages - critical review

I'm not writing this for you. I write for the other forum members who might have an open mind. Aspirin went into clinical use in 1853. Science discovered HOW it worked in 1971. Some may have chosen to have a headache for 118 years but I choose to enjoy my Holostages now.
Yep then stop quoting me Doc.
 
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Well after messing with the holostages in their mating position, I did notice that the effect on my amps was a bit much and started to sound a little too analytical & bright. I had 4 boxes on each amp, so I ended up removing two from each amp and that was about right. Then I put the two extras on the outer corners of my Maggies, which sounded better, but I think it threw off the balance with the others around the room because the soundstage wasn't as 3d anymore and was just plain wide.
 
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The idea that placing these at a 45 degree angle sounded completely odd, but since these Holostages don't really make much sense to me anyways, and yet evidently seem to have a noticeable effect for almost all who try them... I figured, well, ok why not try it?

To me, I can understand how placing something in an inductive field will force changes in the behavior of the electrical circuit. For example, placing a ferrous bar inside an inductor changes its inductance, and as you remove the bar you can see the inductance decrease. So even setting the iron bar on top of an inductor or transformer does have a quantifiable effect. So, going from one ferrous bar material to another obviously changes the sound of a guitar pickup. Any fan of guitar pickups can affirm that the material that the ferrous bar is made of matters a lot. So it makes sense to me that if we are placing the holostage on top of a transformer, that it can affect the flow of electrons, and likewise a hunk of iron will have a different effect from a conductive composite holostage.

But I do not understand why these sound good placed around the room. That to me is admittedly just bizarre.
 
The idea that placing these at a 45 degree angle sounded completely odd, but since these Holostages don't really make much sense to me anyways, and yet evidently seem to have a noticeable effect for almost all who try them... I figured, well, ok why not try it?

To me, I can understand how placing something in an inductive field will force changes in the behavior of the electrical circuit. For example, placing a ferrous bar inside an inductor changes its inductance, and as you remove the bar you can see the inductance decrease. So even setting the iron bar on top of an inductor or transformer does have a quantifiable effect. So, going from one ferrous bar material to another obviously changes the sound of a guitar pickup. Any fan of guitar pickups can affirm that the material that the ferrous bar is made of matters a lot. So it makes sense to me that if we are placing the holostage on top of a transformer, that it can affect the flow of electrons, and likewise a hunk of iron will have a different effect from a conductive composite holostage.

But I do not understand why these sound good placed around the room. That to me is admittedly just bizarre.
Amazing what quartz can do.
 
I had never heard of Heartsound until Will told me about the Holostages this morning. Although my living room is not squared off like the diagrams that have been posted, they seem worth a try. I’m aware that a lot of what goes into audio systems, as with many other phenomena in the world (and universe), is not yet understood scientifically, let alone explained well in marketing materials. The closest I’ve found for the Holostage is at https://nirvanasound.com/product/heartsound-holostage/

The RCA box is not on the Heartsound website. Is it a ground box that uses signal grounds (RCA) vs. chassis grounds? I use a couple of Russ Andrews plug-in RF Routers with all signal grounds, except one chassis, for the tonal balance I prefer (all signal grounds emphasized the lower end; all chassis was bright). Btw, I found the Andrews plug-ins and cables noticeably superior sounding to the similar Puritan model.
 
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Ever since I set up these little boxes in my room, my system has taken on a whole new level of depth and energy. The sound is noticeably more spacious, more dynamic — just better. How they work? No clue. But honestly, I don’t care. What matters is the result, and that speaks for itself. In the meantime, the Holos have made the rounds among our friends, tested in a variety of different systems. The verdict? Everyone wanted them. These things are a no-brainer!
 
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I had never heard of Heartsound until Will told me about the Holostages this morning. Although my living room is not squared off like the diagrams that have been posted, they seem worth a try. I’m aware that a lot of what goes into audio systems, as with many other phenomena in the world (and universe), is not yet understood scientifically, let alone explained well in marketing materials. The closest I’ve found for the Holostage is at https://nirvanasound.com/product/heartsound-holostage/

The RCA box is not on the Heartsound website. Is it a ground box that uses signal grounds (RCA) vs. chassis grounds? I use a couple of Russ Andrews plug-in RF Routers with all signal grounds, except one chassis, for the tonal balance I prefer (all signal grounds emphasized the lower end; all chassis was bright). Btw, I found the Andrews plug-ins and cables noticeably superior sounding to the similar Puritan model.
I posted that link in #130.
 
I just had to share this. If you rearrange your Holostages and put a several behind your listening position, and fewer in the front,... the whole soundstage gets pulled back behind your head. I made a vertical stack of them behind my head about 4 feet above the ground. You get more of the "immersive" experience. Before I would only get the impression of soundstage behind my head on certain little parts of certain tracks, but now I'm getting soundstage behind my head on a good half of the music I happen to enjoy.

I'm not even going to comment on the $20 "Junarter 24 Pack Neodymium Dic Magnets, 30x3mm Rare Earth Magnets, Black Magnetic Discs with adhesive"... but put the magnets on the holostages! Try it and tell me what you guys think.

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*Edit note: To be fair, I should comment that the back two on top of each of my amps are Krissy's Speaker Filters, plugged into the back of each amp's extra bi-wire outputs.

**Second edit note: Adding a third or fourth holostage in one spot did not make as much improvement as adding the second holostage. Less improvement there but moving them from the front to the back does seem to pull the soundstage that way.
 
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I am happy that I am not very smart and do not care about the science and engineering behind every tweak, cable, and power cord. If I like the taste, I drink it. If I like the performance, I buy it aka golf club. If I like the sound, then who cares what is behind it.

The holostage works in my system. I notice a difference. Rather than question the science why not try them and if they do not work, Krissy will take them back.

The question of whether you need 4, 8, or 12 would be room dependent. I have a giant room. I originally bought 8 and placed them on my components. After a while, I took them off the components and placed them around the room. That worked better for me. I have since ordered 4 more because I wanted to try them on my main router and switch, which is in a different room. I have also tried angling them, and now I am angling them and pointing them toward the speakers. Part of the fun is trying them in different spots. I know they are not acoustic panels but in a way they act the same way. The main difference is I do not have to hear my spouse bitch about how ugly acoustic panels are. When I am don listening I just gather them up and move them out of the way. A happy wife is a happy life. Enjoy the Music.
 
OK I lied here is a comment about the magnets... when you add them if it sounds like "too much" let them mellow for a day or two. Also you can double the magnets up 2 high on each holostage for a cheap thrill.
 
OK I lied here is a comment about the magnets... when you add them if it sounds like "too much" let them mellow for a day or two. Also you can double the magnets up 2 high on each holostage for a cheap thrill.
I have 4-6 on each Holostage. Putting for than 3 magnets stacked together can be tricky beacuse they pull so hard you can pinch a finger or the magnet can shatter. Also put a bunch on my actual grounding boxes.
 
I have 4-6 on each Holostage. Putting for than 3 magnets stacked together can be tricky beacuse they pull so hard you can pinch a finger or the magnet can shatter. Also put a bunch on my actual grounding boxes.
This is all so funny.
 

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