TRIPOINT V ENTREQ SHOOT-OUT BEGINS
The Troy SE arrived for audition today. So a shoot-out begins with Entreq which i have had in my system for 5 weeks...and i have taken copious notes on several specific albums (classical, jazz, soundtracks, hip hop, deep house/electronic). Troy SE has been in for 11 hours. I have no affiliation...just a consumer and an audiophile. I like both companies and distributors a lot. They are top notch.
Just as background for those who may not have experimented with these OTT grounding boxes. I believe they tend to have huge slabs of solid copper, solid silver, etc in them and various other materials to try to create a common internal ground, supposedly balance impedances across the various system units its hooked up to, and possibly some other things as well.
With the Entreq over 5 weeks, the level of improvement to its full level (ie 100%) in my system came as follows:
- 5 Minutes: 10%
- 2 Hours: 40%
- 48 Hours: 85%
- 2 Weeks: 100%
(I disconnected the Entreq once during the 5 weeks, and it was the same both times. I also added the Entreq Atlantis Box and Atlantis Grounding Cable towards the end.)
- The difference of having a great grounding unit (Entreq or Troy SE) can be described as greater than the difference between a bad 1980s Police CD vs a Special Remastered Version by Bob Ludwig...or a poor Red Garland Trio 1980s Jazz CD vs the recent Remasterings.
- Lower noise floor, greater detail, but particularly microdynamic nuances grow so much that I think you literally ARE hearing how someone struck a note...so that you get 'groove', 'verve' because you can get more nuance as to how beats are played, strings struck, etc
- Alternatively, having one of these units is about the equivalent difference between my old CJ PV14L and my current CJ GAT.
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BACKGROUND
The Entreq Silver Tellus system with 'standard' Apollo Cables was placed on Stillpoints Ultra SS and Auralex isolation platform which helped a good deal.
The Entreq Atlantis was hooked up to the system for a few hours incl the Atlantis cable.
The Troy SE is on its own machined brass spikes on Auralex with a Thor power cable but otherwise 'standard Tripoint cables'.
Service from Entreq's distributor is first class...and I mean first class. They are also the Stillpoints Distributor, and as many know, I have had a great time learning about how these work, and found great success incorporating them into my system (in a somewhat unique way blending them with HRS). This was in no small measure due to the efforts of the Stillpoints Distributor...and they have been equally supportive with the Entreq as well.
Tripoint equally hard-working, straightforward and super-responsive. Dealer is great and much enjoy his passion for audio.
In a word, I have tremendous respect for both companies, both distributors/dealers...and I think anyone who buys either should be in for a real audio treat...these are special.
Many who are more technical than I might say a big chunk of copper would do the same...I am no techie and cannot say. All I can say is that these designers both know this obviously...and have gone thru great lengths to do even more. And one can hear this just using their upgraded cables, bigger boxes, etc. There are changes above and beyond...so I personally am very satisfied. I tried grounding once on my own with wires, etc...absolutely no change...nada. maybe I did it wrong. All I know is...BOTH these designers are doing something fundamentally right.
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NOTES TO NOW
In a few words, the Troy SE fairly quickly surpassed the Entreq Silver Tellus (ie standard Entreq at far less cost), and then surpassed the Atlantis + Silver Tellus (without Atlantis cable) after a number of hours. We are now passing the border where the full Atlantis system was in my system. Adding up the full monte Entreq and the Tripoint Troy SE, you end up about the same place monetarily. So in truth, for the money, I think Entreq is amazing...I think if you want it all...going either way is a winner...and you might just end up paying about the same.
Which is better? I am definitely leaning towards Tripoint...I will wait the minimum 48 hours til the Tripoint is fully engaged.
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Shoot-out Prelim Observations
Scoring:
- Entreq Silver Tellus/Apollo Cables: 100...5 weeks or so
- Entreq Silver Tellus/Atlantis Box/Apollo: 115...briefer audition (few hours)
- Entreq Silver Tellus/Atlantis Box & Cables: 165...brief audition
All Entreq on Auralex Platform & Stillpoints Ultra SS.
- Troy SE: 165 (at about the same burn-in points as I was auditioning Atlantis)...and the score is still rising
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Entreq Set up
- Entreq - Incredible Value for Money...to get to Tripoint Performance, you may need to spend close to Tripoint price
Full Entreq suite:
- Silver Tellus - weighs 46 pounds
- Apollo grounding cables sold separately
- Atlantis Box sold separately - same size as Silver Tellus...46 pounds...connects to Silver Tellus via a cable to double the amount of grounding mass
- Atlantis Cables - the upgraded reference version, also sold separately
- Stillpoints Ultra SS - optional and sold separately
- Silver Powerus (for single grounding plug outlet) sold separately
- Stillpoints ERS Paper (unit is not shielded)...Distributor suggests keeping it far from Equipment/Rack or possibly using Stillpoints ERS sold separately
- Troy SE
- Weighs 76 lbs...have been told having all the grounding mass in one box is better than in separate boxes...I'm no techie on this one.
- Comes with 4 standard grounding cables
- Comes with grounding power cable (no power drawn...just for ground to power conditioner or wall)
- Comes with 3 very heavy brass, machined spikes & discs
- Unit is supposedly shielded so can be used near other components
Stay tuned for more...both great products.