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Akiko Tuning Stick AC -- It IS Magic

None are more skeptical than I when it comes to tweaks. Most come and go; few survive for the long term. So it was with not a grain but a shaker of salt that I decided to try the $170 Akiko Tuning Stick AC (not the new Triple AC, which is $395), which one plugs into an open outlet on a power conditioner or into the wall outlet. I decided to try it based upon rave reviews in 6 Moons both for the version I tried, and more recently the Triple AC -- which I most assuredly WILL buy.

I plugged it into my Audience AR6 power conditioner and my skepticism dissolved as fast as the salt from the shaker would in water! This thing is magic, I tell you. It is transformative. My system is no slouch (PS Audio DSD DAC/VTL 7.5iii pre/Krell FPB 300cx amp/VSE 5HSE speakers, top cables and PC's) but this kicked it up about 20%-25% in sound quality. More depth, more realism, more liquidity, more naturalness, more life. I removed the device and reinstalled it several times just to check, and each time the sound became flat and one-dimensional.

I have only had the Akiko for about a week, but every time I turn on my stereo, and whether listening to music through the DAC or my Sansui TU-9900 tuner, my head snaps back and I say to myself: Zounds! Does that sound good!

So forgive me for gushing, but I have been at this audio mania for over 40 years and am not easily impressed., But this is an extremely impressive product. There is no guarantee the Triple AC, more than 2x the AC price, will be any better let alone twice as good as the AC, but I aim to find out. Of course, I cannot tell you what it will do in your system. Jaguar Audio sells these (nice, responsive folks) and I think they have a 14 day return policy. I doubt you will return it.

Neal
nglazer

Showing 5 responses by melbguy1

melbguy1
1,438 posts
 
Tell me about it Neal! I have the big E-Tuning Gold Mk2 stick for my main pc from wall to power conditioner & currently two of the Universal tuning sticks (although I plan on adding another two for my twin run Jorma Statement sc's). I don't really need the Triple AC Enhancer as my Gigawatt PC-3 SE Evo coditioner already provides true equipotential grounding, but that product looks like a slam dunk.

When my new front end arrives, I will be able to properly evaluate if that combination works well (atleast in my system). For now, i'll keep dropping into this thread to read everyone's experiences.
melbguy1
1,438 posts
 
@Bakardi, I wonder if re-terminating your AC tuning stick with a cryo'd Oyaide P-004 might resolve the imbalance? That is an excellent connector & should improve the top end. Then again, for about the same money you could simply sell your Tuning stick AC & order a Triple AC enhancer with the optional Rhodium connector ;)
melbguy1
1,438 posts
 
@Ozzy, it helps if you have a good Dealer. My Dealer said I can return the Akiko sticks if they don't improve the sound after auditioning them in my system.
melbguy1
1,438 posts
 
01-29-15: Aolmrd1241
..that's my story and I'm sticking to it...

Mark
Pun intended Mark? :D
melbguy1
1,438 posts
 
Thanks for your feedback on the Triple AC stick in your system Spar. I agree with your view about variable results using component or outlet-specific grounding devices. I had a play around with Acoustic Revive RGC-24 devices which produced varying results depending on which component it was connected to. I ended up selling two pieces.

Likewise I believe in a system-wide approach to proper grounding. The Entreq Tellus is a good example of an effective solution at a reasonable price. I use a Gigawatt PC-3 SE Evo conditioner which performs 4 key functions; distribution, conditioning, grounding and also provides extremely robust surge protection. The Gigawatt provides true equipotential grounding – not virtual, and is based around a sound grounding topology incl: star wiring. It has a circuit which improves impulse response with non-linear loads and levels the difference between input and output power, as well as a precise digital voltmeter which measures input voltage in true RMS. It is the best single box solution i've found.
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