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GutWire Ultimate Grounding Cable

With the recent reviews, and positive reports from a couple of members here, I decided to take the plunge and order one. 

https://audiobacon.net/2017/12/09/gutwire-perfect-ultimate-ground-cables-review/

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews2/gutwire/1.html

Like others I have been intrigued by the positive reviews for grounding blocks from various companies, but the prices are prohibitive. I decided to spend the extra $100 for the Ultimate over the Perfect as both reviews say it offers significant improvement. I am planning on plugging it into an unused RCA input on my Antique Sound Labs autoformer passive pre. I'll post updates after I get it, and have broken it in.


tommylion
jaybe
732 posts
 
Not much on the Groundhog online. They seem to market it as an audible hiss/noise killer, a slightly different tact than Gutwire.

At the CA iFi-sponsored area a couple people report the end-to-end measured resistance is 12-15 ohms and infer this might be a problem, but there is no response from iFi. I use the Gutwire and wonder how this is. In any case it sounds good. 
1markr
592 posts
 
I am sure the Gutwire Ground cables are very good, but after reading this thread, I became very intrigued by the "concept".

I ended up building a couple of my own cables, using decent AC plugs, NOS WE 10ga wire, connected from the ground pins to the pin 1s of a couple of Neutrik XLR connectors.  I put one on my DAC (battery powered), and one on my preamp.  I already thought my system was very quiet, but this tweak, while cheap, has a very positive affect on my system. Biggest improvements for me were in bass articulation and definition, and midrange clarity.  I also saw some improvements in soundstage size and airiness.  Yup, my DIY grounding cables will be staying in the system! 
tommylion OP
872 posts
 
Got the second UG for my CD Transport today, and ran it from the unused SPDIF output to the wall. I noticed increased transparency, palpability, and a greater sense of ease, right off the bat. There is just a slight bit of haze (not unpleasant), that I suspect will disappear as it breaks in. One of my favorite songs, “Bad” off of my Mobile Fidelity UltraDisc II CD of U2's The Unforgettable Fire, sounds amazing.
a25105
133 posts
 
Tommylion,

Do you find the SPDIF out is better than the other RCA out in your system?  Also, how much better when your UG is fully break in vs. when is brand new? 10%? 20%?  I believe I have mine for about 25 hours now, I like what I hear but I expected more after reading the reviews here.  Hope it will improve more after 50 hrs.  Thx!
tommylion OP
872 posts
 
a25105,

Hard to say for sure until it’s fully broken in, but I think the UG on the SPDIF is going to make at least as much improvement as the one on my pre. It needs 50-100 hours before it really opens up and reaches it full potential. It's worth the wait, though.
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