t_ramey
I have one Mat on top of my resolution audio opus21 CD player and it has dropped the noise floor dramatically while making the music more dramatic, impactful and engaging throughout the frequency spectrum. The soundstage is the first thing I immediately noticed after it was installed. The dynamics etc... came one day after it was installed. I will not be removing it.
I thought that it sounded so good that I ordered a second one for my office system dac.
Enjoying the music,
rc |
I have a real problem. I was listing to some music on my main system this evening and for the last week and have really enjoyed the Mat’s effects on the music. Then I took the Mat from my office dac and put it on the inside of my electric breaker panel door. The problem is that I will now to buy another Mat 😏.
I had no real expectations about getting any kind of “improvements”. However, there seems to be an accumulative effect with the Mat on the CD player and the one just placed on the breaker panel. The bass notes are even more articulate and thus easier to follow. Vocals are fuller and sound even more natural. The overall detail in the music, brought about by the previous TC treatments and the existing Mat, has now grown to be more life size. The instruments are even easier to locate and follow in that larger sound field. Notes resonate more naturally than before. Pianos and percussion are incredible. The emotion and power of the music is also better communicated.
This is fun.
rc
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Tim,
Would a smaller Mat be better suited and/or recommend to be placed under a powerstrip, feeding the main and office system, even if the larger one is on the breaker panel?
Thanks,
rc |
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the audiotweak,
General description: A large Refrigerator magnet.
rc |
Tim,
Thanks for the answer.
General Mat update:
Though one does not need loud volume levels to hear the effects of the Mat, I was shocked by how much louder I could turn it up with the mats in place. The noise reduction is so effective that I can turn up the volume to more realistic levels without it sounding “loud”. I have never liked to listen to my music too loud but without the annoying electronic noise, that I did not realize was there, the music is sounding more life like.
The simplicity of use with this product is a huge bonus. Reminds me of Stillpoints. This is is why I am having so much fun with this Mat.
One complaint. Lack of sleep!
rc
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t_ramey,
I moved the Mat, that was in my office system, on my dac to my main breaker panel about four days ago. I found that it did positively impact the main system, which has a Mat on on the CD player, immediately. The effect of Mat on the breaker panel has been noticeable on all 5 televisions in my home as well. They definitely had a sharper picture. The office system lost a slight bit of clarity in the treble when I removed it from the dac but the contribution from the breaker panel placement has still helped the music have greater impact, due to the lower noise floor. This was totally unexpected. Keep in mind that this is spesific to my system.
Hope this helps.
Rc
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Kedoades,
Placing the Mat under my CD player made a significant impact in my main system while the effect on the dac in my office system was not as dramatic. When I took I the Mat from the dac to the breaker panel, I found that the overal sound in the main system improved.
rc |
Fleschler,
That has been my experience exactly. It’s sure is fun.
jafreeman,
It’s one of the best in my experience. Though the TC was a great start.
rc |
Has any one tried some minor mass loading on their CD player or speakers since treating with TC and installing the Mat?
I had tried it a couple years ago but it just muddied the sound. However, I just applied some mass to those two areas and wow the bass definition, tunefulness and power is astonishing.
rc |
Aniwolf,
I placed my mat on top of my CD player disc drive because I have stillpoints under it. There are no cooling vents on top. Sounded great within an hour.
Enjoy
rc
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It has been about 20 days with the Mat on the CD player and about 9 days with the second Mat on the breaker panel. The noise floor has dropped further. It allows each instrument and singer to materialize in sharp focus without out any digita glare whatsoever. The music sounds so real that that I am immediately engrossed in the interactions of instruments, vocalist etc.
I have never had this much fun experiencing music from my Hi-Fi with this moderate level of investment.
Thanks Tim,
rc |
68pete,
i second what tommylion says says about the breaker panel but I started with the first one on my CD player and was floored by the improvement.
If if you can swing for two that is what I would do.
Have fun,
rc |
Frank,
I had no idea who you were until you started the TC forum. In fact, I never participated in any forum prior to the TC forum and now this one. Everything that you have described was compelling enough for me to try the TC on my own dime. I did so because you were describing the types of improvements that I had heard, after spending a bit of money for Audience power cables, interconnects, speaker cables, power conditioners and Stillpoints in my system. I was pretty happy with the musicality I had in both my systems but as cheap as the TC and mats are, compared to what I had spent, it could not hurt to try.
Though I was cautious in the beginning with the TC, due to my dealer/friend experience with other contact enhancers, I have treated more than I would have ever done because I like the positive effects on the music. The bottom line is, I am so glad I did because these two products are exactly as you and others have described. I have enjoyed my Hi-Fi more than ever because the TC and the mats have not hurt what I had done prior and have improved every aspect of those previous “tweaks”.
Finally, Tim Mrock has always answered all my questions about TC application and Mat placement in a very professional manor. He has also answered my calls and/or emails quickly. He is also very friendly, honest and excited about his product as any good businessman should be.
Now back to the music.
Thank you again Frank and get healed up.
rc
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Just a thought,
John McDonald of Audience AV, in a recent interview mentioned “Currently we are investigating nanotechnology (nano-conductive sprays and nano-substrate deposits) and their uses to improve sonics.” Seems like this delusion is spreading.🤯
Keep up the good work Tim.
rc
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Jay23,
I have not, as of yet, ever tried changing out my stock fuses. My mind is open to it.
As of now I am enjoying the TC and Mat products and their benefits.
rc |
Jay23,
I did not know about the fuse tweak at all. I learned about fuses from the TC forum. I had never followed a forum prior to that one. Further, I reasoned that the TC was more cost effective and was satisfying my need in my system’s musicality (for now). Plus I wanted to fairly evaluate TC over time without major changes. Finally, I do not regret having implemented those more costly tweaks since it has made the TC and Mat tweaks act like a booster rocket on a decent system. I more than likely will try the fuse tweaks, after I am done with the Mat tweak thought my system. I like it that much.
Thanks,
rc |
Update
The Mat has been on the breaker panel for about two weeks and the effect has become more obvious on both office and main Systems in the last couple of days.
The 3D quality of the sound stage has become very evident in the last 2 days and has really taken a jump this evening. Even the sound through the TV has become clearer and even more musical. The clarity on my office system is incredible. PRaT, clearity of detail and soundstage. I had no real expectations that this would occur by putting a mat on the breaker panel since I do not have any dedicated lines to either system. Needless to say I am a believer now. It as if upgraded the my power-conditioners.
The main system has an even greater synergy, since the CD player has a Mat on top of the transport. Digital music has never sounded so good. CDs that sounded congested now are easier to listen to. With a wider and deeper soundstage, the music just flows without digital glare of any kind. Instruments and voices sound and “appear” so much more life like than I ever thought possible on my system.
This mat is well worth it to me. So I will be keeping the second mat and sending a check to Tim.
Rc |
Update on the update.
Another jump in musical clarity from yesterday to today. Notes are definitely more focused. For example, Cymbals have a much more realistic shimmer and guitar notes are better defined. The music also has a quicker and more realistic pace. The dynamics are even more powerful. I could go on but suffice it to say, I thought that the Mat was done improving but was I wrong.
By the way all this improvement has come without any negatives.
This is very nice!
rc
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Littlecx,
when I spoke to Tim a few weeks ago, he said that it helps his laptop run cooler but we did not discuss any sonic benefits in detail. We just ran out of time. You may want to give him call or just ask him through the forum. I think it may help since a lot of digital noise is generated from computers in general.
I guess I just asked the question.
Very courious,
rc
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Kedoades,
I have, over the last two years, spent considerable resources on power supplies, interconnects, powerchords, power plugs and vibration control devices. In my system I have had surprisingly good results in doing so. In that time I have not changed out any components. I have found that power conditioners and powerchords have give the most impact in reducing digital glare. Next the vibration Control devices brought out a more organic guality in the music. The interconnect upgrades have also aided in further reducing the digital noise further, thus extracting even more musical detail.
The Total Contact upgrade provided a stunning across the board upgrade to all the previous upgrades to my main and office systems. This upgrade was one of the least costly of all the above mentioned upgrades save for the power plug change outs.
The cost of two Mats is just as an effective upgrade as The Total Contact and just as easily heard. I put the one that Tim sent me on my +/-15 year old CD player’s transport and it made it sound like a very decent analog rig. The second Mat, that I will pay for, was placed on the inside of the door to my breaker panel. Both systems improved subtlety during the first week and a half. At the two week point it really did improve both systems dramatically. Both systems are now sounding substantially less digital.
I hope this gives you anothers perspective on the value of the TC and Mat upgrades/tweaks.
Thanks,
rc
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Lak,
I tried the second Mat on top of my Rega Dac-r in my office system. The improvement was minimal, but noticeable, after a week. After speaking with Tim about it, He suggested that I should place the Mat onto the breaker panel. That gave me fantastic results in musical clarity, PRaT etc... The first Mat was placed on my cd transport and it made a huge improvement after about an hour of being in place. After about two weeks, the effect was even more pronounced and more enjoyable.
I don’t know whether my having treated my entire system with TC first, makes a difference, but I have have nothing but a positive experience with the Mat.
Thanks,
rc |
What does the application of TC and the mats do for my system? I do not know the technology behind it and I do not care. The products are applied and placed and I do not mess with it anymore.
I used to listen to my system on the weekends mainly by myself. Now I find my myself listing nearly every night for about an hour to an hour and a half on my main system. I am limited by my work and family schedule. Further, my wife now listens to a few songs with me. She has never done that before in 34 years of marriage. We even dance a little when the songs are right. I have never asked her why, I just enjoy her company.
I have also listed to a greater variety of music on cds in my main system and from my computer office system. I hated the glare of digital in both systems and it got annoying to listen to after about an hour. These products have made me happy, since I can enjoy the convenience of the digital format with a Lot Less digital glare.
The products have also helped my office system Make me be more productive, because the music is more enjoyable for hours at a time.
Thanks to those that have put themselves out there to get the word out, especially to Tim for the product development. I will probably get some of the smaller mats when they become available.
Back to the music.
rc
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It has been more than three weeks since I placed the mat on the rear of the breaker panel door and the only word that comes to mind is WOW 🤯 The music is just beautiful.
Notes are more fully fleshed out. Details that we’re uncovered at the beginning of the TC and the first mat are now much more integrated into the musical whole.
Dynamics are also incredible and more life like without turning up the volume. Having said that, I did turn up the volume ever so slightly and the music became more powerful without any strain to the system. This has been recently reported and I experienced the exact same thing.
A huge and clear soundstage with the afore mentioned detail also opened up further.
It it has also been reported that even marginal cds are sounding good. That has been my experience as well. I hear more musical detail, that I thought was irritating noise, that is now better defined and part of the performance.
To me, these two mats have been incredibly effective in making the music much better in my system for a very reasonable cost.
Prayers to those of you fighting ailments.
Rc
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Jafreeman,
This has been some of the most fun I have had with all the tweaks I have tried and purchased. There seems to be a synergy with all existing equipment and tweaks in both of my systems with absolutely no negatives.
Have fun,
rc
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Frank,
FYI, my fridge IS maintaining a colder temperature. The fresh vegetables froze two weeks in a row. I did not put the Mat and freezing together initially but I thought I remembered an earlier post and you were right. I will raise the temperature, like you suggested.
Thanks,
rc |
Frank, Tim,
Back to audio. I am thinking of placing the new “Smaller” pads, when released, on my 2 power strips and 2 power conditioners on each system. My question is, do you think I should do them all at once or in any particular order?
Thanks,
rc |
Update, after almost on the breaker panel and about about a month and a half on my CD player here are my observations on my system.
1. The additional base has become more integrated into the musical whole.
2. Finer musical details across the frequency spectrum have emerged.
3. Dynamics are incredible.
So so far no complaints from me.
rc |
Correction on the word base. It should have read bass.
rc |
I have been very busy as of late but I sat down last night for a listen and heard more musical content coming of the cds.
Detail thoughout out the frequency spectrum have emerged that were nearly imperceptible before are now adding to the musical performance. For example, a brushed cymbal is definitely clearer and in time. Bass notes Are also more detailed and complex than I had noticed prior to the Mats being in place.
The bottom line is that I don’t even have to be in the mood to listen to music, instead the music changes my mood to that of the music being played.
rc |
Lemonhaze,
I treateted all my connections with total contact and as stated in most previous posts I concure with those positive reviews and descriptions.
As as for the mat, I placed one on my old Opus 21 CD player and one on the back of my breaker panel. That was stunning, in a good way.
I have tweaked my systems over the years with Stillpoints, Audience Power chords, power treatment, speaker cables, and interconnects and have found the TC and the Mats to “tighten up” those affore mentioned upgrades.
Have fun,
rc |
Lemonhaze,
One last item, Tim has always been open and responsive to all my questions and concerns. He answers emails and calls.
rc |
Tim,
happy belated birthday!
That stereotimes review was spot on.
I have been been busy keeping up with my family, business and listening to music, thus no posts. I have been keeping up with the forum and look forward to the new product development.
It has been almost a year since I ordered Total contact and Like most others on this forum are now enjoying their music more than ever. For that, I thank you. Keep it up.
rc |
Frank or Tim,
Installation matters aside, did you find that the E-cards had the same degree of effect that the Mat had?
Since I will not be looking to replace my CD player now, I will be ordering additional product. I just need to
Thanks
RC
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Just wanted give this report of a happy find.
I had my speakers in my main system upgraded and after about a 800 hours of break in my system started to sound a bit grainy in the treble. I thought that my CD player was finally exposed for its age. I had already installed an omega mat over the transport. The power chord and umbilical connections had already even treated with TC. My intuition kicked in and I adjusted the omega mat to overhang the umbilical cord, since it is the only stock chord in my system, that connects the transport/dac to the power supply.
Immediately, the grain was gone, the noise floor dropped and the soundstage expanded significantly. This was completely unexpected so I just wanted to share it with the group.
rc
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I just received my e cards yesterday (fast delivery) but I just put them in my main system this evening. Two on the stock umbilical cord at each point of connection. One on the Audience R2P-TO power conditioner. One under the Eichmanns power strip and one on the DNM preamp’s power supply. I wil probably do some further shifting around to find the best placement for my system.
The improvements are definitely noticeable in more tuneful, powerful bass and a more detailed, organic treble and midrange. Soundstage has also improved some. The notes fade out more completely and are better defined. The PRaT is definitely improved.
Thanks for great products and fast delivery Tim!
rc
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Food for thought,
As stated in an earlier post. I thought I needed to buy a new CD player to get rid of the grain that a speaker upgrade exposed in my system. I auditioned a Rega Saturn R ($3k) for a week and it did just that. I considered a purchase within a month. However, by just adjusting the
E mat, that was already (in place on the cd transport/dac that had already improved the bass, detail, PRaT ($500.00), to cover the stock umbilical to the power supply and that solved the harsh grain problem.
i puchased a set of e cards to intensify the effect ($300.00). It did.
My mathematics says that because I am so “diluted” that I saved $2,2000. Wow I love being brainwashed.😅😂🤣
Now back to enjoying the music.
rc |
Follow up,
It has been been about a week since the e cards have and the re adjusted e mat have in in place together on my CD player umbilical cord. The music is much more life like. The treble down to though the bass is much more detailed and tuneful. It is as if I am listening to a new CD player. Notes are fading out more fully. Sound stage is also more focused.
The sound on the tv has also improved as well. Two cards were placed under the powerstrip and one on Power Conditioner.
As I said before this was a very happy accident.
Take care all,
rc |
T_ramey,
The products definitely upgraded the electrical and dac elements in both of my systems consistently. It took upgrading my speakers to find out how good these products preform.
Take care,
rc
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Perspective,
I do not know anyone personally on this thread and I find most everyone to be informative with their experiences. As stated prior I have never participated in any audio threads prior to this one. I have spoken to Tim and found him to be a friendly fellow that is truly about his products. He has always been reachable, after the sale, and has consistently given great customer service.
I have, over a years time, carefully installed each of the ppt products throughout my main and office systems. I was definitely skeptical at first and was prepared to inform the group of any bad side effects caused by these products. To date I have heard none. I am thankful that I stumbled across these products and will purchase more as budget allows. Compared to power chord, speaker, interconnect, component, powerstrip and power conditioner upgrades these products are a huge bargain in my opinion.
I have a Client/Friend dealer in town that sells and demonstrates six figure systems on a regular basis that I have heard recently and over the years. My system is nowhere near those values but the products help get my humble system get Progressively in that direction.
The best,
rc
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Uber waltz,
I have made two powerchord and speaker cables upgrades, within the Audience audio family, over the last year. I found that it helped to make the cable break in less taxing.
I initially installed them without tc for about a week. I found that after treatment, it took some of the bright edge off that was not present with the previous tc treated audience cables. Further, after about two weeks after treatment I was stunned by the rapidity of the cable break in period.
Have fun
rc |
Tim or the group.
Have you ever tried or recommend “sandwiching” interconnects between two e-mats? If so would you describe what you heard. Mine are somewhat short.
Thanks
rc |
Tim,
Thanks for the quick heads up. Will do.
Rc
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Additional e cards
I purchased an additional package of the e-cards and installed them on the speaker cable connections from the amp and on the speaker cable connections feeding the speakers. These speakers do not have cross overs. I also added an additional card to the power strip.
The immediate benefit was an noticeable intensification of the overall musical presentation. In other words, a more lifelike presentation with better PrAT. With this improvement alone, it is as if I have upgraded a power cable costing three times the price, I should know, because I have.
I am also trying out the rca covers on my office system. The impact was a subtle improvement in detail and some lowering of the noise floor. But I have been on the road a lot, after Installing them, so will not do any serious listening till Friday.
I will report if, further improvements present themselves, as ”break in” occurs with both products.
Rc
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