Doug Schroeder Method, Double ic

Several years ago I sold off my big rig and downsized because of shifting financial sands. My system is still beyond what a "normal" person might consider reasonable, but here, among my peeps, you know what I mean. I've felt a little put off by it's sound, but have really learned to sit with it instead of obsessing over the next improvement and stop listening so much to the equipment instead of the music. It was a strange moment to have obvious defiicits in sound point out that I had forgot to relax and enjoy the tunes!

SO, the Schroeder method was doubly (triply?) welcomed by ratcheting way up the sound of my system, satisfying my tweaky pull and really making listening to the tunes through this system insanely fun and deeply satisfying. It took a while for the Audio Sensibility Impact SE's and the cables to settle in, but now the soundstage, imaging, detail and (most importantly for me) round, involving presence is SO improved that I can't wait to get home and listen and I don't feel like I've sold myself short with my 'downsize'. I guess I'm grateful that I had to downsize to get back to the tunes and the Schroeder method came to my attention when I could settle into it...and for the method itself, of course.

It's an odd impetus to feel like analysis of a new tweak is more like pulling out the red pen and looking for what might not be working or what could be better rather than what's improved. That's never my intention, but often where I end up. The improvements with this tweak are not subtle and range from the describable to the ineffable where words fail and only emotion from an experience, identified and shared by others, can "descibe" it.

Thanks, Doug, you (and this) rock.

FWIW:
Audio Sensibility Impact SE's
w/ Gabriel Gold Rapture r 's CD/DAC ( Cary 306/200) to Integrated (VPI 299D)
w/ Twisted Pair Designs Ascents Phono Pre (AES PH-1 modded to DJH) to Integrated

An aside - Art Almstead has been an OEM cable maker over his garage for many cable companies for inexpensive to very expensive boutique partners and hand makes Twisted Pair cables that are really remarkable in that disappearing, no signal loss or sonic signature way - not too pricey and....welllll...awesome!
http://www.twisted-pair-design.com/

budburma, that is a most lovely description of the benefits of Schroeder Method; thank you!  :)  I am elated that people are benefitting from the Method. You are testimony to the fact that it does not require an outlandish system, nor expensive cabling to obtain the benefit. (That being said, I have found correlation between the quality of the IC used in doubling and the quality of the end result, as would be expected.) 

What's really shocking about the Method is that for decades everyone has been captive to a method that is simply impoverished. Single IC imo is pretty poor, now that it becomes clear that there is a vastly superior alternative. The difference is anything but subtle, and shows how critical cabling is for systems. I think this would be the ultimate convincing proof of the importance of cables, if hobbyists would bother to try it. That is especially so since theorists disdain it, as though nothing good could come out of it. That makes the Schroeder Method all the sweeter as a victory for obtaining superior sound.  :) 

I also have shown quite convincingly that the notion of certain supposedly superior designs in components which are thought to be insensitive to cables is erroneous. Repeatedly we have digital fans declaring that products like the Benchmark DACs, etc. are not influenced much/at all by cables. That has not been my experience. Even the Exogal Comet, which is supposed to be completely immune to such things because the proprietary signal processing makes a new waveform is very influenced by the ICs. From the source I swap between the Audio Sensibility Schroeder Method ICs and the double ICs I have built with the Audio Sensibility Y Cables and the Clarity Cable Organic ICs - and the difference is obvious, like changing the dimming settings on lights in the room. 

BTW, Blessed Father's Day! 

Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy....that's it!

My ears tell me that cabling matters everywhere. The vast majority of my audio adventure has centered around cabling, because it's easier and cheaper than component swapping and can make as big a difference...of course, finding the right (enough) components first should take precedent. That being said, my system is proof positive that they don't have to be 'perfect' to get to a great space. I generally work from the walls out and start with power cables, then i/c's, then s/c's...then wash, rinse and repeat! Not so much anymore, but that's definitely the way it went...

Occasionally I am contacted via the message system regarding someone wishing to try Schroeder Method, and they ask about a particular assemblage of gear, whether it will be safe to try. My answer continues to be review the original article (Audio Blast: Schroeder Method of Interconnect Placement at Dagogo.com), the threads here in regard to it, and contact your manufacturer to inquire about whether it is safe.

To date I have not heard of any incidents with incompatibility or damage to gear. My best information tells me that this is patently safe, as it would merely half the impedance and double capacitance. The admonition is that this should not be used with very long ICs as it could be a problem for some preamps to drive. I have been told my more than one manufacturer that an IC of about 1m would not present any problem. I typically double up 2m ICs and have used two instances in systems regularly (i.e. between source and integrated DAC, and between integrated DAC and amp(s). I have heard concern regarding use of the Schroeder Method when using an NOS DAC (output driven from a chip) or a Class D amplifier. However, I know that TEO Audio has used a Red Dragon class D amp successfully. I would like to try it with an inexpensive class D sometime. 

The warnings have largely been theoretical, however, manufacturers have a right to state what would or would not void a warranty.

Most gear seems perfectly content with Schroeder Method. I have used Belles, Benchmark, Exogal, First Watt, COS, Redgum Audio, Eastern Electric components all successfully. They all have sounded far superior using Schroeder Method. I am also using another well known amplifier, and a different manufacturer’s preamplifier, currently with Schroeder Method successfully (but they are under review and I do not wish to disclose them at this time). I regularly use Schroeder Method for both RCA and XLR, and both work equally well with it.

The body of information seems to be growing that the doubling of ICs is benign to most gear. Every instance that is tried is helpful information to learn about it. I imagine there could be some bizarre combination of gear that might be incompatible, so the warning stands. However, so far, all systems I am aware of that it has been tried have been without harm.