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So, I wanted to give some REAL early impressions of the HFC MC-0.5 Magnetic Waveguides in my reference system.I plugged the two 0.5s in yesterday, and so far I have about five hours' worth of signal through them. From most reports, they need 24-48 hours. Just FYI, I plugged one into a spare outlet in the duplex powering the system, the other into an outlet in my line conditioner.
Early results are mixed, though encouraging. On the negative side of the ledger, musicality suffered a bit right out of the box. Flow was somewhat stunted, and the presentation overall just seemed a little stiffer and more "hi-fi." I've heard from several people that this goes away as the 0.5s settle.
On the plus side, I'm hearing more fine detail. Vocals and instruments seem to have less "fuzz" around them, and backgrounds seem a bit blacker, allowing things in the mix to become a little clearer and more apparent. Lyrics, in particular, are easier to follow now. In addition, I've noticed a gain in midrange and low-end weight and authority, without the thickness that sometimes accompanies an increase in those areas.
All in all, as I said, kind of a mixed bag at this admittedly very early stage--but the MC-0.5s are doing enough positive things that I'm encouraged. The musicality seems to be coming back little by little, and hopefully by Thursday or Friday, the rig will be singing a full song. We shall see. I'll keep everyone posted.
"Life is like Sanskrit read to a pony." --Lou Reed
Edits: 07/26/16Follow Ups:
What are you attempting to accomplish?
Just trying to squeeze a little more resolution out of the system--IF I can do it without breaking the bank and without sacrificing overall musicality.
"Life is like Sanskrit read to a pony." --Lou Reed
Thanks for posting. I have been curious to know your opinion.
But you start with this phrase: "Early results are mixed, though encouraging."
These words and much of the rest of what you wrote suggest a bias toward expecting a favorable result of the trial. You would do better to take an "it is what it is" attitude, so far as that is possible. But we are all human, and perhaps that is really not possible. Especially try to ignore what you know about the opinions of others. And after a week or two, you might remove them and continue to listen to figure out whether they take something away as well as add something. Yeah I know I am being a pain in the arse, and I probably could not do a listening test like this that is free of bias, either.
I have one of these plugged into my regenerator. Don't really think it is doing anything
Alan
Well, it could be that, subconciously, I'm hoping for or expecting a positive outcome, but I like to think, after close to 30 years in the hobby, I'm generally cognizant of most my biases. Believe me, I'm perfectly ready to send these back and get my money returned if they don't work as advertised. That cash could buy a whole lotta music! But I'd be lying if I said they did nothing I liked.
At any rate, I'll give 'em some time and see if or how my opinion changes from what it is now. Maybe it won't.
"Life is like Sanskrit read to a pony." --Lou Reed
One valid school of thought is that no matter how you arrive at an opinion, biased or not, if it's positive, you should go with it. I find that, when I do that with respect to my audio system, after a while, maybe a great while, the bloom goes off the rose. Only then do I realize that I was a victim of my own expectations. Or not.
After having something in my system for a while--often months, sometimes years--I pull it out and listen to the rig without it. Using that method, I've managed to dispense with some things I took for granted as being essential--and, on the other hand, confirmed the value of some others. I'll do that with these Waveguides, or as much as possible within the audition period. We'll see what happens.
BTW, I saw the original The Taking of Pelham 123 the other day, for the first time in a long time. Man, Robert Shaw was menacing in that role. Then again, he conveyed menace in more than a few roles.
"Life is like Sanskrit read to a pony." --Lou Reed
Great movie. Was thinking about it too in light of our exchange about Robert Shaw.
I have no experience with Rick's latest. I met him at his first The Show when it was next door to high end CES. I decided to try magnets in audio applications for my personal use. I have a bunch of neodymium barrel shaped magnets made with a hole running the length of each one. I had them plated with silver rather than nickel. I have made similar devices as the MC-0.5. My wires run through the magnets. I find it very noticeable in a positive way.
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