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nt
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I bought 2 sheets and tried it on and under my Naim CDX2 CD player, on and around the transformers on my SET tube amplifier, and on and under my Shunyata Hydra 8. Made no difference that I could detect.I bought it hoping it would cut some of the harshness of my cd player but it made no difference. The cd player has a very thick, heavy metal cover though. Did not try inside.
Considering the discussion of using too much ERS paper, I played around with only using one sheet on the bottom instead of both the top and bottom. I think I know what people mean when they talk about ERS paper taking the life out of the music, but I'm not sure if I totally agree with this hyperbole. Using two sheets the vocals (Townes Van Zandt) seemed to be a bit flat, for lack of a better description, but also seemed to come from a much blacker background. Removing the one from the top added a bit of sparkle. It was late so I'm not sure which I prefer, but I'll definitely play around some more this weekend. Perhaps I'll put a sheet under my Juice Bar to see what effect that has. Thanks for the discussion, y'all.
Because of this discussion, I decided to rummage through my audio closet and found the ERS sheets to try again. This time, I believe there is an audible difference. Since last I tried, my CDP has changed from a Rega to an Accuphase. I don't know if that explains why I hear a difference now (or if it's a myriad of other possiblities), but I hear it.However, like Norm et al., the sound was not an improvement when layed directly above my CDP. Rather, the overall "dynamics" (for lack of better word) was seemingly depressed, resulting in a duller reproduction. I also busted out my 12x12" 3/16" thick stainless steel plate and placed it on my CDP. Same results; The sound felt robbed of some life. Strange.
I'm wondering if this detected change is a byproduct of the power of persuasion, or perhaps a measurable change in some variable(s) (CDP would be the most likely candidate). I do hear it now though.
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Whole sheets or small pieces? Where did you place it?
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Whole sheet (8x11") placed directly atop my CDP. I tried it alone and also sandwitched between my usuall granite+elastomer diy dampener, both with similiar results (over-dampened sound). I will try using it in other spots on my system before I decide to cut it up and try new configurations.I'm still questioning myself whether there is actual differences or I'm just hearing things (yes, a bad play on words).
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I am using half a sheet on the top of my Accuphase DP-55V, located towards the back of the player and in the middle.
When I was experimenting, whole sheet was too much, half sheet any where else (left or right, on top of transport, underneath the player) did not work very well (different compromises) and ended up where it is now.
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It's one of the best "band-aid" tweaks I've come across for RFI. A low-RFI digital system is better, but this is the best alternative if your rig generates enough RFI to neuter the music...
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s
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Those that aren't having good results with it are mis-using it (using too big of pieces and/or using it in the wrong locations) and are overdamping their gear with it.
a
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I understand plates of metal can't be used to wrap wires and what not, but wouldn't a plate of stainless steel work better then ERS paper atop/below digital devices (that aren't top-loading)?
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a
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I thought stainless steel, with it's mixture of carbon and nickel like the ERS papers, was a great RF/EMI rejection medium.
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It's serving my CD player and phono pre well, but not the amps (It worked on them, but the result wasn't good - too dead sounding). On the CD player, how much and where I put it made a noticable difference.
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I live in a widely spaced out suburbian community. I am beginning to think that a lot of the tweaks I've tried that didn't make a significant difference is because of my ambient conditions compared to others who, for example, live in denser population centers or older homes. I would imagine that ERS paper would make a much bigger difference in Manhattan.
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I live in Manhattan, and granted I only tried one sheet in various positions around different components. But I found it had no effects at all. Could possibly be that I live in an area where there's so much RF/EMI that one sheet won't make a difference. For example, when using a wireless card on my laptop in my listening room, there are about a dozen wireless networks in range that I can receive. I can also hear files being downloaded via GPRS/GSM to my cellphone if I'm surfing the web on it standing close enough to my system.That said, my system still sounds awesome... :-D
a
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I've had good results with ERS sheets - bottom and top of CDP. It definitely eliminated some of the digital hash that I was targeting. I've heard that ERS will have different effects depending on the amount of EMI/RFI, which is related to where one lives (i.e., city, country, urban, etc.). I've no idea on that one. I also recently put my CDP on some DIY rollerballs and got rid of some more digital glare. Overall, I think both of these tweaks have really given me a much lower noise floor. I'm just hearing more music. All IMHO.Good luck!
I certainly grant that you can immediately hear its effect. In all instances, however, while it reduces the noise, it also robs the music of its edge and microdynamics. The illusion of realism is lost with it on and returns with its removal.I should say that I have not yet tried small strips wrapped around RCA jacks.
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I bought several sheets of ERS after reading the posts highly praising it. I found quickly that you can over use the product and suck the life out of the music. Someone suggested using 1/4 inch squares on each end of the power cords although I'd found that 1/8th inch worked better. I'd tried placing a whole sheet on top of my SCD-1 and micro-dynamics were lost altogether. I'd placed small squares on thed power cords and interconnects for the SCD-1 and got lower noise floor and much improved micro and macro dynamics.I placed a 4 inch square on top of each output transformer of my tube amps and ERS really sucked the life out of the music. Placing small pieces as described above with the SCD-1 gave the same improvements.
By reading both positive and negative reports of ERS both here and at audiogon, I've concluded that those who have had the best results have spent some time with it and have used smaller pieces. It makes sense that using too much can overdamp a component, just as weight does. Want proof? Stack 120 pounds on top of each of your amplifiers and listen. You'll have the same effect from using too big of pieces of ERS.
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my sediments exactly
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My best recommendation is for you to buy one sheet and place 1/4" squares on each end of your power cords first, then experiment out from there. Don't forget that you can overdamp with ERS easily. A little dap will do ya ...
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nt
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