Yukimu Noise Absorber - Not Just an RCA Plug

Many would not even want to try accessories like this in their hifi system. May it be because its hard to believe what it can do or maybe even because of the price. The beauty about this hobby is that although there are certain scientific facts that supports why and how things work, there are still surprises that pops out when trying something new.

Received this sample Yukimu PNA-RCA01 noise absorber from Kenix Chua of Begin Acoustics during the Gelombang event. So, it has been in my system for a few months now. Mainly, plugged into my McIntosh MA9000 amplifier one of the unused RCA socket.

What Does It Do?

In short, it reduces high frequency noise from digital circuits, microcomputers or power supplies. 

In a more elaborated perspective, it should improve S/N ratio, bringing out whatever supressed sound from the system. Thus, giving listener an injection of improved liveliness, sweeter highs and extended lows.

Seriously? How does a piece of RCA shaped metal plug is doing this? The noise components of circa 3MHz or higher is stabilized by being absorbed by the metal case. It does not impact the audio signal.

Oppps.... OK... still not convinced right? Read on folks....

The Tracks

The only way to really review this type of accessory is to just play the same track with and without this unit and from different sources:

1. Easy On Me by Adele - CD on McIntosh MCD350

2. Easy On Me by Adele - TIDAL MQA on HiFi ROSE via Roon

3. Easy On Me by Adele - LP on Kronos Sparts

The Session

On CD, with the noise absorber (NA) plugged in, the piano intro sounded livelier as if it was a live performance. The airiness of her vocal also sounded a little bit more open than usual. However, at certain point, the highs form her vocal was a little bit on the harsh side. The subtle bass notes came out more compared to without the NA. I do believe the NA is doing its job but a bit puzzled with the harshness at certain points of the song. One thing for sure, it does inject some openness and freshness to this track.

On TIDAL MQA, the piano intro sounded more laid back, her vocal sounded  sweeter and there was no harshness detected throughout the song. It was more balanced across the spectrum. The bass also sounded more extended compared to without the NA. The liveliness of the track was elevated but still sounded quite natural without the feeling of it was a live concert. It was nearly perfect apart from frm the fact that it sounded more laid back.

On LP, this is where it sounded most natural with the NA plugged in. The piano intro was clear, her vocal was definitely full of energy with no harshness and the biggest improvement is the bass extension. A huge change compared to before. The subtle bass from kick pedal is now more evident and the overall airiness of the track leaped to another level. Something that I really I enjoy when I get the bass from my PMC speakers but at the same time the liveliness of the track can still be enjoyed.

The Summary

Does the Yukimu Noise Absorber works? In short, Yes it does. It does give a different experience listening to music on my set up. 

Does it improve the sound? Depends on the source itself. By putting the NA on the amp, all sources that feeds to the amp will be affected but each source above gives out different results. My CD does not seems to benefit from the NA but the streamer and turntable seems to to have a positive impact.

I actually verified this finding by plugging the NA directly to the CD player RCA out, streamer RCA out and turntable phono stafe RCA on MM input and true enough, a similar findings emerged. Somehow, my CD player is not benefitting from the NA but my streamer and turntable did.

Hence, to summarise, it really depends on the source and also your own set up.

If you would like to try it out, do contact Kenix Chua of Begin Acoustics.

 

Kojo Technology Crystal E - It Does Make a Different

When it comes to hifi accessories, one must really know what they are looking for to improve their system to a level they desire. If one cannot identify what is missing (or too much of), adding accessories may yield negative results. One must also know what the accessories is designed to do.

I do have a few accessories in my system, namely FV Euroaudio power bank, EMF reducer, isolaters and cable lifters. At one point, I also had a few RCA plugs from Tombo Audio which I can't recall where I kept them after moving my system from my hifi room to donwstairs.

When these Kojo Crystal E were sent to me (together with Puzzblocks), I was amazed of heavy this unit is given it fits in my palm. Next, the question of what is it and how it works? Quick read up on Kojo website:

• Structurally, there are 8 metals laid on top one of another - Stainless steel, brass, copper, brass, copper, brass, copper, brass.
• Functionally, the unit is to reduce the S/N ratio.
• Effectively, the unit is to deliver better clarity, delicacy (?) and transparency. I assume delicacy here means lush.

How Do You Use It?

There are 2 ways to use this unit:

1. Connect the unit with the supplied Y to RCA cable to one of your available RCA inputs on your pre/integrated amp
2. Connect the unit with the supplied Y to Y cable to your speaker terminal

The unit does not need a power supply.

How Many Units Do You Need?

One or two? This is where and how this review was done to hear what is the difference between the different configurations you can do with the Crystal E. The intent of this review is to give a surface guide for audiophiles of the impact of adding Crystal E to your set up.

Review Configurations

A few weeks back, I have shared 4 different videos capturing the essence of the  3 different configurations (1 video is the baseline sound of my system). The 3 different configurations are as follows:

1. One unit connected via RCA to my SPL Audio Director Mk 2 pre amp
2. Two units connected via RCA to the same pre amp
3. Two units connected via Y cable to my PMC Twenty5i 26 speakers, one on each speaker 

I use the same source in each video - HiFi ROSE RS150 streamer via Roon, playing the same track Temptation by Diana Krall

The Session

Base line sound of my system

Configuration 1

By adding just 1 unit of the Crystal E, I find it that it is true to its testament of providing better clarity. Comparing it to my base sound, the intro percussion playing gave me a greater zing and dispersion. The double bass also sounded more refined but loss a bit of the bang I am used to with my PMC.  The vocal does sound lusher in which the second claim seems to proof this. Transparency in my book refers to a system that can reveal as much as possible the instruments used. In this video, I did not experience a higher level of transparency compared to my baseline sound. Overall, I am happy that the Crystal E started to show me what it can do and live up to certain of its objective.

Configuration 2

As the anticipation builds up, I added a 2nd unit by looping it with another Y to Y cable and another RCA to another input on the pre amp. This time around, I find that the zing in the intro percussion some how is less dispersed and zing. The double bass however now sounding more bold and attacking but rougher. Still not as hard as the baseline sound but considerably higher than just 1 unit of Crystal E. Her vocals sounded as lush as with 1 unit as well. Transparency of each equipment also remains the same. Overall, I find that having 2 units connected via RCA is brings up more on the lower end spectrum but it suppress the clarity part a bit. It may be more suitable for set ups that need to have a better control on highs.

Configuration 3

Connecting each Crystal E unit to each of my speakers were made using the Y to Y cable and onto the positive terminal (no specific instruction, just being positive here). This is where I get the most satisfaction. The opening percussion gave me the dispersion and zing that mesmerized me. I got back the refined double bass sound as per configuration1 and also the attack of configuration 2. It is just slightly tamer compared to my baseline sound. Diana's vocal sounded lusher here compared to configuration 1 and 2. With this configuration as well, the improve in transparency is more evident. I started to notice certain wire brush sound on the snare at a higher transparency. Overall, this configuration is where it fits the overall claims of providing more clarity, delicacy (lushness) and transparency.

The Conclusion

This is one of those accessories that one must experiment by one self to see how it fairs in your own system. I would say the guide to have this Crystal E is as follows:

• Use 1 via RCA if your system needs more clarity and lacking of lushness in vocal.
• Use 2 via RCA if your system needs more punch
• Use 2 via speakers connection if your system needs more transparency and reveal more of the music.

For further enquiry or to purchase, please contact Kenix Chua of Begin Acoustic Sdn. Bhd on +60126500610

 

TAOC HiFi Rack Has Landed

Immediate change. More feedback soon.

Shunyata Research DARK FIELD CABLE ELEVATOR - Late Getting on The Bandwagon

I must admit that I have never been able to set up my cables properly. I tried and I tried but I will still end up with speaker cables, interconnect and power cables kris-krossing each other (yes I am referring to Kris Kross).. Nevertheless, this review is not about cable management directly, but its about cable elevation.

The journey through the hifi scene will never be complete without the constant debate of what can affect positively or negatively the sound reproduction of a hifi system. While some of the debates are supported by a very clear scientific explanation, the others are claimed to be myths or a more popular term in hifi - Snake Oil!

When it comes to cable elevation, it is claimed that it will reduce electricity build up and also control vibration in the cable. Hmmmm... I guess there are at molecular level...vibration in the cable... but to what extend does it impact the sound? I always believe that the cable elevators were more to support those super duper heavy premium cables to avoid any damage to the speaker terminals due to the weight of the cables. Naive of me.

My first encounter of cable elevation is a few years ago with Tombo Audio. At that time, there was some positive impact. One of the main reasons I didn't purchase any elevators before was mainly due to price. Some can go up to  RM150/piece (~USD50) and you need at least 8 pieces for a moderate length of cable. So, when I saw Tombo Audio elevators was affordable, I purchased a couple.

Then comes the 2014 'year end sale' from Maxx Audio on these Shunyata Dark Field Cable Elevators (DFCE). At RM50/used piece and not sold in a set of 12, I immediately requested for 6 units (and added another 2 a couple of weeks later). And yes, I must be like 5 or 6 years late in trying these as I believe there is already a version 3 of these. And after 2 weeks of having these DFCE, this is my take on this.

FIRST IMPRESSION

Yes. It did change the overall presentation of my system. Better? Worst? Just different. Andrea's rendition of Era Gia Tutto Previsto sounded bigger than usual in the first test. The biggest change was the bass. It sounded a bit bloated. Or did it reduce the treble? Hard to say. The vocals however was still mesmerizing. But it just sounded a little bit to mixed up. Not the result I expected. This is using music from my laptop, upsampled to 192kHz via M6 DAC.

Next, I put on That Thing You Do on CD via the same DAC. Why this? Well, I just managed to get a BD of this movie and just in a mood for some snappy music. But the jazz track on this OST, something else. And yes... It was good. Its different compared to Andrea's song just now. The bass still on the heavy side but I like it that way especially coming from the double bass.

THE SESSION

After 1 week or so, I had a more serious sit down session. First track was Tracy Chapman's Talk About Revolution on LP. Yes yes and yes. The overall presentation sounded bigger and fuller. Livelier than what I remember from my system before these DFCE were put into the equation. Her vocals was brought up even more detail, creating an environment of spaciousness. I would use the home theatre analogy of as if my set up was having presence speakers. The drums on this track was tight  sounding where the snare dispersion sounded very crisp. LIKE.

The second track put on was Metallica's Tuesday Gone. The guitar intro was presented in a more bold and dark manner as oppose to a cleaner acoustic experience I had before.  Again, the bass was heavier. At this stage, I started to ask myself. Are these DFCE bringing up the bass I didnt hear before or actually reducing the high freq of the music? The bass does not really sounded over bearing but its like there was a 'boost' function on my amp. LIKE the bass but Didnt like loosing the acoustic experience of this song. Even the harmonica didnt sound like it blended well with the overall music.

Then for fun, I put on Mithali Cintaku by Utopia (I guess only the rock kapak lovers would know this). Hah! The least expected track is the one that gave me the best impact. These 80s/90s local rock music was never recorded with high quality if compared to today's standard. Even their re-mastering CDs post year 2000, is nothing to shout about. But, with these DFCEs, the overall presentation from this remastered digital track, sounded clear, well balanced across various frequencies, the old school shredding guitar sound was refreshing and the drums didnt sound as hollow as before.

Next was Bring It On Home To Me by Sam Cooke. Oldies, jazz and easy listening seems to benefit a lot from these DFCE. Bringing out more life to the music. The simple bass notes can be clearly heard and every hit of the drumsticks onto the ride cymbal was also very evident. 

The Last Goodbye by Billy Boyd was another track that benefited from these DFCE. Bold and authoritative vocals and 'Hobbit-ish' atmosphere filled my hall with such passion and emotion. Had to repeat this track just to double check what I heard.

Can't help but to feel that not all music genre will benefit from these DFCE.So, I put on Foo Fighters Something For Nothing from their latest album. It was good. Grohl's vocal was as growling as usual and the guitar riffs were also very heavy indeed. But very well balanced.

CONCLUSIONS

What does these DFCE do actually? I dont know. I cannot verify the claim of reducing the vibration or electricity build up. It does change the sound. Most evident is it brings up the overall presentation to a different level. It elevates the soundstage to a certain extend. As the name suggests, it does make the sound sounds darker and bold. 

I think its very system dependent. If your system is in need of some bass colour, this will help. 

Its also very source dependent. LP seems to benefit most followed by CD and the least is my CAS.

Apparently, there is also a claim that the number of DFCE used can also provide different impact. I tried using 3 piece a side and followed by 4. Then went back to 3 and then settled with 4. No different in sound for me.  

If you want to experiment with these DFCE, quickly contact Maxx Audio. I believe the has another 12 pieces for sale.