Mapleshade tweaks

I'm a Mapleshade dealer so you can ignore everything I say if you like.

I've known Pierre and Ron for many years to be fanatically concerned for quality sound, iconoclastic cutting edge technology that cuts to the chase, not compromising their ideals in the face of logistical or conceptual norms, generously making themselves available to discuss their methods, and last but not least, charging fairly for their extensive work. The fact that Pierre's recordings are some of the most highly respected in audiophilia, speaks for itself.

Do the math. If you honestly analyze their pricing, which I have done, their products are bargains, even for the DIYer who wants to get their own HVAC pads, cut them up with a band saw and glue them together, after listening to various configurations to determine which sounds the best. Or, god forbid, you could take their word for it and simply rip off their design, confident that you have employed top notch consultants. I am a machinist as well and I can't make their cones as cheaply as I can buy them. Brass has gotten VERY expensive. Ditto the racks, another matter of taste. The point of the power strip is typical of their philosophy. The no BS power strip design was chosen for maximizing quality and minimizing quantity of dielectric and conductors, and they add their own wire to it. Their message is less is more and cheaper can be better. No argument there.

There are many many folks, including myself, who have done the same kind of shoot out that Slaw3 did and came to the opposite conclusion, personal taste I guess.

There are also many many folks who seem to revel in pointing the finger at their latest excuse for their cynicism. It's particularly ironic to me, although predictable, that Pierre should be used for such a target.

While I no longer will purchase from Mapleshade for personal reasons, I have recently added their Excalibur Plus IC and the difference was incredible, in my system. More clarity, detail and extension. I placed this IC between my pre and power amp, moved my Poiema !!! to CD and Tara to TT. Sound was improved throughout. There's no harshness either, just detail, speed and clarity. I would recommend anyone to try this IC and see for yourself. I have no agenda here, not affiliated with Mapleshade, but I am very happy with this IC. Yeah it's delicate to work with and needs to be separated apart from other cables, but once in place just leave it alone. If you want to talk about voodoo, let's talk MD.

Thanks everyone, for your feedback, remarks, etc. I appreciate it.

Piedpiper very will said. I have been using Mapleshades products for some time now with out any problems of any kind. And with all of the support Pierre and associates can offer. All is 30 day returnable. There analog line of isolation is a winner to my ears.

We all love this hobby and its a hands on hobby so some like to build and some like to just buy it finished. Why the trashing is beyond me. Enjoy your music instead.

I purchased their power strip and my experience was simillar to ehaller. It seemed really cheap and unwieldy but inserted into the system, really did bring out much more detail and extension. One problem. It seemed so sensitive to all the wires around it that I just couldn't get rid of a hum. If I worked long enough to try to isolate it's wires sufficiently from all the others in my system, not an easy logistical task, I might be able to eliminate this hum and still have it in my system. I never sold it so I may pull it out sometime and try again.