Some people are never wrong.
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From the small description included in my iQSE...
"The Bybee iQSE (Internal Quantum Signal Enhancer) is a miniature version of the popular Quantum Signal Enhancer. The iQSE is ideal for installation inside of components with the attached magnet or the double stick tape. Once installed, the iQSE is activated by the concentrated levels of electromagnetic energy, which then create both a magnetic and electric field. The created fields polarize the surrounded electrons, rendering the flow of electrons to be more steamlined and efficient. The results are a stunning improvement in musicality."
When I real the Positive Feedback review, I was very intrigued. I ordered one to install in my Hydra 6.
A brief system overview... I have two dedicated lines into my listening room. My Shunyata Hydra 6 powers my front end, my Shunyata Hydra 4 powers my amp,subs. I chose to order one for use in the (Hydra 6).
I have to say, everything that was written in the PF review, I've found to be true and not overblown. I can hear no negative effects at all. In fact, the positive sonic attributes are on line with the PF review! Listening at lower volume levels is MORE than enjoyable. The bass lines, the overall cleanliness of the bass' musical structure is very well received. There is a sense of any recordings' brightness being removed or at least made ore listenable.
I have one more on the way for my Hydra 4.
I contacted the Cable Company to inquire if they'd refund the purchase price if I installed with Command Strips. There answer was "yes". I will say I haven't needed that because of the attached magnet. If you have a return path, why not try?
Happy Listening!
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I already feel very comfortable in saying,, "You'll have to pry my iQSE out of my cold, dead hands"!
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I've installed my second iQSE in my Hydra 4. I've listened through several lps. I purchased Earth, Wind & Fire "That's the Way of the World"/Impex several weeks ago. I listened to it twice before the iQSEs. I was disappointed. The music lacked the "soul" that I expected. I couldn't get in to it like I'd hoped. Today, I listened again and had a totally different listening experience. The presentation now has the soul that I found lacking.
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My response to others and findings so far...( my system is a vinyl only playback).
@tubes444, @ geoffkait, "A soundstage that extends a foot beyond the edges of the speakers? Sha-zam!"
I think differences in soundstage variances depend quite a bit on the actual recording itself and one's room as well. In my small, well treated room, I get/have gotten, a soundstage that extends to my side walls too, prior to the iQSEs. I've listened quite a bit since installing these iQSEs. In my room, in terms of the soundstage...what I hear mostly and regularly is the much more natural center stage imagery.The width, depth and placement is more organic. It's really kind of remarkable! I'm hearing complete staging as if it is a live event, not in the studio. Musical representation is very natural, smooth/relaxed and frequency response seems extended with lower volume needed.
@tubes444, I don't think that "break-in" is the appropriate phrase here. To me, it's just a new understanding of how the musical presentation has changed and how my brain now hears it.
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Every record I play, and I mean EVERY record is much more meaningfully reproduced. A high claim,..but true.
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tubes444,
Upon reflection, I do think the sound has become more relaxed with time. This could be as I stated, one's brain processing the improvements and/or the different recordings one is playing.
In any case, in my experience, this does not come with decreased dynamics or transient response or bass punch/musicality. One of THE best tweeks I've heard hands down!
@bojack If you order through The Cable Company and affix them with Command Strips you have nothing much to lose, (return shipping), MUCH to gain.
Happy Listening!
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I've always been a person that pays strict attention to all things. ......
Having said this, I've applied this ongoing history to my audio system. My speakers are set up more closely to Jim Smith's method. I have then taken on my own personal likes/dislikes from that method and expanded.
I'm a measurement guy. So, I've recently found that my previous speaker position became noticeably "off". What is the difference?
My belief it is the addition of the iQSEs and my TT mats. (I posted their effects on my Townshend Rock 7 thread.)
These two recent additions to my system, allowed me to re-evaluate my speaker position, based solely on (what I hear in my listening chair).
Results are...spectacular! Not going back. When one has an uneven house.. floors/walls etc.. in the end, I have my ears. These ears depend on great sound quality.
These tweaks are essential!
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tubes444,
Besides the 2 Hydras, I use the Maestro outlets.
My next iQSE will probably go into my TT power supply.
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tubes444,
I'll take that under advisement. Now that you've mentioned it, I seem to recall reading something similar years ago.
Happy Listening!
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barbapapa,
Going to place one in my Merlin PSU when my next order comes in.
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Rethought my order. I called in to double it. These things are just too good!
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I've played around with my (4) new iQSEs this week. There wasn't enough room in my TT PSU so I decided to address that at a later date. I placed two on top of my amp and two on my phono preamp and let them cook for 24 hours. I heard no real difference. I then put two inside of my amp and let them cook for 24 hours. Now I'm hearing similar improvements like I posted earlier from placing them in my Hydras. I'm going to put the two that are now on top of my phono preamp, inside and let them cook for 24 hours.
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Well it hasn't been quite 24 hours but here's what I'm experiencing now...
When I first laid 2 iQSEs on top of my amp, I really didn't discern any difference after 24 hours. My amp has a carbon fiber top plate. Whether this interferes with the iQSEs' effectiveness, I don't know. When I placed them inside and 24 hours later, I heard an increase in soundstage depth and width and bloom. Listening to my go to lp for system evaluation, Shawn Colvin "Steady On", I heard more inner detail and the most enjoyable soundstage presentation I've experienced so far with this lp that I've owned for 20 plus years. On Eleni Mandell "Artificial Fire" (lp) which I always thought was bass heavy to the degree of being somewhat muddy, is still bass heavy but the bass is cleaned up, intellegable and very easy and enjoyable to listen through.
Listening today with the 2 remaining iQSEs in my phono preamp, the most stunning thing I hear is a perceived volume increase. On Peter Case "The Man With the Blue Postmodern..." (lp), the acoustic guitar strings have greater purity of tone with tonal colors that are very intoxicating. On Eva Cassidy "Songbird" /S&P/lp ...this recording is more beautiful than ever before. Easy to just get washed up into the vacuum tube aspect of this remaster. On Chris Isaak "First Comes The Night" (lp)....I'm a big fan and just bought this lp to complete my collection. I listened last weekend and was disappointed. It seemed to be lacking "soul" that most of his earlier lps possess. Today, I'm tapping my feet and really digging it.
I can't say if the order in which I evaluated these in my system had any impact on which piece had a greater effect. I would say they seem to remove noise that would otherwise distort the music. I'm just glad I have them in place now. I'm tapping my feet again.
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Just put on Lucinda Williams "Down Where the Spirit Meets the Bone" (lp), Wow!. Lots of bass info revealed now as (musical), more intellegible , cleaned up, greater impact on the whole presentation. The soundstage has greatly improved in perceived depth and the feeling of how the engineers wanted us to experience the mix is much appreciated. Even Lucinda’s voice that sometimes can be unintellegible is easier to understand. Nice, real nice!
Any further improvements will just be icing on the cake.
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Ozzy,
From my memory, the older version of the signal enhancers have an internal battery. Are you saying the iQSE (internal version) has a battery as well?
From a25105’s post, I think there may be some confusion as the iQSE has a magnet strip glued to the wood looking block. No tool would be needed to get inside.
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FWIW...I purchased my first two iQSEs from the cable company. The last four were from parts connexion. I noticed some sloppiness to the last 4 in their construction. Could it be that the PC is selling B-stock at a lower price? Maybe just a coincidence?
I’ve noticed with mine, there is not a consistent amount of (whatever is inside) as the center is thicker than the ends on most of mine. So there is an inconsistency in their construction. I compensated for this when mounting by adhering the "mounting stickies" on each end.
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From my reading, the original QSEs have an internal battery that will last 10 years.
droleg, Your post makes no sense, to me..."the batteries will last about ten years, and that the units will be effective after that". This post is about the (iQSEs).... external.
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If what you say is true, it goes contrary to his own systems' page.
I'm bowing out. I am enjoying my iQSEs and their enhancement on my system.
Hopefully, Jack Bybee or a distributor will chime in.
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FWIW, if JB confirmed a battery, he has deceived us all, by his own advertising by it not being a "passive" unit. I’ll give him a "4 bad fuses" rating for this deception.
It works well. For the cost vs. effect, I’d give it a "5 great fuses’" rating!
By comparison, the deception I’ve had by VPI, by my outlay of thousands, is and will always be my landmark for deception by manufacturer.
Ozzy,
Thanks for the pics, I went to your virtual page, nice system. You apparently are very familiar with Bybee products. Love your dog!
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It could be... the meaning of passive?
Remember Clinton's famous question..."What do you mean by "is"?
JB may say that any non-AC device is passive? |
"I highly doubt Mr. Bybee would mislead anyone"..
The fact that the description of the original QSE said it included a battery, and the iQSE was described as totally passive, (suggests) otherwise.
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That’s what I posted earlier.. "the definition of passive".
The older (external) version is marketed as having a battery. The newer version is marketed a totally passive. There-in lies the difference by the manufacturer.
I’m just pointing out the misleading advertising from the manufacturer. Seems pretty clear to me.
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Why market one device as having a battery and another as "totally passive"?
Should they not have been both marketed as totally passive?
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What matters here, it seems to me is the, marketing by JB that completely contradicts itself?
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@audioman58,
That's what I thought until @ozzy showed us early in this thread, the innards of one.
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Based upon the moderators? removing the last post...leads me to believe that some people just can't handle the truth. |
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