Synergistic New Tesla Line...Any comments?

06-17-10: Tbg
I do know that most systems sound better with only one component grounded to the ac.

What experience do you have to generalize this to *most* systems?

I have yet to see a system at RMAF or CES that had all the grounds lifted except for one component.

My system, in its various iterations, has never sounded better with all component grounds lifted except for one (the preamp). In fact, doing so causes problems that go away when everything is grounded.

I'm not saying that most systems will sound better with everything grounded, but I am saying I have heard many more systems installed in this fashion than not.

I guess, I have personally had probably five systems were I did this, starting many year ago with the Namichi ac leakage voltage meter. I have heard it also on at least five friends' systems.

But really it is the ground loop issue which is always there with each chassis grounded through the ac cord as well as through the interconnects to other chassis. Many sources have no chassis ground even if they have three prong plugs.

I do agree, however, that few demonstrators don't bother with this.

IMO, the effects of lifting grounds or not lifting grounds is completely system dependent and household AC dependent, and neither approach can be generalized as being best in a majority of situations.

I believe grounding is perhaps the least understood and most easily screwed up aspect of high end audio installations. It really takes a seasoned audio pro to diagnose grounding problems. I have recently been through this, and the solution was only determined after thorough and systematic troubleshooting. This after I had checked all the outlets with a polarity/ground tester for proper installation.

My original fix utilized a ground lifter, but after working with the tech it was determined that the ground lifter was only a band-aid solution.

But really it is the ground loop issue which is always there with each chassis grounded through the ac cord as well as through the interconnects to other chassis.

It should be pointed out that this is potentially an issue just with equipment that is interfaced via single-ended (unbalanced rca) interconnects, because inter-chassis noise currents that may be present flow through the shield or other return conductor of single-ended interconnects in common with signal return currents. Balanced interfaces will normally be immune to that effect.

There is also, of course, a safety risk that arises from lifting grounds. If everything is in good condition the risk is extremely small, and I have the grounds lifted in my own system on all of the components other than the preamp, but it cannot be said that the risk is zero. There are several other threads in the recent past in which this has been debated.

Regards,
-- Al

Almarg, I agree there is a slight risk and that in a balance circumstance there is probably little benefit, but personally I don't like balanced systems.