A Surprise Result

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by prepress

While time will tell, there appears to be another benefit to the Stratus.

Because there's a cable box in the mix I've had the infamous 60Hz-hum issue, which through some ground-lifting I'd confined to the TV speakers and only when the cable box input on my VP was chosen; this was a noticeable but not disruptive . Because the Viewsonic and ISO-Max filters I tried removed channels along with the hum, I put things back the way they were this AM. Then, I noticed I didn't hear the 60Hz hum, not even with my ear up to the TV speakers. In the back of my mind I had wondered if the Stratus' construction would be a help on this issue and, for the moment at least, it is. We'll see if this continues.

Meantime, my 111FD's sound seems to be smoothing out a bit. The transients, details and such are still there but not as pronounced, more subtle.

[prepress]

Unfortunately, the absence of hum due to the cable box is over. It's back, as realized a few minutes ago, and still heard through the TV speakers. But I note, it's more in the upper frequencies now, which the Stratus seems to emphasize (at this point). I may put the Stratus on another component and give the TV back its original cord. Not sure yet. The VP is grounded, and the cable box is too (meaning 2-prong plugs), so I'm not sure what else to try.

[prepress]

I have a Furman SPR-20i that most of my gear is plugged into. The cable box and TV were plugged into the same bank of the SPR, so I removed the cable box from there and plugged it into the Furman Elite–15 PFi that feeds the SPR. I also put a Conntek adapter on the cable box cord (the cord is already 2-prong, but one prong is wider so the Conntek lifts the ground). The hum has been absent the last few times I used the TV. Don't know if it's the Stratus or the change in setup settling in, but I heard no hum. I'll hope that continues.

Meantime, and I won't swear to it, but the picture looks a bit more detailed lately, which would be due to the Stratus. I may want to try one on my MCD301 or laserdisc player and see what happens. Meanwhile, the sound is still good, and seems to have smoothed out a bit.

[prepress]

Originally Posted by prepress

I have a Furman SPR-20i that most of my gear is plugged into. The cable box and TV were plugged into the same bank of the SPR, so I removed the cable box from there and plugged it into the Furman Elite–15 PFi that feeds the SPR. I also put a Conntek adapter on the cable box cord (the cord is already 2-prong, but one prong is wider so the Conntek lifts the ground). The hum has been absent the last few times I used the TV. Don't know if it's the Stratus or the change in setup settling in, but I heard no hum. I'll hope that continues.

Meantime, and I won't swear to it, but the picture looks a bit more detailed lately, which would be due to the Stratus. I may want to try one on my MCD301 or laserdisc player and see what happens. Meanwhile, the sound is still good, and seems to have smoothed out a bit.

Last night there was hum, which was evident once I got close enough to the TV . I guess I'll settle for the sound and apparent picture improvements from the new cord. The hum will be its own saga.

[prepress]

Originally Posted by chessman

prepress, I am not surprised at all. I found my WW Silver Eclipse 6's made a noticeable improvement. While I only play an engineer on TV, I think that the PC design is filtering out RF and/or EMI. Tell us more when they break in a bit (like whether a small, but perceptible improvement in dynamics occurs).

I am prepared to say that I do hear what could be described as more dynamic sound, a bit more punch on the low end in particular. The sound, which was good before, is even better now. I may be getting more out of the Kuro 111FD's 18wpc sound system than ever before due to the Stratus. And I'd say the Electras which feed my 501s have improved them also, as time has gone on. Maybe not more dynamic but cleaner; the sound isn't as "random" now, if that makes sense. Perhaps "focused" is a better term.

On the hum issue: I haven't noticed it lately. True, I haven't been putting my ears up to the speakers to check it, but I haven't heard it in a while. I did switch from component back to HDMI (a Pangea HD-26L; really like the styling and construction plus the price is more than right). I'd stayed away from HDMI due to the occasional audio dropout as the signal goes through my Duo VP, but have only good things to report so far.

[jdandy]

Charles.......So, commercials sound better and you now have a hum. Sounds like quite the upgrade.

[prepress]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Charles.......So, commercials sound better and you now have a hum. Sounds like quite the upgrade.

If you look at it that way...

The hum was there before the Stratus, and temporarily left when it was first installed. But in all seriousness, I haven't heard it since I went back to HDMI to connect my cable box. I'll be sure to stick my ear up to the speakers next time I watch TV though, to be sure. For your sake.

[jdandy]

Charles.......Just pulling your leg. Slow Saturday afternoon.

[prepress]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Charles.......Just pulling your leg. Slow Saturday afternoon.

What! With all that tremendous audio equipment you have?

I did put a Stratus on my CD player, and one on the LD player using WW's C7 adapter. They replace PS Audio Jewels, mainly because the Jewels aren't as flexible as I'd like, and the other option (Kimber PK10) is too heavy for a CD player in my view. I haven't done any critical listening (not that I would anyway) and what I've been playing isn't familiar material. Eventually I'll play some of my more familiar CDs and perhaps I'll hear a difference, who knows. But the Stratus is easier to work with. Boy, though, those PS Audio cords really grip, maybe better than the Wireworlds.

[jfray]

Originally Posted by prepress

Last night there was hum, which was evident once I got close enough to the TV . I guess I'll settle for the sound and apparent picture improvements from the new cord. The hum will be its own saga.

Check the Ground wire from your cable line (that goes into your house) that is attached to the main ground rod (your electrical box is grounded to). Sometimes this clamp gets corroded or loose and WILL cause a hum........