Entreq Ground Boxes & Cables

[Mike]

I've always been intrigued after several readings and user reports on the Entreq Ground Boxes, Cables and Associated tweaks.

As a Stillpoints dealer, the Entreq products are distributed by Stillpoints USA (so easy for me to get and try).

Would love to hear from our members on their experiences with Entreq products.

[cmarin]

Hi Mike,

First time post. Glad to be a part of this forum.

I had the opportunity to audition several Entreq products including the Atlantis/Silver Tellus boxes for my front end (preamp/phono, DAC, SUT) and the Poseidon box for my mono amps as well as a number of associated Atlantis/Apollo cables. Together with Furutech's NCF power cord connectors, wall plates/outlets, and a Shunyata Denali conditioner, the Entreq components helped raise my system's sound quality to a new and higher level: more open, greater scale, and a more natural ease with better dynamics.
Based on the results of the audition, I decided to purchase the Entreq boxes and cables, and am looking at other options within their line.

Would definitely recommend auditioning the Entreq products to see if they make a positive and cost effective difference in your system.


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[Mike]

Hi Carlos - thanks for joining. Appreciate the feedback on the Entreq. Always great to chat with you on the phone!


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[The Sandman]

The rack looks interesting...

[Mark Jones]

I have a client that swears by his Entreq Grounding Box. The plan is to hopefully get his to try out next time he is out of town. Out of town cause he says he can't live without it!

[Mike]

Hmmm...this is in line with my research. I'll call my rep this week and bring a few in to try.


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[Devg]

I have only read good things about it over different forums and have been meaning to try one of these...Anyone compared the Synergistic research grounding box to the Entreq ?

[Jaws]

Hi

Before you buy anything from that company, i would advise you to check this link:

http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showth...-Cable-Exposed

Bo

[Mike]

Hi

Before you buy anything from that company, i would advise you to check this link:

http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showth...-Cable-Exposed

Bo

Well that was a waste of 10 minutes. I read through the entire thread to find that everyone criticized a cable no one had ever tried, no one had even held in their hands, inspected or actually knew anything about. They through around all kinds of insults and nonsense, while trashing a company, again, no one knew anything about or had ever tried their products to only find out in the end, they were all wrong (typical) and the thread title changed and the thread closed.

Since the time of that thread, there have been many who have actually tried their products, LOVED THEM, including some in that thread:

http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showth...unding/page197


What I learned in talking to the distributor is that you must start with grounding on the speakers, then preamp, then if you still want to try further, sources and power. But speakers and preamp yield the biggest change at the start.

We shall see...

[Jaws]

I have read the danish thread.
This guy bought a Entreq Challenger 2010 USB cable for more than 500 dollars.
He had a lot of trouble with noise and unstability, so he loaned it out to another guy from the danish forum. He experienced the same problems, so they removed the sock to see if it was a loose connection, but found out i was a 1 dollar usb printer cable with a ground plug soldert to the shield.
Entreq sells this cable as their own creation and own production, and it turns out to be a 1 dollar printer cable with a sock on.
In my book its not OK to sell crap like that as a high-end cable, and yes maybe this was a one-timer. Lets hope so...

Bo

[Mike]

I have read the danish thread.
This guy bought a Entreq Challenger 2010 USB cable for more than 500 dollars.
He had a lot of trouble with noise and unstability, so he loaned it out to another guy from the danish forum. He experienced the same problems, so they removed the sock to see if it was a loose connection, but found out i was a 1 dollar usb printer cable with a ground plug soldert to the shield.
Entreq sells this cable as their own creation and own production, and it turns out to be a 1 dollar printer cable with a sock on.
In my book its not OK to sell crap like that as a high-end cable, and yes maybe this was a one-timer. Lets hope so...

Bo

They went through this on that thread found out that was incorrect. ANYWAY, Entreq has many loyal followers and USB is the last step in the chain for grounding. Their fundamental approach is grounding at the amp and preamp level. Anything else (like USB) is extra and from what I could gather, not where to invest your money first.

Again...we shall see. Horns and SET amps will be a good test.


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[Rhapsody]

Rhapsody has been selling Entreq products for over a year. I have them connected to every piece of equipment in my demo system(s). Anyone that has bought the products still uses them and loves them.

I think that the products are system and component dependent, even the Entreq cables are as such. Sometimes the less expensive cable can sound better (to someone, not to everyone) than the more expensive cables. Advice is to try it out and your system.

Walt, Bruce and John are EXCELLENT to work with and will always help out if you need to try an Entreq OR Stillpoint product in your system. Highly recommended.

[annapolis Raider]

I have tried the Entreq grounding products at various points in the big system. I have found my system is better without it. But, I run everything balanced and my electrical system in my listening room was very well planned. In a single ended system or high efficiency one like Mike runs, could be a very different result.

[Rhapsody]

I have tried the Entreq grounding products at various points in the big system. I have found my system is better without it. But, I run everything balanced and my electrical system in my listening room was very well planned. In a single ended system or high efficiency one like Mike runs, could be a very different result.

Just to make sure Annapolis Raider, you know that the Entreq grounding products have nothing to do with electrical ground, right? Signal ground is different thing all together. Not saying it should work in your system of course, as you have tried it, but for anyone reading this, just want to make sure that folks don't think that even if you have great electrical grounding in your system that the Entreq products "could or could not" still have an effect on the sound.

[annapolis Raider]

Just to make sure Annapolis Raider, you know that the Entreq grounding products have nothing to do with electrical ground, right? Signal ground is different thing all together. Not saying it should work in your system of course, as you have tried it, but for anyone reading this, just want to make sure that folks don't think that even if you have great electrical grounding in your system that the Entreq products "could or could not" still have an effect on the sound.

Duh...

[Rhapsody]

Duh...

Sorry, there was no malicious intent, I just have talked to so many people that are not familiar with Entreq and they hear the word grounding and think the Entreq grounding is the same as electrical grounding. Again, I apologize if it was taken the wrong way.

[mauidan]

I tried a Silver Tellus, Apollo RCA to Spade and Copper USB to Spade in my system.

There was no improvement.

I didn't try it on my speaker's negative terminals, since that requires separate grounding boxes or the Poseidon which has three totally independent boxes in one enclosure.

For a lot less money, I'm using the SPEC PSP-901EX "Real-Sound Processor" on my speakers with excellent results.

[Mike]

According to my rep, the key is to connect to the amp (not speaker) negative terminals. That's 90% of the benefit and must be done first.

But as I said....we shall see. Anxious to try it.


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[mauidan]

According to my rep, the key is to connect to the amp (not speaker) negative terminals. That's 90% of the benefit and must be done first.

But as I said....we shall see. Anxious to try it.

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That still requires separate grounding boxes or the Poseidon, or you risk blowing up you amp(s).

From the Stillpoints website:

"Both the Silver Minimus and the Olympus Minimus can also be used in pairs to ground the negative speaker terminal of an amplifier. These results are quite amazing! Caution and care must be taken with this application. You must use one Ground box and one ground cable per channel! Never use a single ground box to connect both channels. You will likely damage your amplifier."

[Mike]

That still requires separate grounding boxes or the Poseidon, or you risk blowing up you amp(s).

From the Stillpoints website:

"Both the Silver Minimus and the Olympus Minimus can also be used in pairs to ground the negative speaker terminal of an amplifier. These results are quite amazing! Caution and care must be taken with this application. You must use one Ground box and one ground cable per channel! Never use a single ground box to connect both channels. You will likely damage your amplifier."

Yup! Agreed. I went with the Poseidon. The amps/preamp grounding makes sense to me.


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[Rhapsody]

Yup! Agreed. I went with the Poseidon. The amps/preamp grounding makes sense to me.


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Mike, You might want to discuss connecting the Entreq to the neg terminals of your SS103 prior to doing it.

[Mike]

Mike, You might want to discuss connecting the Entreq to the neg terminals of your SS103 prior to doing it.

??

[Rhapsody]

??

Just do it and see what he has to say.

[Mike]

Just do it and see what he has to say.

Ask Hans?

[Rhapsody]

Hans-Ole Vitus

[Rhapsody]

Hans-Ole Vitus

Sorry Mike, too early....I forgot to say Hans in my initial mention....sorry about that. Yes ask Hans

[Mike]

Sorry Mike, too early....I forgot to say Hans in my initial mention....sorry about that. Yes ask Hans

I was really only getting the Entreq to try on my SET amps. But anyway, he said no, Entreq is not good for Vitus amps because the negative is an active output.

[bonzo]

Bob's morning posts show that he is up too late at night listening to his new DSD

[Rhapsody]

I was really only getting the Entreq to try on my SET amps. But anyway, he said no, Entreq is not good for Vitus amps because the negative is an active output.

Ok, great, I just did not want you to get it and connect it to the 103.

[Mike]

Thanks.

[Rhapsody]

Bob's morning posts show that he is up too late at night listening to his new DSD

Nah, up too early and didn't have coffee yet

[Jazzhead]

I was really only getting the Entreq to try on my SET amps. But anyway, he said no, Entreq is not good for Vitus amps because the negative is an active output.

I have the Poseidon connected to the neg terminal of my Vitus 101mk2 , works beautifully . No problem at all .

[Mike]

I have the Poseidon connected to the neg terminal of my Vitus 101mk2 , works beautifully . No problem at all .

Two texts today with Hans and he has said "it's a big no-no with my amps".

"Every one we make is true balanced and have active negative output that should not be referenced to ground."


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[Mike]

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[cmarin]

Mike,

What cables are you using with your Poseidon box?

[Mike]

Mike,

What cables are you using with your Poseidon box?

All Apollo. Two spade, one RCA.

[cmarin]

Looking forward to your impressions once the Poseidon/apollos settle

[Devg]

Mike,

I have a question on the Entreq boxes - it seems like very recently they have improved the mineral mix which increases the performance further. For customers who already owns one of the Entreq box can get the same improvement using K2 and Everest attachment modules. Would the new boxes come with the improved mineral mix or does one has to buy the K2 or Everest modules separately to get the effect ?

Looking forward to your impression as well. Any early feedback ? Did you notice any improvements after hooking it up ?

[Mike]

Mike,

I have a question on the Entreq boxes - it seems like very recently they have improved the mineral mix which increases the performance further. For customers who already owns one of the Entreq box can get the same improvement using K2 and Everest attachment modules. Would the new boxes come with the improved mineral mix or does one has to buy the K2 or Everest modules separately to get the effect ?

Looking forward to your impression as well. Any early feedback ? Did you notice any improvements after hooking it up ?

They haven't changed anything in the boxes. What they have done is improved the attachment modules (you just remove the binding post and get the K2 or Everest). Rather than get rid of what you've already done, you just get the part that screws off.

Entreq does not want any of their products to become obsolete.

[Jazzhead]

Mike ... After the Poseidon settles and you want further its performance, add two Atlantis Minimus one to each post ... You"LL hear more beef for one .

[Mike]

After a solid week in the system, the Entreq is staying. No doubt about it. More resolution, more detail, blacker backgrounds, more alive.

[cuntigh]

After a solid week in the system, the Entreq is staying. No doubt about it. More resolution, more detail, blacker backgrounds, more alive.

Not a surprise as I told you they are very worth it. Had a S. Tellus with Atlantis and upgraded to Olympus Tellus for the best.
Apollo cables are the most universal of the line. Atlantis are better in some system but can be over detailed in some others. They are more specific.
I can't wait to try Everest in my system but PO is very busy man. A gentleman farmer in fact.
Jazzhead I didn't understand how you connected the negavitve output amps : did you connected both the Poseidon And the Olympus minis ? Please explain.

[Mike]

I've got a couple of weeks on my Entreq now and I have to say, it's definitely not leaving. More harmonic richness. Lower noise floor. More detail and resolution, without harshness.

[Jim Smith]

I've got a couple of weeks on my Entreq now and I have to say, it's definitely not leaving. More harmonic richness. Lower noise floor. More detail and resolution, without harshness.

Mike,

How are dynamics?

[Mike]

Mike,

How are dynamics?

With horns they are already at 12 (out of 10). I don't notice any increase.


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[Jim Smith]

With horns they are already at 12 (out of 10). I don't notice any increase.


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Now THAT is interesting. I have never heard any of these devices that initially seemed to smooth out the sound that didn't impact the dynamics on further listening....

[cmarin]

Now THAT is interesting. I have never heard any of these devices that initially seemed to smooth out the sound that didn't impact the dynamics on further listening....

I personally have not noticed any decrease in dynamics in my system as a result of the Entreq boxes. And recently, I had the pleasure of listening to one of the most realistic systems I have ever heard anywhere. That system used Entreq boxes for the front end, and it had extraordinarily real scale and dynamics.

Of course, that doesn't mean that Entreq boxes will not reduce dynamics in some systems. But in my admittedly limited experience, that hasn't been the case. Bottom line: worth trying them out with a no-obligation trial.


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[Jim Smith]

When listening, I do not ground my system at all. It's been many years (maybe 35?) since I have done so.

I always appreciate the enhanced purity and musical flow.

Especially at audio shows.

I leave one item - in my case these days, the ASR line stage battery power supply - grounded until I am about to listen, then I simply unplug it from the wall.

All of my power cables (except the ASR line stage battery power supply) do not have the ground pins, as I removed them as soon I decided that I wanted them.

Any grounding schemes I have tried have always resulted in significantly less interesting sound. Maybe the Entreq is the antithesis to my theory. It's certainly got to be less risky...

In fact, I do NOT recommend such a practice for others.

I would love to be able to ground my components without compromising the musical engagement factor...

[Elescher]

When listening, I do not ground my system at all. It's been many years (maybe 35?) since I have done so.

I always appreciate the enhanced purity and musical flow.

Especially at audio shows.

I leave one item - in my case these days, the ASR line stage battery power supply - grounded until I am about to listen, then I simply unplug it from the wall.

All of my power cables (except the ASR line stage battery power supply) do not have the ground pins, as I removed them as soon I decided that I wanted them.

Any grounding schemes I have tried have always resulted in significantly less interesting sound. Maybe the Entreq is the antithesis to my theory. It's certainly got to be less risky...

In fact, I do NOT recommend such a practice for others.

I would love to be able to ground my components without compromising the musical engagement factor...

Jim,

i wasn't aware that the battery PSU could be unplugged for listening pleasure. Do you do this at home too, or just at shows? Big/small difference IYO?

Thanks!

Steve

[mauidan]

When listening, I do not ground my system at all. It's been many years (maybe 35?) since I have done so.

I always appreciate the enhanced purity and musical flow.

Especially at audio shows.

I leave one item - in my case these days, the ASR line stage battery power supply - grounded until I am about to listen, then I simply unplug it from the wall.

All of my power cables (except the ASR line stage battery power supply) do not have the ground pins, as I removed them as soon I decided that I wanted them.

Any grounding schemes I have tried have always resulted in significantly less interesting sound. Maybe the Entreq is the antithesis to my theory. It's certainly got to be less risky...

In fact, I do NOT recommend such a practice for others.

I would love to be able to ground my components without compromising the musical engagement factor...

Jim,

The Entreq grounding boxes have nothing to do with "safety AC grounding," they connect to "signal ground."

As I'm sure you know, in some components signal ground is connected to safety AC grounding, and is easy to determine with a multi-meter.

When I tried a Silver Tellus and Apollo cables in my system, with the cables connected to signal grounds on my amp and source components there was no improvement.

I didn't try them on my amp or speakers negative terminals like Mike, so maybe they're worth a try.

I did laugh when I read about their new K2 and Everest attachment modules,
which replace the stock wooden binding post nuts. Before spending $249. or $349. on these, I'd go to my local hardware store and buy some copper or brass nuts that fit the binding posts.