Grounding boxes - The real deal

[Mr. C]

Earth ground's very different issue, but as important especially if you live at the end of line, in a densely populated area or near industrial centers.

[anthonyTD]

Correct earthing is IMHO the main reason noise reduction IN RESPECT to "audio aplication" may or may not improve the sonics of said system.
Also please understand those of you interested in what I have written, I am not condoning changing, or modifying your existing, and therefore "safe" earthing system.
If you have a diffrent earth potential on one ring main to another, then this can become very dangerous in a fault situation, or when a person comes into contact with equipment connected to a mains earthed ring main, and one which is not!
I have my own thoughts and opinions as to if, or how these boxes may or may not work, but for the sake of the thread, and for those that find it interesting, I will keep them to myself.
A...

[Marco]

I was just reading the Grounding Box thread on PFM and got as far as page 4 ......... It looks as though the entire thread has been pulled!

Yup, unfortunately that's what happens when you allow some self-centred, arrogant and belligerent 'objectivists' free speech, especially those whose selfish purpose in life is to, I quote (one of which I've just banned): "do exactly what I chose to" [note the grammatical error, as engineers never were much good at English], with no consideration whatsoever for anyone else!

No wonder the world's in the state that it's in.........

Marco.

[Marco]

Yes an excellent post - but what it shows is that where 'grounding boxes' are concerned, there is great difficulty with terminology.

Most grounding boxes are not to do with mains earthing and safety earthing.

Ground loops are not what is being removed either (ref an earlier post). That is not where they are having their effect.

There are explanations of what these boxes are doing on some of the manufacturers website, that can be accessed to try to understand the reason for their effectiveness.

Hi Bob,

Could you quote from the websites concerned what you're referring to please? Cheers!

Marco.

[Marco]

I have my own thoughts and opinions as to if, or how these boxes may or may not work, but for the sake of the thread, and for those that find it interesting, I will keep them to myself.

Lol - well for me that's somewhat of a contradiction, as some of us who are reading this thread with interest, would find it rather more interesting if you revealed those thoughts!

Marco.

P.S Agree fully on the safety aspects of dedicated earth rods. I had mine installed by a qualified electrician, nearly 15 years ago, without issues. Yes, that's how long I've been at the hi-fi 'mains game'! [Actually since 1998].

[anthonyTD]

I will say one thing, as far as the experience Firebottle eluded to, and please understand I am not questioning his experience, it would have been more interesting if the test had been conducted with a few diffrent types of amplification; ie; non switching, and conventional, and analog front ends, instead of all digital!

Lol - well for me that's somewhat of a contradiction, as some of us who are reading this thread with interest, would find it rather more interesting if you revealed those thoughts!

Marco.

P.S Agree fully on the safety aspects of dedicated earth rods. I had mine installed by a qualified electrician, nearly 15 years ago, without issues. Yes, that's how long I've been at the hi-fi 'mains game'! [Actually since 1998].

[MikeMusic]

I will say one thing, as far as the experience Firebottle eluded to, and please understand I am not questioning his experience, it would have been more interesting if the test had been conducted with a few diffrent types of amplification; ie; non switching, and conventional, and analog front ends, instead of all digital!

My tests were first with
Rega Isis CD and Belles hybrid Pre. SS with a couple of valves

then
TAD CD/Pre/DAC
TAD Power Amp

nowt else

[Joe]

Grounding boxes are clearly the flavour of the day/week/month. But do we really need three separate threads about them?

[Snoopdog]

Yup, unfortunately that's what happens when you allow some self-centred, arrogant and belligerent 'objectivists' free speech, especially those whose selfish purpose in life is to, I quote (one of which I've just banned): "do exactly what I chose to" [note the grammatical error, as engineers never were much good at English], with no consideration whatsoever for anyone else!

No wonder the world's in the state that it's in.........

Marco.

I think you're spot-on there Marco!

The trouble with forums is there is so much useful and knowledgeable information buried in amongst arguments between posters!

In an effort to get a handle on the subject of grounding boxes and real consumer experience and feedback, I waded through nearly 150 pages of posts on one thread about "Entreq" on an American forum.

Just when it got really interesting, some idiot would chime in with an insulting post and the whole thing would become derailed for a couple of pages, before returning to actual customer experience!

God only knows what was said to result in the thread on PFM being taken down!

[Mr. C]

I will say one thing, as far as the experience Firebottle eluded to, and please understand I am not questioning his experience, it would have been more interesting if the test had been conducted with a few diffrent types of amplification; ie; non switching, and conventional, and analog front ends, instead of all digital!

A valid question and genuine Anthony.

Have tried these devices with all valves / analogue systems (both TT and R2R), Berni on here has a classic Valves / vinyl set up works just dandy on his system.
In fact only two systems that I know have these GB's have switching amps, the rest are classic a/b / valves with the odd class 'a' thrown in.

Snoopdog's system is digital / class a/b he uses Entreq (which we do not sell) seems happy with the results.