X Audio - Entreq event on 14 January 2017

Frankie Pang, representative of Entreq Asia was in town recently to meet up with Entreq users. Frankie spent an afternoon at X-Audio, the Singapore dealer for Entreq, mingling with both Entreq customers and prospective ones.

I have been using Entreq products for a while now, having owned and used the Minimus and Tellus grounding box (together with Eartha Silver grounding cables) for a few years now. I did a review on the Olympus Ground Box, Tellus and Eartha Silver grounding cables (click here for the Olympus Review, and here for the Tellus / Eartha review).

Frankie shared with me information on some new products, in particular the K2, Everest and Tellus 2.

The K2 and Everest are upgrades available to any Entreq grounding box user - you simply need to replace one or more of the binding posts with either the K2 or Everest. Frankie was confident that the use of either could significantly improve the performance of the ground box in question. He suggested that using one or two pieces should give the most significant gains.

Frankie explained that the K2 uses a basic alloy of metals, while the Everest utilises a more complex composition. According to Entreq, the addition of a K2 or Everest to the Minimus ground box (which has a single binding post), would allow it to outperform a Silver Minimum. 

Moving on to the Tellus II, this is a significant redesign of the original Tellus grounding box, and is in fact three grounding boxes in a single case - a Silver Minimus for the right and left binding posts, and a Silver Minimus and Atlantis Minimum for the centre binding post. Unlike the original Tellus, all three binding posts for the Tellus II are electrically isolated from one another.

I left the event with a K2 and Everest for experimentation. Stay tuned for the results !

Entreq Olympus Ground Box

Introduction

Entreq of Sweden has been busy over the last few years, with the release of a number of new ground boxes, and add-on devices for existing models too. Please have a look at my earlier post on the Entreq Tellus and Eartha silver cables for more information on how these ground boxes work. 

Description

The Olympus is the new top of the range of Entreq's mini ground boxes. It is physically larger than the previous mini box range, and the 9 kg weight is quite substantial. This box is definitely more midi than mini.

The Olympus has a single silver binding post on the rear and is described by Entreq as being designed to ground preamplifiers and DACs, or as a ground for their cables and AC conditioners. The wooden feet appear to be a new design, and are nice oval wood discs compared to the very basic feet on my Tellus.

Sound Quality

I tried the Olympus is a variety of locations. I first  tried it attached to the grounding post of my Gryphon Diablo integrated amplifier (Entreq recommends their larger models for such applications), but the effect seemed to unbalance the coherency of the system.  I ended up doing most of my listening with the Olympus connected to the ground point of my DAC (in my bedroom system) and preamp (in my main system). Like the Entreq ground boxes I currently own, the Olympus needs to "settle down", with the sound stabilizing over a day or two. I used my Eartha Silver cables to make all necessary connections. 

The effect of the Olympus has some similarities to the Tellus, with an improvement in imaging and soundstaging, and enhanced detail retrieval. However, the similarities end there - the Olympus has a more forceful and dynamic sound, compared to the calmer and more laidback presentation of the Tellus. Bass gains authority, while midrange presence moves up a notch or two. This results in a more energetic and intimate performance, as the staging moves forward a few rows.

Leading edge definition is also increased, together with tonal density and dynamic contrast. This results in a sonic picture with more "pop" and dynamics. If your system is lacking in life and vitality, the Olympus could really be the adrenaline boost needed. On the other hand, if your system needs a calming influence, the Tellus is probably a better bet.

According to other user reports, the choice of grounding cable is also critical. I could not experiment there since I only had the Eartha Silver cables on hand.

Conclusion

The effect of the Olympus (or any ground device for that matter) is system dependent. I got the best results in my bedroom system, with a less potent change in my main system (although the changes were along broadly similar lines). A home trial would be mandatory, to find the the model best suited for your system and taste. 

I have been using Entreq ground boxes in my system for a few years now and highly recommend them. 

This review model was arranged by Mr. D.C. Swee of X-Audio Pte Ltd, the local dealer for Entreq. 

Entreq Olympus
Local Promotional Price - S$ 2,800

X Audio Pte Ltd
1 Jalan Anak Bukit
#01-01S Bukit Timah Plaza
Singapore 588996
http://www.xaudio.com.sg

Entreq Tellus and Eartha Silver Cables

The Entreq Tellus is the big and badder brother of the Minimus. It is almost as big as a typical hi-fi component and will take up a complete shelf on your hi-fi rack.

The Tellus is really heavy and is fashioned out of wood, including the binding post caps. The latter are made from aged beech from an old farmhouse belonging to Entreq's owner. It is heavier than most of my equipment, including my preamp and CD player. On the rear of the Tellus, three binding posts are provided.According to Entreq, the Minimus can be used to treat two source equipment, while the Tellus can treat a whole system.

The Eartha silver cables get special mention for their clever spade design. As they say, a picture says a thousand words.

The Tellus is a ground conditioner, which promises a clean earth in order to enhance the sound of your hi-fi system. Hook-up is simple, with the user hooking up the Tellus to various possible ground points in the system, such as the negative binding post of your speakers,  the outer ring of RCA sockets, or the chassis screw or ground post of your equipment.

For readers not familiar with Singapore's electrical wiring, our household AC sockets are polarized and earthed. Entreq's ground system is therefore used in conjunction with the protective earth already in place. As a matter of clarification, the Tellus does NOT connect to the protective earth point of the household AC socket.

I used Entreq's Eartha silver cables to hook up the Tellus to my preamp, as well as both of my speakers. My Minimus remained hooked up to my Entreq USB cable. I tried connecting the USB cable to the Tellus instead together with the rest of the system, but performance was better with the Minimus dedicated to the USB cable.

One of my dealer friends (who does not distribute Entreq products) happened to hear the Entreq in action. I did not explain how it worked, what it does, or how much it cost. He listened to my setup for a while, before I disconnected the Entreq Tellus (leaving the Minimus connected to the USB cable). He was wowed, and likened the effect to reducing a good projection system to a normal widescreen LCD TV.

The effect of the Entreq can best be described as a tightening of imaging and soundstaging, with clearer definition between instruments. The most obvious change is the change in depth perception, with the soundstage moving back at least a few rows. The second most obvious change is the pinpoint accuracy of imaging. Although image sizes are smaller, they are clearly defined in space.

Initially, there seemed to be a loss in immediacy and dynamics, but further introspection suggested that this was due to a reduction in harshness and tighter bass control. After adjusting for the generally calmer and quieter presentation of the Tellus, there is a realisation of the improved quality of microdetail, treble and bass extension, and a generally lower noise floor.

It is also worthwhile to note that the effect of the Entreq depends very much on other ground control / enhancers in use in the system. Adding the very popular Acoustic Revive RGC-24 still makes a difference, but to a lesser extent than if the RGC-24 was used alone.

Assuming that you do not prefer a more intimate presentation (some audiophiles I know demand that their favourite female vocalist appears a few feet before them, rather than a few meters away on stage), there is little not to like about the Tellus. Well, there is of course, the issue of price (the Tellus with Eartha Silver Cables costs as much as nice component), and bulk. In perspective, the eye popping price tags of current high end equipment suggests that pricing may be reasonable after all, assuming that your system price tag justifies it.

Entreq Konstantin USB cable and MinimUs

I love organic products ! Coming from Sweden, are these delicious (but unfortunately inedible) products, which are the brainchild of Mr. Per-Olof Friberg.

Mr. Friberg is self-described as a farmer. This is a rather refreshing change from the background of the founder of some other audio companies, e.g. NASA scientist, aerospace engineer, weapons-I-Can't tell you what I made scientist, espionage agent .... OK I made up the last one.

The MinimUs came in a plain cardboard box and "interesting" packing. I opened it in front of my significant other who was half expecting to see some lovely pears packed, but no, it was just another boring audio device.

The MinimUs is a wooden case, which is much heavier than its size suggests. The wood fascia looks like it is laser engraved. The rear sports a single copper binding post. Interestingly, the binding cap is made out of wood - careful now with tightening the cap, you don't want to strip the threads.

All connector housings are made out of wood.

The single ground binding post. 

What is inside ? I have no idea. Shaking the box produces a rustling sound, much like sand. The unit is well sealed (with no visible screws), so we can forget about taking this box apart.

The instruction manual suggests that a single MinimUs can be used for up to two sources, while two boxes can be used for the speaker cables. If you go for the larger unit, the TellUs (which has 3 binding posts), you can treat the whole system.

No cables are provided, so I jury rigged some out of a unused Canare F-10 RCA plug, and some 14 AWG mains cable soldered with alligator clips on each end (which I use for my DIY tests). Entreq of course sells the required cables, in both copper and silver. Pricing is reasonable, so you don't have to resort to my measures.

The instructions warn against using the MinimUs as a replacement for protective earth. We could therefore assume this to be some type of ground enhancer. How this enhances ground, I have no idea. But it certainly enhances the sound.

Hooking up the MinimUs to an unused output (sorry, my amp is out of inputs. Ground is internally connected together anyway - verified by a multimeter), quickly shows how potent the MinimUs is. There is no superlative descriptions of lowering of the noise floor, or blacker blacks. Rather, everything is thrown into sharper focus. There is useful enlargement of the soundstage and improvement of spatial clues. However, the best way to describe this is a relative relaxation in tone, a increased sense of ease and flow, for want of a better description. I particularly appreciated that the MinimUs did not deaden the sound nor kill the sense of air, which sometimes happens when using ground enhancers / mains filtering products.

Coming to the Konstantin USB cable, more than a passing resemblance to an old kettle cord is noted. Much like the MinimUs, the Konstantin uses wood plug housings. Attached to the USB B plug side, is a female headphone socket that accepts a mating plug wire, which is intended to be attached to the system ground, or alternatively the MinimUs.

Grounding the Konstantin USB cable to the MinimUs.

First, let us be clear on the debate on whether or not USB cables make a difference. If you strongly believe that it does not, then this would be the point that you would conclude that I have absolutely no credibility. You can also pat yourself on the shoulder for the time you have saved from having to read the rest of this drivel.

For those of you still with me, you would agree that USB cables do sound different, although the "why" and "how" still remain a question mark.

The Konstantin is quite a special USB cable. It casually kicked the Nuforce Impulse cable I had lying around into the abyss of no return before coming face to face with the L A T USB 2 cable. The L A T muttered some excuse about having a dentist appointment, and turned tail in a flash.

Initial evaluations of the Konstantin were made without any grounding, which turned out to be a big mistake on my part. The first few hours with the Konstantin were not eventful. The sonic picture was a little distant and the tonal balance of the Konstantin was delicate, albeit lightweight.

An additional 10 hours of burn in helped somewhat, but the general lightweight balance remained. At this point, I took out the grounding cable, stripped the insulation at the end and connected it to the MinimUs.
Instantly, the cable came into focus, and the music took on sufficient tonal density to look like a real picture, rather than the pastel shades of water colour paint prior to that.

Want an incisive presentation with emphasis on the leading edge of notes, with explosive dynamics ? Looks elsewhere.

The best word to desribe the Konstantin / MinimUs combo would be "natural". The combo has a sense of ease and unforced naturalness that will guarantee hours of listening pleasure without listener fatigue.

Tonally, I would put the Konstantin / MinimUs in the neutral camp. Despite its musical and natural balance, this is neither a veiled nor shut in cable. It excels in both micro detail and placement of instruments. There is a noticeable increase in transparency coming from the L A T cable (let's not even talk about stock cables here).

Bass and dynamics are not of the bone crunching variety, but are both fast and tight. This cable impresses most in the midrange upwards, where the human voice is nicely balanced and is placed in fine balance between smoothness and transparency. Drum set work is a real treat, with nice impact and decay on ride cymbals, and the opening and closing of hi-hats coming across in a clear and distinct way.

This is not a cable that would immediately impress on A/B comparisons. It was only after some extended comparisons that the strengths of the Entreq combo becomes apparent. In comparison, the L A T is messy in its soundstaging, and lacking in refinement. There is a hint of harshness that is immediately noticeable when switching from the Entreq to the L A T.

Any critcism ? The first would probably be a lack of upper mid-bass bloom that could be helpful in some systems to fill out the lower registers. The second would be price. The Entreq combo (and I really see them as a system rather than as separate components) are in serious price territory. The resulting four digit price tag (in Singapore dollars) would have many chuckling at the "insanity" of purchasers. Should you care ? As one senior audiophile once told me, "Who is to say it is wrong if the money makes the most improvement in your system for the amount spent ?".

What about using the Konstantin without the Minimus ? There is a slight loss of quality if you tie the grounding wire to a normal ground source, e.g. your preamp chassis or the ground of a RCA input, but I would say that you would be missing about the final 10 % of what this cable is capable off.

I also tried this in a friend's system recently. He had recently bought the Oyaide Continental 5S USB cable. The Oyaide has a dynamic and exciting sound. It is the perfect kick in the pants if your system sounds slow and dull.

The Oyaide had a more forward presentation, with better "projection". The Entreq had superior low level detail, and refinement . Interestingly, the Entreq had superior imaging and control, with vocals and instruments locked firmly in their place. The Oyaide is less than half the price of the Konstantin with MinimUs, so you could say that the odds were stacked against the Oyaide.

I certainly would not advocate that everyone rush out to buy the Entreq. In fact, in modest set-ups, the L A T USB cable was quite impressive, especially if you consider that it costs 10 % of the Entreq combo. But if you have a very good setup, and the Entreq does it for you, then it is really is the icing on the cake. Highly recommended.