Yes they're good
Many people dismiss Mapleshade as being on the fringe. However, they have been very helpful when I have called for advice and I think they have a lot of good ideas.
I'm glad to see someone saying something like this for a change, because it's true. I don't agree with all their ideas, but as mrt2 noted, they make great-sounding CDs, so they must be doing something right. I would go further and say they make some of the absolute best-sounding CDs I've heard, and that's why I respect them and give most of their products the benefit of the doubt.
Aside from the CDs, of which I have many, I also have their anti-static device, the Ionoclast, the Silclear contact enhancer, and recently got a bottle of the Microsmooth CD treatment - though I have not yet had a chance to try it and I admit I'm skeptical.
Now, the Ionoclast, which I they primarily advertise as being for CDs/DVDs, is something I mostly use for lps, the same way one would use a Zerostat. And in that application it works beautifully, plus it costs less than half of what a Zerostat currently does. For the heck of it I also use it on CDs and DVDs, because it's fast and easy, but I couldn't tell you with 100% certainty that it works. You can plainly see the anti-static effects; dust practically falls off lps once they've been "zapped," and you can even neutralize a very static-ridden piece of clothing to see it work.
I use the Silclear primarily on the ends of fuses inside audio gear and on the pins of vacuum tubes, once the pins have been treated with De-oxit. I swear pins I've had for a while sound better with the Silclear, but it would be difficult to prove, so YMMV. Plus, a tub of the Silclear seems like more than I'll ever need, since you only apply the thinnest layer.
That's all I've tried. I don't doubt that their cables are good, but I do disagree in theory with some of what they have to say on the topic. If anyone is too skeptical to even bother trying any of their products, you might still want to consider trying their CDs (which the owner of the label records himself, usually in the Mapleshade "mansion," using all his own cables, etc), because they really are sonically above and beyond most CDs. Most of the titles I've purchased are very good, some I don't care for too much, despite the quality of the recording. Here's a few of my favorites:
Alif Laila & Ustad Tari Khan:
Sangam: A coming together
This was my second Mapleshade CD, and it got me hooked. Laila plays the sitar and Tari Khan plays tabla. Mesmerizing, if I may be allowed the cliche.
Asante:
Ohene Kesee A Ebin
One man playing a LOT of drums, and if you have a decent system it will sound like he's playing right in your room. Kind of eerie in that way. I always end up tapping my foot to this one.
Alan Gampel:
Chopin and Liszt Piano Sonatas
A no-brainer if you're a fan of either composer in the title. I happen to love Chopin and that's what inspired me to buy this CD, my first Mapleshade. As piano recordings on CD go, this is really quite good.
Thurman Green:
Dance of the Night Creatures
This one definitely deserves a special mention. Generally speaking, I'm not a huge fan of brass instruments, with the trumpet being one exception and that largely because of Miles Davis. But I haven't really heard much trombone in my jazz collection, and I wondered if it would be more appealing when properly recorded. Oh baby, is it ever! The timbrel accuracy of this recording is amazing, and it made me a fan of the trombone, shockingly. The music is great if you like jazz. A bit haunting at points, more upbeat at others. I now reach for this one by default any time I'm in the mood for jazz, and I've since purchased another Mapleshade trombone-based CD, which is good, but I haven't had a lot of time with it. I'd say this is the one to get if you only get one, and you're a fan of jazz.
Hope that helps those of you on the fence.
