The ORB 6GG High End Tap vs the Wireworld Electrifier plus Isotek Isoplug.
ORB is a Japanese outfit focusing mainly on accessories for ultra high end audio systems. They have vinyl destat & flattener devices, cables, power taps and filters amongst their product line.
Curiosity got the better of me when I visited Nova Hifi not too long ago and saw these solid, yet high quality and luxuriously finished looking power taps. I asked MK Lai, and he said "You should try them, since you're so....... in to power conditioners and contacts".
The brand says it all!So I took the ORB 6GG High End Tap home to replace my long soldiering Wireworld Electrifier, beefed up with a Isotek Isoplug. This tap is used to power my front end components such as CD player, pre amp, turn table and phono stage, via my Torus Power RM8A PLC, which powers the whole system.
Use with confidence! The ORB 6GG complies to JET, which is the Japanese Electrical Safety Standards.With the ORB 6GG in my system, I found the high frequencies sounding notice ably cleaner, tidier, yet airier. Noise floor was totally free from what ever little hash that was evident in my system(despite my heroic efforts, there's always room for improvements, still!). I also noticed mids took on more density which is an absolute delight when rendering vocals. With the increased density, vocals have chest and body to go with the head and mouth. Bass performance seems unaffected by the ORB power tap.
The internal solid gold bus bars linking the input and outlet contacts.The best part I like about the ORB powering my front end components is that sound staging and imaging became highly stabilized. There was no drifting images, as each vocal, instrument was lock in it's place within the sound stage. I did not however, taught the stage was wider or deeper, but depth layering did seemed better defined. There was also an un mistake able extra dimensional and spatial quality evident within the sound stage(if the recording captures it).
Retailing at RM$4.5k, the ORB is 15 times the price of the entry level power tap called Wireworld Electrifier. However, the ORB 6GG High End Tap did not offer 15 times better improvement. But what it did, in a top flight system of deserving status, is to extract, that last possible bit of performance out of your prized audio system. By the way, if a six outlet tap is not enough for your system, the 8 outlet model called ORB 8GG is also available.
Do you think your hifi system deserve the best?
ORB products is sold by Nova Hifi, contact MK Lai, tel: 019-2226129.
24 comments:
Tan,
Too rich for you eh?... Actually, the ORB 6GG is too rich for most of us, including me!
But I urge you not to be too hasty in judgement, take a listen of the actual product in an appropriately set up system, then confirm your hunch.
You're right, there are certainly other options out there, but this is by far the best sounding tap I've heard. You may choose not to agree.
Also bear in mind that this product is aimed squarely at the ultra high end big boys. I personaly know 2 people who have bought the ORB 6GG and 8GG. They are happy with their purchase, shouldn't we share their joy?
tan,
I am so jealous of you, because your power conditioner alone cost rm40k, with that money I can get a full hifi system already. I like to ask what your system and your power conditioner are, I sincerely ask for your sharing with hifi friends here.
Tan,
I very admire your hifi knowledge, You are not like others who paly hifi without scientific foundation,I like you to share more opinion and comment on hifi!
Tan,
I very admire your hifi knowledge, You are not like others who paly hifi without scientific foundation,I like you to share more opinion and comment on hifi!
Tan,
Please accept my un reserved appologies, for if my reply seemed misguided.
RM$40k power conditioner is no doubt ultra high end. However, the article is about an extension tap. Not power conditioners.
I share your thoughts that one should 1st fix power issues with a conditioner before even looking at an extension tap as the PLC will be more effective solution as a starting point. My review states clearly my condition of use for the extension tap via power supplied by my Torus Power PLC in the context of my system.
However, like in my case, if one should find that he/she needs more outlets than available from the PLC in used, the next best thing(I can think of, please enlighthen me if you have other useful ideas) is to employ an equally high quality extension tap.
In your case of using an RM$40k power conditioner, and should you find that it does not provide you enough outlets, what would you decide to do?
Would you consider the stuff like the ORB 6GG or a RM$10.00 power strip available from the electrical dept. of Tesco?
Tan,Big E,
I don't totally agree to your opinion! Power suppy is important,but other factors are more importont!
Eddle,
I tink you play hifi like this will not have good result,you shold go and listen to those high quality systems yourself and absord knowledge, Don,t just listen to what people say!
Tan,
What a coincidence! I once used Isotek GII Mini Sub, then upgraded to the Sigmas later. I did considered the Titan too, as I did reviewed it before, but the Torus just blew me away, and I never looked back.
So I am not new to Isotek gears. And as you can see, I personally like them a lot too.
However, I don't like to over filter the a/c, but that's just my personal opinion, again, in the context of my system and listening habits.
So my choice would for now, be a high quality tap, offering superior contacts with minimal or no filtering capabilties.
Thanks for sharing your opinion, but PLCs tend to yeild diferent results in diferent locations and diferent hifi combos. It can be many things to many people and yet never quite does it for others.
So let buyers beware, as with all PLC products, reviews aside, YMMV as a caveat stands firmly in consideration. Home test before buying is best.
David,
I NEVER said power supply is THE most important, but important enough to warrant our attention nevertheless.
A sifu once told me that for a hifi system to perform at it's full capabilities there are 5 parameters to consider:
1) Room acoustics to speaker and amplifier interaction. This means making sure your room is not working against the pair of speakers acoustically, and the amplifier has more than enough juice to drive the said speakers with ample head room to spare!
2) System synergy. Once you've sorted out 1) then pay attention to your source, cables and pre amp quality.
3) Power supply. This is where PLC's and power cords come in to play and make a good system better.
4) Look in to the details of system set up, such as speaker positioning, equipment rack and isolation options, and many other neat tricks to tweak your system for optimal performance.
5) System owner attitude. The owner of an audio system must be dedicated enough to work towards achieving system optimisation, as high lighted through points 1)-4.
Audio is about the dedication of life long learning, and reliasing what we learn to improve our system. Lazy owner will never get optimal sounding system, no matter how high end the equipment. Dedicated and hard working owner will reap the rewards by reaching "sonic nirvana" sooner.
Along the journey, there will be ups and downs, but better to arrive late and make a "grand" entrance than never.
Don't you think so?
Big E,
Your passage is very good, that's the answer that I want.
Big E,
You first point noted, I agree with that and your five points, I think they are very good.
Tan,
It is dangerous to be dogmatic. Big E 5 points are very good, you may follow.
I think it is better not to suggest anything if you have not tried it yourself, like you say Isotek and Torus.
Have you heard equipment that is best not to use power conditioning? the hifi company even say not to use any.
Please do not assume I have not heard many power products. More important is you go and listen and learn from many different systems.
Since you seem also agree that dogmatic is no good, I am happy about that.
I think no one can/should make a blanket recommendation on hifi equipment, too many different factors are involved. To say a brand is the best in all cases is not proper.
You also said that equipment matching is one important factor, this means no one brand can apply to all systems, matching is the key.
I have nothing against isotek, I respect it, i have tested them too. I think readers here know what I want to mean.
In your comments, you never said you have tried torus + isotek. If you now say that, than I will say sorry.
Tan,
I respect your passion with hifi,I believe your hifi must have very good sound,I really eager to listen to your hifi, will you give me this honour?
Hi guys,
I have tried the Orb Kyoto in my system for a week now. The Kyoto is the big brother of the GG series.
Previously, I have used Shunyata and lately the PS Power Plant Premier. I have been very happy with the Power Plant for the last 2 years until I tried the Kyoto.
Big E is spot on with his description of the 6GG. You guys should try it. You owe this to yourself. For me at least, the Kyoto is the single most revelatory component in my present system. How much does it cost? A whopping 20k at least!
No, I have not tried all the power conditioners in the market. For all I know, there may be one, somewhere out there, which would suit my system without breaking the bank. But I tell you, I am going to beg, borrow or even steal, to keep this Kyoto in my system.
This is the latest milestone in my search for the elusive audio nirvana for the last 15 years. I believe that the Kyoto will be the foundation for any future upgrades.
Crazy you say? You are absolutely right.Who else would fork out Big Money for little , perceived improvements in sound? It's us, Audiophiles.
If you have the scratch, and I truly believe there are several of you out there who won't even blink at this kind of money, please audition an Orb Power Tap for yourself.Try it with different power cords as this also makes a lot of difference.
Me, I am calling my banker to see if I can get a loan. Worse comes to worse, I will buy the Kamakura which is half the Kyoto.
Drubb,
I am glad that you share my findings for the ORB taps. There're the best tap out in the market today but they also come at a price.
I bet your system must be of top flight quality and the sound must be marvelous. I envy you, but wish you the best enjoyment posible with your hifi.
For me, the ORB is just too rich at the moment. I'll just re-look in to it at a later date.
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