Power Of Silence. More Adventures With Audio Prism Noise Sniffer.

Audio Prism Noise Sniffer.

Over the years, many have accused high end power cords and PLCs of been useless devices with "Snake Oil" label. Are they really?

With the Audio Prism Noise Sniffer at hand, I set to find out.

Let's see what the Audio Prism Noise Sniffer results say, Refer to the chart below:

Note: All figures are represented as decibels(db). Ambient[B] taken as room's noise floor for base line comparison. Direct/Wall[C] as per reading taken direct from wall power point, unfiltered. Filtered[D] as per reading taken from Power Line Conditioner outputs or Power Cord's IEC end. Extention[E] readings are taken if any extensions are used from PLC to power front end equipments. Results[F] are taken in (-) minus readings to represent the power line noise reduction in decibels(db).

A post mortem of the results obtained.

Based on the Results[F] columm figures, it would appear that the PS Audio Power Plant Premier regenerator is the most effective in cleaning up EMI/RFI noise riding along power lines, by reducing a whooping -62dbs from the 112db reading taken direct from wall. This means that the output of the PS Audio PPP is dead silent taken in to consideration that room ambient is 50dbs, when gauge from the Audio Prism Noise Sniffer's tiny speaker.

Coming in joint 2nd placing with -59dbs noise reduction reading is the Pure Power 1050i and the Furutech Daytona 303. My much loved Torus Power RM8A only managed a close 3rd placing with a noise reduction of -58dbs. As to why the other Torus Power RM8A only managed to reduce noise by -51dbs? That has to do with the point in time when I took the powered measured from wall, which only read 105dbs. The results would have been much the same as mine should the noise from wall taken at that time been noisier, say at 112dbs?

Furutech Daytona 303.

Torus Power RM8A.

PS Audio Power Plant Premier.

However, the results above are just one of the few aspects of noise reduction measurement, in relation to what we actually hear via our hifi system. I must stress that the chart above alone is in no way a justification of which is the best PLC available in the market. The chart above should instead, I feel be taken as a guide to help you narrow down your choice of PLC for audition in your system.

Based from the above chart, there are ten facts that stood out quite clearly.

1) All transformer based PLCs, irregardless of brand, will leave a some residue noise, on both the Torus Power RM8A units measured, there was a consistent 2db transformer hum at output, I would consider that as the best of the transformer based PLC breed measured.

2) The Audio Magic Stealh XXX, PS Audio PPP, Pure Power 1050i and the Furutech Daytona 303 deserves special mention here as their results were total silence, i.e. total noise elimination. Though the Audio Magic Stealh XXX measurement results only showed -42dbs, one must note that it started with only 92dbs of noise measured from wall. I am sure if the wall measurement was noisier, say 112dbs, we would have got a very diferent results, which I am very confident that the Audio Magic could do much more than this survey had indicated.
Audio Magic Stealh XXX.(photo is an older model)

3) Any sort of power cord extensions, used post the PLC's output, is sure to act as an antenea for EMI/RFI noise. In my own case, the noise picked up along the 10ft of cable extension post Torus Power was +17dbs! In the case of the Subang Jaya, all Furutech based system, the 12ft extension used post Furutech Daytona 303 was +12dbs, indication that the Furutech Evolution power cord used for that extension is superior compared to my rather economical JPS Inwall, in terms of noise sheilding.

4) Low cost power line filters like the Audio Prism Quiet Line MKIII(-30dbs noise) and Isotek Isoplug(-19dbs noise) are more effective than I had imagined. However, the trick is to install them as close to your equipment as possible. They do loose their effectiveness rapidly with more distance. For a mere RM$200-300/pc, they are PLC bargains when used correctly, and great for first timers starting out in the PLC journey.

5) Exotic and high price power cords actually do make a diference, irrespective one can hear it or not, the Audio Prism Noise Sniffer can tell the diference! The most expensive power cord of the group measured, the JPS Kaptovator, priced at RM$5K+/per meter can reduce power bourne noise by -18dbs! On the contrary, the typical standard power cord supplied with most electrical appliance and hifi equipment picks up +6dbs of noise along it's 1 meter length! Along the way, we have Shunyata, PS Audio amongst other specialty power cords available in the market, effectively reducing an average of -6dbs of power bourne noise along it's one meter length. Does that give you something to think about?

6) Small tweaks, like an X-2 capacitor, installed on the IEC end of my JPS Inwall power cord, does reduce noise by as much as -4dbs! As measured on two of my identically terminated JPS Inwall, one with the X-2 cap tweak and the other without.

7) Dimmers are an absolute NO-NO!, in a hifi room, note the system where the PS Audio PPP resides and had a dimmer light switch installed, with the dimmer in use, the effectiveness of the mighty PS Audio Power Plant Premier is reduced to a mere -14dbs, from the previous -62dbs when the dimmer switch was not in used.

8) Good plug points and contacts can also reduce noise by as much as -2dbs! This was demonstrated between the use of the much supperior built Isotek Multiway vs the cheap 'n' cheerful Wireworld Electrifier in my system.

9) Though results were unlisted, and I do not have concrete proof of what I am about to say. I believe that economically priced digital gear are more prone to digital power supply noise bleed back in to the system power supply, compared to the higher end models. This was demonstrated when I plugged the Stello CDT-100 and DA100 Signature pair in to the Wireworld Electrifier, sans the Isotek Isoplug filter, I found the noise floor from the output of the Wireworld Electrifier to measure at 73dbs, vs my resident Marantz CD7, which measured at 71dbs, same as in with or without the Marantz CD7 plugged in. There was a 2db noise floor diference in favour of the more expensive, if older Marantz CD player. Reason being, I guess is that the higher end CD players have stiffer and better filtered built in power supply modules, compared to the economical model.

10) The RGPC 400 Pro, is perhaps the most misunderstood power product by the consumer. In used, either as part of the RGPC Isogray or as a stand alone product to power a hifi system, it consistently reduces only -1db of noise. I feel therefore, a need to clarify the purpose of the RGPC 400 Pro. It's not a power noise filter. It's intended more of a power storage and peak power draw smoothening device. The RGPC 400 Pro will store up to 2000W of power, and when required, can release all those energy in an instant, as it is usually installed much closer to the hifi system. My guess is the the -1db noise is more a result of good contact then anything else.
Pure Power 1050i.

One final thought I wish to add to the Noise Sniffer Results chart above. Whilst the regenerator type PLCs technically reign supreme in this simple but high effective Noise Sniffer test, it doesn't quite tell the whole story. If you'd look back at my previous reviews of the Pure Power 2000 PLC, which is regenarator based on class D amplification technology, you'd read about my mentioning about it's sinewave output profile of a saw tooth like pattern. This saw tooth like pattern, mostly emiting 3rd order harmonics, which are some what less pleasant to the human ear perception, much like why some audiophiles prefer tube amps over solid state. I do believe that the current PS Audio Power Plant Premier is class D based as well, compared to it's older models.

With this final analysis, my time with the Audio Prism Noise Sniffer had come to an end. Did you notice how much A/C power supply infomation, one can get from this little device, with aide from an SPL meter and a little thoughtfulness?

The Audio Prism Noise Sniffer is an essential tool if one is serious about experiencing how power supply noise issues effects our hifi system's performance.

Audio Prism products sold by Hi-Way Laser, contact Kenny, tel:019-2813399.

Bright Lights, Big City, Bad Power? More Adventures with Audio Prism Noise Sniffer.

Bright Lights, Big City, Kuala Lumpur, home to 3.5 million Malaysians. That's the official figure, add another million or so if illegals are to be counted, He!He!

Using the very same method I described on my earlier Audio Prism Noise Sniffer post for checking RFI/EMI noise riding along the power lines to my home, I've decided to check out other areas of Kuala Lumpur, where friendly homes are open to my probing. The list is not exhaustive, and does not cover many areas, but I believe it's a fair representation of overall power condition within the Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley in general. You get the idea.

As usual I begin with checking the room ambient noise before doing any further measurement. Whilst there are rooms quieter than the 50db of the SPL meter limit, it'll not show. But all room's ambient noise taken is somewhere between 50db(quietest and SPL meter limit) and 54db(noisiest). Now 4db may not seem like a lot, but I must stress that our average system playing music at average SPL peak of 90db volume in a 50db ambient room may only require 25Watts of theoretical amplifier power, playing the same music it the same 90db volume with the same system in a 53db ambient room will require the use of a theoretical 50Watts amplifier, for us to hear the same volume and music dynamics. So a quieter room is a better room for hifi enjoyment.

With the room equation out of the way, lets see if your area has noisy power lines.

AREA: LOWEST db - PEAK db

Putra Heights, USJ: 92 - 112

Petaling Jaya, Section 13: 92 - N/A

Petaling Jaya, Bandar Utama: 88 - 102

Puchong, Bandar Putri: N/A - 102

Serdang, Seri Kembangan: N/A - 112

Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Ipoh: N/A - 113

Kuala Lumpur, Seri Hartamas: N/A - 105

Subang Jaya, SS17: N/A - 112

From the chart above, where possible like Odiosleuth's and my own place, I managed to measure the lowest A/C power noise(88db and 92db), which are typically Sunday afternoons, and peaks which are usually week day evenings, at (112db and 113db) when factories are not closed yet, or operating at night shift and at the same time, many people are already back from work, at home turning on their lights, plasma TV and every other home appliance you can think off. If you take the peak levels recorded, deduct with the typical room ambient measurements, that will translate to between 40-60dbs of RFI/EMI noise riding along your power supply lines.

For most of us listening to our hifi system at 90-95db music peaks, which is already very loud(this I've been told off by countless people! He!He!), which I measured in my own room with peak music playing. Having power supply lines noisier than our peak music volume only make things very unpleasant to listen to.

The tools for the job, Audio Prism Noise Sniffer and an analog SPL meter.

Of course, prior to this most of us would never know how bad the situation was, because the noise was inter weaved in to our music, showing it self as grainy high frequencies, irritating sibilants, edginess in the music and may even result in indistinct and unstable imaging. Hence over the last two decades or so, audiophiles begin to find ways to solve this A/C power supply noise issue.

Many have advocated a separate and dedicated power line(from 3 phase supply, if possible), pulled direct from incoming, all the way in to the hifi room where the MCB panel is no more than 6 feet away from the power point you plug the hifi system in to. I did not get a chance to measure a home with this power layout for hifi room, so I cannot confirm nor deny it's effectiveness.

The other more common way for most of us is to power our hifi system via a power line conditioner. In my case as exhibited earlier, some other auxiliary equipment were also used to achieved a minimised, or noise free power line as close as possible result. With that in mind, armed with the Audio Prism Noise Sniffer at hand, I went about checking various PLC systems available in the market and their effectiveness in power line noise reduction. Stay tuned.

Audio Prism is sold by Hi-Way Laser, contact Kenny, tel: 019-2813399

Absolute Power Corrupts! Audio Prism Noise Sniffer.

Audio Prism Noise Sniffer sniffs out all the EMI/RFI noise riding along the power lines to your hifi system.

To some I seemed to be obsessed with power! Power supply for our precious hifi system, that is. Well, let's just say that it all started with a quest for lower noise floor for my audio system, and somehow, for every question I managed to find an answer to, more new questions sprouts in to my curious mind.

Along the way, came the Audio Prism Noise Sniffer, courtesy of Kenny of Hi-Way Laser, which retails at RM$895.00 each. As it's name indicates, the device sniffs out the dreadful EMI/RFI noise from your power points, which supplies the all important A/C juice to your hifi system. Now you can't fight an enemy that you can't see or hear. The simple looking Audio Prism Noise Sniffer, once plugged in to the power point, allows you to hear how dirty, nasty EMI/RFI sounds, via a little speaker and a volume(more of a sensitivity) knob. The manual advises to turn the volume(sensitivity) knob to 12'o clock to check for noise once plugged in to a power point. If you can't hear anything, then try to further turn up volume knob and see if you hear any further disturbing noise. Real easy!

I was curious how loud the EMI/RFI noise on the power would be, so I borrowed an SPL meter froma friend to make things just a little more informative.

When I first plugged in to the power point used to power my whole hifi system, turned the volume knob to 12'o clock as per suggested by the manual, I heard a very rude loud noise via the built in speaker of the Noise Sniffer device. I was shocked! But I was also curious, how loud is the noise? I asked around some sifus, and came to this conclusion.

That's how the noise is measured, just to give you an idea.

I first need to know my room ambient noise floor as a base line reference. Then I need to know how loud the EMI/RFI noise is from the power outlet. I borrowed an analog SPL meter from a friend and bingo! I can now measure everything in db scale. I merely placed the SPL meter pick up mic at the middle of the built in speaker of the Noise Sniffer each time I want to measure something. Oh, just one more thing, I made sure every equipment in the hifi chain is switched "on" to simulate the real world use of an hifi system.

Audio Prism Quiet Line MKIII Parallel A/C Line Filter plug.

I first measure my room's noise floor, which shows 52db. I proceeded to measure again the power point used to power ny hifi system. No wonder I had a very rude shock, the decibel meter swung wildly pointing to 112dbs! I then proceed to check how effective my Torus Power RM8A PLC is, by plugging the Noise Sniffer in to one of the spare outlets. This time, I was in for another pleasant suprise! The decibel meter only indicated 54db of a very soft "be....ep, be......ep" sound. WOW! The Torus Power really works! It has managed to bring EMI/RFI noise levels down by a whooping 58dbs, just 2dbs above room's ambient! Highly impressive indeed, however when Odiosleuth threw me one of his spare Audio Prism Quiet Line MKIII parallel A/C line filter (BS std)plug, just nice for plugging in to one of the Torus Power RM8A's spare outlets, I proceeded to measure the noise again, but only this time, the last 2dbs of "be...ep, b....eep" transformer residue noise also turned silent! This is truly brilliant stuff.

The Audio Prism Quiet Line MK parallel A/C line filter plug, installed at the end of the spare outlets on the back of the Torus Power RM8A. Silenced the 2db transformer residue noise.

I then wondered what will happen if I plugged the Noise Sniffer in to my Wireworld Electrifier distributor powered by a 10ft long JPS Inwall power cable. With all my hifi equipment switched on as before, I proceeded with the same test, and again, I am surprised by my findings, the EMI/RFI readings this time shows 71dbs on the Wireworld distributor! That means the 10ft long JPS Inwall was acting like an EMI/RFI antenna, picking up 17dbs of noise along the way!

I know, I know, some of you readers have previously pointed this issue out to me, and are now thinking smugly "I told you so!". I can now confirm that you guys were correct to raise concern of the issue. Please give your self a big pat on the back! Lesson learnt for me.

Isotek Isoplug though the circuit design is very slightly diferent from the Audio Prism product above, but just as effective in soaking up EMI/RFI noise from the power lines.

Now that I know my problems I set out to fix it. I went to the friendly Center Circle Audio guys to borrow an Isotek Isoplug, and an Isotek Multiway distributor. I plug the Isoplug in to one of the spare outlets on the Wireworld Electrifier, and this time, I can confirmed my suspicions. The speaker of the Noise Sniffer was silent, I turn the volume further up till full, it remained dead silent! The Isoplug was absolutely effective, that it brought down all the 19dbs of noise picked up by the long power cable including the remaining 2dbs of transformer residue noise from the Torus Power PLC.

The Isotek Multiway only has minimal noise filtering capabilities, but does provide surge protection for hifi equipment plugged in to it.

The Isotek Multiway was less effective as it was only a very mild filter plus surge protection model. I swap the entire Wireworld Electrifier over to the Isotek Multiway, sans the Isoplug and the measured noise levels went back up to 69dbs! only 2dbs better than the Wireworld Electrifier. I plugged in the Isoplug back in to the Isotek Multiway, and all those RFI/EMI noise went away again, just eerily quiet like as earlier experienced.

Of the two possible solutions, the Wireworld Electrifier and Isoplug combo proved superior in total EMI/RFI noise elimination.

I reverted to the Wireworld Electrifier and Isoplug combo, which I found so effective, and started listening to some music. It's good to know that sometimes, technical results does co-relate to what one hears in music reproduction.

My final choice, the Isoplug does run hot to touch, as it converts noise to heat.

I heard more silent, jet black back ground noise, if any at all, with volume at pre amp adjusted to my usual listening levels. When the music played, the first thing that struck me was how much more relieved all the vocal and instrument images are from the black back ground of the sound stage. I heard better low level resolution, inner micro details within the music mix. I also heard sharper transient response, and some improvements in musical dynamics. All in small quantities, you might say, but it all certainly adds up to better musical enjoyment and fatigue free listening. I could feel much more "connected" to the musical playback easily compared to before.

The most effective and useful hifi tool I've come across so far, price at RM$895.00 each, every high end aspiring audiophile, and those serious about noise floor reduction/elimination, should have one!

I've never come across a more useful audio tool before the Audio Prism Noise Sniffer! I am considering very hard on purchasing the review sample. However, I bought Odiosleuth's spare Audio Prism Quiet Line MKIII and the Isotek Isoplug to fix my noise issue.

Stick around, as I use the Noise Sniffer to check out the most effective PLCs, power cords, Klang Valley power supply noise and confirm or perhaps,reject a few power related speculations and myths too!

Audio Prism power products sold by Hi-Way Laser, contact Kenny Sin, tel:019-2813399

Isotek Power System products sold by Center Circle Audio, contact Sky, tel:03-77282686