King Arthur's Gem! Novaris Excalibur Surge Protector & PLC

The Novaris Excalibur sitting on top the Torus Power RM-16 AVR in my system. The Novaris is so much more compact and lighter by comparison!

 

I met the Novaris people at the Northern AV Show last month, and very quickly became friendly enough with them to trust me with this review. Novaris is an Australian company that specialize in supplying surge protection and power line filters for railway systems. So happens that the bosses are also self confessed audiophiles that they designed the Excalibur and the PP series surge protector & power line filter for AV & Hifi use. There's one more thing unique about Novaris is that their manufacturing plant is based right here in Malaysia, somewhere in the Sungai Buloh industrial estate.

A week after the show, I picked up this Excalibur sample, that it's so new, you can't even Google it yet!(You can try, really) This unit was being discreetly displayed at the Northern AV Show, together with the Frank(of Powerbank fame!) & Silbatone demos. I saw something that was competently designed, and made by the people with great industrial power supply knowledge! So I was mighty impressed with the Excalibur, so to speak, but the big giant question in the room "How does it sound?"

The front panel display of the Novaris Excalibur, which gives more than the required information regarding the systems power supply. A big red illuminated ON/OFF switch sits just below the display. The back panel features 10 universal power sockets, which is convenient as it will pretty much accept BS 3 pin plugs, NEMA(US Standard) or even Schuko(German Standard) plugs. The input socket from wall accepts 20 Amp plug

So now, that I have the Novaris Excalibur with me, I wasted no time and plugged it in to my system. Taking over from the Torus Power RM-16 AVR, the Novaris now takes power from the wall, and supplies to all my sources, pre-amp and power amps(which are the pair of excellent Tonewinner AD-1 PA). The Tonewinner AD-1 PA when operating in Class-A mode draws a little over 5 Amperes!

I was also quite curious about the Power Factor value on the display. A quick check with Wong sifu told me that in my system, there are losses from the transformers being used  in my system, being the ideal power factor value of 1.00 and the best possible practical result being 0.95. Wong sifu also told me that in the world of consumer electronics, 0.85 value is considered pretty good. He said at 0.71 which was the value being shown on the Novaris meter, he just said hmm.........,, there's significant power losses some where in the system. All other information on the display as above are pretty much self explanatory.

From the very first go, I listened to my speakers up close, with no signal or music being played, the tweeters are dead quiet and not hissing, which is always a good sign. Then the music starts, again I am astonished by the overall quietness of the background in the music. Key word is "Quiet", there is a lack off jet darkness in the back ground, unlike the Torus. The jet darkness background is a signature of transformer based, or sand filled passive PLC designs. The Novaris has neither a transformer inside, or being sand filled for dampening, so the result is fitting I guess. No good, no bad here, just a different way of doing things and the results reflect it. Next thing I noticed obviously are the high frequencies reproductions. The highs are nicely refined, airy and with bite or attack when the music ask. No over smoothening here, which is good. The mid range, a.k.a. vocals mostly, stand out a little bit in front of the proceedings, again which is good. The vocals have good life like presence effect which I like. The bass is very tightly wound, and super solid. I must say the above sound description also in a way, describes the Tonewinner AD-1PA amplifiers in Class-A mode, as per my reviews about them, minus the jet darkness in the background of the music. The Novaris also makes the sound stage just a tad deeper & wider, if compared to than without. However, the stage deepness doesn't quite reach to the back and the layering that the Torus does by comparison.   

The internals of the Novaris Excalibur shows the designer has put in some very good electrical engineering principals in to the circuit. It's got everything it needs to do the job!

The Novaris Excalibur is expected to cost a little more than MYR 13,000 when launched next week at the Gelombang AV Fest 2022. For me, given the construction and materials value in the box, is certainly worth the lot. And in sound, especially when compared to my giant Torus power RM-16 AVR, the Novaris Excalibur gives up little in compromise. And in function, the Novaris doesn't do voltage regulation either, and this function I believe with today's TNB voltage stability compared to just 10 years ago when I bought the Torus Power, is no longer required in most places. As I used the Novaris Excalibur in my system for the past 2 weeks, I did not see any wild in coming voltage swings, based on the display on the Excalibur. The voltage movements in my area recently is mostly +/- 5 range of the 240V that TNB subscribes to.

If automatic voltage regulation is not required in your case, my verdict is that the Novaris Excalibur could be all that ends all PLC & surge protector one needs. You can spend more money and do worst is all that I saying. If one is in the market for a hifi & HT PLC, do ignore this Novaris Excalibur at your own peril, no matter your budget. It's a must check out candidate at the MYR 10,000 or more range.

Novaris is Exhibiting at the Gelombang AV Fest 2022, starting from next Friday, 5th August 2022. 

Another Passive Filter? FFA Power Line Filter & DC Noise Blocker

The FFA Power Line Filter & DC Noise Blocker is basically a power cord with a box of passive filtering components inside. Frankie says one can order the FFA with US style NEMA-5 plug as well

Another day, another passive power line filter comes to market place, so what's so different about this one? Since I have played with most of the PLC or filtering device out there? 

Well for a start, this is a locally designed & made product. Designed by my buddy, non other than Mr Oh, the hifi repair man that most readers will by now be familiar with, if you've had hifi equipment repaired by him, you're in good hands! Yes, designed by Mr Oh, but made by Frankie Fong! So who is this Frankie Fong? Some may ask. I only met Frankie when he brought me a pair of the FFA Power Line Filter & DC Noise Blocker for this review. This guy is our Malaysian Elvis King apparently! Don't believe me, look at the CD cover below! Yes, Frankie has an album dedicated to all of Elvis early career songs. He's a pretty good singer too. I would love to see him perform as Elvis one day.....

 

Frankie Fong is a big time Elvis fan and does cosplay performances as well. He lives the Elvis way when on stage! 

FFA = Frankie Fong Audio? yeah right.............. You tell me, Can this Frankie Fong may be as famous as the other Frankie(Frank Powerbank fame) in our Malaysian audio landscape? Only time will tell.  The FFA Power Line Filter is basically a power cord attached with a plastic box of passive components inside to do some passive filtering of electricity as it comes in to your hifi equipment. DC Noise in power line? Don't know how to verify that either. As I plug in the FFA power cord with a box to my hifi equipment, I heard some nice improvements which I like!

First and most obvious, the bass tightens up. In my small room, big speaker set up, some room modes do remain untamed, but with the FFA plugged in most of those pesky room modes are either gone or audibly reduced. Next improvement noticed is stereo separation. In much audiophile music where there are lots of sound stage location cues, the FFA makes them more dramatically pronounced, in a nice sort of way which doesn't sound artificial, unlike some of the other tweaks I've played with in the past. And possibly the last  noticeable effect is the back ground noise becomes darker, as most good power line filters or conditioners tend to be.

However, one thing stood out for me with this FFA power cord. It prefers to work with a power line conditioner in front of it. Meaning in my case, the power from wall first goes to my Torus Power RM-16UK with my usual power cord, then to the hifi equipment via the FFA! If I just use the FFA direct from wall to equipment, the results are less impressive. The bass less well controlled, but still better than without the said FFA, stereo separation panning effect is less pronounced, and there is virtually no "darker" back ground noise as well. This is actually not normal.

And so, I tried the FFA in my HT system where I used 2 units of Weiduka AC-8.8 power line conditioner, one for my stack of sources & amps, and another one for my pair of SVS PB-2000 subs. I used the FFA to run the pair of SVS subs with & without the Weiduka in place. Again I heard the same great leap of performance with the Weiduka in use, and lesser performance gains without the PLC in use. I can't explain what I heard, but that's what I heard.

So my take is the FFA plays more like a supporting role in the whole power management for your audio or HT system. It actually takes performance levels up a notch or two with any power line conditioner is use together, but on it's own, my probable verdict would be YMMV!

However due to the excellent results I got with the FFA at the small outlay of MYR599/unit, I bought the review pair and they are now in use in my HT system. FFA can be ordered on FB market place, or one can call Frankie Fong direct at 016-2380220 to find out more.

Fused In Gold, Bussmann, Aucharm & AMR Hifi Gold Fuse Comparo

Here is the Aucharm 13 amp gold fuse, compared to a standard grade Bussmann 13 amp fuse that comes standard with most high end equipment or power cord terminated with BS plugs

If you look at tweaks, and if you're like me, having toyed with almost any novelty that hifi tweaks dom has to offer, and scraping the bottom of the barrel for shit to write home about, eventually you'll come to this, Hifi Tuning Fuses! Now, I know I am not the first to write about it, and certainly will not be the last to do so too, but perhaps this multiple fuse comparo will interest your attention for just a few short minutes? 

I know based on web site statistics, now days the average attention span is 3 minutes or less, and the music producers knew about it a long time ago, that's why since pop music became available, the genre never broke the 3 minute long rule, until Freddie Mercury & his band Queen came about with a song called Bohemian Rhapsody, which is more than double the standard 3 minute time format!

Sorry I digressed, but this topics about the BS 13 amp fuse got me all hot & bothered, you know why? Because that little shinny gold tipped ceramic body fuse does changes the sound! And with each fuse brand, the sound is different too! For better or worse, only once you plug those pesky little gold fuses and you'll find out!

From here on I will attempt to describe each of the 3 gold fuses that I have in hand and how I used them in my system to get the sound & picture quality to my preference.

Bussmann 13amp gold fuse for bass prowess

First, I'll start with the Bussmann gold fuse. In hifi application, Bussmann BS(British Standard, not the other BS) 13 amp is the de factor choice of many hi-end equipment manufacturers in markets like Malaysia, or the Commonwealth, where the British Standard to 220V - 240V power delivery is used. And until now, virtually all my 13 amp fuses are this standard Bussmann grade, until I got one of Bussmann gold grade came with one of the MSHD plugs that I bought. Compared to the standard Bussmann grade, this gold fuse does sound slightly more muscular in the bass area. Bass comes across as BIG, BOLD & strong! the result is kick drums kicked harder, plucking of double bass has more force, and bass lines are solid, yet tuneful, and easy to follow without muddiness. I didn't fine much difference in the mids, but perhaps, top end was just a tad more refined! 

 The Bussmann gold fuse, with it's standard ceramic body & printing looks just like the usual standard grade, except the matt looking gold coated tips on both end caps. In other words, it is not a visual stand out from the standard Bussmann, in terms of appearance & sound. Certainly useful for those who want to squeeze a little more bass energy out of the system. 

Aucharm 13 amp gold fuse, for spot lighting high frequencies against a pitched dark sound stage or back ground

Next up is the Aucharm 13 amp gold fuse. The Aucharm looks better finished compared to the Bussmann, not make it off all three, with it's nice shinny gold coating on the end caps, and a very striking blue hue ink printing on the ceramic body.

Sound wise, the Aucharm is the direct opposite of the Bussmann, it's main focus lies in the upper frequencies. Top end is a little emphasized, but that may be the way because the treble is contrasted to the background is so......... dark, and completely hash free! If my hifi system presentation is correct, it sort of gives a slightly spotlighted effect on the cymbals & high hats, and percussion instruments. However, there is also a small downside to this fuse, that way it highlights the high frequencies, with some female vocal recording when she is coming to her hi-octave falsetto, there could at times be a bit ear pinching. I must say say it doesn't happen with every recording but just with the odd few CDs that I listened to, so happens. 

The good part is, the Aucharm is very affordably priced if you just look at Lazada or Ali Express.

   

AMR 13 amp gold fuse shows maturity in refinement & overall well balanced sound properties of a well tuned product, as can be expected froma hi-end equipment manufacturer like AMR

 

Lastly is the AMR 13 amp gold fuse. This is the most expensive fuse of the lot, at just the edge to my give up to purchase pricing, but it didn't stop me from getting 3 pieces. 

However, it's pricing does show a voicing maturity resulting overall balanced sound from top to bottom frequencies, and very refined top end. Bottom end is not as gutsy as the Bussmann, but nevertheless still nice and tuneful. the over all presentation is quiet, and free from hash(though not as dark background as the Aucharm). It also doesn't spot light the highs like the Aucharm. So in essence, it's just a very refined, quiet and noise free tuning. And like all well tuned products, it never lets a hair down, or have any rough edges to the sound. Everything is where it should sound like, but just more refined & less noise. 

So, in the end how did I used the fuses to tweak my hifi & HT systems? Yes, plural, because I have stereo separated from my multi channel HT system. 

First up, in my stereo system, I only used the AMR & Aucharm gold fuses. I used the AMR in the power line where all my pre-amp & sources are powered. Then I used the Aucharm in the power  lines that drive my power amp. I loved the refined balanced on the AMR for my sources but as I had a bit of rowdy bass response in my system, I would use the Aucharm in the lines that drive my power amp to tightened the bass and give and overall darker sound stage.

In my HT system, I used  the AMR again, to power all my source, AV Receiver, EQ and power amp. the Aucharm powers all my auxiliary items like Google Chromecast & Arcana HD Fury. And lastly the Bussmann Gold to supply juices to my twin SVS subs as I want the bass to rock my HT room, especially when watching those earth quake or natural disaster movies!   

As hifi tuning fuses are another controversial topic, if not more controversial than cables such as power cords, your comments & brick bats are welcomed in the comments section!

Go Big Or Go Home! Torus Power RM 16 AVR

Torus Power RM16 AVR

Torus Power RM8 AVR, spot the diference?

It's been a good 10 years since I've settled down with the Torus Power RM8 AVR. Read my original review here:  http://hifi-unlimited.blogspot.com/search/label/Torus%20Power

I have been happy with my chosen power supply solution for so long, I had never considered any form of change or up grade. For me, the Torus Power RM8 AVR is always a keeper. 10 years is a long time in any product life cycle, and unlike any of my other hifi equipment that came & went, the Torus Power stayed. Even when I moth balled my hifi and took a sabbatical then restart, I still stayed the course with the RM8 AVR, as I believed even with newer generation products in the market, the Torus Power remains one of the top solutions when it comes to power supply & conditioning.

The Torus Power is a balanced transformer based design with a voltage regulator circuit added for good measure, keeping the output voltage at 230V+/-10V range. In my hands, 10 un-eventful years passed by with no wants, and the Torus Power more than satisfying my hifi power needs.

Then came one fateful day a local used hifi classifieds this Torus Power RM16 AVR appeared and I started thinking, hmm..........., what if? After consideration of the worst outcome would be that I just spent a few thousand to top up a trade in deal, would result in no sound improvement!

I called the dealer who put up the advert, made the deal discussion and the rest was set in motion. a few days later, the dealer called that he would deliver to the Torus Power RM16 AVR to my place, and bring the RM8 back as a trade in. Weighting at nearly 60kgs. 3 of us  had a tough time bringing the RM16 AVR up 2 flights of stairs in to my man cave, located in the 1st floor of my house. Once that was done, bringing down the 40kgs RM8 AVR was less of a problem.  

This is the Torus Power RM8 AVR with 5 UK style power points, the RM16 AVR has only 1 extra point, even though it has double the power supply capacity! 

I proceed to plug the RM16 AVR in to my system and realized that despite the big heavy box, I only got 6 UK style power points, compared to 5 on the RM8 AVR. However, I only needed 4 to use om my system.

I fire up the system, not expecting much sound difference nor improvements. I am totally surprised by what I heard. 2 things stood out the moment the first track played on my Sony CDP X-7 ESD CD player, first the already black background just got blacker......, like black hole to nothingness, it's eerie! Next the high frequencies gain a buttery smoothness, a much longer tail end decay in to that black nothingness. I get the same full bodied, thick mid range magic as before. However the bass took on a more integrated in to the sound stage character. In the past I could still hear some the bass notes coming from the woofers of my PMC IB-2i speakers, but now all the bass is coming from the front stage imaging! another bass area improvement was the flabbiness. Forcing the big boy PMC speakers in to a small room was kinda cramping it's style. I had some degree of bass flabbiness that vibrated that whole room when then particular room mode hit! Funnily enough, the Torus Power RM16 AVR with is double capacity had much, much more grip on those 10 inch pistonic bass woofers that PMC uses. That bass flabbiness as mentioned, whilst not totally eliminated, was however, much reduced, to the point it's barely noticed. I guess there are limitations when going against the law of physics?

Overall, going the double the power supply didn't make sense at first. You see, my system was barely drawing 3 amps peak and when using the RM8 AVR, I already had more than double the headroom to spare. I was thinking buying more head room was probably a suckers game! However, now after a week in to the change over, I felt the trade up was more than a fair deal. I am glad I done it!

Wishing all our regular readers GONG XI FA CAI!  

 

Frank PB-15000Ws Power Bank Storage

The Frank PB-15000Ws Power Bank Storage has been making waves in the Malaysian audiophile community for a while now. What is remarkable is that the raves for the Power Bank are not limited to a certain group, everyone, from the ultra high End to the entry level, is not immune to the Power Bank's efficacy. Among them are users of flagship systems such as Wilson WAMM, Wilson Alexandria XLF, Wilson Alexandria 2, and EgglestonWorks Ivy Signature. You can't get stronger endorsements than these.

It is apt to call the Frank PB-15000Ws Power Bank Storage a rare phenomenon in hifi. I myself have never come across any hifi component that could so unite the opinion of such a wide spectrum of audiophiles, who not only praise it but also put their money where their mouth is by installing at least one unit of the Power Bank in their system. Many are so enamoured that they do not stop at just one, but have gone on to their second and even third units. The Power Bank's effect apparently is cumulative, and its creator Frankie Voon mentioned that in his experience 3 units seems to be the magic number for optimum performance.

The demand for the Power Bank has been outstripping supply, so it was certainly my good luck that Frankie agreed to send me a completed unit temporarily for this writeup.

The Power Bank is built into a very sturdy chassis that is suitable for a power amplifier. It had to be, as the finished product is as heavy as or heavier than many power amplifiers. Weighing in at a substantial 38.5kg, moving it is a 2-person job. The side fins on the chassis are purely decorative as the Power Bank remains absolutely cool to the touch even after many days of being left on continuously. The Power Bank is installed parallel to the electrical circuit feeding your system (meaning none of your hifi components is plugged into the PB). There are 2 versions, one that is directly connected into your house's power supply board, to one of the MCBs; and another version that can be plugged into a wall outlet near your system. Frank told me that the former is better, the latter version is only about 70% as effective. I got the latter version as it involved less work to install for the purpose of this writeup.

I was advised to let the Power Bank plugged in for a few hours to a few days to bring out the Power Bank's full effect. There is a switch at the back panel that switches the Power Bank on/off and for selecting different electrical phases.

As to the Power Bank's operating principle, honestly I do not have the required technical / engineering knowledge to explain it properly, so I quote Frankie directly, "The Frank Power Bank works like a fuel surge tank. The design of the Frank Power bank is a modified Autoformer, meaning that the Autoformer is connected parallel to the incoming mains power. The electrical current for the equipment does not run through the Power Bank itself. It is not current limiting, and it lowers the impedance."

After leaving the Power Bank on overnight, I sat down for my first listen. Normally, at my place, the sound quality between night and day, while not 'night and day', shows quite a bit of difference. At day time, the sound is cleaner and showed better coherence. With the Power Bank, the first listening, which was done at night, showed that the sound quality difference had diminished a lot. The second effect that caught my attention was the black and silent background, which allowed the sonic images to stand out and proffered much better dimensionality and focus for the soundstage and images.  These effects held true in every one of my listening session. The Power Bank was acting very much like an excellent mains treatment products in this regard.

A longer acquaintance with the Power Bank also showed its other effects on the sound quality – bass was slightly stronger and better defined, the little nuances in the music became more pronounced and easier to hear, the sound became just that little more articulate. Musicality was the main beneficiary.

The Power Bank also softens the sound (as opposed to ‘hardening’ it), giving the music a more flowing quality. The treble especially, became tame, and had an almost languid quality, which I believe will benefit tremendously systems that sound aggressive, hardened or bright in that region. Your system will not be fatiguing during long listening sessions.

With so many audiophiles adding the Power Bank into their system, I’d think that the Power Bank's effect is rather universal, it is not system dependent or location dependent. Will the Power Bank also capture your audiophile heart like it has done to the others? Well, try to listen to it yourself. Call up Frankie, discuss with him and see what arrangement you can strike up.

But be forewarned, as many are waiting for their unit, patience is a required virtue before you get to savour the charm of the Frank Power Bank PB-15000Ws.

The price for the Frank Power Bank PB-15000Ws is USD2,600/unit. Call Frankie Voon at +6012-2981011 to discuss or visit http://fveuroaudio.wix.com/audio.

Evolutionary Power! IsoTek EVO3 Polaris PLC.

The Isotek EVO3 Polaris power strip, next to an iPhone 4 for size comparison.

Having previously owned, reviewed, and lived with various Isotek power line conditioning products of the three generations over the last couple of years, I've witness steady improvements, sometimes subtle, other times immediate with each new generation of Isotek PLCs. With the latest EVO3 Polaris power strip, with built in PLC function, I was very much impressed with the big leap in the areas subjective sound quality parameters.

Before we get start talking about sound, how about brief description of the item in question? The Isotek EVO3 Polaris is a 6-way power strip with some rudimentary built in power conditioning capabilities. It's quite heavily built for a power strip, with it's polished aluminium casing for a bit of audiophile glam. There's a fashionably bright blue LED status indicator(which lights up once power supply is connected) right in the middle of a Isotek logo soft touch decal(which is rather classy rather then chessy!). The review sample came with  US standard Nema style sockets(BS standard sockets are available on request, do check with the good guys at Centre Circle Audio if you prefer that). The sockets are rather generously spaced out which is good, as most audiophile quality power cords come with over sized plugs too.

Isotek EVO3 Polaris in action.

I substituted the Isotek EVO3 Polaris in place of my usual Sine SA-6 ME power strip, which is non-conditioning on it's own. The power strip is placed as such that it draws clean, regulated power from my Torus RM8A AVR, then splits to supply power to all my front end audio components, such as my digital media player, DAC, pre amp, turn table, and phono stage(as seen on picture above).

Almost immediately, I noticed that my system back ground noise became jet black, and musical notes just burst out from that nothingness, holds it's timbre and harmonic textural as the artist or performance intended, and then fading just as required, back in to the jet black of nothingness back ground. The experience of that is just nothing short of amazing! No grunge, hiss, white hash or hum made it's way in to my system's power supply via the Torus and more importantly Isotek EVO3 Polaris combo. My past experience with previous Isotek products, just never reach this kind of convincing equilibrium.

And then there's Isotek signature bass, with voluminous fill and dynamic woofer control which can make many amps sound like they've just acquired a few more juicy watts or speakers with an added woofer or so! I say bass first in tonal balance this time because it was the most impressive aspect of the whole spectrum. Having a little more bass doesn't mean it has to be bloated or over riped, at least not where the Isotek EVO3 Polaris is concerned. Bass have that tight, propulsive, start-stop with snappiness and note to note transfer quality that I seldom experience in mine or many other systems for example. It's kinda like the woofer has become a well trained guard dog, after under going obedience school training. The woofers do bark louder, yet maintained it's discipline on all times, with the musical notes as it's instructor.

Enough bass talk, the un-coloured, open and clear mid range deserves a mention in continuation of Isotek's signature sound. Perhaps that's why I thought the images within the wide open sound stage are very solidly defined? Who knows, but I know Isotek improved on another area too, if it's the highs! I found the highs now very refined, like hearing thru the sonic signature of a Shunyata Hydra 4 power line conditioner! Previous Isoteks always struck me as a bit business like in the highs, not that they're particularly noisy or show signs of hardening when the musical going gets tough. The highs are just previously characterless and not particularly shinny either. With the soft(texturally speaking), refined and gentle high frequencies, we audiophiles can now have our power bass cake and eat it with the gentle highs too!

The soft touch Isotek brand decal is a classy, quality touch! 

I would never accuse the EVO3 Polaris of being unbalanced due to the above observation of a soft, gentle highs, un-coloured mid range and strong gutsy bass. In fact the whole she bang still had that overall coherence if somewhat managed sound signature of the previous Isoteks. It's just that the top end is somewhat tweaked to sound freer-er, and the already tidy bottom end further tightened(Ouch!, much like the G-string in between my bum cheeks, chicks dig guys with red coloured G-strings too, ssshhh..... I didn't tell you that, Ha! Ha!).

The Isotek EVO3 Polaris cost RM$1,500.00 a piece and would've been my reference power strip with PLC, if not for my AV binge lately, and as with any blue collar Malaysian worker with an shrinking income, there are certainly limits to my vitamin M resources, plus it's that time of the year to give away those little red packets of joy that everybody loves to be on the receiving end too!

Wishing all our Chinese readers GONG XI FA CAI!

Isotek products are sold by Centre Circle Audio, contact Sky or Nelson at 03-77282686.

Screen Saver! IsoTek EVO 3 Mini Mira.

IsoTek EVO3 Mini Mira.

IsoTek is the indisputable British power line conditioning company. My love affair with IsoTek products have been well documented in these pages. When I started getting in to AV, by setting up my latest HT system, some readers asked me to try out the IsoTek Mira, the power line conditioner for displays. There have been very positive user reports with the previous versions, and as luck would have it, the local distributor had run out out of stock, and were waiting for the latest batch of EVO 3 Mini Mira to arrive. I got my review sample sometime in December, and took me a while to get on to it, due to a steady queue of equipments(some are very special indeed) coming in for reviews.

The IsoTek Evo3 Mini Mira came in a nice looking packaging, with high quality offset printed wrap around a protective brown box. The IsoTek Evo3 Mini Mira looks well built for something that's usually hidden, with 2U metal, powder coated finished(with aluminium top half) construction. The EVO3 is a simple device to install. Just an IEC input on one end and a pair of power point output on the other end, which the review sample came with US style NEMA 5 power points(as opposed to the BS standard ones on the illustration above). I used a spare, self terminated 1.5 meter JPS Inwall power cord to connect from wall to EVO3, and the captive power cords from the Panasonic 32 inch LCD screen  and Pioneer DVD player connected at the output end.

The dynamic and punchy video quality as captured here, on Astro program.

For comparison, I watched a variety of TV(Astro) programs and DVD with and without the IsoTek EVO3 Mini Mira in the loop. I found the EVO3 offered much clearer, crispier picture quality, due to less on screen hash(or noise, but not the audible kind). It's kinda like when taking picture in low light with a digital camera equipped with poor quality CMOS sensor. It's noise reflected off the visual kind. The screen also delivered far wider contrast ratio, which points to blacker blacks and whiter whites, making for much more dynamic, punchier picture quality then without the use of the EVO3. Colours are never saturated and the more punchier quality, is never eye jarring. The picture quality still manages to maintain it's cohesive whole, naturally of course.

Due to the use of built in TV speakers, I could hardly detect any gains in audio quality. Perhaps in a more sophisticated system, sound quality may take a turn for the better? I am just as suspicious as you are. I did not use the EVO3 in my other HT rig because I was testing something else there, and didn't want to up set the test conclusions by changing too many parameters in a go. And by the way, in case you're thinking about it, don't ask me if the EVO3 Mini Mira is better than the previous version? That's a question I can't answer because I never made that comparison and have never experienced the past version either.

Note the outlet with blue dot on the left? It's for your display device, and the other is for your Blu-ray or DVD player.

Priced at RM$1,100 each, the IsoTek EVO3 Mini Mira is worth checking out, if one is serious about getting the best picture quality out of one's display device and source. That means you, the AV enthusiast will have to find out how deep your thirst is for picture quality?

IsoTek is sold by Centre Circle Audio, contact Sky Wong or Nelson at 03-77282686.

CMY Audio & Visual Gets MS HD Power!

Good news for folks hunting for power products on an econo budget. CMY Audio & Visual has sourced a new brand of China made power delivery product with excellent build quality and reliability, a visually excited John(CMY head honcho) tells me.

They are great for budget hifi and AV requirements, and comes with a range of contact metals available, platinum being top dog. John assures that they're super affordable for the quality. We've being promised some to try soon.

For more details, call John or Dicky at 03-21439206.

Best Power Line Gear 2011.

These were the few power line conditioners we managed to lay our hands on in 2011. While I had tested the Torus Power RM8A AVR sometime in 2010, I didn't felt that the improvements in sonic qualities to be tangible enough for me to up grade. However something changed in the power supply grid in my area since and the Torus made a comeback!


Torus Power RM8A AVR is the best all in one power solution for me.

Torus Power RM8A AVR.

It's the ultimate all in one box power supply solution, for people residing in areas where their power supply lines are not only soiled with EMI/RFI interference, but also huge voltage swings. While EMI/RFI interference is generally agreed by consensus to degrade sound quality of a given hifi system, voltage swings can shortened lifespan of all electronics. Personally, I do feel that it's a factor that does effect a given system's sonic signature too. Too low a supply voltage(below230V)  and the sound gets all mushy, lethargic, and a general lack of drive in the music. Too high the supply voltage(above 250V) and the sounds turns harsh, with tizzy highs and vocals sing like as if they're screaming at you! Usually accompanied with a strong, dense white hash in the quiet musical passages, which mask away low level details. I am a happy Torus Power user, enuff said.


Runimg Springs Audio Duke is design exclusively for power amps!

Running Springs Audio Duke.

This is a passive power filtration designed to restore transient and dynamics losses in a given system, by working on the power amps. With the RSA Duke in Odoislueth's system, the musical canvas achieved a jet black state of nothingness and we felt that perhaps that contributed to faster transient response and stronger dynamic swings. It just made orchestral crescendos peaked just that much higher, and rock music rendered more energetic. However, the Duke's additional qualities did not take away the suppleness, sweetness and organic qualities that were already part of Odiosleuth's system vocabulary. Here's a no compromise approach to passive power conditioning.


Shunyata Hydra V-Ray II is an improvement in passive power filtration of past versions.


Shunyata Hydra V-Ray II.

Odiosleuth has been a Shunyata fan for a few years now. With each update, we felt Shunyata is moving away from the warm, cuddly effects introduced by the use of their PLC equipment in a given system. With the latest Hydra V-Ray II, the move to neutral sonic grounds is complete. While I felt the move is in line with current high end standards, some may miss the older style Hydra sound characteristics. By the way, the new generation Shunyata Hydra Triton series is now here, and we hope to try them out pretty soon.

I can't think of any other PLC products to mention here. Next, we look at some Best Cables 2011.

Gear That Impressed in 2011

Before we embark on sharing more hifi equipment with you in 2012, it is appropriate for me to first highlight a few pieces of hifi equipment that had stood out in the year that just passed. Each one of them had lived in my system for a number of weeks, each one of them was extensively listened to. I found them to be able to stand the test of time and will provide long term listening enjoyment to the potential owner.

Digital Frontend:

1. Wadia 571 CD Transport, 931 Digital Controller, 922 Mono Decoding Computers.
List: RM174,880. CMY

The Wadia rig in the foreground of the picture

A take-no-prisoner, leave-no-stone-unturned approach to digital playback. The sound is highly detailed, very clean and refined, yet impactful and dynamic when called for.

If you love the Wadia sound, but found this quartet too stressful financially, I'd recommend the Wadia 381 CD Player, which Big E and myself listened to last year. It is the entry level in Wadia's current line-up but gives you a slice of the Wadia top dog's sound quality and sound characteristics.


2. Technical Audio Devices TAD-D600 SACD/CD Player
List: RM129,000. AV Designs

The TAD-D600 has music in its heart. It went about doing its job in an even-handed and low key manner that I did not realize just how very excellent it was, until I took it out of my system. Then, I missed it tremendously.

Flawless rendition of all musical genres, rich sound with dense sonic images.


3. Krell S350a CD Player
List: RM10,500. Hi-Way Laser.

This Krell is a surprise find for me. I wouldn't say that it comes close to the two preceding heavyweights, but the Krell S350a punches way above its price class in terms of build and of sound quality. Many will find there isn't much more they want from a CD player.

The sound is organic, robust and musical. A very good music making machine.


Pre-amplifier:

1. Ayre KX-R
List: RM77,700. Hi-Way Laser

Hifi jewel at its best. Impeccable build quality. The sound has an excellent vitality and an attractive, slightly golden hue.

The Ayre KX-R is both musically and technically beyond reproach. One of the best pre-amps currently available.


2. Pass Labs XP-20
List: RM31,200. Perfect Hi-Fi

This Pass Labs sounds neutral, smooth, robust, dynamic. An excellent all-rounder. My current resident pre-amp, enough said.


Power Amplifier:

1. Parasound Halo JC1 monoblocks
List: RM39,000. Centre Circle Audio

A gentle giant. When playing softer music or small scale ensemble, the Halo JC1 has the finesse of a small amplifier, like an excellent 30-50 watter. However, the 300 watts in reserve means the JC1 will stand up to any challenge. I prefer its high bias setting which gives 25 watts in class A.


Loudspeakers:

1. Marten Getz
List: RM80,781. Swedish Statement

A 'High Definition' loudspeaker.

The Marten Getz was the first pair of loudspeakers in my system that challenged me to discard my old notion of high fidelity sound.

Very detailed and clean, but not clinical when matched well (my Pass Labs XA-60 was an excellent match). The high was pristine and extended, the mid was clear and open, the bass was tuneful. I called my long-term living experience with the Marten Getz a 'cultural shock'.


Power Line Conditioner

1. Running Springs Audio - Duke
List: RM9,187.50 with the Mongoose powercord. Ultimate Reference

Power line conditioner with 2 outlets, aimed at power amp or monoblocks. Takes away haziness, adds dynamics, hugely improves bass quality.


Cables - strange, I did not get myself any cables to write about the entire 2011. So there is nothing to say.


Special Mention:

Technical Audio Devices TAD-C2000 Preamp / TAD-M2500 power amp / TAD-CR1 loudspeakers
List: RM128,000 / RM115,000 / RM148,000. AV Designs

I had the TAD-C2000 and TAD-M2500 for short listening in my system (one evening) at the turn of the year. While the TAD-CR1 loudspeakers have been running in my system for a few weeks, I have not reported on them yet. So, I'd not include them in the main body of this post.

However, each and every one of the TAD gear had sounded more than impressive in the listening session and other times in the dealer's showroom. Music listening through them was deeply satisfying, and that's what our hobby is all about.

Listen to them if they cross your path, I bet you'd learn a thing or two.

That's all I have. Onwards to 2012.

Pristine and Energetic – Running Springs Audio’s Duke Power Conditioner

This is my first time crossing path with Running Springs Audio. I saw it when I visited Ultimate Reference during their opening, and they graciously offered the Duke for me to listen to in my system.

I read somewhere where somebody said that we are actually listening to the electricity in our home. He is right. Our music signal is kept throughout the hifi chain as electrical signal, only until the very last step is the electrical signal converted to kinetic energy and then to sound at the loudspeakers. So it goes that the better quality the raw ingredient, i.e., the electricity supply, the better will be the end product, i.e., the sound quality.

Hence, we see now the great proliferation of power supply related products in hifi, with the use of myriad technologies.

Running Springs Audio (RSA) talks about its own technology and its construction approach on its website as follows:

“Running Springs Audio power devices do not use on/off switches, meters, lights, or dials, components that are generally known create noise in the line rather than remove it! After an extensive development process, RSA selected a mixture of passive voltage regulation with a differential topology and exceedingly high-quality proprietary components. This yields a product that, actually, surpassed the original three design criteria of proper voltage regulation, noise cancellation, and protection ….”

Its says its building blocks consist of:
* Non-ferrous high-quality aluminum chassis, no magnetic interference, or damaging field effect which can destroy inner detail, pace and roll-off high frequencies
* Internal Cardas wiring
* Proprietary high-frequency CNDI & DMS passive filter lowers noise floor without compromising dynamics and detail
* Proprietary platinum foil capacitors custom-designed and hand-trimmed to precision-matched +/- 1% tolerances
* Proprietary synthetic matrix hand wound inductors, far superior in resonance control and sound quality than the current generation of inductors on the market that use iron or air.
* Includes carbon fiber feet for isolation and vibration control, superior detail and greater dynamic contrast
* Internal carbon fiber resonance vibration control
* High current, sonically invisible circuit breaker that will not diminish current flow and offers unparalleled protection “

The Duke from the rear, note the 3 carbon fiber cones resting on top of the main chassis

The Duke is a heavy little fella. With a size not much bigger than a loaf of bread, it weighs 24lbs (11kg). Usage is simple, there is an inlet, which requires a 20A power plug, and 2 American style outlets. There is no switch, which RSA says has an adverse effect on sound quality. There is a circuit breaker, which will trip when anything goes wrong. RSA says that the Duke can cater to power need of up to 2,400 watts, which in most cases is more than sufficient for our power amplifier or monoblocks. The list price of the Duke with the Mongoose powercord is listed for RM9,187.50.

There was no more spare space on my hifi rack, so I decided to sit the Duke on the floor. RSA has thoughtfully supply 3 pieces of spike, which are made of carbon fibre. Using them under the Duke made a small but significant difference to the sound quality. With the spikes, the soundstage was more stable and the sound was a little more coherent.

The RSA Mongoose powercord that is bundled together with the Duke

I routed the 2 powercords to my monoblocks to the Duke. RSA also bundled in their own Mongoose powercord, the 20A version, to connect the Duke to the wall. The Mongoose was said to be developed in conjunction with Cardas. Indeed on the cable jacket it was written “Cardas Golden Reference”. RSA said it is the best match with its products. Well, I think with the 20A powercord bundled in it is pretty good value. You would have saved a couple of thousand Ringgits and some effort to search and purchase a suitable one for the Duke.

As the Duke continued to run in over a few days, the sound changed from slightly rugged to something more refined and smooth. After a week of continuous use, its performance stabilized.
The effect of the Duke in the system was easy to hear. Two things became obvious. The first was the quietness of the system, as if a layer of haze was removed, whether music was playing or not. The sound was also exceedingly clean and clear, making listening effortless and untiring.

The other was that on first impression the system sounded louder, I had to turn the volume a step down. After more listening, I realized that the system sounded more dynamic, it ‘jumped’ more freely, thus giving the impression that the volume was higher. There was also more energy in the sound, as if the musicians played and sang with greater commitment. The sound had more verve and the performances became more enjoyable. On classical music, the timpani whacked more forcefully, the overall sound was richer and had a good analogue feel; the scale expanded and the stage was more enveloping.

Just for my own confirmation, I plugged the monoblocks back into my Shunyata Hydra 8 (old version). It made the transient edge a little softer, the sound was also a mite lethargic comparatively. The Duke in contrast gave the system a shot in the arm, and everything perked up.

The effect of the Duke on the bass performance was something to behold. The bass became more solid, it held better as it went lower, it was weighty and much better organized (as opposed to some flabbiness without the Duke).


Was there any downside to the Duke’s performance? In the weeks that I had it in my system I could not come up with any. Every time I took it out to re-acquaint myself with the sound before, then putting it back in, I always preferred having the Duke in. Well, the one thing I can think of is that the Duke will not help you hide the system or the recording’s flaws. There is no added warmth or fuzziness to make the sound cuddly. There is just pristine, clean, clear sound emanating from your system...

Just like the name of the company that makes this – Running Springs.

Running Springs Audio is carried by Ultimate Reference, contact 03-77314999

Sweeter The Second Time Round. Torus Power RM8 AVR.

Torus vs Torus! My original RM8A sitting on top of the RM8 AVR, my new found sweetie! No struggle this time for sure.

I highly praised the Torus RM8 AVR last year when I reviewed it. Many wondered why I didn't make the "not so significant" jump? That's right folks, while I like many advantages of it's sonic virtues over my resident RM8A(non AVR model), the differences just wasn't compelling enough for me to dosh out my cash for the small sonic up grade. I dutifully returned the unit to AV Designs soon after the review period.

But what has changed? TNB's erratic power supply came in to play again. I constantly monitor my in coming voltage every time I turn on my music. I guess it's a silly and some what neurotic obsession of mine? During the time when I reviewed the Torus Power RM8 AVR, the in coming voltage to my place was relatively stable. And during those 18 months or so when I had the non AVR Torus Power, the in coming voltage from the wall remained stable between 232V and 253V band width. That meant having the Torus Power RM8 AVR during the review period sometime in April/May 2010 showed only small, insignificant sonic improvements.

The recent re-development and up market property project expansion near my area has resulted in the voltage surge by the month of September 2010. My home appliances were breaking down at an alarming rate, washing machine, DVD player(another one died?), AV receiver and light bulbs just went buzz........ed! I went in to serious voltage monitoring mode again, while the lower end still tracked 232V, the upper end reach 268V! Especially at nights when I am in the mood for some musical therapy.

I tend to notice that the sound of my hifi system tend to take on a more strident, harsher mid range tone, highs become more granulated and sticky. White haze and electronic glare would become evident in the music back ground. For two months, I was enduring the sonic nightmare, while monitoring the in coming voltage, while silently hoping things would go back to the way the were. By December 2010, it seems the in coming voltage would continue to swing towards the higher end of the monitored band width.

By January 2011, I couldn't take it anymore. I asked for the Torus Power RM8 AVR to be returned to me again, which James gladly did so. From the moment the AVR-ed Torus was plugged in, I was treated to sonic bliss all over again. Only this time, the sonic improvements were markedly more than I last remembered it to be! Why, I am not sure but I can probably say that the power supply to my area is worst now, compared to when I last tested the unit. That's why I can report much more sonic advantages this time round.

I won't bore you all again with all the sonic and sound description of what the AVR brought, which has been discussed in the review article last year. All I can say is that every sonic benefit that was stated there, is now at least twice more powerful than before. Yeah! Yeah! Rolls your eyes, that Big E is talking crap again! I know, I know!

This just proved again, the improvements that a Power Line Conditioner(PLC) brings to the system in use does depends very much on the quality of the in coming voltage supply. If one is lucky enough to have relatively stable power supply, than the use of an AVR will not bring much difference. However, my recent experience does indeed suggest that AVR is a necessity, if one's in coming voltage is highly un stable. For sound and protection benefits, the regulated pleasure of the Torus Power RM8 AVR is really sweeter the second time round!

And this time it's certainly not going back to AV Designs.

Torus Power is sold by AV Designs, contact James or Tony at 03-21712828.

A Big Step Forward - Shunyata V-Ray v.II & Black Mamba-HC CX 20A

I am a Shunyata fan. My love affair with Shunyata started 3-4 years ago when I was looking for a power line conditioner and came across a Hydra 8 (version 1) unit. The Hydra 8 produced a beguiling midrange, added a little warmth to the bass, and imbued the whole sound with a musical energy which made it attractive for long hours of fatigue-free listening. I have been living with it since.

You could also call the Hydra 8’s sound a little rose-tinted or a little golden hued. After listening to a number of other power line conditioners, I found the others indeed may sound more neutral. I know, my meat could be someone else’s poison. However, if one fell for the Shunyata’s colours, it is not easy to pull away.

After the Hydra 8, I tried a Shunyata Taipan Helix power cord on my source component, a Copland CD822 CD player. The energy and poise the power cord added transformed that CD player’s performance. I liked it so much that I went the whole nine yards, changing all my power cords to Shunyata Taipan Helix and Python Helix.

Among the lot, the biggest contributor to the overall sound is the Python Helix 20A from the wall to the Hydra 8 unit and another Python Helix from the Hydra 8 to my current frontend, the Ayre C-5xeMP universal player. It is also my experience that Shunyata power cords shine best in a complete Shunyata system; having one or two pieces of Shunyata in an array of other brands would not allow the full Shunyata flavour to come out, in my opinion.

So, given my affinity for Shunyata, when Big E told me that CMY has taken over the Shunyata distributorship in Malaysia and the Hydra V-ray v.II, the top dog in Shunyata’s power line conditioner hierarchy, was available for a listen, I was extremely interested to say the least.


The Hydra V-ray v.II comes in with a list price of RM20,590. The construction is similar to the Hydra 8 (now also upgraded to v.II status), which is basically a very sturdily built rectangular box slightly bigger than a loaf of bread. It has an aluminium fascia, and comes with a power switch and 8 American style outlets at the back. Shunyata says that the outlets are individually filtered. The ‘magic sand’ inside the box is there, Shunyata calls it ZrCa-2000, a noise reduction compound. Therefore when you pick up the box and give it a shake, it sounds like sand sloshing inside the box. As a bonus, the V-Ray v.II comes with a free SR-Z1 wall outlet, the same kind as the ones on the V-Ray v.II itself.

The V-Ray v.II is rated for a power throughput of 2,400 watt, unregulated, and a 20 amp continuous / 50 amp peak current capability. The V-ray also has surge protection of 40,000 amp and an electromagnetic breaker for over-current.


I started by plugging the V-Ray v.II to the wall with my Shunyata Python Helix Alpha 20A power cord. I plugged all my components into the V-Ray v.II, just like I did with the Hydra 8. In my new room, I did try plugging the more power hungry monoblocks directly into the wall outlets. Initially, the sound seem to have become more revealing, however, long term listening showed that it was noisier and harsher, it was not comfortable to listen to beyond 20-30 minutes. So, at the end I preferred to plug the monoblocks into my Hydra 8. I had the same result with the V-ray v.II.

How did the V-Ray v.II performed? Let me just not beat around the bush, the performance of the V-Ray v.II is streets ahead of the old Hydra 8!

The first difference I noticed was pronounced – the frequency response of the system was much further extended, it went way low in one direction and way high in the other.

An excellent example is from a jazz piece - Sonny Rollins’ ‘Way Out West’ from the album of the same name. The double bass notes were energetically thumping away from the woofers, each pluck packing a little punch, going lower than I heard before from my system. Noteworthy too was the way the V-Ray v.II made the notes sound more distinct from one other, the tune in the double bass playing was heard much more clearly, and the rhythm it carried was simply infectious.

On the same track, the cymbals and high-hat were much improved on, there was much less of the feeling of ‘a cloud of high frequencies’, each hit was more cleanly delineated. They also had the spread-in-air and illuminating-the-space qualities.


In addition to the improved extension at the frequency extremes, the V-Ray v.II brought with it a much lower background noise, instruments and vocals were playing on a cushion of velvety blackness. Clarity and details improved further, focus was better. The vocal from Pop Pop Music’s ‘Brasileiro Z Yan’ album was locked in between the speakers and rendered a couple of feet further in from the speakers’ plane, the staging was also very dimensional. Despite all these improvements in details and focus, the sound did not lose its good body, which Shunyata is well known for. It did not become thin.

As a further improvement, Shunyata pulled the V-Ray v.II away from the old Hydra 8’s rendering of tonal colours. If you think the old Hydra sound was too ‘flavourful’ for your taste, sort of a little too much ajinomoto, then you’ll find the V-Ray v.II not having much of such folly. The V-Ray v.II takes a big step towards neutrality.


At the tail end of the listening period, I replaced my older Python Helix Alpha 20A on the V-Ray v.II with the new Black Mamba-HC CX 20A (HC stands for High Current). I was pleasantly surprised, the musical performance did not diminish one bit. This is despite the fact that the Black Mamba is the replacement for the Taipan, which was one rung lower than the Python, its price is also lower than the Python by 20-30%. For a 2m cord, the Black Mamba lists for RM3,100. The Black Mamba also took a step towards neutrality compared the old Python Helix, which I think is now the new general trend for Shunyata products.


The Shunyata V-Ray v.II and the Black Mamba-HC CX impressed tremendously. Those who love Shunyata and have the requisite deep pocket, you have my envy.

Shunyata is carried by CMY Audio & Visual, contact John, tel: 03-21439206