Thank you so much especially for all your educational lab videos. It's a pleasure to listen to your honest but always respectful and kind comments about products and your explanations.
Gm ☕️❄️ from Toronto I run an IFI power supply on both my DAC and streamer …and yes ..they actually did make a change for the better. Thanks for your dedication to the hobby. Take care.
I have the high current model of this DC killer running into the larger Isotek filter board. The board feeds my subs, streamer, Accuphase amp, Denon AV amp and TV. I don’t know if the DC killer is doing much but it looks nice. System sounds great so no complaints.
Like your aproach . I shielded my mains power outlet inside and out . Used Audiance out let ! Siliconed in for vibration also copper taped outlet cover in and out ! 😮 Whoa same effect as that 1500 dollar isotek ! 😅😊
Please correct me if Im wrong, at 2:35 I thought you said Iso-Tek instructed to put the gemini near the wall and then connect the distribution block to it. Would appreciate if you could confirm. Been enjoying your channel since your Metrum Pavane days. I also own one and love it. Love the live speaker A/B comparisons too!
@@TheAlphaAudio Oh Im a dummy. I was calling the Synchro a Gemini. Ok we're on the same page. I should know better. I have an Iso-Tek Gemini and an Evo3. Looks like my next purchase will be a Synchro to put before the Evo3. I will not put one before my Gemini (thanks to the information contained in this video) since that's where I plug my router and my Mac mini (Roon core). Both use switch mode power supplies which I keep separate from my other gear containing toroidal power supplies. Thanks for the clarification. Cheers!
My system is 'currently' without any cleanup device in the power line. I used a few filters and DC blockers, but they all seemed to have a negative influence on performance or no detectable difference at all, depending on the selection of devices I connected to the filters/blockers. I have a slight hum in one of the transformers in my transport, but no DC blocker I tried so far seemed to fix that - I am not even sure if DC is the cause of it. Curious what the Syncro test will bring.
Have you heard back from Isotek about the Syncro V5, that they initially announced in Munich? You had an interview about that product, but they postponed the "reveal".
Oh so a filter block where you put SMPS will also prevent the SMPS noise to go from the block to the wall/grid and into other products? It's filtering in both directions so to say?
In Texas ; Years ago I bought an Equitech balanced AC power supply & have had no sonic issues since . No ground loops , no hum , dead quiet . Everything has the same ground potential when it is all 100% connected to this unit . I do have a ZeroSurge at the wall into which the BPS connects . USAF veteran - electronics
Thanks for this interesting and useful video. I enjoy all your videos. May I just confirm that you said there is no advantage in using the Syncro DC blocker with any audio component that has a switch mode power supply, only with a linear power supply? Thanks for the clarification.
@@TheAlphaAudioquestion, I want to add this to my powerquest 505. All my equipment, Hegel Integrated amp, Denefrips DAC, turntable, streamer, networking, etc. I understand you said switch mode does not need this, but will I still benefit from it or degrade it if all my equipment is to conditioner with a Synchro before it?
I dig your videos. Not all objective nor all subjective..a mix of both which to me is the reality of things. Although the objective camp would say that is not reality 😊
@@TheAlphaAudio Hmm tried it, but losed the agresive kick in the bass, I liked. Bass in general wasn't that great. Then again the SMPS was plugged into a AQ niagara 1000. En went in an other audio block but not with a lot of filtering. O well, you win some and you loose some. Thank you for all your videos!
I found getting the phase of the power correct to be very important to avoid transformer hum. Both to avoid problems with potential between ungrounded devices, but also some devices will just dump nasty stuff onto the grid is phased incorrectly. At one point I noticed the brighter the image on my LG oled, the louder the transformer hum from my amp 😱 Turning the power plug of the tv eliminated that completely (the tv was only connected to the system via optical, so no galvanic connection). This surprised me as I did not think phasing mattered in devices with switch mode power supplies. I do use a DC blocker, in addition to filtering, which helps but only to a degree. So my coffee maker in the kitchen still gets my transformer singing and in my old flat it was honestly hard to make a dent in the dc related hum.
The sinewave doesn't change. You need a regenerator for that. I did some extra measurements on a power supply today. You clearly see the effect. You can read the results in the review. It will be live on Monday.
Most would get a good sonic upgrade from the Syncro Uni. Is quite a good upgrade. Most products on the market do not solve the DC-problem in a good way (getting rid of dc while not harming inductance and impedance). There are a lot of different power issues. Synco Uni solves one of them and does it well. It’s designed to have other power cleaning after it in series. The Gemini solves three of the other problems (isolation between equipment, filters noice in two ways) in an entry level way. Much more kind of power problems should be addressed and if one choose filtering, then more db than Gemini is recommended. Don’t forget grounding incoming power mains, chassi grounding, signal grounding, improving grounding effect (better noice sucking effect) and much more power issues. I liked the video though…
Hi Jaap, are switch mode PS still having a negative effect when the device is turned off? Like my TV, the decoder or the network switch. Or should we unplug every unused device?
Brilliant. Thank you! I run my system from a battery with Giandel pure sine wave generator (like a Stromtank for a few hundred dollars) into a Puritan PSM156. However, the Syncro could be worth trying on the power amp which is not fed from battery.
You finally follow in my footsteps. There are cheaper solutions than Isotek and probably better ones. I have a lot of: * Schaffner RF/EMI FN9244B (B: medical). Some of 8A and a lot of 3A (Spain: 230 Vac/50 Hz) * Würth 150 khz ferrites * DC Blockers with BIG capacitors (one, the prototype, updated with expensive Mundorf 47.000 uF with LOWWW ESR) - Greetings from the sunny 😎Tarragona (SPAIN/EU) 🤗 -
Hi! Why a re you using medical variant? You dont have PE in your wall socet? Or what is the reason? Looks like with Y caps it should filter better. May be Iam wrong...
From the PDF: Schaffner_datasheet_FN9244 [ FN 9244 B versions comply with the requirements of 1MOP acc. to IEC/EN 60601-1 for creepage and clearance, LEAKAGE CURRENT and high potential testing ] @@sergeiu8101
Thank you so much especially for all your educational lab videos. It's a pleasure to listen to your honest but always respectful and kind comments about products and your explanations.
Thanks a lot for your great efforts!!! YOU are my better-Amir, without arroagance and better observations in measurements.
Gm ☕️❄️ from Toronto
I run an IFI power supply on both my DAC and streamer …and yes ..they actually did make a change for the better.
Thanks for your dedication to the hobby.
Take care.
A dcblocker is a good idea to install before an isolation transformer. It can avoid some stress to the core and make it heat up less.
I have the high current model of this DC killer running into the larger Isotek filter board. The board feeds my subs, streamer, Accuphase amp, Denon AV amp and TV. I don’t know if the DC killer is doing much but it looks nice. System sounds great so no complaints.
Like your aproach . I shielded my mains power outlet inside and out . Used Audiance out let ! Siliconed in for vibration also copper taped outlet cover in and out ! 😮 Whoa same effect as that 1500 dollar isotek ! 😅😊
Great job! Keep up the good work!!!
Please correct me if Im wrong, at 2:35 I thought you said Iso-Tek instructed to put the gemini near the wall and then connect the distribution block to it. Would appreciate if you could confirm.
Been enjoying your channel since your Metrum Pavane days. I also own one and love it. Love the live speaker A/B comparisons too!
I meant the Synchro. Than the Gemini. Thanks for your support.
@@TheAlphaAudio Oh Im a dummy. I was calling the Synchro a Gemini. Ok we're on the same page. I should know better. I have an Iso-Tek Gemini and an Evo3. Looks like my next purchase will be a Synchro to put before the Evo3. I will not put one before my Gemini (thanks to the information contained in this video) since that's where I plug my router and my Mac mini (Roon core). Both use switch mode power supplies which I keep separate from my other gear containing toroidal power supplies. Thanks for the clarification. Cheers!
@@HD-Tech welcome!
My system is 'currently' without any cleanup device in the power line. I used a few filters and DC blockers, but they all seemed to have a negative influence on performance or no detectable difference at all, depending on the selection of devices I connected to the filters/blockers. I have a slight hum in one of the transformers in my transport, but no DC blocker I tried so far seemed to fix that - I am not even sure if DC is the cause of it. Curious what the Syncro test will bring.
All power products should be tested at home. And you should always be careful will.fast conclusions.
Have you heard back from Isotek about the Syncro V5, that they initially announced in Munich? You had an interview about that product, but they postponed the "reveal".
@@henrikhengerics6782 yeah... But unfortunately I have not heard anything yet.
@@TheAlphaAudio They have it now: Isotek V5 Syncro Uni 10 and Isotek V5 Syncro Uni 16.😉
Oh so a filter block where you put SMPS will also prevent the SMPS noise to go from the block to the wall/grid and into other products? It's filtering in both directions so to say?
Yes
In Texas ; Years ago I bought an Equitech balanced AC power supply & have had no sonic issues since . No ground loops , no hum , dead quiet .
Everything has the same ground potential when it is all 100% connected to this unit . I do have a ZeroSurge at the wall into which the BPS connects . USAF veteran - electronics
Balanced filters are great.
Thanks for this interesting and useful video. I enjoy all your videos. May I just confirm that you said there is no advantage in using the Syncro DC blocker with any audio component that has a switch mode power supply, only with a linear power supply? Thanks for the clarification.
Yes... That is true. Switchmode power supplies don't need this.
@@TheAlphaAudio Thanks for the prompt reply. Love your Lab audio tests, hope you can find the time and resources to keep them going...
@@marcfoss7687 me too!
@@TheAlphaAudioquestion, I want to add this to my powerquest 505. All my equipment, Hegel Integrated amp, Denefrips DAC, turntable, streamer, networking, etc. I understand you said switch mode does not need this, but will I still benefit from it or degrade it if all my equipment is to conditioner with a Synchro before it?
I dig your videos. Not all objective nor all subjective..a mix of both which to me is the reality of things. Although the objective camp would say that is not reality 😊
Reviewing is finding the balance between sharing your opinion and sharing facts. We try to be clear in that. So thanks for noticing!
So i should take out my SMPS out of my main distribution block. Since I have 1 powering my Ethernet switch.
Yes. Preferably.
@@TheAlphaAudio Hmm tried it, but losed the agresive kick in the bass, I liked. Bass in general wasn't that great. Then again the SMPS was plugged into a AQ niagara 1000. En went in an other audio block but not with a lot of filtering.
O well, you win some and you loose some.
Thank you for all your videos!
I found getting the phase of the power correct to be very important to avoid transformer hum. Both to avoid problems with potential between ungrounded devices, but also some devices will just dump nasty stuff onto the grid is phased incorrectly. At one point I noticed the brighter the image on my LG oled, the louder the transformer hum from my amp 😱 Turning the power plug of the tv eliminated that completely (the tv was only connected to the system via optical, so no galvanic connection). This surprised me as I did not think phasing mattered in devices with switch mode power supplies. I do use a DC blocker, in addition to filtering, which helps but only to a degree. So my coffee maker in the kitchen still gets my transformer singing and in my old flat it was honestly hard to make a dent in the dc related hum.
So Gemini from the wall socket then feed the power to the filtering device (Iso Tek) to kill DC then filter noise?
I would do it the other way around.
I would like to see the sine wave before and after if you can measure it?
The sinewave doesn't change. You need a regenerator for that. I did some extra measurements on a power supply today. You clearly see the effect. You can read the results in the review. It will be live on Monday.
Most would get a good sonic upgrade from the Syncro Uni. Is quite a good upgrade. Most products on the market do not solve the DC-problem in a good way (getting rid of dc while not harming inductance and impedance).
There are a lot of different power issues. Synco Uni solves one of them and does it well. It’s designed to have other power cleaning after it in series.
The Gemini solves three of the other problems (isolation between equipment, filters noice in two ways) in an entry level way.
Much more kind of power problems should be addressed and if one choose filtering, then more db than Gemini is recommended.
Don’t forget grounding incoming power mains, chassi grounding, signal grounding, improving grounding effect (better noice sucking effect) and much more power issues.
I liked the video though…
You are right. We have more videos on power. This was a simple video about some differences.
Hi Jaap, are switch mode PS still having a negative effect when the device is turned off? Like my TV, the decoder or the network switch. Or should we unplug every unused device?
Yes. Sometimes. Because it is not off but in standby.
Brilliant. Thank you! I run my system from a battery with Giandel pure sine wave generator (like a Stromtank for a few hundred dollars) into a Puritan PSM156. However, the Syncro could be worth trying on the power amp which is not fed from battery.
It is not really suited for a power amp...
Syncro is delivering high end performance
Ik had een DC blocker gekocht van ifi. Vond het te droog klinken en high details waren verloren. Meteen teruggestuurd :)))
Is there a safe way to test for DC on the line?
You can use an oscilloscope and a differential probe.
You finally follow in my footsteps. There are cheaper solutions than Isotek and probably better ones.
I have a lot of:
* Schaffner RF/EMI FN9244B (B: medical). Some of 8A and a lot of 3A (Spain: 230 Vac/50 Hz)
* Würth 150 khz ferrites
* DC Blockers with BIG capacitors (one, the prototype, updated with expensive Mundorf 47.000 uF with LOWWW ESR)
- Greetings from the sunny 😎Tarragona (SPAIN/EU) 🤗 -
Hi! Why a re you using medical variant? You dont have PE in your wall socet? Or what is the reason? Looks like with Y caps it should filter better. May be Iam wrong...
From the PDF: Schaffner_datasheet_FN9244
[ FN 9244 B versions comply with the requirements of 1MOP acc. to IEC/EN 60601-1 for creepage and clearance, LEAKAGE CURRENT and
high potential testing ]
@@sergeiu8101
Aggg, my answer was deleted. Short:
PDF -> B: medical -> LEAKAGE CURRENT
What is wrong with leakage current? Why you dont like it?
Security? @@sergeiu8101
Steven Wilson!
Yeahhhhh!