So, I am not one for "Gadgets’, especially gadgets that come in really small sizes and make claims of improving sound quality, just by simply plugging them into the mains outlet
But a contact assured me that this particular gadget would make a difference.
I researched all the various brands that sell these gadgets and decided to try the ifi AC Purifier, simply because its description of how it works made some sense.
AC iPurifier Mains Audio Noise Eliminator - iFi Audio (thecableco.com)
It takes the same principle of noise cancelling headphones and applies it to the mains supply. i.e. if it detects noise it generates a signal of the same amplitude as the noise, but 180 degrees out of phase and injects it back into the power supply - therefore cancelling the noise, leaving you with no noise at all (OK very little noise at all)
And guess what? - it works - at least on my system
But since I have my system kitted out with Helix power cables that do much of the heavy lifting, with respect to eliminating noise , what’s left for the little gadget to do?
Well turns out - not a heck of a lot - HOWEVER, what it does do is finish off what the Helix cables started - i.e. get rid of noise that is not the product of the insulation and cable geometry, that can sometimes filter through to the components of a system from the mains supply
So to cut to the chase - I observed some minor improvements...
If you already have a power conditioner in the system then it would probably be of little benefit (if at all)
I initially tried it on the wall outlet and did not notice any improvement, but I have a 10 ft Helix extension cable that connects to to a Distribution box and my amp, so my guess is 10 ft is too far to have any effect
I plug my source components into the power distribution box, so I used a spare outlet on that box and it worked for both sources.
The manual states you can employ multiple of these across your system, but to date I have only tried a single unit.
I also tried it on
For the record - It did not provide an "OMG" moment on my system
Anyhow - since the Helix geometry is all about eradicating noise, I felt the ifi AC Purifier was worth a mention
Happy Listening - Steve
But a contact assured me that this particular gadget would make a difference.
I researched all the various brands that sell these gadgets and decided to try the ifi AC Purifier, simply because its description of how it works made some sense.
AC iPurifier Mains Audio Noise Eliminator - iFi Audio (thecableco.com)
It takes the same principle of noise cancelling headphones and applies it to the mains supply. i.e. if it detects noise it generates a signal of the same amplitude as the noise, but 180 degrees out of phase and injects it back into the power supply - therefore cancelling the noise, leaving you with no noise at all (OK very little noise at all)
And guess what? - it works - at least on my system
But since I have my system kitted out with Helix power cables that do much of the heavy lifting, with respect to eliminating noise , what’s left for the little gadget to do?
Well turns out - not a heck of a lot - HOWEVER, what it does do is finish off what the Helix cables started - i.e. get rid of noise that is not the product of the insulation and cable geometry, that can sometimes filter through to the components of a system from the mains supply
So to cut to the chase - I observed some minor improvements...
- a more focused image
- a deeper image
- a little more articulation, clarity and resolution
- a few more details in the area of venue acoustics
- the gadget takes a couple of days to stop sounding harsh
- you have to try it plugged into different outlets for best results
If you already have a power conditioner in the system then it would probably be of little benefit (if at all)
I initially tried it on the wall outlet and did not notice any improvement, but I have a 10 ft Helix extension cable that connects to to a Distribution box and my amp, so my guess is 10 ft is too far to have any effect
I plug my source components into the power distribution box, so I used a spare outlet on that box and it worked for both sources.
The manual states you can employ multiple of these across your system, but to date I have only tried a single unit.
I also tried it on
- my Bluesound Pulse Mini speaker - there were no perceivable benefits, but the resolution capabilities of this speaker is much lower than my system
- a friends All-Tube system - there were fewer improvements observed here also.
For the record - It did not provide an "OMG" moment on my system
- the improvements were very subtle, but noticeable
- I guess it really depends how much noise is on your power supply
- It may also provide a more noticeable benefit on systems that do not have Helix Cables
Anyhow - since the Helix geometry is all about eradicating noise, I felt the ifi AC Purifier was worth a mention
Happy Listening - Steve