agisthos,
That sounds about right.
ozzy
That sounds about right.
ozzy
I have had the ADD Powr Wizard in my system for a couple of weeks and I'm impressed
The audio writer's conundrum: How do you find the right words to describe sound? It's not easy. It's like trying to describe a color.
You will get a sense of it but in order to really get it you have to hear it.
We have all read many audio writer's attempts to do so with varying degrees of success. What does the writer wish to convey about how a particular component sounds? And more problematically, how does that get put into words? Here is the bottom line for me- how strong is the emotional impact of the sound when I listen to the equipment? That is it. And of course that can not be separated from the companion question- How strong is the emotional impact of the music? One reason that this hobby is so amazing is that these questions are two sides of the same coin and complement each other beautifully. Collecting fine (and well recorded) music is a great hobby in and of itself. Couple it, however, with the equally enjoyable hobby of component swapping and tweeking and you have a match made in heaven. It's like what happened when John met Paul.
All of which brings me to this review of the ADD Powr Wizard. What I keep returning to over and over again with this thing plugged into a nearby outlet is how intense my emotional connection to the sound and the music is. To use a well worn audio writer cliche, It's like I'm listening to my collection for the first time and hearing things I never heard before. But it is so much more than that. It's not just that I am hearing more of what is on the record it is that I am hearing more of what the artists on the record are intending to create with their music. The ADD Wizard allows me to do this more completely than any other addition to my system over the last 10 years. It lets me fully relax into the music. With all my other tweeks, at least the good ones, the ones that work, I was able to get a better sense of space and detail each time I added one. The benefit of the Wizard is on a different plane than that. Yes it adds to the sense of space and detail in the sound, but it also creates a stronger impression about the music itself. It's a feeling of being one with the music. Hard to describe but very powerful!
You will have to read the literature to get a sense of what ADD Powr is doing with its algorithms and how they are being applied to the household electric circuit in order to filter out the audio nasties so that the music can come shining through in all its glory . That part of the review is way above my pay grade. I would love to be able to understand that. But hey that's what makes tweeks so much fun. The fact that you may not understand the electronic or physics of it doesn't mean that you are not hearing amazing things from it. And in the case of the ADD Powr Wizard what I am hearing just makes me smile.
All of which brings me to this review of the ADD Powr Wizard. What I keep returning to over and over again with this thing plugged into a nearby outlet is how intense my emotional connection to the sound and the music is. To use a well worn audio writer cliche, It's like I'm listening to my collection for the first time and hearing things I never heard before. But it is so much more than that. It's not just that I am hearing more of what is on the record it is that I am hearing more of what the artists on the record are intending to create with their music. The ADD Wizard allows me to do this more completely than any other addition to my system over the last 10 years. It lets me fully relax into the music. With all my other tweeks, at least the good ones, the ones that work, I was able to get a better sense of space and detail each time I added one. The benefit of the Wizard is on a different plane than that. Yes it adds to the sense of space and detail in the sound, but it also creates a stronger impression about the music itself. It's a feeling of being one with the music. Hard to describe but very powerful!
You will have to read the literature to get a sense of what ADD Powr is doing with its algorithms and how they are being applied to the household electric circuit in order to filter out the audio nasties so that the music can come shining through in all its glory . That part of the review is way above my pay grade. I would love to be able to understand that. But hey that's what makes tweeks so much fun. The fact that you may not understand the electronic or physics of it doesn't mean that you are not hearing amazing things from it. And in the case of the ADD Powr Wizard what I am hearing just makes me smile.
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I read the person behind Add-Powr is the same engineer who created the QRT products which was then sold to Nordost over 10 years ago. Probably his non compete clause has ended and he has respun the technology into a new company (with improvements hopefully). For example the Add-Powr Electraclear is essentially a Nordost Qv2 (both inject a sine wave your 50/60hz power frequency). The Symphony/Pro is the Nordost QRT field generator QX2 and QX4. e.t.c |
I am also using a DIY unshielded cord, barely insulated...didn't hear a difference between it and the "upgraded" one provided with the unit - so saved a few bucks and kept the DIY. I plugged and unplugged the Sorcer for my Nephew (musician) that came by the other night to listen...he easily heard a big difference pretty quickly - more air, fullness, naturalness to the sound...when unplugged he was like what just happened? And very quickly said, plug it back in... |
bemused, Some other tweaks for the future or when funds allow that helps with the Sorcer. Experiment with the power cord. I have found that premium or highly insulated power cords are not always the best. I now use a DIY power cord with Dueland unshielded wire. Also, try some footers, I have found that the springs that Geoff sells to work quite well under mine. ozzy |
Yes, I started with 3 ElectraClears and 2 Symphony Pros and recently added a Sorcer X4 located at the breaker panel. The smaller units really, really added a clarity, detail, and musicality that I had thought was improbable if not impossible to attain. I was stunned and listened for longer periods without ear fatigue. The emotional engagement factor is an additional bonus! The X4 added further improvements to a wider, deeper sound stage. The instruments sound more real and vital. Yes, the longer the unit is plugged in the better the improvement. This, I think, is because the harmonic resonance takes a little time to really kick in and saturate the audio system. |
I've had several of the ElectraClears in and around my system and also have a Symphony Pro. They have have been my favorite tweak in regards to power conditioning and noticed they get better after a few days of being plugged in. I just recently picked up a Wizard and have it plugged into the wall on the same receptacle where all my components are. Definitely improved the overall clarity and detail while keeping everything natural and easy. Very happy thus far with the engagement factor too. Have any of the Wizard or Sorcer owners noticed things improve the longer the unit is plugged in, kinda like what I've experienced with the ElectraClears? |
I had a longtime audiophile buddy over for a listen...we listened for 20 minutes, then I unplugged it...listened for 5-10 minutes and then I plugged it back in...and listened - he said, leave it in! - much better, I am convinced...more air, more wight, bigger soundstage, more relaxed presentation - i.e. more musical... |
Through my sources, I believe that there is preliminary test data that shows FFT spectral acoustic measurements, FFT noise floor measurements, and frequency response and THD measurements with a Harmon Kardon amplifier. Testing was done by a Harmon tech. The results are interesting and curious enough to warrant further tests. It sure would be of interest and worthy of scrutiny by other professionals. Surely it is possible that he may find zero benefits, based upon his knowledge and experience, but he cannot refute acoustic spl measurements, And if those dBs reveal more acoustic energy simply from a device plugged into AC power, then that is a benefit to the amplifier's power supply. |
"The product is discussed on the website: The AC line is "re-referenced" or re-clocked with low frequency harmonics to increase the s/n ratio. Uses 2 AC transformers. Let me guess, another Schumann Resonator in a different package. Perhaps?" You have raised a legitimate point. ADD-Powr explains why Schumann resonators affect audio signals and systems. "Precisely what is the advantage of adding noise to the electrical circuit, and what is the benefit of, "electrical environment conditioners rather than AC line conditioners."" This is not the "noise" familiar to many - that of the RF interference type. Here the term "noise" is a very low frequency disturbance. It is not filtered away, unlike EMI and RFI, by power supplies and power conditioners. It is conditioning the power line itself with added harmonic energy that indeed changes the reference or environment from which emerges the "juice" to power and render audio signals, for example. The idea is about adding something to create a tangible benefit. In this case it is harmonic frequency information that will resonate other electrical signals, such as audio. If you read further, ADD-Powr asserts that pulsing the AC line (the reference) with a very low frequency square wave will impress a vertical modulation such that this "up - down" movement results in a small square wave that is carried into power supplies. Transformer secondaries, AC bridge rectifiers, and the DC filter stages will behave as normal but with this signal pattern on the DC voltage. The square wave is comprised of, or is the summation of sine waves, cosine waves harmonically related. This discovery was made by the physicist, Fourier. Perhaps when such a signal is introduced, of a very low fundamental say 10 Hz, it will affect the frequencies of another complex signal like an audio signal? It and its harmonics will affect a complex audio signal and its harmonics. Makes sense to me. The key to adding energy is the process of resonance. The idea of a tuning fork resonating another tuning fork at the same driving frequency (or harmonic) is understandable. ADD-Powr claims that it is electronically doing something similar here. I am sure that the technical details could be given, as with any amplifier, DAC, speaker, etc. It is not really necessary. The overall idea is all that is necessary for the layman audiophile to subjectively evaluate the merit and claims of the inventor or manufacturer. But would that information aid in auditioning the product? Of course, one must demo before buying any product. There is a 30 day money back guarantee, which is plenty of time to determine whether the product works for your system and your ears. Use whatever test you are comfortable with. The products work on single phase circuits and balanced power configurations. Again, it is not "noise" in the way that you are used to thinking. Give it a chance. You will not be disappointed. |
The product is discussed on the website: The AC line is "re-referenced" or re-clocked with low frequency harmonics to increase the s/n ratio. Uses 2 AC transformers. Let me guess, another Schumann Resonator in a different package. Perhaps? Precisely what is the advantage of adding noise to the electrical circuit, and what is the benefit of, "electrical environment conditioners rather than AC line conditioners." I would like to know from electricians and designers with power gear how is a line "re-referenced" and re-clocked? I have suspicions when I read about "harmonizers". I would like to know the impact of an "algorithm derived em field" upon an audio system. Seems quite a bit like other products I consider gimmicks. Some technical explanation would be appreciated. This would be a product I would perhaps demo, but certainly not buy unheard. Also, I might be tempted to use my Imbalanced System Test approach to testing it, i.e. put it on one side of the system and see if it makes the system sound skewed or imbalanced. If not, then it's not worth owning, because it's not doing enough of anything to be detected. Perhaps the unit could be put on one leg of the room's electric supply in order to test it. i.e. have one amp on one leg of the supply, and one on the other, and place the unit with only one leg of the electrical supply and amp. If it could not be vetted through such informal comparison/testing, I would not be interested in it. i.e. if it was said that even though only half the room's electric supply was treated, that it would still affect the entire room, etc., I would pass on the product. Way too squishy to nail down if it did anything demonstrably. I suspect the product would fail my Law of Efficacy, but I will not make a definitive statement, as I have not used it. There are certainly enough people who have given testimonies, but that does not sway me. My Law of Efficacy is what matters. So, this thing shoots a tiny LF noise on the electric lines. You're actually adding a noise to the operation of your components, purportedly to condition the environmental energy. Sorry, unimpressed. |
IMO it is a fine web site. It looks to be a work in progress. The idea is expressed fairly well but perhaps could benefit from an explanation video. My system has a Sorcer X4, a Wizard, several eau2s, and Symphony Pros. There really is nothing out there that can approach what ADD-Powr has achieved. The ideas of a low frequency square wave pulsed AC power reference, Fourier harmonic series, and resonance, has raised the bar for audio excellence bar none. Recordings whether sourced digitally or by analog sound remarkably fresh and interesting. Harmonic resonance...hmmm....an interesting concept to say the least. Audio nirvana perhaps!? |
The Sorcer does change the sound for me in my system, for the better...better bass, and all frequencies are improved. It is definitely more musical. Better air, space, depth...I am experimenting with placement - have not tried various footers yet...I found an unshielded power cord with rhodium plugs is working very well. Plugging it into a SR upgraded outlet helps. I would encourage a demo. To me, it is like a component upgrade - |
I just purchased a Sorcerer based on a home system trial after several reviews and recommendations on audiogon..I agree with others assessment on what this does to the listening experience. I would not classify this as a tweak as I think it is more powerful than that. I would put it in the "power conditioner" category. I would recommend to others that they at lease give it a try in their system. |
WOW!! You nailed it perfectly @bradmorris1 Great words well articulated indeed ! HEAR! HEAR! Great pun @david_ten Everything you wrote is exactly what I hear and feel as well. Isn't that the point of the hobby? An emotional connection "to the sound and the music." btw, you should be a reviewer! @bradmorris1 |
I am currently using a pair of ADD-Power ElectraClear plug in modules and concur with OP’s assessment. I was skeptic at first but then decided to give them a try. The increase in depth and realism of musical performances with ADD-Power is unmistakable. https://add-powr.com/products |