Have you ever noticed that your HiFi often sounds better at night? I certainly have, and I believe the difference is that there is a reduction in electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI). This interference is often created from appliances in your home, like your fridge, television, water heater, anything that draws power, can contribute to creating what is often called “dirty power.”
This dirty power manifests as a subtle but detrimental distortion in sound, affecting clarity, depth, and overall fidelity. During peak hours, when many devices are in use, voltage fluctuations and electromagnetic interference can compromise the performance of any audio system.
Of course, no one wants to limit their enjoyment of their HiFi to just the nighttime in order to take advantage of the lower electrical interference. But what if you could listen to your HiFi system any time of the day and enjoy the same level of clarity and detail? With the right power conditioner this is not only possible, but it could even improve the sound of your system.
Power conditioners can play a crucial role in filtering out electrical noise and stabilizing voltage, which can significantly enhance sound clarity and detail. By using a power conditioner, you can maintain that optimal performance regardless of the time of day, ensuring your HiFi delivers the best sound possible.
That being said, there is much debate over whether power conditioners actually make a difference, with critics contending that while power conditioners may help with noise, their impact on sound quality is often minimal or subjective at best. Some audiophiles go further, claiming that certain conditioners can actually alter the sound character of your system for the worse.
So when Synergistic Research offered me the opportunity to review their new PowerCell 8 SX power conditioner, I jumped at the chance to weigh in on this ongoing debate, relying again on my ears to discover if their latest power conditioner could make an audible difference in the performance my reference audio system.
The power conditioners
I compared the PowerCell 8 SX ($3,995 U.S.) with the Furman IT-Reference 15i ($3,500 U.S.) that I currently have available for testing. The first thing I noticed was how much more compact and lighter the PowerCell 8 SX is compared to the IT-Reference 15i. The PowerCell 8 SX measures about 14 x 30.5 x 15.25 cm and weighs 5 Kg, compared to the IT-Reference 15i, which weighs 23 Kg and measures 43.2 x 10.2 x 40 cm. In fact, I found the PowerCell 8 SX so light I needed to affix Sorbothane pads on its feet to keep it in place when I added or removed power cords.
Despite the size differential, both units offer the same eight outlets, which should be sufficient to accommodate most audio systems. The PowerCell 8 SX is also equipped with a 1.52-metre-long Foundation SX 10awg power cable at no extra charge. For my testing, Synergistic Research also provided their Foundation SX 10awg and SX 12awg power cables (respectively priced at $699 and $599) which I used on my Kinki Studio EX-M1+ integrated amplifier and Merason Reuss DAC.
Synergistic Research says the PowerCell 8 SX design borrows nearly every available technology from the far more expensive power conditioners in their lineup into a compact, “ultra-performance unit.”
A highlight of the PowerCell 8 SX is its comprehensive redesign of the company’s patented electromagnetic cell which is found in its flagship 20-outlet SRX power conditioner, and will retail for over $50,000 when launched. The PowerCell 8 SX is their first major EM Cell redesign in over a decade, with the patented Electromagnetic Cell enhanced to have twice the surface area for greater conditioning power compared to previous folded EM Cells, says Synergistic Research.
A unique feature of the PowerCell 8 SX is how it utilizes a multi-frequency ULF Shuman Frequency Generator to complement both large and smaller-scale performances. Synergistic Research says they have perfected two new frequency combinations to complement large and small scale acoustic environments. To optimize the PowerCell SX 8 to your system and personal tastes you merely have to press a button on the back of the unit to switch between a red and purple setting. The red frequency (which I preferred most of the time) is voiced for acoustic instruments, vocals, and smaller-scale performances. The purple frequency is designed to work best for large-scale performances and electronic music.
But how does it sound?
While the Furman IT-Reference 15i offers excellent protection from voltage spikes and surges, I could not discern any appreciable difference in the sound of my reference system, either for good or bad, when it was in use. However, when I swapped it out for the PowerCell 8 SX, the difference was apparent right away. I noticed an immediate increase in detail and resolution, with individual instruments becoming more apparent. Vocals also gained clarity and the overall soundstage expanded.
But most impressive was how the PowerCell 8 SX created the blackest/quietest background (reduction of the background noise floor) I have heard in a power conditioner, and did so without losing any details in the music. Synergistic Research credits this to their use of redesigned “Ground Plane Technology.” While I don’t pretend to know how Ground Plane Technology works, you can definitely hear it working, as it creates an almost palpable sense of silence between the notes.
The blacker background translated into a slightly deeper, wider and a more involving soundstage when playing my favorite Tidal and Qobuz tracks from Holly Cole, Lana Del Rey, David Bowie, and Royal Wood on my Revival Audio Atalante 3 speakers. I also noted how instruments and vocals sounded fuller, with added clarity and a natural warmth that had been missing on the IT-Reference 15i.
For Holly Cole’s “Trust in Me,” the piano became so realistic you felt it was right in the room with you, with exemplary decay and ambiance retrieval. On Lana Del Rey’s “Let the Light In” you could more easily distinguish the vocals of Del Rey and Father John Misty as they sang together. The PowerCell 8 SX also provided added dynamics and bass to Hans Zimmer’s “Time.” In fact, just about every song I played with the PowerCell 8 SX sounded better, as if a veil had been removed and you were hearing the recording the way it was intended to be heard.
Conclusion
While $4,000 U.S. is certainly not a small investment in your HiFi system, for those seeking to unlock the full potential of their systems, the PowerCell 8 SX stands out as one of the best power conditioners on the market, especially given its price. It made such a dramatic difference in my listening tests that I have added one to our reference system.
Another bonus is that well designed power conditioners like the PowerCell 8 SX can easily last a lifetime, unlike many of the other components in your system, and it also comes with a five-year warranty. So, even if you believe the power in your home is fairly clean, or remain skeptical about the benefits a power conditioner can have on your music, I still highly recommend you audition the PowerCell 8 SX. With most dealers providing a 30-day money back guarantee, you have nothing to lose and quite possibly a whole lot to gain.
Software tracklist
- Lana del Rey: Let the Light In
- Hans Zimmer: Time
- Holly Cole: Trust in Me
- David Bowie: I’m Afraid of Americans
- Royal Wood: In the Garden
- Tidal and Qobuz (streaming music services)
Hardware checklist
- Revival Audio Atalante 3 speakers
- Revival Audio Stand 3 stands
- Stack Audio Auva 70 isolators
- Kinki Studios EX-M1+ integrated amplifier with Burson V7 Vivid single op-amps
- Merason Reuss DAC
- WiiM Ultra streamer
- DH Labs Q-10 Signature speaker cables
- Supra Cables Excalibur USB cable
- Mogami Platinum XLR cables
Specs
- Wiring: All 12awg Silver Matrix wiring
- Connector Output (US): 8 each Purple 2.0 UEF Outlets (Two stage Quantum Treatment)
- Connector Output International (EU/AU/UK): 8 each Purple 2.0 UEF Schuko outlets (Two stage Quantum Treatment)
- Connector Input: 1 each Neutrik 32 amp PowerCon
- Ground Strap: 99.995% Pure Silver, 62 square centimeters
- Dimensions (HWD): 4.5x12x6″
- Weight: 5 Kgs
- Voltage and Current Rating: US: 20A/125v, International: (EU/AU/UK) 16amp/250v
- Output Rating: US Version: Limited by the US Outlet rating of 15amp/125v, International(EU/AU/UK) Version: Rating is predicated upon the Schuko Outlet rating of 16amp/250v
Synergistic Research PowerCell 8 SX power conditioner
$3.995 U.S.For those seeking to unlock the full potential of their systems, the PowerCell 8 SX stands out as one of the best power conditioners on the market, especially given its price. It made such a dramatic difference in my listening tests that I have added one to our reference system.
Pros
- Pitch black backgrounds
- Improves overall sound
- Added detail
- Improved dynamics
- Competitively priced
Cons
- So light, it can be difficult to keep in place
