The reason we invest in a Hi-Fi system is to allow the music to take us as close as possible to the original event, we carefully select the CD player we prefer most - connect it to the amplifier of our choice and finally to the speakers.
We know every component is a valuable link in the chain, if one of them is not performing at the same level as the rest of the chain - we have a problem.
The most overlooked link is the power supply - the source of all the energy for our system.
The mains power supply is the start of the chain, and one which needs more scrutiny and attention if we are to realise the maximum potential from our Hi-Fi system.
If you zoomed in to look at the incoming mains supply you would not see that super smooth sine wave that we are taught about in science at school, you would see the result of modern life, the sine wave is distorted and polluted by countless home appliances, industrial manufacturing companies causing radio frequency interference and distortion of the main supply itself.
The national grid network was never conceived with the audiophile or Home Cinema enthusiast in mind, therefore little attention is paid to degradation and noise that can have a dramatic effect upon our home systems.
This situation is about to get much worse - already most laptop computers and many other devices use switch mode power supplies ( a cheaper and smaller option to using transformer based PSU's) - but the trade off is electrical noise, lots of it! Home data networks using the mains wiring as a conduit from room to room, Bluetooth phones, computer keyboards, home Wi-Fi networks all of these cause masses of RF borne interference as well as mains borne problems.
These can be spotted by a simple test..
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Does your system sound better late at night or early morning? If the answer is yes you are probably being bombarded with interference from your own equipment in use elsewhere in the house - or by your friends down the road Even the Hi-Fi and Home cinema components themselves cause significant levels of electrical noise that can be passed from one component to its neighbour, therefore the need to cut down and even eliminate cross contamination is essential.
The Solution:- You must remove mains borne interference, by fitting a well designed filter, mains cable or even a regenerator, a power block allowing you to effectively isolate each device from the next.
we are not talking about slight very subtle differences here.
We are talking about very dramatic improvements in system performance, you being able to enjoy your system at anytime night or day, improved timing, tighter bass lines, higher resolution and most importantly being able to get more involved with the music.
Manufacturers such as Isol8 are experts in design of all things mains related.
Generally the price for this step up in performance is a lot less than a new CD player, amplifier or pair of speakers.
Just say NO to the invisible pollution