[kyrill]

hi this is a very reasonable priced line conditioner that Dutch hifi forums speak favorable off.
So i bought one and placed it b e f o r e my balanced transformer and all the other passive filters
and indeed, more focus and more precise placement.It also does not degrade the dynamics, after 10 pages of forum discussion a powerbuy was arranged, which i missed..So i asked the neighbors and did some blind testing with them. Equal results. The major reason however is i wanted a surge protector against lightning storms that does not degrade the sound. I found one
at http://www.china-highend-hifi.com/prod0212121723.htm  but bought it via (119 € is including shipping to europe) http://www.ornec.com/product/NZ/G&W_TW-03E/  it was 10€ less expensive

I have 2 of these to protect the digital and analogue networks


PS in the nearby future i will reformat the wirings in a star construction so the outlets are not seing each other except at the filter

If parts of your gear have a good regulated pws already, you should do an A/B test  with the outlets who are protected but not filtered. Too much filtering may soften the sounds attack times.
the price is 43 UK pounds exc shipping
it cleans up the picture on tv and projectors too

[Jens]

Hi Kyrill,

I'm sure it works fine, but it's not active in any way, as far as can be seen from the (good) picture you posted. Are there any active components (transistors, regulators etc.) hidden away somewhere that the photo does not show?

It seems to be configured in exactly the same way as the passive mains filters I use. The over-voltage protection is merely a VDR (voltage dependent resistor), which will not stand up to much if you have a real lighting strike, but it will certainly protect your gear from ordinary power surges.

The vindings on the coils look reasonably thick, so - as you say - it shouldn't degrade dynamics. At least not for amplifiers using good PSU sections, like the AKSA gear 

[kyrill]

hi Jens

It is a passive filter with a reset knob ( after the surge); it sounds good, I was a little concerned in the beginning. It sounded a bit congested and made the sound sounds more "sharp" but after "playing" ( ha ha) whole night those effects disappeared. it uses good quality Wima caps and also German forums speak high of it especially for the price
it is rated 15A at 230 V

[Jens]

For a good passive mains filter, nothing wrong with the price, looks like good value 

[AKSA]

Jens, Kyrill,

I agree with you.  It looks good, particularly for the money.  It appears to use all passive filtering centred around common mode chokes, two in cascade, presumably two low pass of differing frequencies in cascade, with LDR quenching of spikes - exactly as you say.  The work is in dimensioning;  getting it all perfect for good listening performance.  I like the touch of a volt meter at the front (?), this would demonstrate clearly the huge variations in mains supply we all suffer around the globe - ah, bring back public ownership of the utilities!!   

Jens, your CD is absolutely my backstop for assessing any system.  It has helped me hugely and many of my friends have asked for your disc.  Thank you again;  I really look forward to the next, I really do!!

Cheers,

Hugh