Found some reviews online:
YC's Equipment Review Section
Vansevers Model 12 Analog Power Conditioner
Specifications:
This is a single outlet power conditioner meant for analog components (will filter digital components as well). It is has a IEC outlet for you to attach your own power cord. There are also 2 transient impedance switches that are supposed to allow you to 'tune' and lower and upper treble. Runs on Singapore's 230v power supply.
For more details, please check out Mike Vansever's informative website.
The Purchase
I've been looking for a power conditioner for a long time. I've tried the local 'AFA' power distributor ($140), and I've even purchased the cheapest Castle power conditioner ($101). The Castle uses a coil to do filtering and therefore, inevitable current limiting takes place. Whatever it is, I still preferred my Power Amp direct to wall outlet. (it sounds too dead plugged into the Castle)
In looking for a power conditioner, I'm was not interested in multiple outlets since I have a minimalist system, especially since these extra outlets undoubtedly added to the cost. In addition, I wanted a power conditioner that did serious filtering, and that would exclude most of the entry level power conditioners. For example, the Power Pack IIp, the Chang 3200, the Audioprism Foundation I. These products, though they undoubtedly work, don't really do the kind of serious filtering that I was looking for - in fact, they would probably sound about the same as the $140 AFA power distributor.
Though I was sorely tempted to buy the Chang 3200 at $390, (a few of my readers have either the 3200 or 6400 and they give it the thumbs up) I hesitated because I would be paying for things I didn't need - extra outlets, and a long thick non-detachable power cord (my system is nearly next to the wall outlet).
Anyway, when I read about Vansever's products in Soundstage! I was very impressed with the single outlet Model 11 and Model 12 (Model 11 is the standard version with non-detachable cord, Model 12 is the reference version with the IEC outlet and a few extra tweaks) power conditioners. Here was a product whose design philosophy I could relate to. I e-mailed Mike Vansevers about whether there were local agents and I got a prompt e-mail saying no, but he would ship it to me and all I had to do was pay the list price. I took the plunge and ordered.
The Sound
I've listened to it for several months now and lack of time has prevented me from putting up a review until now, but in a way thats good, because I can be more sure of my opinions
When I first started out, I let the Model 12 run in using my TV set (this is also to check reliability, if it nukes my TV set, while, TVs are cheap, hi-fi isn't
) No problems, then I went to A/B testing mainly with my Amp. The Model 12 also works on my CD player but to a lesser extent.
What I've consistently noticed is that vocals become better 'formed' and more 3-dimensional, its almost as if you can see the outline of the head/face of the singer now. Perhaps I should call in 'micro-soundstaging' which could refer to the detailing in terms of depth and width of objects within the soundstage. This is quite worth the price of admission. And remember, I had already run in my pair of Nordost Blue Heavens which had already improved midrange imaging by tightening it up a bit. But here, I'm starting to see the outlines of the singer's head. Its almost like, say: you have a singer in the soundstage, there will be reflections on the wall behind the singer that bounce back up to the listener. But because the singer is there, some of the reflections will be absorbed by the singer and you can't hear those particular reflections, so there will be that 'gap' that roughly describes the outlines of the singer. I'm just guessing, but the effect the Model 12 highlights is a bit like that. One big surprise for me was Tina Arena's 'Burn' album. Previously I said 'though mastered by Doug Sax, too much damage was done for him to rescue it' But listening with the Model 12, I discovered how Doug did a great job rescuing the vocals and keeping a 3 dimensional 'bloom' in the vocals though the rest of the music is flat and 2-dimensional.
As for other improvements, well, I suppose its system dependent. US reviewers love to talk about the noise floor lowered, and how they were surprised that the noise floor went down cos' they believed that their system didn't have any noise etc. Well, I don't have much system noise to start with, so I can't really say that the noise floor went down, though there is definitely a impression of cleaner sound. Perhaps Singapore has much cleaner electricity, because our substations are so close by, and our cables are all underground.
Transient Impedance Swtiches: The Model 12 features 2 transient impedance switches designed to change the 'speed' of the lower and upper treble. I have to say that I found the effect extremely subtle. On some CDs I think I can hear the difference, on others, not really. Normally, I would set it on the 'faster' setting, though for overbright CDs, the other setting would be preferable. But really, a bit too subtle given my present system.
Limited Dynamics: I can't really detect any, but perhaps I have a small room (in Singapore- who doesn't?) and I don't really push my McCormack hard (I mean, to get 90dB would probably need only 5 watts!)
Recommendations:
Power conditioning is a must for systems that are well-balanced. Power conditioning does not correct system flaws. It may actually make them worse by giving you a clearer picture of your component's characteristics. Other than that, highly recommended. I should be ordering a Model 12 digital as soon as I find the money (thats right after the Projector on my wish-list, so thats still quite a way off...)
And also:
http://www.soundstage.com/noisy15.htm
