[Review] That late night, laid back easy listening experience - a result!

larkrise

larkrise

Sheepdogs prefer red wine
Joined
Mar 12, 2005
Messages
735
Reaction score
0
That late night, laid back easy listening experience - a result!

A couple of years back I used a combined Ben Duncan mains conditioner and transformer for some US electrostatics I then had - Audiostatics. The BD made a significant difference to the speaker performance. When I moved the speakers on, the BD went with them.

Recently, been very intrigued at how much better the system sounds later at night. I know about environental ambient noise issues etc - but I wondered whether I could get this really pleasant and involving music experience elsewhere. I rembered the ben Duncan sound with just the electrostatic speakers. I considered some isoteks but they use filters and BD reckons this is not the best way to go. I found a s/h ben Duncan Transformer for sale from a mains supply enthusiast. These things are so sought after I thought it was worth a go - if it did nothing I'd sell it on.

I know Frank aka Effem, Zanash and others don't advocate mains conditioners - but this one doesn't use filters - and wow does it make a difference? Oh yes, and significantly for the better. Being on holiday at the moment I spent most of the day listening to record and Cds and not believing how great they sounded. What is more interesting is that my main amp - a Krell is away being serviced so I am using an old Classe power amp - which is sounding superb - so v interested to hear what it will sound like with the Krell back in place - a few weeks yet.

So what did I hear - definitely more space airiness and detail - but a really powerfully musically involving experience, making me want to try out familiar recordngs and not at any point being disappointed. I have read that conditioners can strangle music - not here, I can only suggest it may be system and mains dependent but this has to be one of the single most effective devices I have heard lately, that really delivers. And without wishing to start a mains conditioner vs non mains conditioner argument I thought I'd let you all know what this did in my kit. Faaaantastic!:D
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I didn't say that I'm not in favour of mains conditioning, just that the ones I have heard that don't suffer from compression effects seem to cost the farther side of four figures :D
 
Effem said:
I didn't say that I'm not in favour of mains conditioning, just that the ones I have heard that don't suffer from compression effects seem to cost the farther side of four figures :D
Click to expand...

This one wasn't 4 figures - so maybe worth noting!:D:D
 
I use an isolation transformer.....its filters and ferrites that kill the music for me!

I expect it's effect is similar to the one I use ....greater bass more detail that sort of thing ....
 
The ESE Labs is a balanced isolation transformer, the idea of balanced power supply makes sence to me...

There is never any voltage or current present on the ground reference in a balanced power system. Transient voltages and reactive currents which normally would appear on the neutral and ground wires are also out of phase and likewise, sum to zero at the ground reference thereby canceling out AC hum and noise.
Click to expand...
 
I have a trichord isolation unit. It doesnt appear to me to make as much an obvious diffences as mains cable changes. Could I identify it in a blind test - not over an hour maybe over an evening. My late late music nights more likely to find the conditioner in place - deffo yes
 
Its totally dependent on the quality of your mains ......in some instances if you have good mains adding a conditioner can make things worse.
 
I can't explain technically ...but you adding a component in the way of the clean mains "signal" this can't be good for it.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top