SYNERGISTIC RESEARCH PowerCell 8 UEF SE
Power conditioners
The official description is populated with a lot of newspeak like Active Perpendicular Plane Cell, Silver Matrix or Quantum Tunneling which may arouse technocrats and thrill emotional audiophiles. But one is for sure - with Synergistic Research we are ushered to the world of first-class unconventional solutions that may sound weird to our ears but that are thoroughly researched and tested on humans, that is us, audiophiles. The product range of Synergistic Research never stops developing and improving, there is nothing like a “product life cycle”; once Ted Denney, the SR’s mastermind, validates an improvement, the new generation of a product is released. So, to sum up my “technical” rumblings, please go to Synergistic Research’s website to check the technologies and white papers for yourself.
Funkce a forma
The PowerCell 8 UEF SE is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. First of all it weights almost nothing compared to any other power conditioning device. Second, it does not look any spectacular – just simple black aircraft aluminum “brick” 75x270x150mm, 8 up-firing Schuko outlets and 1 IEC connector on its shorter side. That’s pretty much it.
One important thing if you plan to purchase the PowerCell UEF 8: it comes with 20amp IEC power inlet (IEC C20 standard) so if you plan to use your existing power cables you will have to either re-terminate or use an adaptor. For the latter case I strongly advise to go for a high quality one (like Cardas Audio is making) – standard adaptors that can be had via retail work impair the sound quality which I experienced when other aftermarket power cords were used. However, if you buy UEF 8 SE version then the problem is solved as it comes with its own Atmosphere Level 2 PowerCell AC Cable included in the price. This cable is absolutely spectacular. In fact it is so good that I decided to write a separate review of it.
Nízké frekvence
Let me say it right away: with the PowerCell 8 UEF SE / Atmosphere Level 2 PowerCell bundle not only have I experienced a very neutral, lively, balanced and ‘tactile’ sound but also exceptionally deep bass that was hefty, penetrating and contoured at the same time. The energy of the PowerCell 8 UEF SE is unparalleled, hardly bettered by much more expensive Shunyata Research Denali power conditioning system.
The best power distributors I lived with, like Nordost QB8, are capable of removing the ‘dirt’ that clutters the lows and makes it less legible or smeared, thus providing more detail and clarity to bass notes. Synergistic Research’s conditioner does all these and adds resonating depths with precisely articulated leading edges of the notes. As a result it is very difficult to switch back to a non-Synergistic system as the quality drop is easily discernible.
Čistota rozlišení
There is not much to say about the transparency or air as the Synergistic Research’s power distributor is just what it is – utterly transparent. I could not detect any artificial glare or an attempt to make recordings sound claustrophobic by becoming uncomfortable due to a lack of fresh or cool air. With the PowerCell 8 UEF SE highs are crisp and shimmering, providing extended decay. I also appreciate that the device does not call attention to itself so it conveys recordings in the way the sound engineers sculpted it.
Tonální věrnost
Don’t ask me how but it seems as if the Synergistic Research PowerCell 8 UEF SE treated each individual note to stand out tonally, thus contributing to the increased musicality of any recording I played.
However, the most stunning aspect of the PowerCell’s performance lies in its dynamic capabilities that I appreciated over and over again during the 3 months of this review. Subtle variations and dynamic shifts of violins, flutes or woody reeds are conveyed with magnificent rendering, crescendos and cathartic attacks are effortless and heart-stopping. Also with jazz numbers, like the distinguished solo of Jeff Hamilton on Live in Paris (Diana Krall), the dynamics are almost punishing and energy gushes out with power and drive. At the same time nothing stands out artificially, everything is clear, distinct and scary real.
Prostorovost
The PowerCell 8 UEF SE does not provide fake deep soundstage with blurry edges. Instead its perspective rings with clarity and focus, just maybe bringing musicians few feet closer to my ears compared to what I was used to hear with Nordost or Shunyata Research power devices. It is not an effect of making the soundstage less dimensional, it is as if you made few steps forward and have a first-row listening experience. Thus actually I could hear deeper into the soundstage with much better connection to musicians and instruments. Wonderful.
Synergistic Research PowerCell 8 UEF SE provides top-notch sound at a very attractive price package, considering the Atmosphere Level 2 PowerCell AC Cable that comes with it. This way the price to performance ratio of the Synergistic Research power conditioner is unbeatable.
Doporučení prodejci
Platan Audio, Hlohovec / Bratislava, tel. +421 905 409 802
Web výrobce: http://www.synergisticresearch.com
Připojené komponenty
- Sources: Accuphase DP-720, Accuphase DG-58
- Amplifiers: Accuphase A-70, TAD-M2500 MkII, Simaudio Moon Evolution 870A & 740P, Jeff Rowland 201 monoblocks, Audiolab 8300-MB
- Interconnects and speaker cables: Audioquest Vodka, Audioquest Redwood, Audioquest Wild, In-Akustik LS-1603 Silver,
- Loudspeakers: TAD Evolution One E1
- Power conditioning: Shunyata Research Sigma HC, Synergistic Research Powercell 8 UEF SE, Accuphase PS-1220, Nordost Thor (modified), Nordost Valhalla, Nordost QB8
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