ANSUZ MAINZ8 D2 + MAINZ D2
Power conditioners
The Ansuz Mainz8 D2 is not a filtration device. It does not have any voltage regulation or oversized transformers inside, rather it relies on several smart technologies that should distribute the voltage, as pure as possible, to your electronics.
Function and form
In the heart of the the Mainz8 D2 there is a reworked low-impedance star-grounding system. Proper grounding, both electrical and mechanical is a mantra that is heard quite often in Ansuz. In any system the center of the star can only be one – here it is clearly marked by a white outline around one of the Mainz8 D2’s 8 power outlets (all German Schuko type for Europe). It is recommended to use this primary earth outlet for the heart of your system, usually a preamplifier or an integrated amplifier.
The Mainz8 D2 employs open system of coils and counter-spiraled “anti-coils” that are said to sculpt high-frequency spikes of noise that – although not heard directly – make connected equipment work harder. It is like generating anti-noise to any noise transient. Expect blacker backgrounds, better dynamics, and enhanced spatiality, says Ansuz.
The Mainz8 D2 is surprisingly not a heavy piece of equipment. Though it looks like a nicely sculpted piece of aluminum the enclosure is in fact made of painted composite. In my system the Mainz8 D2 power conditioner and the Mainz D2 power cable was replacing Shunyata Research Denali 6000T and Synergistic Research Atmosphere Level 2 for three weeks. The rest of the system remained untouched.
Bass management
How did it compare? Strummed strings that kick off the Dock of The Bay track (Lincoln Mayorga and Distinguished Colleagues, Sheffield Lab) were more resolved through the Mainz8 than through the Denali; the guitar accord was seemingly swifter and the background tape hiss was brought forward a bit. I know this effect, often it means ‘extra light’ from a component or a cable which, translated, leads to not only more details heard but also to certain ‘thinning’ of sound. However, the Mainz8 did not stop there and crushed by skepticism once other players joint the guitar.
In short, the Ansuz Mainz8 unleashed the best bass I have ever heard from my system; it was deep and resonating, warm and round, incisive and punchy, explosive and tuneful, depending on what I played. Rather than minor differences that must be revealed through intensive auditioning the upgrade from the Denali (and any other power filter or distributor that I have ever reviewed) was instant and easy to hear. A bass guitar sounded as if my ears picked the sound right from the guitar combo, rather than from a recording. The energy that I heard was beyond an ordinary hi-fi experience and I’ve been wondering since then what Ansuz knows that others don’t.
Clarity & delicacy
The midrange of the Mainz8 D2 fully benefited from the magic of its resolving capacity. True that there were moments that I felt the tonality could had been thicker and richer. From somewhere near the crossover point between a midrange driver and a tweeter the Mainz8 D2 exhibits a slight shelf. It is only small, I wouldn’t say more than 0.5dB, but enough for opening up the upper octaves and throw extra light on them. The openness of the Mainz8 D2 will be beneficial for most systems due to attractiveness of detail that will surface from recordings. Where the audio set up shows some edge already the pairing with the Mainz8 D2 may result into too much of everything. Fortunately, Ansuz provides extraordinary tuning options with what they call Sparkz D2 and Darkz.
Tonal accuracy
Although the Denali was fuller and inviting, the Mainz8 D2 was more open and forward sounding. Depending on what I played I preferred one or another, however, no matter how much I loved the Denali, the Mainz8 D2 outperformed it by its hypertight deep bass and vivid colorism. No wonder it was so entertaining during my late listening sessions when it shone with clarity and control. I can´t say how much the Mainz D2 power cable contributed to what I heard as it came with C15 IEC plug and I could not use it with the Denali that provides only 16A C19 IEC inlet. Yes I have an adaptor, but it rather blurs the sound so using it would not be fair.
Spatial resolution
The soundstage of the Mainz8 D2/Mainz D2 combo was absolutely exact, as expected from a powerline accessory from Ansuz. The depth was that kind of walk-in ambience, endless and almost scary, the front wall was completely removed. Three weeks later, when I packed the Ansuz Mainz8 D2 and Mainz D2 back in their boxes and returned the Denali into the system, I missed that sound. Although I’d love to keep the Mainz8 D2 in my system permanently, it’s still quite expensive to my taste. And the accessories that I may need if I decide to acquire the Ansuz would drive the price even higher. The Mainz8 D2 does not have any feet. It only provides concave rings to which Ansuz Darkz feet should be embedded. And the Darkz are brutally effective as you may read in our Isolation Systems REV 3 review that can be found in the Special Edition Reviews section on Audiodrom. Then there are the Ansuz Sparkz D2, Schuko plug in devices that nicely smooth out the edge of the Mainz8 D2 and improve its tonality. Wait for a separate review.
The Ansuz Mainz8 D2 distributor powered by Mainz D2 is a fantastic achievement and the best mains device that I’ve auditioned. Ever.
Recommended resellers
RP Audio, Ostrava, +420 737 366 831
Manufacturer's website: https://ansuz-acoustics.com/
Associated components
- Sources: Accuphase DP-720, McIntosh MCT500 SACD/CD transport + C2600 integrated DAC
- Amplifiers: TAD-M2500 MkII, McIntosh pre/power C2600/MC611
- Interconnects and speaker cables: AudioQuest King Cobra, InAkustik Referenz, Ansuz Signalz C2, Ansuz Signalz D2, McIntosh Balanced
- Loudspeakers: TAD Evolution One E1, Sonus Faber Olympica Nova III
- Power conditioning: Shunyata Research Denali, Ansuz C2, Synergistic Research Atmosphere Level 2, Ansuz Darkz, Ansuz Sparkz D2
Gallery
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