Mains filtering

Mains filters are an interesting and quite recent Hifi tweek. The reason for their existence is quite easy to understand, most domestic mains supplies are fairly poor. Most Hifi systems sound better at certain times of the day due to demand on the supply from other areas. 6pm tends to be the worst time; everybody is just getting in from work, kettle goes on, TV goes on etc.

Another factor with mains supply is local contamination, clicks and pops through the speakers are quite often caused by fridges and central heating systems with noisy relays, this all feeds back into the mains. A more recent problem is caused by mains distributed network systems and X10 systems that use the mains to transmit data.

There are various solutions to this, PS Audio ( and others ) try to regenerate the mains ... the theory of this is good, but the results can be a little patchy .... the most common is filtration, this can be as simple as a good quality mains lead, which will protect against RF and ensure a good connection .. or much more complex like some of the units from Isol-8 and Isotek.

Filtration has to be matched to the system. Aim too low in price and you can end up with a worse sound. Small mains filters can limit current draw and make the sound more detailed but undynamic. get it right though and the results can be quite breathtaking!

More on this another day, two glasses of wine dont help the thought processes.

Isol-8 Minisub

http://www.cheshireaudio.co.uk/