Balanced mains transformers work for mains power like balanced signal lines, there is a very low noise floor due to the balanced signal through the cables cancelling out the ‘noise’. Both balanced mains and balanced signal lines are used extensively in recording, radio and TV transmission studios to offer the lowest noise floor. The benefits of this approach used in professional installations is now available for home audio and AV set ups in a format designed for home use.
Balanced signal inputs and outputs are now commonly found on home audio equipment (using XLR plugs and sockets), only now are the benefits of balanced mains power finally being realised by music lovers and adopted for use with audio and A/V in home systems.
What will you hear with the AC-2K balanced transformer installed? The music will sound significantly more natural, digital sources flow more musically, the space around instruments and the ‘holographic’ impression of the musical stage will grow. The silences in the music will seem blacker because the noise floor has dropped.
There are many benefits when this balanced power technique is applied to incoming mains power. The balanced mains transformer partially isolates the incoming N and L mains line from the balanced mains output supply used to power your audio equipment. There is almost no DC entering the balanced output and ‘noise’ from EMI/RF is not picked up in the power cables. Due to the design of the transformer, the earth line is not carrying any AC/DC ‘noise’ often found on the home earth line.
Designed as a high quality audiophile component, the AC-2K balanced mains transformer can be used to power some or all of your audio equipment. It has the most beneficial effect when used with the low level analogue signal components and digital equipment, like DAC’s, CD players, streamers, phono-amplifiers, pre-amplifiers etc. There is a benefit in using balanced mains power for power amplifiers (but in our experiance less than with the source and pre-power components). Clearly, if you have an integrated pre/power amplifier, it will be beneficial to use balanced mains to power it.
The AC-2K balanced mains transformer is designed to be connected directly from your mains wall socket and the output taken to your components. You can use your existing distribution block with any passive noise controlling components they may have in them. The AC-2K has an output voltage display on the from panel, which is switchable, so its easy to see the voltage supplied to your equipment at any time.
Inside the substantial damped alluminium casework there is anti-surge protection (not in circuit when powered up), a 30 Amp electronic double pole on/off power switch.
A high quality and massively over rated 2.0Kva transformer is further cryogenically treated to improve its efficiency to ensure maximum power delivery and speed, it works infact like a far larger ‘standard’ transformer after cryogenic treatment. It is mounted on an anti-vibration platform mechanically isolating it from the substantial non-magnetic casework – and your room.
Great lengths have been taken to prevent the transformer from being audible; only if driven close to capacity or dissipating a serious level of incoming DC from the mains line will it softly buzz, and then, with all the anti-niose engineering, it is doubtfull that you will ever hear it. It can therefore be used in the listening room without any mechanical noise issues.
We recommend that you use the AC-2K unit to power all your audio equipment, including power amplifiers up to 250W per channel. More powerful power amplifiers may best be connected directly from a second wall socket (or from a second AC-2K unit), further isolating it from the rest of your audio system.
Using balanced mains has one further advantage, the cables used to carry the power from the AC-2K are less critical. That is not to say that better cables will not improve the sound quality, but fundamentally the RF and other noise usually picked up from unshielded mains cables is cancelled out, so more expensive shielded mains cables become un-neccessary.
Do not compare the AC-2K with cheaper alternatives, through extensive listening tests we are sure the AC-2K comfortably outperforms other balanced power products on the market. This is a UK made product, a 2 year guarantee covering faulty materials and construction is offered.
Mains Conditioners
Audes ST-1500 Power Conditioner
Using ST-1500 with any AV equipment, including both solid state and tube devices, improves the quality of sound reproduction.
The most significant results are achieved when the power conditioner is used with power amplifiers.
Click Here to View Brochure
Audes ST-3000 Power Conditioner
Using ST-3000 with any AV equipment, including both solid state and tube devices, improves the quality of sound reproduction.
The most significant results are achieved when the power conditioner is used with power amplifiers.
Click Here to View Brochure
Audes ST-5000 Power Conditioner
Using ST-5000 with any AV equipment, including both solid state and tube devices, improves the quality of sound reproduction.
The most significant results are achieved when the power conditioner is used with power amplifiers.
Click Here to View Brochure
CAD GC1.1 + GC3.1 Ground Control
- Scott's white paper here
- The Ear GC-1 review here
- The Ear GC-3 review here
- HiFi+ review here
- Stereotimes GC-1 review here
- The Audio Beat GC-1 & GC-3 review here
- The Audiohileman's GC-1 & GC-3 review
- GC1 requires a cable which is £300 extra
- GC3 includes 2 cables
- If you are outside the UK please contact MCRU before purchasing any CAD product
Connected Fidelity AC-2K Superior Balanced Mains Supply
LAB12 Gordian Mains Conditioner
- UK and EU sockets available
- • 230V/50Hz, 115V/60Hz versions • OLED display • Adaptive EMI RFI filtering • Adaptive Common and differential filters • Adaptive Power Factor correction • Overvoltage protection • FFT analysis • DC voltage analysis • THD analysis • Power consumption analysis • AC voltage, current analysis • Sleep mode system • 5mm Aluminum face panel with luxury painting • Five Years Guarantee
Alex Landrum (verified owner) –
I bought the Connected-Fidelity AC2k Studio recently from MCRU.
After leaving it connected to my whole system for a couple of days, I settled down to listen to whatever sonic benefits it may bring.
I already have a Puritan Audio Labs PSM 156 providing filtered power to my whole system, so I wanted to see if plugging the Connected-Fidelity AC2K directly into my domestic 13 amp mains socket and plugging the PSM 156 into it, would produce any loss of dynamics.
To cut to the chase, the Connected-Fidelity AC2K unit certainly does what I had hoped it would do in my system. It enhances all aspects of the diverse kinds of music I listen to be they analogue recordings or electric. I can personally recommend the Studio version of the Connected-Fidelity AC2K without reservations.