I’m well aware dCS doesn’t endorse the use of such things, but does anyone have experiences about this one with his dCS products? This is not a regenerator but just a conditioner.
This would be the last potential upgrade part of my system, should it be of some use.
At the moment I’m using Isotek’s V5 Corvus, which is just is a compact power cleaning and distribution bar. I got it just thinking the supermarket-grade distribution bar I had before wasn’t exactly the ideal solution, it didn’t offer any kind of isolation between its outlets and I think it didn’t even offer any sort of protection.
What are your expectations? Isotek is a well known brand, it should work well but so do other brands. I have a much more lowly Puritan ![]()
Could you try one out on a loan before you commit to see if it brings added benefits? As it is about €5000.
Your question is really asking if a product will solve a problem. However you have not to;d us what the problem is.
Why should adding a conditioner be an upgrade? It may add new issues of its own. My experience of such things is that they often can. why does your maims power need cleaning further than you imagining that it might?
You use a distribution bar. Perhaps you are really telling us that you simply do not have sufficient wall power outlets? If not I would recommend installing some powered from a dedicated consumer unit, especially if you have a ring main ( typical in the UK) . However getting an electrician to understand what you need can be fraught unless they have knowledge of noise issues and things like high power amplifiers needs where low power circuit impedance can be required.
So, given that you have not identified any specific problems and as power conditioners can introduce their own issues I can only recommend that whatever conditioner you consider, you try before you buy. My caveat in this is that my experience has been that whilst it may impress initially the the downsides may only become apparent after a few days when you are used to it and you swap back to your simple distribution block. So you may want more than an afternoon’s loan form a dealer or otherwise be prepared to write it off.
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I’ve no particular problems, nor I’m lacking outlets from my current bar, in fact upgrading to this one I’d loose 2 of them and I’d be short of one (but not really a problem). I’m just wondering if it would be a sonic upgrade. Some reviews seem to point at this, stating that Isotek managed to solve the common cons of this kind of devices (decreased dynamics above all), but of course everything depends from several factors: the used gear, the power quality, and so on. dCS gear is supposed to already handle power fine.
That would seem to require a subjective judgement. So I will stick with try before you buy.
I installed a V5 Aquarius after realising a PS Audio P12 was actually adding noise. The Aquarius brings a calmer, more relaxed sound with a lower noise floor. Better power cables bring more of the same. Bartok is on an Isotek Ascension with the Pass amp and PhoenixNet on Isotek Optimums. All off the Aquarius. The Ascension is a beast, bringing serious improvement to the Bartok over an Optimum but didn’t do the same for the rest. The Aquarius is supplied from the wall-plug by an Isotek EVO3 Synchro. Highly recommend. Of course, YMMV.
Another recommendation would be to add a dedicated outlet. I found this to be a very cost effective upgrade.
I’d certainly hope the Ascension brings improvements, given its not negligible cost. One thing I don’t like is that it’s not available with a swiss plug, while lesser models are. Having to rely on a cheap-ish adapter to make it compatible with our plugs wouldn’t maybe nullify its advantages, but reduce them in some way.
But well, after having invested in the Vivaldi One and the Clock in the last months, I think I’ll wait before upgrading all my power cables to such 4000$ things, given that I’d need at least 3 of them (one for the Vivaldi One, one for the Clock and one for the Zähl headphones amp). ![]()
Still thinking about the Sigmas.
The truth is that “it depends, but in a narrower band than marketing suggests” when it comes to Isotek V5 Sigmas. You’re already correct that dCS equipment has a highly sturdy PSU architecture, thus you’re removing the last traces of noise and component contact rather than addressing evident issues.
In terms of current delivery and separation between outlets, the Sigmas is positioned above Aquarius. it is particularly important if you are using the same conditioner to serve mixed loads (digital + clock + amp). Without the traditional “power conditioner choke” effect, Sigmas may sound a little more collected than Aquarius in that situation, particularly during intricate passages. It’s more about ease and detachment; the dynamics don’t truly get worse, but they also don’t blow up all at once.
Expecting a night-and-day shift on existing clean electricity is where folks are let down. The sigmas will be modest if your wall power is good and you are not currently experiencing congestion or hash. faint yet still heard. According to other reports, clocks and digital front ends often benefit more than amps.
Prioritizing a dedicated line or ensuring that your current connections and grounding are optimum would be my top priorities before spending Sigmas money. If you want a single central box that is more well-engineered than Aquarius and you don’t mind paying for refinement rather than change, then Sigmas makes sense. Otherwise, since the rest of the system is already at that level, it’s simple to convince yourself into it.