[Review] That late night, laid back easy listening experience - a result!

That late night, laid back easy listening experience - a result!

A couple of years back I used a combined Ben Duncan mains conditioner and transformer for some US electrostatics I then had - Audiostatics. The BD made a significant difference to the speaker performance. When I moved the speakers on, the BD went with them.

Recently, been very intrigued at how much better the system sounds later at night. I know about environental ambient noise issues etc - but I wondered whether I could get this really pleasant and involving music experience elsewhere. I rembered the ben Duncan sound with just the electrostatic speakers. I considered some isoteks but they use filters and BD reckons this is not the best way to go. I found a s/h ben Duncan Transformer for sale from a mains supply enthusiast. These things are so sought after I thought it was worth a go - if it did nothing I'd sell it on.

I know Frank aka Effem, Zanash and others don't advocate mains conditioners - but this one doesn't use filters - and wow does it make a difference? Oh yes, and significantly for the better. Being on holiday at the moment I spent most of the day listening to record and Cds and not believing how great they sounded. What is more interesting is that my main amp - a Krell is away being serviced so I am using an old Classe power amp - which is sounding superb - so v interested to hear what it will sound like with the Krell back in place - a few weeks yet.

So what did I hear - definitely more space airiness and detail - but a really powerfully musically involving experience, making me want to try out familiar recordngs and not at any point being disappointed. I have read that conditioners can strangle music - not here, I can only suggest it may be system and mains dependent but this has to be one of the single most effective devices I have heard lately, that really delivers. And without wishing to start a mains conditioner vs non mains conditioner argument I thought I'd let you all know what this did in my kit. Faaaantastic!

 

I had the same experience with this:

http://www.tnt-audio.com/accessories/enlil_e.html

 

I didn't say that I'm not in favour of mains conditioning, just that the ones I have heard that don't suffer from compression effects seem to cost the farther side of four figures

 

This one wasn't 4 figures - so maybe worth noting!

 

melorib,how much was it?

 

870 euros, including 4 meter power cord and shipping...

 

am i wrong or it's made in slovenia

 

You are right...

 

I use an isolation transformer.....its filters and ferrites that kill the music for me!

I expect it's effect is similar to the one I use ....greater bass more detail that sort of thing ....

 

The ESE Labs is a balanced isolation transformer, the idea of balanced power supply makes sence to me...

 

I have a trichord isolation unit. It doesnt appear to me to make as much an obvious diffences as mains cable changes. Could I identify it in a blind test - not over an hour maybe over an evening. My late late music nights more likely to find the conditioner in place - deffo yes

 

The Ben Duncan/Trichord/Moth units are all identical.

 

Its totally dependent on the quality of your mains ......in some instances if you have good mains adding a conditioner can make things worse.

 

I dont see when a transformer with enough power could hurt, unlike filters...

 

I can't explain technically ...but you adding a component in the way of the clean mains "signal" this can't be good for it.

 

Mains is not a signal...

I agree for filters, but transformers...