Air Audio AC-2K Balanced Power Unit Review

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4 жыл бұрын

The AC-2K is a balanced power unit designed for Hi-Fi and AV use, Paul Rigby gets to review this weighty product
To buy an AC-2K of your own, contact Air Audio at www.airaudio.co.uk/
To read the review on my Blog click: theaudiophileman.com/ac2k-bal...
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THE VINYL WALL
Wondered what the vinyl is sitting on the shelves behind me? Here's a list in full. I've included links in case you'd like to purchase too. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I try to find the pressings I show here but, if I cannot find those, I'll try to source something close. Thank you.
Eat Lights Become Lights - Autopia
UK - n/a
USA - n/a
Euro - n/a
Asia Minor - Between Flesh and Divine
UK - amzn.to/2zwGsia
USA - amzn.to/2YTKT1f
Euro - amzn.to/3crvBVp
Josh Wink - Higher State of Consciousness
UK - amzn.to/35R4xfO
USA - hamzn.to/2YW85vR
Euro - amzn.to/2LpbGKK
Nektar - ...Sounds Like This
UK - amzn.to/2WShXUv
USA - amzn.to/2Wp7Es3
Euro - amzn.to/2SZv4lK
Agilock & Blubbo - The Inner Space
UK - htamzn.to/2WQMIct
USA - amzn.to/3dHQCLU
Euro - amzn.to/2Z3dzVL
CREDITS
Old Bossa by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution
creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Artist: www.twinmusicom.org/
REFERENCE
Origin Live Sovereign turntable
Origin Live Enterprise 12″ arm
Icon PS3 phono amplifier
Aesthetix Calypso pre-amp
McIntosh MCD600 CD Player
Tellurium Q Statement cables
Blue Horizon Professional Rack System
Harmonic Resolution Systems Noise Reduction Components
CAD GC1 Ground Controls
Gutwire Consummate Grounding Cable
All vinyl was cleaned using an Audio Desk’s Ultrasonic Pro Vinyl Cleaner

Пікірлер: 27

@TheAudiophileMan 4 жыл бұрын

Just got news that this product now arrives with a 30-day money back guarantee. So you can 'try before you buy' with this system - well, effectively you can. It's also available direct from the company/designers at Air Audio: www.airaudio.co.uk/brands/air-audio-services/ac-2k-balanced-mains-transformer/

@amarcy5369 4 жыл бұрын

Hi sir great review as always As a retired electrician I would also recommend if someone is thinking about the ways to improve the sound of their setup to consider installing a dedicated supply from the main distribution board Preferably using a screened type cable eg SWA would be a possible choice Yes it may seem difficult to achieve but it is surprising how you can run such a cable ie through a loft space even going out side the property to bring the supply back in adjacent your hifi This combined with a mains conditioner should give considerably improvement Kind regards Mike in U.K.

@leonardosullivan963 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for a great review - I became interested in this BMU at the end of 2021 and after researching it, reading various reviews. All commenting on the positives that this unit added to their systems, as you had also discovered. It is my 60th birthday at the end of September 2022 and my gorgeous wife has bought this unit as a birthday gift. This will help to celebrate. The hi-fi dealer has re-iterated that l will not be disappointed. So l await it’s delivery and look forward to adding it to my system.

@TheAudiophileMan Жыл бұрын

Hope you enjoy it, Leonardo. Mine is still going strong and performing well.

@leonardosullivan963 Жыл бұрын

@@TheAudiophileMan Thank you. I hope it has added to your listening pleasure.

@hilde45 3 жыл бұрын

That was a really carefully done and systematic review. Thank you for your intelligent and your perspicuity. I wonder whether or not you have ever tried a power regenerator as well? These two technologies seem to be competitors in audio and I am currently trying to decide between them.

@TheAudiophileMan 3 жыл бұрын

Yes I have tried a regenerator - a super expensive double box system from Isotek it was (£10K was it? More) It sounded wonderful, perfect, amazing and then, after about 3 months listening, I thought there was something wrong. Something false? Something missing? A lack of soul, naturalness? Something missing in the organic area? I much prefer a passive approach therefore, like this box.

@mikecambridge5493 4 жыл бұрын

Just found your channel and subscribed. Interesting product. But a bit on the expensive side for me. Love the Nektar album. Great band. Dont know the others, will check them out.

@TheAudiophileMan 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for subscribing Mike! Very nice of you. I try to mix up the price points to appeal to lots of users. If you’re into anything in particular or are looking for any products to be reviewed, let me know and I’ll do my best!

@Audiojunkabus 4 жыл бұрын

"sounds" to good to be true :)

@AudioFlat 4 жыл бұрын

I’m just writing about my Airlink 3K BMU unit and find it closely parallels your own findings. However, the Airlink ones are a lot less costly than the Air Audio one you are reporting on - mine cost a third and is half as large again!

@TheAudiophileMan 4 жыл бұрын

I'll check it out, thanks.

@AudioFlat 4 жыл бұрын

Airlink are actual transformer manufacturers and there is a very good chance they make the one is the Air Audio design...

@AudioFlat 4 жыл бұрын

This a link to the discussion of my own BMU and which led me to your, very interesting, report: www.audioflat.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1079&p=19763#p19763

@TheAudiophileMan 4 жыл бұрын

@@AudioFlat Not in this case. There are many manufacturers of this type of ancillary and each performs differently. I've A-B compared examples in the past and some perform better than others. As does any hi-fi component, of course.

@AudioFlat 4 жыл бұрын

Hmm.. well there are a lot of people building BMU devices but not so many that actually wind the transformers.

@jakemurphy9536 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Paul, Would this work running an Isotek Sirius between it and the source components?

@TheAudiophileMan 3 жыл бұрын

I haven't got the info here so remind me - the Sirius is an active power conditioner isn't it Jake? Sorry, busy doing 'stuff' so I'm not on the Web here. If so then no, I wouldn't combine the two. A passive system? Sure, that would work. Active conditioning? No.

@jakemurphy9536 3 жыл бұрын

@@TheAudiophileMan crikey, that was quick. I really wasn't expecting a reply so soon. Thanks for that. I believe the Sirius is active, not 100%certain about that though. Mains power and cleaning it is my aim. Have been following your audiophileman pages for quite a while. Very informative and entertaining.

@TheAudiophileMan 3 жыл бұрын

@@jakemurphy9536 Thanks for hanging on in there for so long, Jake :)

@jakemurphy9536 3 жыл бұрын

@@TheAudiophileMan quick update. Isotek tell me it is passive or active, depending on who you ask. Not tremendously helpful, as I am sure you will agree.

@TheAudiophileMan 3 жыл бұрын

Isotek told you it was passive or active? Isotek said that? looking at its site, the unit looks like a passive system to me but you might want to contact the company to confirm.