General Asylum: REVIEW: Quantum Products ElectroClear Power Conditioner/Surge Protector by Hyperion General audio topics that don't fit into specific categories.

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Model:	ElectroClear
Category:	Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
Suggested Retail Price:	$60
Description:	parallel AC filter and then some
Manufacturer URL:	Quantum Products
Manufacturer URL:	Quantum Products

Review by Hyperion ( A ) on May 30, 2002 at 06:35:16 IP Address: 202.78.97.12

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Just before the year started, I had sworn off power line conditioners. They are not exactly cheap and although they work as advertised to a certain degree (at least in cleaning up grundge, grain and harshness) – they also almost always have undesirable side effects. I used to have an API Powerwedge and while it cleaned up the grain and grit of music, it also rounded off transients, slowed down music and bloated the bass. I used to have MIT Z filtered power cords – same thing. I also had a Chang CLS6400 20AH and it did make sound also cleaner, and subjectively faster, but it also focused everything within the confines of the two loudspeakers, miniaturizing the music in the process. It killed off some harmonics making music crisper and tighter but also more mechanical and less tuneful, and it squashed dynamics despites claims to the contrary.

Then last week, I saw the Quantum ElectroClear parallel filters on one of the local audio shop’s shelves. @ around an easily affordable $60 each, I thought it was well worth a try despite the seemingly outrageous claims in the Quantum website. I instantly remembered that Combak Harmonix’ Kiuchi san’s new power line conditioner also uses these Quantum QRT technology. Since I have a healthy dollop of respect for Kiuchi san’s ears and products, I simply couldnt help but be curious so I borrowed one for audition.

I inserted the ElectroClear between my CJ Premier 11a which is plugged into a 20A Acme silver plated dedicated outlet. I powered the amp on and listened to some acoustic music. Hmm, I’ll be damned … it was easily discernible that all the harmonic decay of notes were longer. The treble is cleaner, thicker, more refined and more open – it was as if there was a tweeter upgrade. The midband was clearer, thicker and is also sweeter, with softer vocal sibilants. The background is darker and there is better dileneation of images. The soundstage also got bigger and deeper with better layering. Any downside? Well, there is some slight diminution of macrodynamics particularly in the bass region but it seems a small price to pay for the ease, clarity, better timbral and harmonic reconstruction of music, and more natural and organic presentation.

I got another ElectroClear and this time put it between my tubed cdp and its dedicated Acme outlet, and all the improvements noted with the first ElectroClear, was confirmed and further enhanced. Music just sounded more refined, more liquid and more natural with higher contrast and better musical expression. Pianos in particular sounded more like the percussion instruments that they are, guitars more supple and less brittle. Its like digital sounding closer to analog – and that is always a good thing in my book. Now I know why Kiuchi san endorses Quantum QRT technology – it is because they have a similar purpose as Combak Harmonix stuff, and that is bringing back harmony and emotion to the music.

Hmm now … should I put an ElectroClear on my sub as well? On all my electrical appliances as recommended by Quantum? We’ll see … :P But these two are not going back to the shop. They are here to stay.

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Product Weakness:	slight diminution of bass dynamics, no surge protection
Product Strengths:	cheap cheap cheap, makes music cleaner, clearer and more complete

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Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	CJ Premier 11a
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	FT Audio LW-1 (DACT CT2)
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	MF CDT (modded)
Speakers:	Sonus faber Electa Amator II / REL Strata II
Cables/Interconnects:	Audio Note AN-Vz / AN-SPz
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	all kinds
Room Size (LxWxH):	14 x 26 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments:	acoustically treated but walls are still too flat and bare
Time Period/Length of Audition:	1 week
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Acme silver plated outlets
Type of Audition/Review:	Home Audition

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