General Asylum: REVIEW: Sound Application XE-12S Power Conditioner/Surge Protector by RH

Model:	XE-12S
Category:	Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
Suggested Retail Price:	$4200
Description:	power line conditioner, non-current limiting
Manufacturer URL:	Sound Application
Manufacturer URL:	Sound Application

Review by RH ( A ) on September 04, 2002 at 21:01:25
IP Address: 24.25.218.178

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This review is actually about the remarkable synergy of the Sound Application line conditioner used with David Elrod's EPS-3 Sig. power cord. Discussing these two products has been difficult from the first week I had them in my system. I'd get a phone call from an audio pal asking something like "well, what-da-ya think... how's the bass... did the soundstage get bigger, etc.??? With this combination I find myself drawn to the overall presentation in a way that pushes aside the desire to focus on such aspects tangential to the music. Don't get me wrong... one can't help but notice the across the board improvements in these areas.
The Sound Application/EPS-3 Sig. combination allows every component connected to it reveal what they are ultimately capable of achieving in a way I had NEVER previously experienced. Trying to describe the effect reminds me of Martin Mull's comment re. art critics... "talking about Art is like dancing about Architecture". We have an audio based vocabulary, and I'll try to utilize it as best I can.
With my Merlin speakers connected to a Berning ZH270 amplifier ultimate levels of both macro and micro details are present like never before. The Berning is plugged into the Sound Application with no apparenet current-limiting perceived. When the amp was connected to the wall outlet the background and soundstage lost some of it's coherency and an overall sense of refinement was mia; replaced by a slight pushing in the upper mid/lower treble region. Bass impact was leaner, less rounded with natural timbres somewhat diminished. This was especially evident with brass instruments. With all components connected to the Sound App/EPS-3 Sig. instrumental timbres were spot-on to these ears. Naturalness/ease of presentation takes over and the music transports you. Like a great wine (it doesn't bring the winery to your mouth) you're transported by the experience to THAT place. I don't want the orchestra in my living room or Bela Fleck pickin' in front of my fireplace... I want to close my eyes and be taken to where the musician/s are coming from or intended, the same way a truly classic novel does almost universally.
I've tried this combination with tubes (both SET and OTL) and several cdp's. With every combination of components the differences in sound were easily noticed by even the most casual listener/visitor. This was especially the case when I swapped in a pair of ProAc 2.5's for the Merlins. The designer's intentions were pretty clear after a short listen. The ProAcs went for the emotional over the ultimate resolution. Detail was there but in the much broader sense. Lusher and maybe just a bit more organic than the Merlins. The Merlins zeroed right in on every minute detail. One almost felt bombarded in comparison to ProAc's more generalized approach. I could easily live with either speaker, pick your flavor. With the other line conditioners I auditioned these differences were not nearly as distinct.
All of this makes other comparisons easier as well, especially when audtioning cables. Bob Crump's TG Audio ic's and speaker cable worked quite well with this combo. In fact the copper ribbon based EPS-3 pc sonically appears to be designed with similar intentions. Bob has stated that he has generally liked what copper ribbon conductors can do except for an inherent(?) problem with mid-bass reproduction, and David Elrod appears to have solved that problem. In regards to the Elrod power cords what was most apparent in my system was the increase in the overall scale of presentation and performer stage heighth. It's the most realistic I have achieved to date with my current components. And the bass reproduction... all I can say is do what you need to do to set up an audition. Contact Jim Weil at Sound Application and David Elrod. They deserve to be heard. And if you go to the CES 2003 you can meet them both as they're sharing a demo suite.

Product Weakness: Capable of inducing long into the nite listening sessions on a regular basis.
Product Strengths: Helps your system achieve the level of refinement it's ultimately capable of.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Berning ZH270 and Art Audio Gill Sig. w/ vol. control
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Art Audio dm/VPS w/ remote
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Electrocompaniet EMC Mk.II and Cary 306/200 w/ vol. remote
Speakers:	Merlin VSM and ProAc 2.5
Cables/Interconnects:	TG Audio ic's, speaker cable and pc. Elrod EPS-2 and 3 Sig.
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	mixed bag
Room Size (LxWxH):	15 x 12 x 8-15
Room Comments/Treatments:	furniture, soft blinds and throw pillows
Time Period/Length of Audition:	6 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Sound Application XE-12S
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Capable of inducing long into the nite listening sessions on a regular basis.
Product Strengths:	Helps your system achieve the level of refinement it's ultimately capable of.