Ansuz Sparkz (EU and TC2)
Contents
Martijn hears a difference with the Ansuz Sparkz TC2 plug. Not all positive, however, as there seems to be some shifting in the imaging. “As if the violin is behind the piano,” your author read in the notes.
With Anathema, it does do some nice things in terms of vocals; slightly more reverb, but with Loney Dear, more compression is audible. Odd.
Tonally, with the TC2, the violin pops out more; also with vocals that’s the case…. odd.
We conclude that the Sparkz TC2 definitely does something in terms of imaging and tonal balance. In our system, it is not all positive.
The Ansuz EU does much less. There seems to be more air in the image. But the fact is: the system does that even without a filter compared to some candidates. Other than that, very little happens with the Sparkz EU. And that does match the measurements and contents of the plug (read on).
LCR Measurements Ansuz Sparkz EU and TC2
Response and noise measurements Ansuz Sparkz EU and TC2
A quote from Ansuz about the Sparkz EU:
Ansuz Sparkz is a noise cancellation plug for open mains sockets, mainly in power distributors. Mains power transmits disturbing noise that ‘bleeds’ into the other Hi-Fi components and impairs their ability to reproduce music with openness and fine detail on a wide soundstage. Ansuz Sparkz is equipped with Ansuz noise reduction technologies to deliver any music with more openness and speed, against an amazingly quiet background.
These are two completely different plugs. The Sparkz EU and TC2 use the Ansuz tesla coils. The TC2 also has the TCs (Tesla Coils) but also works with an active circuit. And that is audible and measurable.
Concerning the Sparkz EU, we can’t see anything when measuring it. All straight lines and no filtering effect. Which is not very odd considering they are simply two coils made on the + and – (just like the Furutech plug). How is that supposed to filter or affect a circuit? Yet that is what they directly claim on their website.
The TC2 we see that there is something more, but that is difficult to measure because although we see that there is an active circuit, in our sweeps and ‘synthetic tests’ there is little to discover. In the ‘grid test’ at the mains, some dots have disappeared, but less than with the ‘conventional’ parallel filters. In short: something does happen… But the price is really steep when we compare it to other products that 1. do more, and 2. are a lot cheaper.
Overall Ansuz Sparkz EU
| Auditory | Measured |
| Nothing significant. | Nothing |
Overall Ansuz Sparkz TC2
| Auditory | Measured |
| Sound balance shifts. Imaging changes. Vocal work emerges more prominently. | Difficult to demonstrate, we measure circuitry but not filtering. |
These filters are often marketed as being used in a wall AC mains socket adjacent/next to another mains socket into which a power conditioner plugged (ie both AC mains sockets next to each other /side by side are on the same mains circuit).
This is different to your test set up. So my question is…..(given the way these filters are marketed/manufacturer’s recommended use)…. can a power conditioner actually benefit from having a plug in filter along side it on the same AC mains circuit?
I think your test answered the question of the differences between using a power condition (the Aquarius) and a plug in filter….but not the impact of using both together in parallel.
Great stuff as usual in your testing/reviews. Unlike other youtube channels, which shall remain nameless…no egos, no hidden agenda, no human insecurities that require reductionist scientific measurements/calculations to explain the unexplainable (ie you are comfortable within yourselves and have the wisdom to accept what cannot be explained)…your passion is genuine and all purely in service of the music/hobby. Because of your holistic and much more balance and fluidly intelligent approach, i have stopped watching these other channels. Keep up the great work. (Btw a quote which i love and is very apt….”the mind (and by extension one’s ears) is/are like a parachute. They only work when they are open.”😉🙈
Thanks Alexander! Appreciate your feedback!
If you have a decent conditioner, I cannot imagine a parallel filter has much impact. The Aquarius for example already has parallel filters build in. You can use them together, but I never heard a significant difference. I would rather buy a decent power cord. :-).
Thanks Jaap. That makes sense. And yes it is my experience too that power cords can make a signifcant difference and are worth investing in ahead of many other things. Cheers.
Hello Alexander. Thank you for your kind words. Good to read that our intentions in how to test come across.
Parallel filters are often recommended to plug into the wall socket next to a power strip, which is logical. It very much depends on the power conditioner used if this is a wise idea. A lot of conditioners filter, which means that you are stacking filters. As with anything in electrical connections and HiFi, stacking stuff can have an effect which a particular listener very much enjoys, but it is a bit of a hit or miss. Or a very dangerous HiFi rabbit hole where hobbyist really get lost and are getting further and further from what they are looking for.
Thanks Martijn. Yes you are right in terms of marketing being more about being placed in paralell with power strips. Also very wise words about hit/miss &/or rabbit holes….both of which proven to be expensive for me in the past… so always nice to be reminded! Thank you😀
Good job and well done!
Would there be similar blind tests for USB/RCA type noise absorbers such as YUKIMU USB noise absorber PNA-USB01 and The Chord Company GroundARAY in the coming future? thank you.
We can check that out in the future… sure!
Good job and well done!
Would there be similar blind tests for USB/RCA type noise absorbers such as YUKIMU USB noise absorber PNA-USB01 and The Chord Company GroundARAY in the coming future? thank you.
We can check that out in the future… sure!
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/isotek-evo3-aquarius-power-conditioner-review.30223/post-1324437
[ I have only listen to one audio that I know very well, Jacques Loussier – Little Fuge in G Minor.
Conclusion: it sounds worse with any filter. Dynamic is lost.]
I didn’t notice any loss in dynamisch. These are parallel filters… With serial filters: yes… definately.
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/isotek-evo3-aquarius-power-conditioner-review.30223/post-1324437
[ I have only listen to one audio that I know very well, Jacques Loussier – Little Fuge in G Minor.
Conclusion: it sounds worse with any filter. Dynamic is lost.]
I didn’t notice any loss in dynamisch. These are parallel filters… With serial filters: yes… definately.