Home Multitest plug in filters – ten plug in filters – measurements and blind test

Multitest plug in filters – ten plug in filters – measurements and blind test

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Kemp SNS plug - old and new

Kemp is a well known brand to many enthusiasts. Your author has at least three SNS plugs. Now we have the latest one. It should bring some improvements. Measurement-wise they are certainly different as you will see in the measurements.

Martijn hears more quietness with the SNS plug. Focus changes (deeper and tighter) and also in the sound comes some more balance. The difference is pretty obvious after the “baseline. This Kemp brings calmness and tightness.

“Placement of the piano is neat relative to the violin,” reads your author in Martijn’s notes. And, “more depth in the notes.” All in all, the SNS plug removes some annoying fray and brings peace and coherence to the whole sound.

Download all lossless samples

LCR Measurements Kemp SNS Plug (New (above) and old)

Response and noise measurements Kemp SNS plug

As with the Isotek and IFI, we clearly measure a filtering effect when we connect the Kemp SNS plug. We see a capacitance of 2uF. What is crazy is the ‘bump’ in the capacitance. At both plugs (old and new). That sway also seems to be reflected in the filter slope at the Prism (the kink). Perhaps a resonance point?

The Kemp filters quite effectively – deeper than the Isotek, as you can see further down. We see a decent compression of noise in both the white noise test and grid test. Without question, a product that does what it promises.

Overall Kemp SNS Plug

Auditory Measured
Without a doubt more quiet than standard. Imaging is tight, slightly smaller than Isotek. Clearly a filtering effect. Performs well in all tests.
Type test
Multitest
Tested price class
Price cheapest product: €99
Price most expensive product: €995
Properties
  • Brand and model: Akiko Tuning Stick
  • Build quality: Good, solid
  • Overall impression: Subtile difference, extra 'richness?'
  • Price: €109
  • Brand and model: Ansuz Sparkz EU
  • Build quality: Pretty, carbon, chic
  • Overall impression: No audible difference
  • Price: €399
  • Brand and model: Ansuz Sparkz TC2
  • Build quality: Pretty, carbon, chic
  • Overall impression: More warmth
  • Price: €995
  • Brand and model: IFI AC Purifier
  • Build quality: Simple, decent
  • Overall impression: Restless, glazy, bit harsh
  • Price: €129
  • Brand and model: Isotek Isoplug EVO3
  • Build quality: Simple
  • Overall impression: Slightly more calm, big stereo image, smooth
  • Price: €99
  • Brand and model: Kemp SNS (New)
  • Build quality: Simple, but decent
  • Overall impression: More calm, tight focus, tick dry
  • Price: €125
  • Brand and model: NordOst QK1
  • Build quality: Pretty, carbon, chic
  • Overall impression: Very fluid, nice balance, calmness.
  • Price: €275
  • Brand and model: NordOst QV2
  • Build quality: Pretty, carbon, chic
  • Overall impression: Small image, bit flat, rhythmic though
  • Price: €399
  • Brand and model: Furutech NCF Clearline
  • Build quality: Pretty, carbon, chic
  • Overall impression: No audible difference
  • Price: €279
  • Measurements
    All filters
    All filters
    Filterslope - NordOst QRT QV2
    Filterslope - NordOst QRT QV2
    NordOst QRT QK1
    NordOst QRT QK1
    Kemp SNS plug
    Kemp SNS plug
    Isotek Isoplug EVO3
    Isotek Isoplug EVO3
    IFI AC Purifier
    IFI AC Purifier
    Furutech NCF Clearline - Filter slope
    Furutech NCF Clearline - Filter slope
    Ansuz Sparkz TC2
    Ansuz Sparkz TC2
    Ansuz Sparkz EU
    Ansuz Sparkz EU
    Akiko Tuning Stick
    Akiko Tuning Stick

    Winkels met Furutech

    Hennesweg 20
    6035 AD Ospel, NL

    Winkels met IFI

    Grotestraat 23
    5931 CS Tegelen, NL
    St. Ceciliastraat 28
    5038 HA Tilburg, NL
    Breestraat 146-148
    2311CX Leiden, Zuid Holland, NL
    Beethovenstraat 9-b
    1077 HL Amsterdam, Noord Holland, NL

    Winkels met Isotek

    Schoenmakersstraat 19
    6041EX Roermond, NL
    Grotestraat 23
    5931 CS Tegelen, NL
    St. Ceciliastraat 28
    5038 HA Tilburg, NL
    Breestraat 146-148
    2311CX Leiden, Zuid Holland, NL
    Hermesweg 2
    3741 GP Baarn, Utrecht, NL
    Korevaarstraat 2 e-f
    2311 JS Leiden, NL
    Beethovenstraat 9-b
    1077 HL Amsterdam, Noord Holland, NL

    13 COMMENTS

    1. 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. :-).

      • 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😀