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Synergistic Research Powercell 12UEF

I've just taken delivery of a pair of these latest models from SR and as one of the early customers and given the interest in SR graphene technology I thought I would share some first impressions. The 12UEFs (the glass top model) replace a pair of 10UEFs in my system. One powers the sources (phono, preamp, turntable and my 4 part DCS stack) while the other powers my two monoblocks. I had been very pleased with the 10UEFs and have several years experience with them finding that they did a good job of getting out of the way and letting each component perform.

Anyway after a day or so of listening (so given past SR black experience expect more burn in) I am surprised to relate that the impact of the 12UEFs is almost transformative. The best way of describing the effect is to say that with the 12s its as if a) all the musicians are now performing together in the same room and b) you are in the room with them. Across an array of my test discs I found the same effect. The normal indicators of frequency extreme performance, dynamics etc all somehow seem irrelevant. A couple of examples. On "Bye Bye Blackbird" by Nancy Harms yes the bass is very clear but also superbly dimensioned, this then becomes a busy and congested recording as the full band enters but with the 12UEFs it's easy to sort the parts out and hear all of the musicians playing off one another. Another simple recording is Canen "I've got a guy in Kalamazoo" -- this is almost a mono recording and frankly I thought it sounded a bit muffled but with the 12UEFs again everyone is playing together, you can't help your toes from tapping and really engage with the bass players moves

One odd manifestation of the effect of these components is with any strong central vocal when you move your head forward and back it seems as if you are in the room with the vocalist and are moving away and towards him or her -- all the other instruments stay relatively in proportion and it's as if you can walk around the room

I can only surmise that by taking away low level noise from the power supply the 12UEFs are letting through more of the recorded acoustic - others have noted similar effects with other SR Atmosphere and black series components

Anyway for those already using SR Powercells or in the market for some sort of conditioner I can highly recommend them
128x128folkfreak

Showing 6 responses by folkfreak

folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak OP
1,349 posts
 
My PowerCell had the FEQs but the original (CTS?) power cords, I had considered upgrading to the Galileo LE power cords but the new 12s came out before then -- anyway as the trade/upgrade on the new PowerCells is about the same as an Atmosphere L3 I think I'm OK

I have got one Atmosphere L3 which I use to power my Transporter, most of my other power cords are Galileo LE

I do use the GPA Apex footers, the Mystery feet are additional -- the apex are under the stands, the Marigo's go under each component
folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak OP
1,349 posts
 
The AQ 7000 is very well regarded (and a hair pricier than the UEFs I believe) -- were I not locked in to SR products I'd like to check it out -- I should also note that all my power comes pre-treated by a Torus in wall transformer so I tend towards simpler, less transformer based end conditioning which is why I think I've liked the SR kit

I chose not to bother with the level 3 option, instead got a very good deal on the trade ins :-)

Anyway look forward to hearing about the comparison
folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak OP
1,349 posts
 
I am not aware of a formal trade up program but my long term dealer was able to give me a good trade in on my old UEFs.

 I've personally not actually directly compared the UEFs with the AQ 7000 but did find that the upgrade from 10UEF to 12 UEF (the glass top model at least) was transformative bringing an entirely new and improved presentation to the complete system. I have found it beneficial to damp/cover the top plates, the flickering blue LED is very objectionable.

The Denali also looks like a good option and in particular I like the look of the supports for heavy AC plugs it has -- the SR products still suffer from a lack of support and I need to resort to shims to hold in my very heavy original Galileo LE plugs - oh well
folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak OP
1,349 posts
 
Jafant. Regarding which dealers to use here are three recommendations I have worked with

1. The Cable Company. You will be limited to their discount policy (plus any current SR offers) but benefit from the cable library
2. Highend-electronics. Alfred is a pleasure to work with and offers good prices and very quick service, probably the easiest dealer to work with
3. Scott Walker Audio.  Scott has the closest ties to SR and also can do very good deals, especially if you are buying multiple SR items at once. He's also very good with trades

any one of these three will do you well, good luck
folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak OP
1,349 posts
 
mtseymour

Thanks for the question. As far as how the SE edition differs from the others I’m afraid I cannot say as I never compared them head to head. In fact in my opinion the glass top is a disadvantage as it a) allows a very annoying flickering blue LED to be visible and b) creates a resonant surface. I cover the glass tops on my two 12UEFs with a rug and some acoustic foam thus solving both problems. All I can say is that they sound fantastic

Surprisingly the one piece of SR kit that I did not like was the Tranquility base -- I tried one in the system under my old PowerCell and it thinned out the sound noticeably adding an edge that I did not like -- that was quickly sold on. I want to try the ground block at some stage (however all those extra wires kind of puts me off 😉
folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak OP
1,349 posts
 
Thanks for the question @oppezzi -- there's actually two reasons why I have two 12SE UEFs -- firstly my system is set up with all the sources and pre-amp on one side of the room, and the power amps on the other, connected by a 30' length of AQ WEL XLR so have to have two sets of power, and secondly I have so many sources I use all the outlets on a 12UEF (this is what happens when you have a DCS stack!). So I've no idea whether one UEF can do a whole system as I've never tried but I have no reason to believe it would not be fine
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