Acoustic Revive RR-77 ($425)

Of all the audio peripherals I've lived with, none has brought more pleasure than Acoustic Revive's RR-77 Ultra Low Frequency Pulse Generator. The wherewithal behind this unassuming little container is based on the mathematical findings in 1952 of a German physicist, Winfried Otto Schumann, that postulates an aspect of Earth's magnetic field operating at around 7.83 cps. The Schumann Resonance's salubrious effect is said be degraded by modern living's EMF nasties, with which the RR-77 does battle in the domestic setting in its demurely inaudible way. The joy is in the listening. Weird science notwithstanding, the RR-77 brings a more clearly detailed and lifelike sound-field closer to the listener. The difference is best characterized as a good if sonically unengaging recording compared with an event that sounds a lot more like live music. Improbable, yes, but there you are. [Mike Silverton]

Acoustic Revive AC conditioners (starting at $1,250), REM-8 ($550), RGC-24 ($500), RR-77 ($450) and RWL-3 ($950 ea)

Acoustic Revive, king of audiophile tweaks, sure got their name right based on what's been happening in my listening room. After listening to a plethora of products designed by Ken Ishiguro, the original Mr. Revive himself, I'm convinced plenty here at ST are having an Acoustic Revival! Thanks are in order to our own Mike Silverton. He was the spark plug that got the engine running on these remarkable products.

Mike's review, in his Random Noise column (here), struck me as rather odd because having known Mike for a number of years, he's always struck me as the audiophile curmudgeon. Especially, when it comes to tweaks. Or, so I thought.  My first task after discussing these products with Mike, was to keep and open mind and get my hands on the RR-77 first (but on second thought, remaining open-minded, in today's economically troubled times, with products as potent and as expensive as these might actually be a bad idea). Well, I almost didn't believe what I was hearing when I finally did get a loaner. Honestly, I didn't want to believe in that Schumann's Law, earth's resonance crap. The RR-77 however, did everything Mike stated in his column.

Next up was the RGC-24 Earth Grounding device, followed by the RTP-2 AC conditioner which proved to be the most natural AC device I've heard period. Shorty thereafter came the AR REM-8; a nifty little anti-EMI/RFI device that fitted snugly under the Nova Physics Memory Player (directly under the power supply is recommended).

Lastly, and probably the most startling, was the RWL-3 Acoustic Panels. I regard these as the top of the Acoustic Revive food chain strictly in terms of sonic impact. At $950 a pop, they're well-built, attractive and expensive. If you can get away with having these on your listening room walls, by way of an angelic significant other if you're not lucky enough to have your own dedicated room, well, only then would you understand my enthusiasm. [Clement Perry]    

The Acoustic Revive RPT-4 passive power conditioner ($2250).

What's the secret? Eight hours machining a solid ingot of 2017 alloy duralumin? Powdered quartz, tourmaline and green carborundum in a potting compound filling the bottom, releasing (respectively) far infrared waves, negative ions, and absorbing EMI? Or more pedestrian delights like Oyaide R-1 receptacles custom modified with silver and rhodium plating, cryogenic treatment, Furukawa POCCA wire, and matching Power Reference cord (also using Furukawa wire and Oyaide connectors)? Now, if you understand these purportedly scientific claims, and how they might affect the purity of the AC delivered to your stereo, you're a better man than I am, Gunga Din. But the RPT-4 works. Absolutely no question about it. It has a subtle, profound (but difficult to describe) effect on the sound. The level of delight around here has distinctly risen. Any number of reviewers and commentators have called the Acoustic Revive the finest power conditioner of their considerable experience. The music is simply more real, more concrete. And that, I presume, is precisely what a power conditioner is supposed to deliver. [Russell Lichter]

Acoustic Revive - Single core speaker cable SPC-2 (price TBA)
We're having an acoustic revival! Japanese borne Acoustic Revive products have been around since the late '90s and in my opinion hails as American audiophile's best kept secret. Their product line addresses the age-old problems of annoying AC induced electronic grunge, grounding issues and substandard acoustics. Their SPC-2 speaker cable, one of more than a dozen products they offer, utilizes a newly developed PCOCC-A Oval Single Core design. In my system this cable provided a sonic connection between me and the music that's more life-like. The total sonic landscape was a quieter musical one with a tonal palette that's more vivid and harmonically correct. More, I might add, than any speaker cable I’ve previously owned. [Dennis Parham]

Acoustic Revive REM-8 ($550), DSIX 1.0 Digital cable ($1,075 XLR with DPS-1 external Power Supply add $1,500), and RWL-3 Acoustic Panels ($950 ea).

This is a no-brainer. The Acoustic Revive entire product lineup are my most wanted accessories “Hands Down”. If I had my choice I would choose the entire Acoustic Revive lineup. However since I have to choose, and believe me, this is a very tough choice, I choose the REM-8 EMI Cancellor, the DSIX 1.0 PA digital cable with the DSP-1 power supply and the RWL-3 acoustic panels. Their insertion transformed my system to a level that I would not have believed had I read it somewhere else. This statement is not to be taken lightly, the Acoustic Revive folks are definitely on to something. Oh, let me sneak in their RTP Ultimate AC conditioners (2,4,or6). In my case, a sonic dream come true. [Moreno Mitchell]

Acoustic Revive RR-77 ($425) and RTP-2 AC Line Conditioner ($1250)

Let me say that it may sound like a little weird science and I am not totally sure how it works (who does), but I know that I am definitely hearing something on the order of monumental, sonically speaking. All I had to do was plug the RR-77 in and turn it on (keeping in mind the 5-foot distance off the floor), to get a more organic and three-dimensional sound. Acoustic Revive has made a reputation by enhancing how we listen and judge our systems. Their premise that there is a lot more to hi-fi and electronics than just spending more money and manufacturers specs hit a nerve here. It's apparent we're physically and emotionally affected by our earth's natural resonance is a daunting and thought-provoking proposition. The RTP-2 AC conditioner simply took the hype out of my system and rendered the music more natural; closer to the real life. [Carlos Sanchez]

Bybee Super Effect AC cords ($3k)

Having lived and reviewed the newer Super Effect Bybee products over the last 24 months, namely his latest AC power cords (here), I've no intentions of changing them out. In so far as AC cords go, these have had the most noticeable impact on my system. In terms of ridding a system of noisy AC grit and grunge, I've not had a product possess the balance and finesse of Bybee's Super Effect AC products. None [Clement Perry]

LessLoss Dynamic Filtering AC Power Cords:

If I was skeptical about proprietary coax cables, some costing more than a month's income, I don't know what word describes my attitude to power cords. Cynical? Well, as almost all audiophiles know, power cords can make an audible difference, and now I know it too. But this much difference, and for under $500 a cord? It boggles the mind, but that is absolutely the case: the LessLoss Dynamic Filtering Power Cord improved the quality of the sound, particularly in terms of that elusive quality of presence, more than a number of far pricier electronic upgrades. This cord has made me a believer. Before you buy that new preamp or DAC, or that new loudspeaker cable, look to your power source. And do not fail to audition the LessLoss Dynamic Filtering Power Cords. [Russell Lichter]

 

PS Audio Power Plant Premier ($2195 direct)

      

With its 10 outlets and 5 banks of isolation and superior surge protection the Power Plant Premier is eminently more musical than the older PS Audio P300 with Multiwave that was replaced in my system. As a result of being more energy efficient The PPP is a lot cooler too. (I can see the difference in my year over year electricity bill too.) Though it doesn’t offer as many sound options as the Multiwave adjustments found on the earlier Power Plants, (the PPP’s Multiwave is either on or off) it does give my system a more relaxing and dynamic sound than any of the older Multiwave options on my older P300. The PPP has the added benefit of knocking down to 120 Volts the consistent over-voltage delivered to my house from my local public utility. It is a great tool for grunge and noise removal as well as giving back three-dimensionality and tonal textures. It’s become indispensable to me and I hope to someday have one for the home theater setup too. [Alvester Garnette]
 

PS Audio Quintet Power Line Conditioner ($495)

This advanced AC line conditioner/surge protector provides 5 duplex AC outlets with IsoZone™ Nano-Crystalline filter technology. Additionally, the Quintet has a power sequencer, CATV connectors, 12-volt DC triggers and telephone in and out protection. Since the Quintet handles up to 1750 watts, one is normally sufficient to protect an entire system while improving both audio and video quality. [Frank Alles]
 

Signal Cable MagicPower AC Power Cord ($59.00 for 1 meter length)

    
Magic—that’s what we all want from our systems. We want to come home from a hard day, blow off our significant others’ requests to take out the garbage and fix the screen door, press play on the CD player or put the needle on the record, sit down, and either have the music carry us away or be transported to the recording venue. A bunch of black (or silver) boxes that can do that on demand? F%?# Harry Potter; that’s magic to me! For 59 bucks the Signal Cable MagicPower Power Cord will magnify your magic. Many power cords change the sound—but in my experience and maybe yours too, it ain’t always for the better. Many times it’s just different, not more magical. Sometimes I even end up preferring the stock cable (high treason—I know). I can tell you though, I preferred the MagicPower Power Cord to several much higher priced cords in my system and even over many stockers (!), as it seemed to genuinely enhance most or many aspects of my system’s music making with a variety of equipment- not just change the sound. It seems to work better for me with pre-amps and amps than with digital stuff, enhancing the former, (especially preamps), almost universally, and producing somewhat inconsistent tonal results with the latter. Have no fear though; Signal Cable does make a dedicated digital power cable as well (also about 70 bucks), and now you know what’s on my Hanukkah list! (Mom are you listening? Mom!!!). Just kidding—I don’t really live with my parents anymore- honest. That’s my younger brother now. [David Abramson]

Silent Running Audio Isolation Platforms: Tremor/Less ($250-$300 depending on size) and VR-Series (starting at $350)

SRA deserves recognition for offering two series of platforms that provide excellent performance and outstanding values. The updated, semi-universal Tremor/Less series comes in three sizes and three models (depending on application). The attractive bamboo-finish with waterfall ends shows dedication to detail and build quality. The 2008 models of the unit-specific VR-Series platforms can be rebuilt internally to accommodate changes in equipment. The first rebuild is free to the original owner. How cool is that? [Donald Shaulis]