Audiophilepure

https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.php/equipment-menu/1314-clarus-concerto-mkii-power-conditioner

I built a new Roon playlist for this review, containing all sorts of music, from jazz to rock’n’roll, klezmer, and classical, with stops in between. My findings were consistent throughout. First, there was a totally silent background, even with the volume at max. A good start. Second, I never detected any reduction in dynamic range with the introduction of the Clarus. Nor could I sense even the slightest softening of transients. The image was never restricted or flattened, and I experienced no polarity, ground fault, or protection issues.

Listening to music with my components plugged directly into the wall, I could detect a very low-level hiss from the tweeter if I put my ear to it. Without the power conditioner in the chain, I noticed an increase in brittleness and harshness, a reduction in resolution, the presence of some “tizzyness” in cymbals, and sometimes an edge on vocals. In general, I found the sound less musical and more tiring.

I’ll single out Eric Bibb’s superlative new album, One Mississippi (24‑bit/96kHz FLAC, Repute Records / Qobuz). The title track reminds me of Tom Waits (à la “Way Down in the Hole”) channeling Keb’ Mo’. It integrates multiple instruments into a coherent image with terrific bass and color. With my components connected to the Concerto MKII, I heard fine leading edges on the stringed instruments with no hint of harshness. But without the Clarus, there was an edge to the violin and on Bibb’s voice.

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