Sound Saver
Benefits
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Indicates which of the two contacts of your mains supply is phase
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Checks your earth connection
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Detects if your mains supply is normal type or balanced type
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Easy to use in child safety schuko sockets
What to expect?
Don't expect a miracle. There will be a difference, but we can not tell you how big the difference will be. It depends on the mains supply, power cords and audio equipment.
The differences will be noticeable in spatial performance and details on a low sound level.
A good solution stands or falls with good quality power cables and a good power strip. The Sound Saver is just a step in the right direction.
Where to use?
The Sound Saver should be used to measure the mains contacts used for your audio equipment. Measure every socket, also when more contacts are in the same power strip. We have seen strange situations, you can better be sure. Mark the phase with a dot or a sticker on each socket. Also mark the plug of the input power cable connected to your power strip, so you know how it was inserted in the mains (wall) socket during your measurements.
Don't leave the Sound Saver in your (wall) socket all the time, it's a measurement tool which is not made to work continuously.
Working principle
For good audio performance it is very important that the equipment is connected to the mains supply the right way. But what is the right way? Manufacturers often indicate phase on their equipment or power plug, so the only thing to find out is where the phase on the mains wall socket is.
It is also important for your audio equipment to have a good earth connection. Not having an earth connection is an unsafe condition. A bad earth condition or no earth at all can cause problems in sound reproduction. Hum is a very audible result, but sometimes we just realize what details we miss until we hear this piece of music somewhere else.
The Sound Saver has a clever circuit which measures both mains supply contacts and earth. With two LEDs it indicates which mains contact is phase. Only one LED will light. The other mains contact is neutral, which is at about the same level as earth. Watch out; it should be in theory! In practice, due to some effects in loads or equipment, the neutral and earth can differ up to some volts.
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If the Sound Saver gives no indication at all, the mains earth contact is not connected. Watch out! No LEDs lighting does NOT mean no voltage! Don't touch the bare contacts of the mains supply, this can be very dangerous. When both LEDs light up, you have a balanced mains condition. In this case the difference between phase and neutral can not be determined, in fact the contacts are both phase. This condition can give -under strict terms- advantages for equipment with problematic power supplies.
The Sound Saver is your easy tool to answer questions about connecting your equipment to the mains supply properly.
Specifications
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Dimensions:
Weight:
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39.5mm diameter x 65mm (without pins)
105 gram
Phase on left
contact
Phase on right contact
Balanced mains supply
No earth or mains supply present
Protection of your equipment and good filtering are also beneficial for your audio system. These benefits can be achieved with our Pulse Protector and our Noise Eater.