Website author headshot
Cameron Oatley
ExtremeHiFi
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi

Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.

What reviewers think

Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.

What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.

Manufacturer details

Power Conditioner

  • Output Voltage: 110-120V/220-240V
  • RFI attenuation: > 57dB @ 235kHz, > 40dB @ up 1MHz
  • 3 isolated power output zones
  • Balanced toroidal power transformer
  • Surge protection and DC blocker ≥ 2V
  • Over voltage and under voltage Protection
  • Overload protection

Connections

  • Power Outlets: 6 Outlets
  • Isolated Power Zones: 2x 200VA, 1x 1550VA
  • Peak Combined Power Output: 2400VA / 10A
  • Maximum Rated Power Output: 1550VA / 10A

General Information

  • Mains voltages: 110-120V/220-240V. AC 50/60Hz
  • Max. Consumption: 1550W
  • Dimension (WxHxD): 440 x 162 x 400 mm
  • Weight: 33 kg net / 39,5 kg boxed

The BPC10 is a Balanced Power Conditioner for larger hi-fi and home theater systems.
Manufacturer Site

Brand highlights

Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:

  • They place a significant emphasis on achieving a distinctive, energetic sound, even at the expense of absolute neutrality, leading to a more engaging and enjoyable listening experience.
  • Musical Fidelity often integrates advanced features, like sophisticated equalization or balanced inputs/outputs, into their designs to enhance versatility and cater to audiophiles' evolving needs.

V90-BHA

  • Positioning: The entry-level balanced headphone amplifier in Musical Fidelity's lineup.
  • Description: Offers excellent sound quality with balanced audio technology. Features balanced XLR inputs and outputs, which minimize noise and interference, providing a cleaner sound. This makes it ideal for users with a limited budget who want to enhance their headphone listening experience.

M2si

  • Positioning: An affordable integrated amplifier designed for audiophiles seeking high-quality sound without extra features.
  • Description: Delivers a pure and dynamic sound, drawing on technology from Musical Fidelity's premium models. Stands out with its fully discrete power amplifier and independent power supplies, offering a performance akin to a pre/power configuration in a single unit.

M8xi

  • Positioning: A super integrated amplifier, positioned as a high-performance model in the M8 series.
  • Description: Known for its powerful and articulate sound, featuring dual mono power amps and a high-quality DAC. It offers significant power output and low distortion. Provides extensive connectivity options, including digital inputs, catering to users with diverse system compatibility needs.

Nu-Vista 800.2

  • Positioning: The flagship integrated amplifier in the Nu-Vista series, representing the pinnacle of Musical Fidelity's offerings.
  • Description: Combines the unique Nu-Vista tube technology with modern design, delivering an exceptionally smooth and powerful sound. Features dual mono power amps and a locally decoupled output stage, providing remarkable stability and control over any loudspeaker.
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Avg. Product Price
$2,501-$5,000
Used For Sale
92
 Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
42
 of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
52
Founding Year
1982

Our take on the brand

Musical Fidelity is known for its unique amplifier designs, particularly the A1 integrated amplifier that uses its top plate as a heatsink and features a distinctive current-mode phono stage. The brand stands out for its innovative dual-monoblock approach in integrated amplifiers, where separate power transformers and dedicated power supplies are housed in a single chassis, as seen in their M8xi and M6i models that deliver exceptional power output.

Look inside the brand

Brand Page

Our interview with the brand

What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?

What's your approach to customer support?

Musical Fidelity (like other Audio Tuning brands) is structured in a pretty traditional way, whereby support and advice are best administered on a local level. Of course, they have a technical team positioned at HQ to help all their partners around the world, and in some more extreme cases you may need to be put straight through to this team. But it's the job of the distributor to support the territory in the best way it can.

What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?

I can tell you this, as we've done this recently for others. These are personal choices:

Simon Quarry – the chief designer – selected these three.

  • Low Desert Punk – Brant Bjork
  • Moon Love – Electric Moon
  • Psychic Chasm – Ozric Tentacles

Heinz Lichtenegger – the brand owner – selected these two:

  • Tosca – Puccini, Leontyne Price, Di Stefano, Taddei / Vienna Philharmonic with Herbert von Karajan (Decca, 1963)
  • Don Juan – Richard Strauss, Tod und Verklaerung, Also Sprach Zarathustra / Vienna Philharmonic with Herbert von Karajan (Decca, 1960)

What other products pair best with yours?

This is a tough one! Partly because of the diverse range of products on offer from Musical Fidelity. For example, with the A1, we have a lot of success pairing this amp with Klipsch Heresy or Forte IV – but in smaller rooms, our own-brand LS3/5A are a wonderful choice. For Nu-Vista, we pair very nicely with Piega – which requires some deeper power reserves to really get going. So I would say it's very difficult to pair the sonic ID with one brand in particular. Musical Fidelity pairs pretty nicely with a wide range of products, giving customers a great degree of choice.

From our interview with
Simon Powell
.
Brand Page

What if you spend more?

Product image
GigaWatt
PC-3SE EVO+
8045
8045
/
7
Reviews

The most significant differences compared to the PC-3 EVO+ : – distribution rails made of silver-plated, highly conductive copper (99.995%) with a cross-section of 30mm2 – hydraulic-magnetic switch by Carling Technologies – damping of the housing with a bitumen-polymer composite mat – LC-2 EVO cable as standard

All elements of the conditioner are mounted in a rigid steel-aluminum chassis, which rests on anti-vibration feet, made of solid anodized aluminum, with an additional layer of the company's 3.5 mm thick elastomer. To reduce vibrations transferred to the conditioner, its chassis was additionally damped with a bitumen-polymer composite mat. The front panel of the conditioner, is made of a thick slab of aircraft aluminum, the surface of which, after precise milling, is roughened and then anodized in two colors – black or silver. In the central part there is an LED display indicating the value of the input voltage. The voltmeter is characterized by resistance to distortion and measurement errors caused by higher harmonics, while not generating any interference that could degrade the quality of the voltage filtered by the conditioner. The display, which has a fade-out option, is white as standard. Nine other colors are available upon request.

The PC-3SE EVO+ has six, top-quality proprietary output sockets, with contacts of large surface area. The brass contacts are technically silver plated, with no intermediate metal layers such as copper or nickel, which could introduce unfavorable series resistance and voltage drop. The conditioner is also equipped with an additional circuit that signals if the device is incorrectly connected to the mains. Its activation is indicated by a red LED located on the back, informing of incorrect polarity of the conditioner's power supply or a defectively connected grounding.

The design of the PC-3SE EVO+ is based on a unique eight-stage filter architecture using the most advanced, uncompromising components. The conditioner is equipped with three autonomous filtering branches, serving separate three sections, consisting of four outlets each. This allows isolation of individual loads from mutual interference generated by connected devices using a common power line. The innovative two-stage power distribution system is based on massive distribution rails made of silver-plated OFHC C10100 oxygen-free copper bars of 99.997% purity. The first stage allows for lossless and even voltage distribution to the individual filter branches. The second stage delivers current directly to each quart of output sockets.

The company's semi-multistrand conductors with enlarged cross-section, made of silver-plated oxygen-free copper insulated with Teflon, are responsible for the transmission of current between the individual modules. These solutions ensure even and stable power distribution regardless of the load on the individual outputs of the conditioner. The company's anti-interference capacitors are responsible for the essential filtering of interference, and are manufactured to GigaWatt's strict specifications. Surge protection of the conditioner is provided by high-end elements with increased absorption and aging resistance.

GigaWatt is a hifi manufacturer specializing in power conditioning and power distribution systems that minimize noise in hifi systems.
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Expand Details

Our summary

Product Strengths

  • Audibly removes grain from the musical canvas to have all instruments and voices more visible and separated
  • Extracts musical content and showcases it in a humane, palpable fashion
  • Provides protection against interference and voltage spikes present in the home power grid, and filters current
  • Improves the sound and protects the connected gear

Product Considerations

  • May force all units to act in a certain way that is more generalized, instead of being able to listen to specialty cables, plugs, amps, rear, DAC, or streamer
  • May kill a bit of personality of the connected components
  • The unit is sensitive to vibrations and ideally belongs in an Artesania piece of furniture with dampeners, having it on a hard floor next to a speaker is a bad idea

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • The PC-3 SE EVO+ gave up nothing versus Furutech RTP-6 passive, and merely shifted the subjective balance on the speed/body axis in favor of the latter
  • The GigaWatt PC-3 SE EVO+ is not really better than the Acoustic Revive power strip, but it is also not worse, which is something special
  • The PC-3 SE EVO+ is more evolved, more organic, more believable, and better in almost every aspect versus MIT Powerbar set

Takeaway: The GigaWatt PC-3 SE EVO+ improves the sound by audibly removing grain and showcasing the musical content. It also protects the connected equipment and could be worth buying if one is trying to get the best sound from their hifi system.

Video review

Our take on the brand

GigaWatt is a hifi manufacturer specializing in power conditioning and power distribution systems that minimize noise in hifi systems.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Product image
Shunyata
Denali 6000/S v2
6000
6000
/
3
Reviews

The Denali 6000/S v2 features patented technologies and proprietary components that are unavailable in any other competitive product. The Denali supplies unrestricted peak current to multiple components while dramatically reducing noise from the power line and intercepting noise from component-to-component interactions, isolating each component in the system. The Denali 6000/S is designed to provide the finest performance available, at a price-point intended to embarrass the competition.

The QR/BB™ module possesses the ability to act as an electric charge reservoir, meaning it stores and releases energy in a manner that improves a component's access to instantaneous current. Dynamics are actually improved reducing any sense of dynamic strain often heard from amplifiers that are connected with lesser power cables. The sonic result is a lifelike presentation of timing and dynamic contrasts in sound that cannot be replicated by ANY other means.

Traditional power conditioners are designed to block incoming noise from outside the home, but do not address the noise that is generated by the electronic components themselves. CCI™ (Component-to-Component Isolation) is one of the most significant but often overlooked aspects to power system performance. The CCI™ filter consists of a proprietary multi-stage filter that reduces electrical noise and interference generated by a component's power supply.

Shunyata is a hifi brand known for their power conditioners and cables that use hand-braided Helix geometry and proprietary noise-reduction technologies like Stardust compound and Kinetic Phase Inversion Process. Through their sister brand, they also provide noise-reduction solutions for realtime monitoring equipment in the healthcare industry.
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Expand Details

Our summary

Product Strengths

  • Reduces noise in the audio system, leading to a blacker background and improved clarity
  • Enhances soundstage definition, making images more palpable and less diffuse
  • Does not compress dynamics, providing sufficient power to amplifiers when needed
  • Features proprietary technologies like QR/BB, NIC, and CCI for enhanced performance and protection
  • Exceptional build quality, with a solid and flawless finish
  • Features connectivity options for enhanced usage

Product Considerations

  • Relatively expensive, with a price point that may seem high compared to some associated equipment
  • May require a break-in period for optimal performance
  • The looks are rather unassuming
  • The Typhon T2 lacks the cable cradles that are on the Denali

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Denali v2 combines Triton v3-like high-current capability with superior noise reduction

Takeaway: The Shunyata Research Denali 6000/S v2 keeps your system safe and helps it perform its best by reducing noise and improving clarity. It is a well-crafted component designed to extract the best performance from connected components, providing peace of mind for audiophiles.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Shunyata is a hifi brand known for their power conditioners and cables that use hand-braided Helix geometry and proprietary noise-reduction technologies like Stardust compound and Kinetic Phase Inversion Process. Through their sister brand, they also provide noise-reduction solutions for realtime monitoring equipment in the healthcare industry.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Product image
GigaWatt
PowerControl
8000
8000
/
2
Reviews

The compact depth of the enclosure reduces the footprint of the unit. More space at the rear allows for easier installation and cable connection. The conditioner has a rigid steel-aluminum chassis, with a modular design, allowing the installation of sockets of different standards. The chassis rests on anti-vibration feet, made of solid anodized aluminum, with an additional pad of the company's 3.5 mm thick elastomer. Modules with electronics have internal elastomer shock dampers to prevent the transmission of vibrations to the filter elements. In addition, the top cover is dampened with a bitumen-polymer composite mat.

The front panel of the conditioner, with a new design, is made of a thick slab of aircraft aluminum, the surface of which, after precise milling, is anodized in two color options – black or silver. In the central part there is an LED display indicating the value of the input voltage. The voltmeter is characterized by resistance to distortion and measurement errors caused by higher harmonics, while not generating any interference that could degrade the quality of the voltage filtered by the conditioner. The display, which has a fade-out option, is white as standard. Nine other colors are available on request

PowerControl has twelve, top-quality proprietary output sockets, with contacts of large surface area. The brass contacts are technically silver plated, with no intermediate metal layers such as copper or nickel, which could introduce unfavorable series resistance and voltage drop. The conditioner is also equipped with an additional circuit that signals if the device is incorrectly connected to the mains. Its triggering is indicated by a red LED located on the back, indicating that the conditioner's power supply is incorrectly polarized or the grounding is incorrectly connected. A 1.5m PowerSync PLUS power cord is standard equipment.

GigaWatt is a hifi manufacturer specializing in power conditioning and power distribution systems that minimize noise in hifi systems.
Check Amazon
Expand Details

Our summary

Product Strengths

  • Offers adequate protection against surges and DC components
  • Provides sufficient current efficiency for demanding setups
  • Features twelve high-quality, silver-plated, zero contact resistance Schuko sockets (versions for other regions are available, too)
  • Elegant appearance, even compared to more expensive GigaWatt conditioners
  • More weighty and smoother sound

Product Considerations

  • With the basic PowerSync Plus cable, the sound might be a bit darker and less detailed compared to the PC-3 SE EVO +
  • A more expensive power cable may be needed to achieve higher fidelity
  • Planning is required to manage the 12 power cables plugged into the device

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Compared to the GigaWatt PC-3 SE EVO +, the PC-3 SE EVO + offers better insight into deeper layers of music and higher energy, while the PowerControl focuses more on fluidity and coherence of the sound
  • Compared to the GigaWatt PC-3 SE EVO +, the PC-3 SE EVO + renders a wider and deeper soundstage and a better differentiation of the layers, while the PowerControl gives a stronger impression of the performers' presence

Takeaway: The GigaWatt PowerControl is a versatile and great-looking device that protects components and ensures current efficiency. It focuses on the musical and emotional side of music, making listening enjoyable.

Video review

Our take on the brand

GigaWatt is a hifi manufacturer specializing in power conditioning and power distribution systems that minimize noise in hifi systems.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Product image
Transparent
Reference Power Isolator
7600
7600
/
1
Reviews
Transparent Cable is unique for incorporating compensatory networks within their cables to address impedance matching and noise reduction, along with offering custom calibration services that match cables to specific audio components. The brand stands out through their extensive upgrade program, allowing customers to trade in older models for newer versions while retaining much of their original investment value.
Check Amazon
Expand Details

Our summary

Product Strengths

  • Effectively isolates the audio system from noise on the power line across all frequencies
  • Improves the sense of effortlessness in the sound, resulting from low noise backgrounds
  • Helps free up inner detail in a soundstage while retaining width and precision
  • Does not diminish the power and dynamism of the music
  • Includes a Gigabit Ethernet isolator with surge protection to shut out network noise

Product Considerations

  • The suggestion to use every alternate output for a 'double-dose of isolation' implies standard use might not be optimal
  • The unit's physical size is considerable, especially in the UK due to plug and fuse requirements
  • Described as an 'amp-heavy, curved, and very dark grey box'—it is not designed to be visually appealing

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • The Reference PowerIsolator isolates noise better than other power conditioners that focus on the 'minutiae of power conditioning'

Takeaway: The Transparent Reference PowerIsolator provides a solid barrier against power-related noise, enhancing overall audio performance by improving detail and soundstage without sacrificing power. The inclusion of Ethernet isolation makes it especially valuable in modern, networked audio systems.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Transparent Cable is unique for incorporating compensatory networks within their cables to address impedance matching and noise reduction, along with offering custom calibration services that match cables to specific audio components. The brand stands out through their extensive upgrade program, allowing customers to trade in older models for newer versions while retaining much of their original investment value.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page

What competes at this price?

Synergistic Research
PowerCell 8 SX
3995
/
Released
2024
The Synergistic Research PowerCell 8 SX reimagines power conditioning by incorporating every available technology from our portfolio into a compact, ultra-performance unit. Engineered from a clean slate, it brings together an array of advanced features within a sleek, solid chassis crafted from machined aircraft aluminum and carbon fiber to control resonance; it's form dictated by its role as one of the world's highest-performance non-current limiting line conditioners.
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Synergistic Research stands out for their Active Shielding technology, which applies DC voltage bias to cable shielding to reduce noise, and their dual ULF generator system in products like the PowerCell 8 SX that enables switching between different sonic signatures. Their product line includes distinctive electromagnetic cell-based power conditioners and the Tranquility Pod, which uses active EM cells and Graphene to condition the electromagnetic environment within audio components.
Expand Details

Our Summary

No items found.

Product Strengths

  • Noticeably reduces background noise and provides dead silence when nothing is playing
  • Offers tunable RF biasing with red and purple settings to optimize sound to your system and personal tastes
  • Provides full current to all 8 outlets, allowing for no compromise when running multiple amplifiers
  • Increases detail and resolution, expands the soundstage, and adds clarity to vocals

Product Considerations

  • One reviewer found it so light that they needed to affix pads to keep it in place when adding or removing power cords
  • The red setting is not optimal for electronic music, as it can become too light

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Compared to the Furman IT-Reference 15i, the PowerCell 8 SX provides immediately apparent improvements in detail, resolution, and soundstage, whereas the Furman IT-Reference 15i did not have any discernible difference in sound
  • Compared to the original PowerCell8 SE, the PowerCell 8 SX has greater transparency, dynamics, inner detail, and resolution—which creates an actively engaging listening experience

Takeaway: The PowerCell 8 SX unlocks a system's potential by cleaning power and reducing noise. It offers tunable settings to optimize the sound for different music types.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Synergistic Research stands out for their Active Shielding technology, which applies DC voltage bias to cable shielding to reduce noise, and their dual ULF generator system in products like the PowerCell 8 SX that enables switching between different sonic signatures. Their product line includes distinctive electromagnetic cell-based power conditioners and the Tranquility Pod, which uses active EM cells and Graphene to condition the electromagnetic environment within audio components.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
IsoTek
V5 Sigmas
4495
/
Released
2023
V5 Sigmas is a seven-way mains power cleaning product featuring three high-current outlets that utilizes a lighter version of the V5 Titan's Direct-Coupled© circuit to provide ultra-high current low impedance power for amplifiers, subwoofers, active loudspeakers, or nowadays TVs and projectors. The four remaining output sockets are medium-current for source components. Each outlet of the V5 Sigmas has its own dedicated clean power network; thus, seven power cleaners in one box!
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IsoTek is a hifi brand specializing in power conditioners that use adaptive gating technology to dynamically adjust filtration based on current demand, with their flagship V5 series praised for improving soundstage and clarity. Their power conditioners feature independent outlet design that isolates each outlet to prevent cross-contamination of noise between connected devices.
Expand Details

Our Summary

No items found.

Product Strengths

  • The V5 models (Titan and Sigma) have a much nicer visual design and styling compared to previous EVO3 models, with a better match between the Titan and Sigma aesthetics
  • The V5 Sigmas boasts an improved DCR design that brings it closer to the ideal of zero Ohms resistance, which ensures cleaner power delivery and more transparent/accurate audio reproduction
  • The V5 Sigmas has seven independent outlets, each with its own dedicated clean power network
  • The V5 Sigmas offers versatile outlet configuration with three high current, low impedance outlets (16A) and four medium current outputs (10A)
  • The V5 Sigmas has a remarkable 35% improvement in amperage and a 40% increase in current handling capability due to decreased circuit resistance

Product Considerations

  • The V5 Sigmas has a premium pricing which may not suit all budgets
  • The V5 Titan bass may be a little bit tighter, which may be a problem for the EVO3 Titan because it was a little bit looser—it kind of adds a little bit more bloom and fat to the sound
  • The V5 models are hard products to review, because reviewers have to keep powering down and breaking down the whole system to unplug everything, and then have to let it warm up again rinse and repeat multiple times

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • V5 Titan bass was a little bit tighter than the EVO3 Titan, but the Evo III's bass, because it was a little bit looser, kind of adds a little bit more bloom and fat to the sound
  • Unless it's used with an amp beyond the Sigmas scope, the V5 is arguably closer in performance to the EVO3 Titan

Takeaway: The Isotek V5 Titan and Sigmas improve a hifi system's sound, opening up the soundstage and giving a better listening experience. With cleaner power and stylish design, these products can make a system sound its best.

Video review

Our take on the brand

IsoTek is a hifi brand specializing in power conditioners that use adaptive gating technology to dynamically adjust filtration based on current demand, with their flagship V5 series praised for improving soundstage and clarity. Their power conditioners feature independent outlet design that isolates each outlet to prevent cross-contamination of noise between connected devices.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
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KECES
IQRP-1500
2518
/
Released
2021
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Keces Audio specializes in power conditioning and filtering through their high-quality toroidal transformers and circuits that separate digital and analog grounding. Their products use thick aluminum chassis to block EMI/RFI interference, and they're particularly known for their S3 DAC/AMP that offers balanced, uncolored sound with high resolution and transparency.
Expand Details

Our Summary

No items found.

Product Strengths

  • Significant audible difference to the hifi system
  • The most affordable component in the reviewer's setup
  • Well-made CNC machined case shields against wireless interference
  • More stable mains voltage at late night

Product Considerations

  • Priced at $2300 in the US and €2400 locally

Takeaway: The KECES IQRP-1500 power conditioner makes a noticeable and positive difference in the audio experience and makes the system more enjoyable. This is a worthwhile investment for those seeking cleaner power.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Keces Audio specializes in power conditioning and filtering through their high-quality toroidal transformers and circuits that separate digital and analog grounding. Their products use thick aluminum chassis to block EMI/RFI interference, and they're particularly known for their S3 DAC/AMP that offers balanced, uncolored sound with high resolution and transparency.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page

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