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realysm42
16-04-2013, 17:08
I recently took delivery of my Aquarius machine conditioner.

Living in a flat on the outskirts of London, I thought the quality of my mains might leave something to be desired.

This is the schuko version, I chose this because I wanted to remove any unnecessary fuses from the chain (before this review spirals into a health and safety debate re: fuses, everything plugged into it has its own fuse and I'm happy it as safe, so enough said there).

Here is the unit:

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q153/realysm42/Photo0083_zps4c0e5445.jpg (http://s135.photobucket.com/user/realysm42/media/Photo0083_zps4c0e5445.jpg.html)

The build quality of it is exemplary and reassuringly solid. Its bigger than my bloody amp!

Its fed by an mcru ultimate with furutech goodness. I upgraded the iec plug with the 16a version.

2x high amp areas are provided (for monoblocs or stubs). The other 4 plugs are 5amps.

So how does it 'sound'?

This is one of those YMMV situations; as stated, I assumed my electricity would be poor. Now, I can't talk about removing fuses from the equation, but its pretty safe to say the mains aint much cop round here.

I listened to a couple of my favourite tracks and was immediately impressed. I'm not going to say levels of grime were removed, but suddenly I could hear details that simply didn't exist before. Were talking about the small things, instruments aren't just 'played' anymore, but I was taken that bit closer to musicians; tiny guitar string plucks, piano notes decaying in the air in front of me became apparent.

So, what about big things (bass)?

This was interesting for me as I've never experienced it before (might be to do with my horrible listening room) but now my bass has texture to it and no longer bloated. Very enjoyable to hear everything 'come together'.

Thanks Davis at mcru for your help and getting all of my cables sorted for the transition so quickly.

How does this compare to mains regeneration? No idea. Heard lots about this lately but I don't want to spend more than the value of my amp on this...

Am I happy with the purchase? You bet!

No loss of dynamics, seamless integration to the system and a substantial upgrade in sound. 67,500 amps instantaneous and repeatable surge protection and true Faraday cage protection as bonuses.

Thoroughly recommended!

I'd actually like to say more re the unit, but I'm writing on my tablet and worried I'm going to smash the f*cking thing against the wall or inflict violence on someone, apologies for any spelling errors etc, I've done my best!
AlanS
16-04-2013, 17:22
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q153/realysm42/Photo0083_zps4c0e5445.jpg (http://s135.photobucket.com/user/realysm42/media/Photo0083_zps4c0e5445.jpg.html)

Going to post more, just bare with me :eyebrows:

Why? Its ugly
Barry
16-04-2013, 17:25
I like the appearance. :ner:
realysm42
16-04-2013, 17:43
Why? Its ugly

Didn't you wax lyrical about the same unit?
AlanS
17-04-2013, 02:13
Didn't you wax lyrical about the same unit?

I never wax about conditioners it's regeneration for me every time. Cheaper than your fancy box too!
synsei
17-04-2013, 02:23
Ever thought of joining the diplomatic service Alan?
realysm42
17-04-2013, 08:22
I never wax about conditioners it's regeneration for me every time. Cheaper than your fancy box too!

You go, girl.

There's been so much angst on this forum as of late; I think a break might be on the cards...
MCRU
17-04-2013, 08:45
Martin

Suggest you just enjoy the music mate and don't bother posting for a while as thread crapping seems to be creeping in.

(Thread crapping occurs when a person comes into a thread and posts something contrary to the spirit/intent of the thread, often derailing the discussion or turning it into an argument.)

BTW you have joined the schuko club thus releasing your system from the bottleneck of UK mains plug fuses (apart from the one in the wall socket of course) well done.
Marco
17-04-2013, 09:01
Ever thought of joining the diplomatic service Alan?

Indeed. Alan, your negative remarks aren't in any way helpful. Here's a thought: if you haven't got anything nice (or remotely constructive) to say on a subject, then say nothing! ;)

Martin, ignore the negativity and continue to enjoy your new toy - I'm sure that it's working a treat! :)

Marco.
AlanS
17-04-2013, 10:08
I sense a flogging or even a public hanging approaching. A scapegoat for all AoS's ills

Err enjoy your toy, avoid comparing it to regeneration at all costs and post away as ever. I shall keep an eye open for differences of opinions in threads.
realysm42
17-04-2013, 10:12
I sense a flogging or even a public hanging approaching. A scapegoat for all AoS's ills

Err enjoy your toy, avoid comparing it to regeneration at all costs and post away as ever. I shall keep an eye open for differences of opinions in threads.

Obvious troll is obvious.
AlanS
17-04-2013, 10:24
Obvious troll is obvious.

I tried to recognise the mood of the thread. Also when I posted you hadnt added your bulk content. As Marco said enjoy your toy.
realysm42
17-04-2013, 10:29
I tried to recognise the mood of the thread. Also when I posted you hadnt added your bulk content. As Marco said enjoy your toy.

Please, keep telling me to do what I'm going to do anyway.

And please, keep up with the mildly patronising tone, its really pulling the carpet from under me.
The Black Adder
18-04-2013, 14:13
Why should it be attractive anyway. I think it's ok looking, it's not something you put on show like an amp or a cdp anyway.

It's a cool bit of kit. I was going to go down the EU socket route at one point, either that or the old british 14A type sockets to which people say are even better at doing the business. But for now I'm sticking with my bog standard switched wall sockets... lol

Was the unit expensive?
realysm42
18-04-2013, 16:11
This unit is about grand; you can get one for half the price, what you're paying for (and please someone correct me if I'm wrong) is mainly capacity (and secondly features) this ones probably slightly over kill for my system but that's OK, this means dynamics aren't impacted and my amps not going to be around forever (hint).

Also, as a side note, anyone with bass issues in their room might be interested in trying something like this; now my bass is tighter and so much more controlled, it behaves better in my room, saving me having to venture down that path. Interesting development.
Wakefield Turntables
18-04-2013, 16:14
Iostek make some great kit. For me, however it robbed the musicality out of my music. If its improving your listening experience then it's all good. :cool:
MCRU
18-04-2013, 20:56
Iostek make some great kit. For me, however it robbed the musicality out of my music. If its improving your listening experience then it's all good. :cool:

You had a Nova, totally wrong for your gear dude. It does sound far better with Nick's dc blocker board inside now though.
realysm42
18-04-2013, 21:07
Iostek make some great kit. For me, however it robbed the musicality out of my music. If its improving your listening experience then it's all good. :cool:

Interesting.

Like I said its 'overspecced', which is how I like my ancillery gear to be, I don't think id be able to sleep at night worrying about cables strangling my speakers etc. Now its here, its going to stay :eyebrows: