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Nene Valley
Audio (NVA) BMU 1000
My first experience of a balanced mains unit (BMU) came via
the NVA 4 socket 240 volt, 1000 watt BMU. Richard Dunn form
NVA was confident his 1000 watt unit was all I needed to power
my set-up. Considering my Musical Fidelity M8 power amplifier
is 500 watt per channel (2000 watt total power output) alone,
I was cynical. This simple, but aesthetically pleasing unit
collected by myself direct from NVA’s headquarters in
Kent has its own built in standard cable and plug with four
UK sockets ready for use. I initially utilised all four sockets
on the BMU plugging in my M8 power amplifier, M8 pre-amplifier,
phono stage and turntable power supply. As I had recently
enjoyed John Coltrane’s commanding and spiritual tenor
from the album “Crescent” (John Coltrane Quartet)
on vinyl without the BMU in place, I felt this would be a
great way to test and hopefully immerse myself even further
within the Quartet’s message. Unfortunately this was
not to be. Coltrane’s commanding tenor was almost reduced
to a humble squeak and McCoy Tyner’s normally precise
piano was now as vague as a politician’s promise. The
overall result - a compressed lacklustre musical presentation!
Further experimentation and
trial of various component combinations with the NVA BMU revealed
that it worked wonders with my amplifier, preamplifier and
internally upgraded Musical Fidelity A3 CD player. In fact,
CD reproduction was on a level I had never heard before in
my home (or most other homes or hi fi shows). Resolution,
textures and depth were described by another music lover as
“non-cd like!” Unfortunately, as CD is not my
main source, it was obvious this BMU would not work for me
as a final choice. However, I suspect this NVA 1000 watt BMU
could possibly work its magic if your set-up total wattage
output is within a specific range AND with a retail price
of just £500, this BMU is without doubt superb value,
so a 30 day trial is recommended!
Russ Andrews BMU 3000
MkII
I initially set my eyes (and wallet) firmly
on the Russ Andrews BMU 1500 MkII. At £2550, this was
still dramatically more costly than the NVA 1000 watt BMU,
but still cheaper than the Russ Andrews BMU 3000 MkII (£3950).
After my earlier experience and further discussion with the
Russ Andrews team regarding my components, I was advised to
try the BMU 3000 MkII!
Prior to delivery, the BMU
3000 voltage will be factory-adjusted to your domestic mains
voltage for optimum efficiency. Russ Andrews send a voltage
meter to enable 48 hour monitoring of the mains within your
property. Once an average reading is obtained, the BMU is
calibrated. ‘This is not user-adjustable but can
be adjusted free of chargeback at the factory if the need
arises – for example, if you move house.’
Russ Andrews
First impressions after delivery
of this unit... “No need for me to visit the gym
today, I have just completed a lower back workout carrying
this unit from the front door to the living room.”
This dual transformer BMU is presented within its own heavy
duty hardened plastic flight case and weighs in at a sturdy
22kg! As the BMU 3000 does not have a built in mains cable
to connect to the wall, I requested the use of Russ Andrews’
Powerkord 300 (a previous experience review winner). This
is supplied at an additional cost.
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This BMU has five UK
sockets available. For consistency I initially utilised four
sockets with the same combination as before (M8 power amplifier,
M8 pre-amplifier, phono stage and turntable power supply).
Once this BMU had run-in, I was able to hear (and feel) the
transformation in the musical presentation overall. What started
out as a brittle, harsh and tiring assault on the senses,
slowly metamorphosed into the most articulate, smoothly detailed
and deeply emotional connection to music of all genres. AND
all this from my preferred source ‘vinyl’!
It was important to ensure
I was actually falling in love with the improvement in the
musical presentation and not just subconsciously relieved
to hear music minus the harshness during the run-in process
(or compression from the previous NVA BMU during vinyl playback).
I had not listened to music through my system connected to
the ‘standard mains’ for some time, so a quick
A-B switch was carried out at this point. As stated at the
start of this journey, a friend described his recent listening
experience as “organic and engaging!” I agree
with his description 100%. Listening to music through my system
connected directly to the standard mains was still very enjoyable,
however, now it was easy to spot the missing layers and missing
extra depth, especialy with the lower octaves. I was still
enjoying the music without the BMU 3000 in place, but I enjoyed
it a whole lot more as well as discovering more about each
individual recording with the BMU 3000 in place. The BIG question
is;
“Could
I live without the Russ Andrews BMU 3000?”With
the Russ Andrews BMU 3000 now back in place, I continued to
revisit my vinyl collection. Donny Hathaway’s “In
performance” is not the greatest recording or pressing
by any measure, but Hathaway’s soulful gospel yearnings
transcend such technical challenges and reaches out to all
at the Troubador in Los Angeles California (and beyond). I
have always been able to completely immerse myself within
the joyful participating audience, or ‘zone in’
to be with the man himself and wish for a “Sack full
of Dreams.” (Final and favourite track on side two).
With the Russ Andrews BMU 3000 in place, I get a greater sense
of Mr Hathaway’s positioning and presence within the
auditorium, as well as feeling just a few spiritual steps
closer to the man (and his fellow musicians). With eyes closed,
toes tapping, I feel even more involved in this momentous
performance than ever before.
I continued to explore other
vinyl favourites, such as Rachmaninov’s “The Four
Piano Concertos / Rhapsody” Vladimir Askkenazy –
piano, London Symphony Orchestra conducted by André
Previn (Decca). Again, I was struck by the greater depth as
well as greater orchestral space. Askkenazy’s piano
position and key strikes were also clearer and more precise
with the BMU 3000 in place.
For many years CD has just
been a ‘convenience source’ for me. I have attempted
to sit in my listening chair for longer than ten minutes with
any CD playing, but often failed. I have listened to various
CD players in various environments over the years with multiple
price tags, but always walked away feeling cold. After my
positive experience with the NVA BMU, I was eager to hear
what would happen to CD reproduction with the BMU 3000 in
place.
I was not disappointed. Kurt
Elling’s rich baritone from the album “nightmoves”
combined with beguiling bass interplay with past collaborator
Rob Amster on “The Waking” was nothing short of
magical! Depth, detail, vocal textures and realistic individual
instrument separation, combined with that ‘non-cd
like’ presentation from a cd player I had almost
given away a few months ago. The big test is if I felt impelled
stay in my listening chair for longer than ten minutes? Well,
I can confirm, six CD’s later… I only actually
moved to change CD’s. I have become so involved with
my CD collection, I probably would not get up to answer my
front door if Jenifer Lopez rung my doorbell…
‘well actually, the last bit is not quite true..!’
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I have to confess
- I read two reviews on the Russ Andrews BMU 3000, as well
as reading the info provided by the Russ Andrews newsletters
prior to taking delivery. I shrugged my shoulders at the reports
of various improvements to reviewers’ listening experiences
and I winced at the price tag. Can I live without
the Russ Andrews BMU 3000? At this point, the answer is an
emphatic “NO!”
IsoTek Aquarius EVO3
& IsoTek Sigmas EVO3 mains conditioners
(These units have also
been described as mains filters or / and mains purifiers).
The Aquarius EVO3 is IsoTek’s best-selling unit with
a retail cost of around £1500. The Sigmas retail price
is approximately £3200.
Before listening to my system
with the Aquarius EVO3 or Sigmas EVO3 units in place I went
back to basics. I reluctantly removed the Russ Andrews BMU
3000 and returned to standard mains for some time. This would
help to insure I was comparing the musical presentation to
standard mains only (for now)!
Both Aquarius and
Sigmas have six sockets each available for use. Two sockets
(16 amp) in the red coloured panel area for high powered components
(amplifiers). Four sockets (10 amp) in the black panel area
for other components such as pre-amplifier, CD player or DAC.
Power switches for each unit are placed underneath the bottom
panels which help to keep each unit aesthetically pleasing
to the eye.
The Sigmas EVO3 front
panel houses a digital display highlighting either the incoming
voltage to your home, or the (THD) total harmonic distortion
on your mains (before filtering). The display data can be
switched via small black buttons on the lower front panel
(one switching the display off). Both power conditioners took
just over a week to run-in, settling down and getting past
the brittle and harsh presentation.
Utilising four sockets with
the same combination as before (power amplifier, pre-amplifier,
phono stage and turntable power supply) I found the Aquarius
had little impact on my musical experience. After trying various
combinations (disconnecting amplifier, connecting CD player
and / or phono stage etc) without much impact, I decided to
concentrate on the Sigmas EVO3.
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It was intriguing (for
a while) to watch the varying voltage changes throughout the
day on the Sigmas digital display. The voltage entering my
home varies from 239V – 249V. The THD (total harmonic
distortion) also varies depending on time of day (less in
the morning) increasing when more electronic items are switched
on around the house (and my neighbour’s house). The
THD also increases depending which source I am using. Using
my CD player seems to increase harmonic distortion into the
mains supply. I tried to search for more information regarding
THD and what figure relates to high distortion. IsoTek do
not provide any information or documentation and I was unable
to find anything more on the net. Time to listen to music…
With the Sigmas EVO3 in place,
I could definitely hear a ‘difference’ in the
presentation. However, it was not immediately clear if the
difference was as an improvement!
Just as with cables,
interconnects or any other addition to your system, you not
only need to decipher what the addition has added to the musical
presentation and listening experience, but just as importantly,
what the addition has taken away!
For many years I have received
positive feedback from viewers and friends who either own
IsoTek conditioners, or have experienced IsoTek’s conditioners
at various hi fi shows. One viewer commented “…
the Aquarius is the most significant non hi fi component upgrade
he has made to his system to date!” In fact, it
was this above comment that encouraged me to start this ‘mains
experience’ journey.
I continued listening to
various recordings on vinyl with the Sigmas in place and noticed
the musical presentation was less forward with a slightly
wider soundstage than what I was used to when my system was
directly connected to the mains supply. The same occurred
when listening to CD. This experience was neither negative,
nor positive at first, though I found my attention and focus
began to wonder as time passed. I began to experiment with
various combinations (as before). I even attempted to use
the IsoTek Sigmas EVO3 in conjunction with the Russ Andrews
BMU 3000 (Connecting amplifier/ pre-amplifier and source components
across both units). This did not produce a tangible difference,
or any favourable listening experience benefits. The best
and most pleasing result came when I used the Sigmas with
a small pair of ‘very cheap’ bookshelf stand mounted
speakers for a short period (instead of my MartinLogan Scenario
ESL’s). For some reason the soundstage widened substantially
as well as an overall improvement in clarity, focus and note
decay.
Once my MartinLogan
Scenario ESL’s were back in place, I decided the Sigmas
EVO3 was not for me!
As you may already
know, hi-fi, components are not a ‘one size fits all’
situation…
The Sigmas EVO3 is by no
means IsoTek’s most elaborate mains conditioner. IsoTek
have a variety of even more sophisticated units, not to mention
power cords and audiophile-grade connectors. Results and listening
experiences will always vary. Perhaps I will have the opportunity
to try another IsoTek power conditioner (though I suspect
my bank manager would warn against this)!
Conclusion
I purchased
the Russ Andrews BMU 3000 (with Russ Andrews’ Powerkord
300) and placed the unit on a specifically designed shelf
at the side of my system for ideal mains cable access.
I continued
my BMU exploration and was able to acquire another specially
designed 2500 watt bespoke unit with a private designer. This
Special Edition BMU with my personal logo now powers my Rel
T5I subwoofer and has further fine-tuned both lower (and surprisingly)
top end frequencies. Bass is even tighter and more articulate
(especially double bass). Though some may see this improvement
as subtle, my ears, soul and wider smile believe this addition
is worth it. My listening experience has improved yet again.
The overall improvements gained:
Greater clarity to all areas of the musical spectrum.
The human voice sounds free, less choked. (Excuse the pun).
Greater depth to lower frequencies (deeper bass). Improved
musical timing overall. More cohesive soundstage. Greater
space and air between notes and individual instruments.
Without doubt this is
the most difficult experience review to date. The cardinal
rule of not making too many changes at one time was broken
on several occasions while testing various BMU’S and
power conditioners. Above is just a selection of the many
units tested! Some changes were forced upon me (turntable
breakdown & MartinLogan ESL breakdown forcing me to use
the cheap bookshelf stand mounted speakers for a short time).
Other changes were self-inflicted, such as changing circuit
breakers from 16 to 20 amp at the consumer unit. All repairs,
adjustments and changes took time to settle (run-in) before
I could reasonably continue testing. One thing for sure, I
have has used more combinations in the last few months than
the Enigma machine code breakers during World War II, AND
more power combinations than Tesla!
Complete system details:
Turntable
AMG Viella V12 turntable with AMG Teatro MC
& AMG reference tonearm cable
Phono stage & interconnect cables. Whest PS.40RDT Special
Edition phono stage with Cambridge AudioAzur XLR cable.
CD player
Musical Fidelity A3 CD player (internally
upgraded).
Van Den Hul The Second Analogue Interconnect cables.
Amplification
Musical Fidelity M8-500S power amplifier with
Musical Fidelity M8PRE preamplifier
Luminist Revision Poseidon XLR balanced cables.
*2023
– New music listening room including amplification changes.
Click
here for latest configuration…
Speakers
Martin Logan Scenario hybrid electrostatic
speakers. Chord Legend speaker cable.
REL T5i subwoofer.
Table
Quadraspire Q4 EVO turntable wall bracket.
Quadraspire Q4 EVO 4 tier shelf.
Robin Francis
© Michael Valentine Studio
April - May 2019