Synergistic Research Powercell 12UEF


I've just taken delivery of a pair of these latest models from SR and as one of the early customers and given the interest in SR graphene technology I thought I would share some first impressions. The 12UEFs (the glass top model) replace a pair of 10UEFs in my system. One powers the sources (phono, preamp, turntable and my 4 part DCS stack) while the other powers my two monoblocks. I had been very pleased with the 10UEFs and have several years experience with them finding that they did a good job of getting out of the way and letting each component perform.

Anyway after a day or so of listening (so given past SR black experience expect more burn in) I am surprised to relate that the impact of the 12UEFs is almost transformative. The best way of describing the effect is to say that with the 12s its as if a) all the musicians are now performing together in the same room and b) you are in the room with them. Across an array of my test discs I found the same effect. The normal indicators of frequency extreme performance, dynamics etc all somehow seem irrelevant. A couple of examples. On "Bye Bye Blackbird" by Nancy Harms yes the bass is very clear but also superbly dimensioned, this then becomes a busy and congested recording as the full band enters but with the 12UEFs it's easy to sort the parts out and hear all of the musicians playing off one another. Another simple recording is Canen "I've got a guy in Kalamazoo" -- this is almost a mono recording and frankly I thought it sounded a bit muffled but with the 12UEFs again everyone is playing together, you can't help your toes from tapping and really engage with the bass players moves

One odd manifestation of the effect of these components is with any strong central vocal when you move your head forward and back it seems as if you are in the room with the vocalist and are moving away and towards him or her -- all the other instruments stay relatively in proportion and it's as if you can walk around the room

I can only surmise that by taking away low level noise from the power supply the 12UEFs are letting through more of the recorded acoustic - others have noted similar effects with other SR Atmosphere and black series components

Anyway for those already using SR Powercells or in the market for some sort of conditioner I can highly recommend them
128x128folkfreak
@ dlcockrum

Thanks for the info. I have a Powercell 10 UEF with Element Copper/Tungsten PC and am looking forward to upgrade to 12UEF.
Sorry ’bout that debjit. I misunderstood your question. Many don’t realize that the Powercell 10 and 12 include a power cord and a SR outlet nor about the 32 amp Powercon connector thing.

A lady just sold her deceased ex-husband’s first-gen Powercell 10 UHC (two Powercon-equipped PCs required) on eBay without the PCs (went for ~$600). The buyer had 14 prior eBay transactions. The seller posted on the ad that "many audiophiles refer to use their own powercords as this seems to affect the sound". I bet anything that the buyer had no clue what he/she was getting into re: the expense and scarcity of Powercon equipped SR PCs.

I too have a Powercell 10 UEF/FEQ. Hope that you enjoy the 12.

Best to you debjit_9,
Dave
Audience also has cords with 32 amp Powercon connectors, although I don't know if they sell them without their power conditioners.

Another option is an adapter from VooDoo Cable, if you want the flexibility to try different power cords, or compare power conditioners on a more equal footing.

http://voodoocable.net/product/iec-to-powercon-adapter/