Active Ground Block SE
The heart of your system.
The New Active Ground Block takes the award winning UEF Ground Filter from our original SR Ground Block and adds an active ULF Field Generator, and on the SE model, a dedicated Active EM Cell as found in SR PowerCell line conditioners to supercharge the performance of every component in your system including Synergistic Research cables equipped with external grounding technology. Benefits include a noticeable increase in deep bass power and weight, a more holographic sound field, smoother high frequencies with greater extension and ‘air’, a more present and layered mid-range, increased tonal density with an apparent increase in resolution; it’s like going from a standard resolution Redbook file to Double DSD, the improvement is that dramatic. Nearly every aspect of system performance is transformed over the original; in fact, the difference between the new Active Ground Block and our original SR Ground Block is greater than the difference between the original Ground Block and no ground filter at all!
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How it works: It all starts with 44 Star Ground Points to reduce component to component ground inductance. That’s 44 ground connections to the original’s 18. You can ground your entire system including most components, a full loom of SR cable shields, and even equipment racks, computer hard drives, absolutely everything in your system can be grounded to one SR Active Ground Block. Filtration is handled by a UEF Ground Filter that’s 3 times the size of the original’s UEF Ground Filter and this translates into 3 times the performance of the passive ground filter alone. To this we add an Active ULF Field generator as found in our PowerCell 12 UEF which re-clocks high-frequency ground noise to the Earth’s Schumann resonance as well as noise generated inside connected components at the circuit level, so each connected component’s performance is fundamentally transformed at the source. And the Active Ground Filter is the only ground filter in the world to use such a filter mechanism for a performance unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. Stepping up to the Active Ground Block SE replaces the standard model’s passive Quantum Black Power Cord with a specially modified Atmosphere Level 2 Active power cord equipped with Galileo UEF Quantum Gold and Silver Filters that give you two distinctive sonic options to the overall sound of your system. With the included Galileo UEF filters you perfectly tailor the sound of the Active Ground Block SE to match your system, or leave the Galileo UEF Filters disconnected, the choice is yours. Lastly, the SE version has an Active EM Cell similar to the EM Cells found in our PowerCell 8 power conditioners to actively remove noise from ground for even blacker backgrounds, with improved dynamics, and finesse.
Note: Many power amplifiers will sound best without the ground engaged. Try your power amp and speaker cables with and without the ground attached and choose what sounds best for your system.
Peripheral HUB
44 ports to perfection.
Now with included fuse upgrade
UEF Purple Fuse
Beauty is in the eye of the fuse holder.
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Now an included upgrade on the Active Ground Block SE model, the new Purple Fuse surpasses our Orange Fuse with technology initially developed for our state-of-the-art SRX Series cables. In fact, before two last-minute breakthrough SRX technologies, we could not better the Orange Fuse with its impossible combination of detail and rich harmonic musicality. As a result, we were set to forgo a new fuse introduction for 2022 as we could not build anything better sounding than Orange despite two years of trying. It was not until we finalized two new technologies, namely a three-stage long duration high voltage conditioning process and a brand new UEF compound featuring Graphene, that we were able to beat the Orange Fuse significantly. Together these new technologies create a larger soundstage with better image focus and higher resolution from a perceived lowering of the noise floor. Of all the fuse generations and refinements we have pioneered over the past decade, the new Purple Fuses are by far our best sounding and take the single greatest leap in performance over previous generations. All aspects of subjective sound quality get enhanced, including natural sound where instruments and vocals sound inherently right, dynamics, low-level detail, high-frequency extension, and smoothness all take a massive leap forward.
Synergistic Research Cables
Shields engaged.
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When using Atmosphere Interconnects and Speaker Cables Levels 2–4 or Galileo UEF, the Active Ground Block applies our UEF technology directly to the ground path’s shields, lowering the noise floor and ramping up overall performance.
Applications
- Synergistic Research Galileo UEF and Atmosphere Cables
- Synergistic Research Tranquility Bases
- Synergistic Research Atmospheres
- Turntables – Standard or Small Spade Connect to Ground Post on Turntable
- Phono-stage - Standard or Small Spade Connect to Ground Post
- Digital to Analog Converters (DACs) – Connect to spare Digital Input, Output or Chassis Ground
- Reel to Reel Tape - Connect to spare Analog Input, Output or Chassis Ground
- Pre-Amplifiers – Connect to spare Analog Input, Output or Chassis Ground
- Power Amplifiers – Connect to spare Analog Input, Output or Chassis Ground. Note: Many power amplifiers will sound best without the ground engaged. Try your power amp and speaker cables with and without the ground attached and choose what sounds best for your system.
- USB Devices – Connect to spare USB Input, Output or Chassis Ground
- Audio Computers - 3.5mm Headphone Jack
- Any Component with an active circuit inside – Connect to spare Input, Output or Chassis Ground
Review
When the SR AGB SX was engaged, the sound was well-balanced and reverberant, and the overall ambiance pulled the performers into my listening space. Compared to the AGB SE, the AGB SX excelled at providing focused images, refining the musical tone, and enhancing the image density at the sound field extremes. Once you hear what the SR AGB SX does in your system, there is no going back to the AGB SE.
Conclusion
The SR AGB SX will get my vote for a Most Wanted Component award. You can choose many grounding blocks for your equipment, but I haven’t encountered a product that is as cost-effective and takes up little to no space as the SR AGB SX. The SR AGB SX is now an integral part of my reviewing system. Highly recommended.
-Mike Girardi - StereoTimes - May 2024
Review
My apologies for some of the hyperbole, but along with the Synergistic Research Galileo SX PowerCell, the Galileo SX Ground Block is possibly the most impressive new product that I have reviewed in the last couple of years. I have mentioned many times that the PowerCell might just be the most important component in my entire system. Now, there is some definite competition. Though each have different functions, both can offer something similar in terms of impact. Both provide a rising tide that can lift all boats.
With the Galileo SX Ground Block in place, I stopped critiquing the sound and was able to just focus on the music. As a typical audiophile, this is always a challenge. Bottom line. The emotional connection and level of personal satisfaction has never been better in my listening room! That's the biggest compliment that I could ever offer. If you are seeking state of the art performance, the Galileo SX Power Block is a must audition. Innovative design. Superb execution. Wonderful results. Highly recommended.
-Robert Youman - Positive Feedback - April 2021
Review
"The resulting impact of these three products is more than the sum of the parts. By that, I mean that with these devices it’s more of a “1+1+1 = 5” effect. The noise floor drops significantly, and with that, I feel like I am hearing everything my system was designed to perform. Honestly, I wish these three devices did not matter as much as they do. It’s a new can of worms to unravel and makes system setup a lot more complex. However, I would never go back to an “untreated” system. The new system sounds more dynamic, more detailed, more lifelike in the soundstage and timbre of the various instruments. In short, it sounds more musical, more real."
-Lee Scoggins - Part-time Audiophile - September 2018
Review
"From the opening seconds, I could feel the atmosphere in the venue. The music had a clarity, presence, and natural feel that, for the first time, made me think there was something worthwhile to streaming music. The sibilance was finally controlled. The soloists were so realistic I could feel something like their personalities in their voices. Musicians were solidly placed in realistic, identifiable positions on the soundstage. Jackson Browne sounded like I had heard him on my reference CD & LP rig. And the applause came from real people in the audience. "
-Rick Becker - Enjoy The Music - November 2021
Review
"One of the most significant effect results of reducing the noise floor and signal compression via the SR AGB SE allowed me to listen to music at much lower volumes without any loss of detail, silence between notes, and dynamics. Component changes alone have never resulted in the type of improvement the SR AGB SE brings to the table. With the SR AGB SE installed I was more engaged with the music and not left searching for it. The SR AGB SE is an integral part of my reviewing system. Highly recommended."
- Mike Girardi - StereoTimes - September 2018
Review
"you would be hard pressed to find a tweak, at this price point, that gives you better bang for your buck. If there is a better grounding solution available for audiophile systems at this price, I have not encountered it yet! That being the case, it was an easy decision to make it a part of my reference system."
-Malcolm Gomes - Positive Feedback - April 2019
Review
"I was not prepared for the major sonic enhancement that these products delivered. The extent of the positive enhancements goes far beyond merely those of a “system tweak”."
Review
"The Synergistic Research passive Grounding Block and Active Ground Block SE have become an indispensable part of our systems. It improves the sound in a way where component and cable swaps just can’t mitigate. If you want to maximize the potential of your system and experience fresh musical highs, we have no hesitation in recommending either of these Synergistic Research grounding blocks."
-Siao Jer - AudioBacon.net - March 2018
Review
"Synergistic Research has become a market leader of innovative audiophile products."
Review
"The effect on our system was immediately obvious: A thin layer of hash that had been below my notice (Ain't it always the way?) was removed, clarifying a system that I already thought was exceptional."
Review
"It certainly made a difference in our test room, making the system seem more organic sounding, more focused, with a bigger soundstage, and a significant reduction in low level hash."
Review
"The more I listened to my system with the HDG cables and Grounding Block, the more I was convinced that the addition of these products are on the critical path in assembling a truly high performance audio system."
US 120V MSRP –$3,495.00
Bundled with $2,499.00 Atmosphere SX Active Ground Block AC Cable (5 ft.)
INTL 230V MSRP –$3,995.00
Bundled with 2,499.00 Atmosphere SX Active Ground Block AC Cable (5 ft.)
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- Construction: Aircraft Aluminum
- Dimensions: Height 3″ x Width 10.75″ x Depth 6″
- Weight: 5.5 lbs.
- Internal Active UEF
- Connector Input: 1 each 15 amp IEC
- 99.995% Pure Silver Ground Strap: 52 square centimeters
- SR Quantum Capacitor
- Point-to-point wiring
- Silver Solder 4%
- Hand Built Time: 2.5 hours
- Quantum Tunneling: Standard Level 2
- 5 Day Burn In: 2 Step Process
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Voltage and current Rating:
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- Input rating US: 15amp/125v
- Input Rating International (EU/AU/UK): 16amp/250v
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Connector Input :
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- 44 each 2mm ground ports
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UEF:
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- Graphene treatment throughout unit
- Internal “Active” power supply for biasing EM Cells
- 2nd generation Internal ULF (Ultra-low frequency) Generator to bias AC to the Earth’s Schumann Resonance for a dramatic drop in a system’s noise floor
- 1 each SR Power Transformers
- 1 each SR Quantum Capacitor in EM Cell power supply and ULF field generator
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Connector Input:
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- 1 each 15 amp IEC
- 1 each On/Off switch
- 1 each SR Black 16A Fuse
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99.995% Pure Silver
- 52 square centimeters
Available connections for other SR products with SR Ground Plane Technology:
- Synergistic Research Atmosphere: Acoustic Wave Generator
- Synergistic Research FEQ: Frequency Equalizer
- Synergistic Research Tranquility Base Products
Optional High-Def connectivity ground cables are available for the following applications:
- Turntables: Connect to Ground Plug on Turntable
- Digital to Analog Converters (DACs): Connect to spare Digital Input, Output or Chassis Ground
- Pre-Amplifiers: Connect to spare Analog Input, Output or Chassis Ground
- Power Amplifiers: Connect to spare Analog Input, Output or Chassis Ground.
- USB Devices: Connect to spare USB Input, Output or Chassis Ground
- Any Component with an active circuit inside: Connect to spare Input, Output or Chassis Ground
Atmosphere Active Ground Block power cable
with included Galileo UEF Tuning Modules
Clearly musical.
Atmosphere Active Ground Block power cable specifications:
3 each 12 awg. Copper Matrix Alloy:
- Dielectric: Modified PE
- Shielding: Braided Ground Plane Technology
- Geometry: 2 channel
1 each 4th Gen-Tricon:
- Silver Copper Matrix: Mono-crystal conductors with a separate ground conductor from shield
- Dielectric: PTFE
- Shielding: Ground Plane Technology
- Geometry: Tri-axial
- Listened for signal direction before build
1 each Silver Air String:
- Silver Air Strings: 99.9999% pure mono-crystal Silver conductor
- Dielectric: PTFE Air (sealed)
- Shielding: Ground Plane Technology
- Hand crafted in our California factory
1 each Tungsten Air String:
- Silver Air Strings: 99.99% pure mono-crystal Tungsten conductor
- Dielectric: PTFE Air (sealed)
- Shielding: Ground Plane Technology
- Hand crafted in our California factory
1 each Active Shielding UEF Cell:
- Swiss-made DC bias Power Supply
- UEF: Graphene treated pcb
- SR Quantum Capacitors
- Dielectric: PTFE
- Shielding: Ground Plane Technology
- Housing: Carbon Fiber Cylinder
1 each Galileo UEF Active Module:
- For lowest noise floor, completes Active bias circuit
Build Notes:
- 26 point-to-point hand soldered connections
- Atmsophere UEF 3 Teatment: 2 different UEF coatings with Graphene are applied to Active S Cell, connectors and cabling and ground significantly reducing the noise floor and allowing a purer signal to transfer with less grain providing more warmth and detail. The conductors and ground plane and UEF Cell also benefit from dampening effect that UEF provides
- 1 Termination for Atmosphere Active Tuning Module (Black)
- Silver Solder: 4%
- Hand build time: 2.5 hours
- Quantum Tunneling: Before the Active power supply is incorporated all connections and cabling are treated with 1,000,000 volts of electricity at specific frequencies and pulse modulations, creating a canal in the conductor material and contact points at the molecular level that lets electrons to flow more freely. This allows the “Active Shielding” to work more efficiently yielding the maximum amount of low level information through the conductors and provides for the higher degree of realistic musical performance
- 5 day Burn-in: 2 step process
- Hand crafted in our California factory
INTL 240v—$2,195
INTL 240v—$3,795
with Galileo UEF Tuning Modules ($1995 MSRP)
INTL 240v—$8,495
with Galileo UEF Tuning Modules ($3495 MSRP)