PowerCell SX
The evolution of revolution.
PowerCell SX borrows its technology from the now sold out Galileo SX PowerCell for higher performance than PowerCell 12. Technological innovation starts with the Galileo SX PowerCell’s more densely rolled Active Electromagnetic Cells for enhanced filtration and a lower noise floor. PowerCell SX then gets the Galileo SX’s power supply and Schumann Resonance Generator to power and bias its six internal EM Cells. And just like the Galileo SX PowerCell that biased all Active EM Cells, PowerCell SX’s Schumann Resonance generator biases its six Active EM cells, both rolled and flat. In contrast, the standard PowerCell 12 only biases the single flat EM Cell and with a less powerful field generator. Other improvements include the same ground filtration topology as found on the Galileo SX PowerCell for lower noise and a more holographic soundstage, and a unique ability to ground PowerCell SX to a Synergistic Research Active Ground Block for even higher performance without sacrificing any of your twelve AC outlets. And new to PowerCell SX are Orange Capacitors with Orange Fuse technology used in the power supply and field generator offering benefits over both the Galileo SX PowerCell and PowerCell 12. There’s even an Amp Meter that allows you to view the beautiful hand-built circuit as you monitor your system’s energy consumption.
What’s inside?
We transferred over 80% of the technology and improvements first developed for our world-beating Galileo SX PowerCell line conditioner directly into the new PowerCell SX. We then added Orange Capacitors to its power supply and ULF field generator and our new Orange Duplexes to improve PowerCell SX performance. All Active EM Cells are larger and more densely packed with 25% more surface area than the PowerCell 12’s rolled EM Cells for an increase in EM Cell efficiency and enhanced energy storage for power delivery and percieved dynamic range.
At the heart of the PowerCell SX is the Galileo SX’s power supply for biasing all six of its internal Active EM Cells, and we incorporated the Galileo SX’s Ground Plane for a dramatic drop in your system’s noise floor. Lessons learned from the Galileo SX PowerCell development program include the same harmonic of the Earth’s Schumann resonance first determined in double-blind testing to deliver greater detail and holographic realism over the PC 12 SE’s original bias frequency. Additionally, the new power supply and field generator first developed for Galileo SX biases all six Active EM Cells. In contrast, the PowerCell 12 SE only biases its single flat Active EM Cell with the Earth’s Schumann Resonance for a fundamental transformation over PowerCell 12 SE.
Ground filtration is enhanced through the use of a new wiring topology developed for Galileo SX PowerCell to lower a system’s noise floor. Optionally, the PowerCell SX can be connected to our Active Ground Block through a new dedicated ground connection that lowers its noise floor further still and without sacrificing any of its 12 AC outlets. A very useful feature for systems that require all twelve AC outlets.
And PowerCell SX has the wow factor covered with a front amp meter that displays the amperage delivered to your system as it allows you to see the beautiful hand-built circuit inside and an additional large view window on the top will enable you to enjoy its American hand made craftsmanship. You can even change the color and intensity of the light that illuminates both the front amp meter and a top view window. Select between Galileo White, Dante Red, Synergistic Research Blue, and McIntosh Blue to match its lighting to other components in your system. And if you prefer no light at all you can choose to be boring, it’s all up to you.
Galileo SX PCB and 24k Gold Tuning Modules
PowerCell SX takes its power supply, and ULF Field Generator directly from the Galileo SX PowerCell for an improvement in performance at its heart. It also utilizes Galileo SX’s 24k Gold UEF tuning circuits for harmonic richness and enhanced musicality.
25% Larger Folded EM Cells now biased with the Earth’s Schuman Resonance
The five-carbon fiber tubes you see in the PowerCell SX are folded Active Electromagnetic Cells, and these cells are 25% denser than the PowerCell 12 SE’s folded EM Cells; this means greater filtration for a lower noise floor and enhanced dynamics. We also bias all 5 folded EM Cells plus the flat EM Cell visible as a black rectangle with two silver stripes with a harmonic of the Earth’s Schuman Resonance to the PowerCell 12 SE that only biases the single flat EM Cell. 25% more filtration combined with biasing all six EM Cells improves your system’s ability to soundstage over the already excellent soundstaging of the PowerCell 12 SE.
UEF Purple Duplexes
Exclusive to the PowerCell SX is our new isolated ground UEF Purple Duplexes that recieve a full Purple Fuse treatment, including SRX long-duration, High-voltage Quantum Tunneling and UEF Treatment.
Galileo SX Grounding
The internal Galileo SX power supply and ULF Generator included in the PowerCell SX are further enhanced with a UEF Groundplane first developed for the Galileo SX PowerCell to lower the noise floor and increase soundstaging. And to take this performance to a higher level still there is the option to ground the PowerCell SX to one of our Active Ground Blocks which surprisingly improves low-frequency weight and attack as it lowers the noise floor further still without sacrificing one of the duplexes, so you have the full 12 outlets to filter all components in your system without loss of current.
Ammeter with 13 Lighting options
PowerCell SX has the wow factor covered with a forward-facing amp meter that displays the amperage running through your PowerCell as it provides a window to the beautiful hand-crafted circuit inside— combined with a second larger top-mounted window you enjoy viewing the pinnacle of our American craftsmanship. You can even change the color and intensity of the light that illuminates both the front amp meter and a top circuit view window. Select between Galileo White, Synergistic Research Blue, Dante Red, and McIntosh Blue to match its lighting to the other components in your system. And if you prefer no light at all you can choose to be boring, it’s all up to you.
PowerCell SX specifications:
MSRP
Bundled with $3,495.00 Atmosphere SX Euphoria PowerCell AC Cable (5 ft.)
120V - $8,995
230V - $9,495
Bundled with $6,000.00 Galileo Discovery AC Cable (5 ft.)
120V - $10,995
230V - $11,495
Bundled with $10,000.00 SRX AC Cable (6 ft.)
120V - $12,995
230V - $13,495
Bundled with $10,000.00 SRX XL AC Cable (6 ft.)
120V - $15,495
230V - $15,995
-
Wiring
- All 10 awg. Silver Matrix point-to-point discrete wiring
Connector Output US:
- 12 each Orange UEF Outlets (Two stage Quantum Treatment)
Connector Output International (EU/AU/UK):
- 12 each Orange UEF Schuko outlets (Two stage Quantum Treatment) Note: Outlets are Black in color.
UEF:
- Graphene treatment throughout unit
- Internal “Active” power supply for biasing EM Cells
- 3rd generation Internal ULF (Ultra-low frequency) Generator applied to each individual electromagnetic cell to bias AC to the Earth’s Schumann Resonance for a dramatic drop in a system’s noise floor.
- 2 each SR Power Transformers
- 8 each SR Quantum Capacitors in EM Cell power supply and ULF field generator
- High Carbon Steel/Aluminum “Ground Plane” chassis
- Five New 25% larger XL EM Cell topology acts like a ‘Super Capacitor’ to increase peak current on demand allowing components to draw more current than when connected directly to the wall for added dynamic headroom
Internal Active UEF EM Horizontal Plane Cell area:
- 640 square centimeters
- 5 x Internal Active UEF EM Folded Carbon Fiber Cell area: 3605 square centimeters total
Connector Input:
- 1 each Neutrik 32 amp PowerCon
- 2 Isolated Output Banks; can be used to isolate analog from digital components
99.995% Pure Silver Ground Strap:
- 62 square centimeters
Weight and Dimensions:
- 5.5″ x Width 17.5″ x Depth 13.5″
- 16 lbs.
Voltage and current Rating:
- Input rating US: 20amp/125v
- Input Rating International (EU/AU/UK): 16amp/250v
- US Version: Rating is limited by the US Outlet rating of 20amp/125v
- International(EU/AU/UK) Version: Rating is predicated upon the Schuko Outlet rating of 16amp/250v
Bundled with
5 ft. Atmosphere SX Euphoria PowerCell
AC Cable ($3,895 MSRP)
110V - $8,995
230V - $9,495
Specifications:
3 each 10 awg. Copper Matrix Alloy:
- Dielectric: Modified PE
- Shielding: Braided Ground Plane Technology
- Geometry: 3 channel
1 each 4th Gen-Tricon:
- Silver Copper Matrix: Monocrystalline conductors with a separate ground conductor from shield
- Dielectric: PTFE
- Shielding: Ground Plane Technology
- Geometry: Tri-axial
- Listened to determine signal direction before build
3 each Silver Air String:
- Silver Air Strings: 99.9999% pure mono crystal silver conductor
- 4 separate conductors RCA / 8 separate conductors XLR
- Dielectric: PTFE Air (sealed)
- Shielding: Ground Plane Technology
- Hand crafted in our California factory
1 each Active Shielding UEF Cell:
- Modified 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 Red Active Module:
- Optional for lowest noise floor, completes Active bias circuit
1 each Gold UEF Tuning Passive Module:
- Optional voicing for increased warmth, liquidity
Connectors:
- Connector Input US: 1 each Synergistic Research G07 Pure Gold
- Connector Input Int’l: 1 each Synergistic Research G07 Pure Gold Schuko
- Connector Output US: Synergistic Research G07 Pure Gold IEC 15 amp and 20 amp connectors
- Connector Output Int’l: Synergistic Research G07 Pure Gold IEC 15 amp and 20 amp connectors
Build Notes:
- 32 point-to-point hand soldered connections
- Atmosphere UEF 3 Treatment: 2 different UEF coatings with Graphene are applied at a higher level to the UEF Active Cell, Quantum Capacitor, connectors, 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 (Red)
- 1 Termination for Atmosphere UEF Passive Tuning Module (Gold)
- Silver Solder: 4%
- Hand build time: 2.0 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 also allows the “Active Shielding” to work more efficiently yielding the maximum amount of low level information through the conductors and provides for the highest amount of realism in your music
- 5 day Burn-in: 2 step process
- Hand crafted in our California factory
Bundled with
5 ft. Galileo Discovery
AC Cable ($6,995 MSRP)
110V - $10,995
230V - $11,495
Specifications:
5 each 2nd Gen High Current Galileo Silver Matrix Strings
- High Current Silver Matrix Signal conductor: Monocrystalline conductors with copper core
- Dielectric: Solid Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
- Shielding: Silver Braid -Quantum Tunneled Ground Plane Technology
- Listening tests performed for signal direction before build
1 each (Analog) 4th Gen-Tricon:
- Silver Copper Matrix: Monocrystalline conductors with a separate ground conductor from shield
- Dielectric: PTFE
- Shielding: Ground Plane Technology
- Geometry: Tri-axial
- Listened to determine signal direction before build
3 each Silver Air String cables:
- Silver Air Strings: 99.9999% pure monocrystalline silver conductor
- Dielectric: Air (sealed)
- Shielding: UEF Ground Plane Technology
- Hand crafted in our California factory
1 each Active Shielding UEF Cell:
- Modified 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 Black Galileo Active Module:
- For lowest noise floor, completes Active bias circuit
1 each Gold UEF Tuning Passive Module:
- Optional voicing for increased warmth, liquidity
1 each Galileo Silver Tuning Module:
- Optional voicing for increased refinement, detail and focus
Connectors:
- Connector Input US: 1 each Synergistic Research G07 Pure Gold
- Connector Input Int’l: 1 each Synergistic Research G07 Pure Gold Schuko
- Connector Output US: Synergistic Research G07 Pure Gold IEC 15 amp and 20 amp connectors
- Connector Output Int’l: Synergistic Research G07 Pure Gold IEC 15 amp and 20 amp connectors
Build Notes:
- Individual EXP Isolated cable geometries for improved vibrational isolation
- Galileo SX Level 5 UEF Matrix Shielding: 2 different UEF coatings with Graphene are applied to UEF 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 Galileo SX tuning Module (Silver and Gold)
- 1 Termination for Galileo SX Active Circuit Module (Black)
- UEF Ground Plane
- Silver Solder: 4%
- Hand build time: 4.5 hours
- Quantum Tunneling: After the cable is completely assembled 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 allows electrons to flow more freely. This allows the maximum amount of low level information through the conductors and provides for the highest amount of realism in your music
- Secondary UEF Blue Treatment originally developed for SR Blue Fuses
- 5-day Burn In: 2 step process
- Hand Made in our California factory
SR Ground Block (optional):
Galileo SX interconnects have shields that can be grounded direct to earth with supplied ground cables bypassing your component’s power supplies for a lower system noise floor.
- To improve performance further still use an optional SR Ground Block with its UEF Ground Filter -or- Active Ground Block to elevate overall system performance; not only can you star ground the shields on Galileo SX interconnects to either the passive or ACTIVE Ground Block, but you can also ground all of your system’s components for a dramatic lowering of your system’s noise floor for greater detail, clarity, and musicality.
Bundled with
6 ft. SRX
AC Cable ($10,000 MSRP)
110V - $12,995
230V - $13,495
Specifications:
-
Construction:
- Each SRX AC Power Cable is made from 10 seperate power cables - 4 each High Current Pure Solid Silver Strings, 2 Pure Silver Air Strings, 2 each Pure Silver Air Ribbons, 1 each Pure Copper Mesh Ground Plane, 1 each Pure Copper Active Shield.
Dimensions:
- Standard 6 and 8 ft. lengths
4 each 14 awg. 99.9999% Pure Silver High Current:
- Dielectric: PTFE Air (Sealed)
- Shielding: Active Shielding Technology
- Geometry: 2 Channel
- Listened to determine signal direction before build
2 Each Silver Air String:
- Silver Air Strings: 99.9999% pure mono crystal silver conductor
- Dielectric: PTFE Air (sealed)
- Shielding: Active Shielding Technology
- Geometry: 2 Channel
- Listened to determine signal direction before build
2 each Pure Silver Air Ribbons :
- 99.9999% pure silver conductor
- Dielectric: PTFE Air (sealed)
- Shielding: Active Shielding Technology
- Geometry: 2 Channel
- Listened to determine signal direction before build
1 each Pure Copper Ground Mesh :
- UEF Ground Plane Technology
- 36 square inches per 6 ft. length
Shielding :
- UEF Active Shielding 3rd generation,
- UEF Active EM Cell
- Swiss Made Power Supply
- SR Quantum Capacitors
- Point to Point Wiring
- Silver Solder 4%
Quantum Tunneling:
- Custom
5 Day burn in :
- 3 Step process
Voltage and current rating :
- US: 20amp/125v
- International (EU/AU/UK): 16amp/250v
Shielding :
- UEF Active Shielding 3rd generation,
2 each SR 25 UEF Folded Electro-Magnetic Cells:
- Pure Copper Foils
- UEF: Graphene treated pcb
- Dielectric: PTFE
- Shielding: Active Shielding Technology
- Housing: Carbon Fiber Cylinder
1 each SR 25 Active Shielding UEF Cell:
- Modified Swiss-made DC bias Power Supply
- UEF: Graphene treated pcb
- SR Quantum Capacitors
- Dielectric: PTFE
- Shielding: Ground Plane Technology
- Housing: Carbon Fiber Cylinder
-
2 each SR 25 UEF Ground Plane:
- Pure Copper Foils
- UEF Graphene
- Dielectric: PTFE
- Conductive Carbon Fiber Ground Sleeve
-
1 each Black SR25 UEF Active Module:
- Completes Active bias circuit
1 each Gold SR25 UEF Tuning Passive Module:
- Optional voicing for increased warmth, liquidity
1 each Silver SR25 UEF Tuning Passive Module:
- Optional voicing for maximum information and refinement.
Connectors:
- Connector Input US: 1 each Synergistic Research G08 Pure Rhodium
- Connector Input Int’l: 1 each Synergistic Research G08 Pure Rhodium Schuko
- Connector Output US: Synergistic Research G08 Pure Rhodium IEC 15 amp and 20 amp connectors
- Connector Output Int’l: Synergistic Research G08 Pure Rhodium IEC 15 amp and 20 amp connectors
Build Notes:
- 36 point-to-point hand soldered connections
- Hand laminated layers of Silver Ribbon, PTFE Film and Copper mesh
- Folded Hot and Neutral Electro-Magnetic Cells added before Power Supply
- UEF Ground Plane Sleeve added to EM Cells
- Additional UEF Ground Plane added to power supply
- SR25 UEF Treatment: UEF with Graphene added to entire cable
- 1 Termination for SR25 Active Tuning Module (Black)
- 1 Termination for SR25 UEF Passive Tuning Modules (Gold and Silver)
- Silver Solder: 4%
- 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 also allows the “Active Shielding” to work more efficiently yielding the maximum amount of low level information through the conductors and provides for the highest amount of realism in your music
- 5 day Burn-in: 2 step process
- 100% Hand Crafted in our California factory
Bundled with
6 ft. SRX XL
AC Cable ($13,000 MSRP)
110V - $15,495
230V - $15,995
Specifications:
-
Construction:
- Each SRX XL AC Power Cable is made from 14
seperate power cables - 6 each High Current Pure Solid Silver Strings, 4 Pure Silver Air Strings, 2 each Pure Silver Air Ribbons, 1 each Pure Copper Mesh Ground Plane, 1 each Pure Copper Active Shield.
Dimensions:
- Standard 6 and 8 ft. lengths
6 each 14 awg. 99.9999% Pure Silver High Current:
- Dielectric: PTFE Air (Sealed)
- Shielding: Active Shielding Technology
- Geometry: 2 Channel
- Listened to determine signal direction before build
4 Each Silver Air String:
- Silver Air Strings: 99.9999% pure mono crystal silver conductor
- Dielectric: PTFE Air (sealed)
- Shielding: Active Shielding Technology
- Geometry: 2 Channel
- Listened to determine signal direction before build
2 each Pure Silver Air Ribbons :
- 99.9999% pure silver conductor
- Dielectric: PTFE Air (sealed)
- Shielding: Active Shielding Technology
- Geometry: 2 Channel
- Listened to determine signal direction before build
1 each Pure Copper Ground Mesh :
- UEF Ground Plane Technology
- 36 square inches per 6 ft. length
Shielding :
- UEF Active Shielding 3rd generation,
- UEF Active EM Cell
- Swiss Made Power Supply
- SR Quantum Capacitors
- Point to Point Wiring
- Silver Solder 4%
Quantum Tunneling:
- Custom
5 Day burn in :
- 3 Step process
Voltage and current rating :
- US: 20amp/125v
- International (EU/AU/UK): 16amp/250v
Shielding :
- UEF Active Shielding 3rd generation,
2 each SR 25 UEF Folded Electro-Magnetic Cells:
- Pure Copper Foils
- UEF: Graphene treated pcb
- Dielectric: PTFE
- Shielding: Active Shielding Technology
- Housing: Carbon Fiber Cylinder
1 each SR 25 Active Shielding UEF Cell:
- Modified Swiss-made DC bias Power Supply
- UEF: Graphene treated pcb
- SR Quantum Capacitors
- Dielectric: PTFE
- Shielding: Ground Plane Technology
- Housing: Carbon Fiber Cylinder
- Each SRX XL AC Power Cable is made from 14
-
2 each SR 25 UEF Ground Plane:
- Pure Copper Foils
- UEF Graphene
- Dielectric: PTFE
- Conductive Carbon Fiber Ground Sleeve
-
1 each Black SR25 UEF Active Module:
- Completes Active bias circuit
1 each Gold SR25 UEF Tuning Passive Module:
- Optional voicing for increased warmth, liquidity
1 each Silver SR25 UEF Tuning Passive Module:
- Optional voicing for maximum information and refinement.
Connectors:
- Connector Input US: 1 each Synergistic Research G08 Pure Rhodium
- Connector Input Int’l: 1 each Synergistic Research G08 Pure Rhodium Schuko
- Connector Output US: Synergistic Research G08 Pure Rhodium IEC 15 amp and 20 amp connectors
- Connector Output Int’l: Synergistic Research G08 Pure Rhodium IEC 15 amp and 20 amp connectors
Build Notes:
- 36 point-to-point hand soldered connections
- Hand laminated layers of Silver Ribbon, PTFE Film and Copper mesh
- Folded Hot and Neutral Electro-Magnetic Cells added before Power Supply
- UEF Ground Plane Sleeve added to EM Cells
- Additional UEF Ground Plane added to power supply
- SR25 UEF Treatment: UEF with Graphene added to entire cable
- 1 Termination for SR25 Active Tuning Module (Black)
- 1 Termination for SR25 UEF Passive Tuning Modules (Gold and Silver)
- Silver Solder: 4%
- 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 also allows the “Active Shielding” to work more efficiently yielding the maximum amount of low level information through the conductors and provides for the highest amount of realism in your music
- 5 day Burn-in: 2 step process
- 100% Hand Crafted in our California factory
PowerCell SX Schuko
Take your conditioning International
Synergistic Research PowerCell Reviews
Review
"Will the internal struggle to reach nirvana ever end? Probably not. As much as we like to complain about the journey, this is what provides much of the joy and interest in this hobby. The PowerCell SX has the ability to get us amazingly closer and without major upgrades to the rest of the system—closer than any other cable or power conditioner that I have heard in my listening room. The PowerCell SX clearly pushes the envelope.
Robert Youman, Positive Feedback, July 2020
Review
"The non-current-limiting PowerCell SX is one of the rare exceptions, and for that alone, it gets into the top tier and deserves high praise."
Alan Sircom, Hifi+, November 2023
Full Review
"An overview of Synergistic Research's product line will find something from a continuum of 'mild' to 'wild'. The divide is probably most noticeable between products in the signal chain – like the PowerCell SX tested here – and those outside (like the brand's Acoustic Dots). In fact, if you dig a little deeper, they are all part of the same developmental Unified Energy Field concept, and those who 'get' Synergistic Research will just counter that some struggle to intuit the company's whole systemic concept and just stay with the parts connected to the hardware. There are a lot of parallels between Synergistic Research and those making an ever-more intricate system approach to sound reproduction; it's that Synergistic Research goes deeper down the rabbit hole than most.
The PowerCell SX power conditioner features conditioning and filtration technologies drawn down from the company's no-longer-available flagship Galileo SX PowerCell. This means six active electromagnetic cells fed by the Galileo SX's power supply. These cells are improved over previous editions (trickle-down from the Galileo SX once again) and are a good source of power filtration (almost four times beefier than its predecessor) and EMI/RFI suppression.
That's not all If filtration, interference suppression and the consequent noise floor lowering were the only roles allocated to the PowerCell SX, it would still be relevant. But this is just the start. However, things get a little more 'out there' in Synergistic Research's classic style after this. First, it uses the company's Orange Capacitors and Purple Duplex power inlets. Then it adds field generators, bringing the PowerCell SX in line with the company's other UEF-based line. However, 24k Gold UEF circuits are drawn from the Galileo SX this time. That brings a next-gen level of fine-tuning to the PowerCell SX.
From here, the PowerCell SX adds a Schumann Resonance Generator to power and bias its active EM cells. A who in the what now? Schumann Resonances are low-frequency electromagnetic waves, caused by lightning discharges creating resonance between the surface of the earth and the ionosphere. Estimates say there are about 2,000 thunderstorms on Earth at any moment, and the EM resonance they create makes a set of spectrum peaks at 7.83Hz, with harmonics up to 33.8Hz. This Schumann Resonance has been dubbed the Earth's 'heartbeat', and the frequency is also generated in the PowerCell SX.
There is also provision to ground the PowerCell SX to a Synergistic Research Active Ground Block without using a power outlet. You also get a back-lit, semi-transparent power meter on the front panel. This is similar to the Ghost Meters used by Audio Research, but this one lacks the glowing tubes behind the glass. Still, it looks great!
Determining whether using the Schumann Resonance Generator and the like adds anything tangible beyond the PowerCell SX's intrinsic performance as a good conditioner is a bit of a tough call. If you get what Synergistic Research does, these are core elements in building a superior-sounding system. You'll know then, that the PowerCell SX and all its component parts result from extensive blind listening tests by Ted Denney and the Synergistic Research team. As a result, you'll consider the PowerCell SX as a core part of a Synergistic Research approach to system optimisation. If not, you are still left with a good-sounding conditioner.
Foundation or not? I am using the PowerCell SX in either an entirely non-Synergistic Research treated system or at most one with the Foundation SX cables (tested in Issue 217) and the Black Box bass resonator (tested in Issue 214) in the system. As a result, I will separate the PowerCell SX from its additional field-effect claims, as much as possible. As they are intrinsic to the properties of the PowerCell SX, that's a big ask, but at least I am trying not to place it in an entirely sympathetic system. Nor, for that matter, will I place it in an entirely unsympathetic system (such as mixing Synergistic and Shunyata, as they are like the Sharks and Jets of brands with 'Research' in the name, but with less dancing).
The PowerCell SX on its own does a lot for a system. Sure, it has the 'none more black' dark backgrounds and low noise presentation found in many good conditioners, and it leaves the sound in a good dynamic and rhythmic place, as befits some of the best in 'best for conditioners and filters. The 'first, do no harm' maxim is honoured surprisingly infrequently with power products, as many lean out the dynamic shading as they clean up power chow. The non-current-limiting PowerCell SX is one of the rare exceptions, and for that alone, it gets into the top tier and deserves high praise.
Where the PowerCell SX begins to step beyond 'high praise' is its ability to correctly deal with tonal densities of a note, the raw vibration that ensues, and to separate one from another. This gives the music a sense of harmonic and timbral structure that is often robbed by the juice and not fixed in many conditioners.
I made a rookie error here; I mistakenly thought the PowerCell SX was boosting the size and depth of the soundstage. However, on closer listening, it was more than a combination of better silences between the notes and the PowerCell SX's ability to tease out the structure of the music gave the impression of greater soundstage depth and width. That said, there was a feeling that music was unleashed from the cabinets more when the system was harnessed to the PowerCell SX.
Joie de vivre Most of all, however, the PowerCell SX simply brings out the joie de vivre in a recording. In making the track more engaging, it makes it more impassioned... no matter the music.
Now, back to the Synergistic Research concept album. Not only does the PowerCell SX work in that context, I'd argue it should be the beachhead for the Synergistic invasion. It brings a sense of order to even the least chaotic power, and that makes it hard to put back in its box."
Review
"Will the internal struggle to reach nirvana ever end? Probably not. As much as we like to complain about the journey, this is what provides much of the joy and interest in this hobby. The PowerCell SX has the ability to get us amazingly closer and without major upgrades to the rest of the system—closer than any other cable or power conditioner that I have heard in my listening room. The PowerCell SX clearly pushes the envelope. It's only July, but I now have my first nomination for the annual Positive Feedback Writers' Choice Awards. Highly, highly recommended!"
Robert Youman, Positive Feedback, July 2020
PowerCell 12 Show in animation.