2. misc-audio
  3. 126219-16074

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
richfield_hunter
68 posts
 
Folkfreak
I just received my UEF 12 yesterday. I purchased a used AudioQuest Niagara 7000 which was so much better than my 10UEF with the UEF FEQ. So I am anxious to compare the UEF 12 to the AQ Niagara 7000. I also took advantage of the promotion which provided a free Atmosphere power cord and I chose the level3 digital. I put it on my Music server and am letting it burn in for a few days before I hook up the UEF 12. I had to remove the gold bullet from the level 3 PC as it had to much bloom in my system and caused the pinpoint imaging to change. I love SR products and will report my findings on the comparison of the 12 to the Niagara.

folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak OP
1,349 posts
 
The AQ 7000 is very well regarded (and a hair pricier than the UEFs I believe) -- were I not locked in to SR products I'd like to check it out -- I should also note that all my power comes pre-treated by a Torus in wall transformer so I tend towards simpler, less transformer based end conditioning which is why I think I've liked the SR kit

I chose not to bother with the level 3 option, instead got a very good deal on the trade ins :-)

Anyway look forward to hearing about the comparison
richfield_hunter
68 posts
 
It is very well regarded and sounds fantastic. The prices dealers were offering to upgrade to the new unit made this a no brainier. I will provide an update in a few weeks

debjit_g
280 posts
 
@richfield_hunter

I am very much interested in your review. I have the 10 UEF w/ FEQ and wondering how much better is the 12 UEF. Its also great that you are able to compare the AQ 7000 along with it, which is a great product. The newly introduced Shunyata Denali also seems like a great product and many favored the Denali to the AQ 7000.

Is there a ongoing trade-in program going on to exchange 10 UEF with the 12 UEF ?
folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak OP
1,349 posts
 
I am not aware of a formal trade up program but my long term dealer was able to give me a good trade in on my old UEFs.

 I've personally not actually directly compared the UEFs with the AQ 7000 but did find that the upgrade from 10UEF to 12 UEF (the glass top model at least) was transformative bringing an entirely new and improved presentation to the complete system. I have found it beneficial to damp/cover the top plates, the flickering blue LED is very objectionable.

The Denali also looks like a good option and in particular I like the look of the supports for heavy AC plugs it has -- the SR products still suffer from a lack of support and I need to resort to shims to hold in my very heavy original Galileo LE plugs - oh well
More to discover