powercell uef se vs galileo sx

Usually how it works with SR is that the sound signature is pretty consistent but you get “more” of each sound characteristic as you move up the line. Each time they introduce a Galileo version of a new line, a year or two later the lower priced SX version delivers near the equivalent sound quality. Kinda like Sony TVs where they introduce a new TOTL XBR model and the next year the cheaper Bravia version has most of the prior year’s XBR technology and performance for a much lower price.

Specifically regarding the Powercell products, pay attention to the model of SR power cord that is paired with it. Opting for the Galileo SX power cord upgrade with the lesser Powercell will get you very close (or equal?) to the upper model when equipped with the standard Atmosphere power cord. Of course, the top model with the better power cord is supreme.

I usually buy two years behind the latest model on their Powercells and always opt for the better power cord, both purchased used. For example, I now have the Powercell 12 UEF SE with Galileo SX power cord upgrade and may move up to the Powercell SX at some point soon. This method keeps me moving up perpetually at a much better price.

+1 to @dlcockrum 's post.

I have had both in my system and the difference between the two was more significant than with past SR upgrades (Note: this was with an SRX cable to the PowerCell Galileo SX, which likely played a significant role...as dlcockrum points out).

My advice is to go as high in the line-up your budget allows for. SR's trade-up program takes some of the sting out of future upgrades.

I probably should have said powercell se vs powercell sx.

they have a promotion right now that the powercell sx gets an upgraded galileo discovery cable, but I just can't wrap my head around what they hopefully are doing.

@gwng8 The Powercells have the same goal as most every other power conditioner: reduce/eliminate AC-born noise and lower the system’s total noise floor while inducing minimal negative impact on dynamics and tonal characteristics (colorations) of the equipment they feed AC to. The differences in the various brands is how their designs go about doing that and the resulting effectiveness and impact on sound character. SR’s method is to use active electromagnetic cells while completely avoiding dynamically constrictive chokes and conventional passive filters, which AFAIK is unique to them. They claim these EM cells do a much better job of eliminating noise while having much less (no) impact on dynamics than other designs.

The more electromagnetic surface area that the AC signal is exposed to as it passes through the conditioner, the more the reduction in noise. The SX has more EM cells and each cell contains more contact surface area than the UEF SE, the result being a significant increase in total EM surface area, thus delivering a greater positive effect.

I have had each Powercell dating back to the original Powercell 10:and can attest that each new model delivers a much more profound impact than its predecessor. Based on feedback from several friends who have upgraded from the UEF SE to the SX with both using the Galileo SX power cord, the SX is significantly better than the UEF SE. The same goes for their top power cords feeding the Powercells. Each new version significantly outperforms its predecessor and makes a step-function improvement in the performance of the accompanying Powercell.

If you are buying new, the dealer should provide a money back trial. Just make sure to give a new unit two weeks to settle in before judging its merits. They tend to sound constricted straight out of the box and go through up and downs the first few days but improve monumentally over the first two weeks.