IsoTek V5 Syncro Uni 10 Active DC Filter

Design

IsoTek’s newest version of its innovative and original DC cancelling system, released almost 15 years ago upgrades the design with 60% extra current capability and corresponding reductions in impedance. The internal peak current now stands at 16 Amperes!

The new V5 circuit board has been fully optimised with increased copper loading, double that of the industry standard. To further improve performance IsoTek uses a minimum of 16 capacitors, all high-grade copper/silver construction, this combined deliver a massive 75’000µF, most competitor products offer only one quarter of this with poorer grade components. All electrical parts specified within this new V5 version have been upgraded and over specified to deliver a surge protection buffer of 500 Ampere peak.

The V5 Syncro Uni is designed to dramatically reduce/silence transformer vibration and hum from the transformers within electronic equipment, generally mechanical vibration. V5 Syncro Unican also be used as a ‘pre-filter’ device that can be used with any power cable or power distribution system.

The IsoTek V5 Syncro Uni significantly reduces unwanted direct current (DC) from the mains supply that should not be present on the mains voltage. With easy connection in and out of the product with standard or better mains power cables.

So called ‘DC on the mains’ is an increasingly common issue affecting the quality of your home’s power supply. Caused by a variety of everyday electronic devices around your home, that are connected to the power grid. These items generally run a diode electrically in series, for example, dimmer switches, hair dryers and coffee machines. But it doesn’t end there, solar panels on the roof, elevators, and fast charging stations for electric cars cause even more DC issues. These could be in your house or your neighborhood, or even further down the road. Strictly speaking the problem with DC on the mains as it is referred to, is the imbalance of the mains sine wave on the zero volts line, technically speaking it is not really a mains noise, but nevertheless bad power. It can cause considerable mechanical vibration within products (not only in amplifiers but all electronics) which will dramatically affect performance.

It is the strangest of problems on the AC line, which is a quirk of magnetic circuit design. A simple hairdryer can cause massive noise in big amplifier transformers. IsoTek has developed a series of devices called “Syncro” that incorporate unique DC-cancelling electronics that rebalance the mains sine wave on the zero volts line, to dramatically reduce/silence transformer hum; the circuit synchronizes the mains supply to provide a perfectly symmetrical sine wave, which also delivers significant improvement when used with any audio-, AV- or network electronics.

This DC current affects the performance and linearity of the power supply of electronic devices. For example, it causes the iron core of transformers to become saturated resulting in mechanical vibration and addition unnecessary heat causing transformers to physically hum. By reducing micro vibrations and heat generation, V5 Syncro Uni reduces servicing issues and increases component life. In addition, sound is significantly improved and more immediate, you hear the music and not the irregularities of mains imbalance and distortion. IsoTek’s V5 SyncroDC filter will NOT dampen dynamics! Dynamics are greatly improved because the power amplifier can draw more current when transformer saturation is reduced.

The V5 Syncro Uni 10 circuit board will run easily at 16A allowing a maximum transmission of up to 3’680W, however, to give absolute reliability and consistent performance the unit has been conservatively restricted to a standard 10A input for convenience.

Housed in a steel and aluminum chassis measuring 250mm in length, 100mm wide and 85mm high. V5 Syncro Uni incorporates unique DC-cancelling electronics that rebalance the mains sine wave on the zero volts line, to dramatically reduce/silence transformer hum and vibration; the circuit synchronizes the mains supply to provide a perfectly symmetrical sine wave, which also delivers significant sonic improvement when used with any electronic separates. The internal wiring is of the highest standard, pure 6n oxygen free copper conductor strands with silver-plating offer low resistance and high amperage. A FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene) dielectric is used. FEP is a tough, flexible copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluoropropylene commonly used in aerospace with excellent dielectric performance. FEP is used to protect the conductors to allow the ultimate internal power delivering system.

The internal wiring of IsoTek products synergizes with the range of IsoTek power cables. One critical but overlooked area is maintaining commonality of design and material properties though an audio wiring loom, be it signal carrying cables or your power cable network.