[iFi audio]

Respectfully, I don't think it is the right fit in my system. The build quality, rugged feel, and presentation is excellent. Usability is great and I have confidence that it protects all my gear, BUT I really wish it didn't alter the presentation of music the way it does. Perhaps the next iteration can be designed to be more fully transparent.

I understand and thanks for your feedback. Here it should be said that every efficient power cleaner (our PowerStation is one) designed to decrease noise level will impact sound in a way that might be seen as cloration. Bass becomes more firm, background behind vocals and instruments gets darker and also separation and smoothness increase. The natural effect of that is fuller tone and more forward presentation that many also take as more accurate. That's just our take on this subject

 

[mbrierley]

Hi guys. I sold my Powerstation tonight and the guy who received it says the LED's are constantly red. It is a schuko variant and I am wondering that if the cables he used are two wire inside would he have this problem? I noted from the thread earlier that cables need to be properly earthed with defined positive and negative terminals?

Personally, I didn't like the Powerstation. My amp produces circa 825W into 4Ohms and the Ifi squashed the hell out of the dynamics and made it sound weak. Worked well with my CD player though. Best sound so far has been from replacing the Ifi with a hi power DC blocker (handles 30 amp if needed) and another DC blocker on the CD. Pace, dynamics, sound stage the works exploded with this config.

Now, AMR Gold fuses. Mmmmnnnnn. Absolute MUST HAVES in all plugs

 

[iFi audio]

I sold my Powerstation tonight and the guy who received it says the LED's are constantly red

This individual needs to make sure that the grounding on his AC outlet is in check and the cable in-between his Powerstation and this AC outlet has neutral, live and grounding runs. The RED polarity LED should go green upon turning that cable's Schuko plug. Hope this helps, thanks!

 

[OCC7N]

Which one is the first outlet on the powerstation after mains?

Closest to ac purifier or the mains connection?

 

[iFi audio]

Closest to ac purifier or the mains connection?

The one the closest to the mains is the one, thanks!

 

[OCC7N]

The one the closest to the mains is the one, thanks!

Thanks

 

[iFi audio]

Thanks

Sure, anytime!

 

[ufospls2]

iFi Audio recently lent me their “PowerStation” power bar/power distribution system. I was curious about it as I had no previous experience with power products beyond a simple power bar/wall outlet. It is a somewhat murky area, with a lot of audiophile “voodoo” type products in the space, some costing tens of thousands of dollars. iFi’s PowerStation seemed to be more inline with the simple idea of using an active (powered) system to clean up the incoming power from the wall, provide surge protection, at a fairly real world price of $799CAD (Amazon price.) There does seem to be a discrepancy in the pricing as some stores have it listed $1099CAD. I’m not sure what the current price is. EDIT: MSRP is currently $749USD

The PowerStation has 8 outlets (6 in the UK and EU) as well as a ground cable input if you are having troubles with grounding.

In terms of sonic changes that I heard, there wasn’t a huge difference vs. directly from the wall. Perhaps a slightly blacker background, which allowed for slightly more detail to be heard. It is possible that the power I get from my wall isn’t incredibly noisy in the first place. I think that if you have problems with noise from your wall power, this product makes more sense, as it will certainly make a difference. Also, if you continually have problems with ground loops on multiple devices, the PowerStation could be a very simple, and convenient way of dealing with those in one go, vs using multiple ground loop solutions on individual devices.

The build quality of the PowerStation is great, and feels substantial and well built. Its chassis is made with a nice grey powder coated finish, and the outlets are black.

For a beginner or intermediate in the hobby, who is still figuring out what they like, which headphones or speakers they prefer, their amp and DAC situation etc…I wouldn’t recommend the PowerStation, especially if you aren’t hearing any noise from your power from the wall. I think it begins to make much more sense for someone who has figured out what they like, and they are fairly set with headphones and source gear decisions. Adding the PowerStation in that situation may very well bring about a blacker background, and slightly more perceived detail from your set up. Don’t forgo a better pair of headphones or better piece of source gear to budget for the PowerStation, but if you are at the tweaking your set up for the best possible results, I would certainly recommend giving it a try, especially if you can hear noise from your power source, or have ground loop issues.

 

[BattousaiX26]

Loving mine. Nice improvement on my speaker setup.

Might be able to try on weekends if there is a big change also on my headphone setup.

On my speaker, first thing that comes to my mind after listening is fullness and airiness of sound.

I played Lea by Toto as reference and the change is really noticeable.

 

[iFi audio]

Loving mine. Nice improvement on my speaker setup.

Thanks a lot and enjoy!

For a beginner or intermediate in the hobby, who is still figuring out what they like, which headphones or speakers they prefer, their amp and DAC situation etc…I wouldn’t recommend the PowerStation, especially if you aren’t hearing any noise from your power from the wall. I think it begins to make much more sense for someone who has figured out what they like, and they are fairly set with headphones and source gear decisions. Adding the PowerStation in that situation may very well bring about a blacker background, and slightly more perceived detail from your set up. Don’t forgo a better pair of headphones or better piece of source gear to budget for the PowerStation, but if you are at the tweaking your set up for the best possible results, I would certainly recommend giving it a try, especially if you can hear noise from your power source, or have ground loop issues.

Blacker background results in more details, so thanks for making that point

As for PowerStation, internally we consider it as a product that shows what other products connected to it are capable of. It's not a mandatory purchase early on, but at some point it makes sense to clean up power, just to hear what our nice DACs, amps and headphones/speakers can do

 

[OCC7N]

Observation between Wireworld Matrix2(passiv power strip) flux50(authentic) vs iFi Powerstation with Flux50(authentic)

The difference is like a good EQ and clarity with the Powerstation. The microdetails are more pronounced.

With the matrix2 it sorta had a darkish/veil sound and grainy signature. The powerstation feels like it perfectly removed the darkish/veil.

Its like I hear the reverb more, the walls of the “room”

Reference:

 

[iFi audio]

Observation between Wireworld Matrix2(passiv power strip) flux50(authentic) vs iFi Powerstation with Flux50(authentic)

The difference is like a good EQ and clarity with the Powerstation. The microdetails are more pronounced.

With the matrix2 it sorta had a darkish/veil sound and grainy signature. The powerstation feels like it perfectly removed the darkish/veil.

Its like I hear the reverb more, the walls of the “room”

Reference:

Thanks a lot, that's very useful

 

[OCC7N]

Thanks a lot, that's very useful

Im about 100Hours of burnin. Its just the right combo I guess. Its soo pure sounding, the depth/soundstage, the reverb reflections on the wall on certain tracks.

Flux 50 did a serious steroid boost in clarity, refined bass.

I did not like the powerstation on its own. Flux definitely boostes the resolution the sensation of the soundstage.

I thought it was some snakeoil until it proved itself on the powerstation.

Short said music feels more present on the Susvara with this setup.

 

[iFi audio]

Short said music feels more present on the Susvara with this setup.

These remarkable cans deserve clean power and it's rather surprising how well they show differences when it gets better and better. Good stuff, enjoy

 

[OCC7N]

What should I prioritise as the first to last on the strip: Here is my list

1. Source or DDC
2. Source or DDC
3. DAC
4. Headamp
5. Empty
6. Empty

Any recommendation for a better approach?