Six Star: 6 x UK 13A outputs with C14 (13A) IEC input socket.
SIX STAR MAINS POWER DISTRIBUTION
Introduction
Selecting the best mains power distribution solution for your audio and AV equipment is not straightforward, with many competing ideas and approaches available, almost all designed to ‘optimise’ the incoming mains power alongside the output sockets.
Power distribution is also not considered that important by many, and overlooked as an integral part of the audio or AV chain, which is a real mistake if you want the very best performance - it all starts with the electrical power source and how it is distributed.
The ‘Six Star’ star wired distribution block range offers very good dynamics and this presents the music in a natural and convincing way. If you want to know more about star wiring, and our design and development journey, please do download our ‘white-paper’ called ‘Why star wiring for mains power distribution and why the Six Star design?’
The Six Star distribution block can be used direct from the wall power socket, or from a balanced power source such as our AC-2K, for audio and AV applications.
There are a number of product options available in the Six Star range:
13Amp or 16Amp IEC input sockets.
6 x UK 13A or Schuko16A output sockets.
Optional wide band RFI filtering.
Six Star detail showing C14 (13A) IEC input socket option.
Why star wiring?
Star wired power distribution is where multiple devices are connected to central L.N.E. power source points, like the spokes of a wheel connecting to the wheel hub. Each power socket has its own dedicated direct connection to the power source point on the Live and Neutral line, and direct earthing ‘star’ point as well.
This ensures each device in your system receives an identical level of power and the impedances (particularly important on the earth line) are identical for each powered component. This helps reduce both system hum and background noise.
The Six Star design allows any of the output sockets to be used with any of your audio or AV equipment, they have identical power capability.
Why add an RFI filter?
When used direct from the wall socket (rather than with our AC-2K balanced power unit) we found the distribution block offered surprisingly good power distribution performance.
However, our research into radio frequency (RFI) noise reduction on the signal line (see our ‘RF Blocker’ products) made us wonder about the same issue arising on power lines – and yes, a properly designed wide-band RFI mains power filter on the incoming mains supply side offers a real increase in clean power without affecting musical dynamics, indeed, quite the reverse, removing RFI back to the wall socket and onward to your audio or AV components increases the efficacy of the equipment performance, offering improved musical micro-details.
Much is made of RFI mechanical shielding, but this form of interference ‘noise’ enters through ANYTHING that is not 100% mechanically shielded, so plastic plugs and sockets break the shield, let in the noise. Best to use a filter on the power and earth lines, remove the problem where it matters 100%, and it does not affect power performance.
This filter option is not required when ‘Six Star’ is used with a balanced power supply so options are offered - with and without RF filtering.
Six Star Schuko 16A output sockets.
Six Star distribution block features
Live, neutral and earth are hard (no solder) 'Star wired' to 6 output sockets, therefore components connected to any of the sockets are offered identical power capability and impedance - no loss of dynamics.
Point to point wiring used throughout is the same wire as used in our power cables and AC-2K balanced power unit. A specially formulated mains power wire for audio and AV.
All power components and wires are cryogenically treated for highest power flow quality from input socket to output sockets.
High quality Furutech Gold plated input socket as standard, with C14 (13A) and C19 (20A) options.
Six German made high quality output sockets, with sprung protective dust caps, UK and Schuko options available.
External isolated earthing point connected direct to star earth.
Low resonance case construction using plastics and non-magnetic stainless steel sub chassis for low vibration intrusion.
Special design silicon rubber isolation feet.
Star wired wide band RFI filter option for use with ‘direct from the wall’ power supply.
Special price packages along with cable(s) or AC-2K balanced supply (or both) available.
Six Star detail showing C19 (16A) IEC input socket option.
‘Six Star’ is not a budget product range due the high quality componentry and cryogenic treatments throughout, but it’s not priced for ‘high end’ users only and its performance offers value for money.
Six Star distribution blocks are not supplied with a connecting P/S cable, you may wish to use your own. We do however recommend the use of our UNITY cable from the wall (or from an AC-2K balanced power unit) to the Six Star distribution block. Bought together as a package, the cables are sold discounted.
The Six Star options available are:
6S.13.13 - 6 x UK 13A outputs with C14 IEC input
6S.13.16 - 6 x UK 13A outputs with C19 IEC input
6S.16.13 - 6 x Schuko outputs with C14 IEC input
6S.16.16 - 6 x Schuko outputs with C19 IEC input
As above with mains RF Filter fitted:
6S.13.13.RF - 6 x UK 13A outputs with C14 IEC input
6S.13.16.RF - 6 x UK 13A outputs with C19 IEC input
6S.16.13.RF - 6 x Schuko outputs with C14 IEC input
6S.16.16.RF - 6 x Schuko outputs with C19 IEC input
Customer Feedback
What can I say about the distribution block - wow is the answer, the difference it makes to the sound is big!
My system sounded great before but now it’s just snapped that bit more into focus if you can imagine the camera lens terminology.
Acoustic guitar is incredibly life like, placement of instruments within the soundscape is even better than before, double bass, violins, clarinets you name it now have more weight more resonance and feel so organic and therefore real.
Bass is better in general, synth music sounds so good, like any genre, the block helps you see around the scene, as if you able to walk around the instruments, so well separated from the others yet part of the musical whole. I've only played it for a few hours before taking it back out of the system, replacing it with what I was using before to get a greater sense of what it’s capable of.
M.E. details held on file
