IsoTek is extremely in style in delivering energy merchandise with a wonderful value to efficiency ratio. In producing its V5 vary, the corporate is generally changing new for outdated, however within the Elektra, IsoTek has created a stripped-down mannequin that delivers a lot of what the V5 Aquarius does in a cheaper method.
The curved case of the V5 vary remains to be on present with the Elektra, however the thicker fluted panel of the V5 Aquarius (examined in Issue 200) and V5 Titan (examined in Issue 209) is changed by a extra uniform black or silver wrap-around with a black top-plate. Heat vents fastidiously hidden within the aspect cheeks of the larger boys are throughout the highest plate, and the Elektra makes use of an influence swap and fuse system as an alternative of resettable thermomagnetic fuses.
Under the pores and skin
There are variations beneath the pores and skin, however the V5 Elektra and the V5 Aquarius share lots in widespread too. Both have 4 unbiased supply part inputs (5A for the Elektra, 6A for the Aquarius) and two high-power unbiased inputs (10A and 16A respectively). Both are absolutely star earthed with excessive purity, silver-plated copper inside wiring with FEP dielectric (6N copper within the Elektra, OHNO copper within the Aquarius). The large on paper adjustments is the higher surge safety and 5dB higher RFI rejection within the larger mannequin. As the V5 Elektra presents as much as 67,500A of safety, that is nothing to smell at.
Each outlet of the V5 Elektra makes use of 4 unbiased, six-stage ‘delta filter’ energy cleansing networks. These give nearly 20dB of energy cleansing at 1kHz (reference 600 Ohms), which improves to almost 40dB at 10kHz. An extra 5 unbiased filter phases are positioned between every output mixed with IsoTek’s Adaptive Gating system. Most energy filters of this fashion ‘widespread’ output sockets collectively, operating every in sequence connection. IsoTek feels this implies Differential Mode noise, created by the related load (your audio parts), will cross-contaminate between the output sockets. This means {the electrical} structure and a number of energy cleansing networks, one for every output socket of the V5 Elektra, dramatically scale back each Differential Mode and Common Mode noise.
It’s most likely OTT at this stage, however IsoTek consists of its System Link for extending the variety of shops whereas sustaining star earthing. It’s additionally optimised for IsoTek’s personal cables.
I’m busy evaluating the V5 Elektra with the V5 Aquarius, which is a bit foolish. The actual cash is on the way it works subsequent to the EVO3 Aquarius, the mannequin that the V5 changed. There are a whole lot of these glorious energy conditioners in the marketplace, each new ones promoting at deep low cost within the wake of the substitute and older fashions as folks improve. Should you go for the older EVO3 design or the brand new V5 Elektra?
Simple query, easy reply – sure. Would you want an extended reply – hell sure! Unless you may get the EVO3 Aquarius for an absolute steal, go for the V5 Elektra each time. It presents extra of all the things besides background noise. There’s on paper much more filtration and conditioning, so you’re getting cleaner juice, each from the wall and from retaining every product’s palms clear within the context of the entire system. This means higher focus to the sound, much less grit and grain within the excessive frequencies and midband, cleaner and extra clearly outlined bass notes on the different finish, and even much less of the ‘boat anchor’ impact on rhythm that used to plague energy merchandise used with smaller amplifiers.
In actuality, the EVO3 Aquarius did away with the ponderous sound related to energy conditioners on this setting, however the V5 Elektra cuts by that slowing impact with much more vibrancy and rhythmic expressiveness. I believe that is one thing distinctive to the V5 upgrades as a result of all of the IsoTek designs on this new launch to date simply get out of the best way of the rhythm of a system.
Feeling sizzling, sizzling, sizzling!
As ‘luck’ would have it, the V5 Elektra turned up throughout certainly one of 2022’s heatwaves, and the warmth did odd issues to unfiltered energy. On the upside, no-one was round and electronics have been turned off as a way to maintain cool. On the opposite hand, the sound high quality was horrible! The V5 Elektra got here to the rescue brilliantly. While this could be an in extremis instance of its efficiency, if the V5 Elektra can maintain the poor juice of heat-struck transformers sounding good, it would do wonders throughout regular working hours.
Like different IsoTek merchandise, the V5 Elektra brings a way of calm to the sound. It’s not as spatially enhanced because the V5 Aquarius, which has an uncanny impact of creating loudspeakers disappear and making a picture wider. The V5 Elektra has a few of these properties, and extra so than earlier EVO3 editions. By earlier requirements, the V5 Elektra is holographic.
As you climb the IsoTek ladder you get extra smoothness and refinement, but when that is your first IsoTek rodeo, having heard the V5 Elektra, your first phrases on studying that could be ‘More?’ The V5 Elektra is a particularly spectacular mains filter/cleaner/conditioner, one which makes a hell of a whole lot of sense in techniques in and round £5,000. In that context, that is an improve that’s all-but irresistible, and can set listeners on a path to incorporate energy merchandise – and doubtless IsoTek energy merchandise – of their techniques for good.
Sometimes energy product critiques are a bit tough to write down and place in context, however perhaps that’s as a result of we’re being well mannered about their efficiency. The IsoTek V5 Elektra wants no apologies or excuses; you plug it in, you hear what it does, you purchase it. It will maintain your system cosseted in nice energy till you attain some very high-end audio package.
Technical specs
- Number Of Outlets 6
- Type Of Outlets UK, EU, US, AU & CH
- Mains Inlet 10A LEC C14
- Mains Voltage 100–230V/50–60Hz
- Medium Current 230V X4 (5A – 1,150W Total), 115V X4 (5A – 575W Total)
- High Current 230V X2 (10A – 2,300W Total), 115V X2 (10A – 1,150W Total)
- System Link X1
- Surge Protection 67,500A
- Dimensions (W×H×D) 450 × 10.6 × 35cm
- Weight 9.0kg
- Price £1,595
Manufacturer
IsoTek Systems
UK distributor
Fine Sounds UK
+44(0)1592 744710
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