iFi audio was launched in 2012 and its ultra high-end pedigree dates back a decade further because of its parent company: Abbingdon Music Research (AMR) which produces expensive luxury audio products. AMR saw in 2010 that hi-fi audio was shifting from home ‘static’ speaker systems to Bluetooth and portable ‘dynamic’ headphone setups To serve this growing market, iFi audio was commissioned with one goal: to produce ‘ultra-fidelity’ audio products that push the sonic performance at the envelope while still priced within the mainstream. It began work on a range of small but prodigious personal audio products using AMR’s trickle-down technology. Today, iFi designs and manufactures over 35 different products from its headquarters in Southport, UK. It sources parts from around the world from manufacturers including XMOS (UK), GE Valves (USA), WIMA (Germany) and TDK (Japan). It retails through a global network of dealers and has its own distribution in the USA who serves retailers such as B&H and etailz. iFi AC iPurifier When you listen to music there’s a lot of background noise going on, coming in from the mains. Some noise cannot be missed but there’s also some that is not immediately obvious until it has gone. It comes from your power supply and interference and feedback from the power supply of other devices. Put the AC iPurifier in your set-up and you’ll notice the difference instantly. Music you once thought was clear takes on a new life, filtering out noise you never knew was there and leaving you with pure, cleaner, and undiluted sound. The iFi audio AC iPurifier cleans up the dirty AC mains, detects, and solves annoying mains based electromagnetic interference (EMI), radio frequency interference (RFI), Earth, plus ground issues. An exceptionally user friendly device, just insert into the audio mains, power outlet, or extension block for diagnostics and a 40dB (or 100x) noise reduction. It is a direct upgrade to any audio system. Technologically advanced, it’s an active, not a passive, product so it goes above and beyond and cancels far more noise across the frequency range than other power filters. It is particularly effective at dealing with modern audio systems that have an abundance of varied power supplies, whether it's a switch mode or linear type. The AC iPurifier draws from French military engineering and includes, Active Noise Cancellation to cancel all incoming noise. It can handle 100 volts to 240 volts. With EU and USA 3-pin versions. The UK version comes with adapter to EU version. With a white clean looking chassis made from polyurethane plastic, highly advanced level of electronic parts the AC iPurifier is not only powerful, it’s tough too. Additional Features Intelligent Ground connection There are more than a few AC clean-up devices that add an extra Ground/Earth but only the AC iPurifier has ‘Intelligent Ground’. You can buy the optional extra 4mm ground cable to give the audio system the best possible Ground/Earth but it will ONLY actively provide a Ground/Earth (if it detects the lack of one.* It will not create a ground loop). Polarity and Earth detection When it comes to mains AC, there are two common errors when setting up a system. The first has to do with polarity and the incorrect orientation of USA and EU type mains pins. Intelligent Polarity automatically informs you of incorrect orientation by changing to a red LED. The second error is the a lack of Ground/Earth. In a system where there may or may not be a lack of a Ground/Earth, simply insert the AC iPurifier into the system and it will tell you one way or the other. When the two LEDs light up green everything is in order! Over-Voltage Surge Protection For the rare instances where there is an overvoltage spike (from a mains electricity surge or lightning strike for example), the AC iPurifier will automatically shut off and stop electricity from passing through your system. This should protect your valuable and highly-sensitive mains equipment from harm. Noise Reduction This chart compares the AC iPurifier (green line), which is ACTIVE, versus generic mains filters (red line) which are typically passive. The effective noise reduction difference is much better at -40dB and effective across the frequency range. A passive purifier filters only in the very top-end of the frequency range. ANC+ Technology By generating a signal identical to the noise signal but in the exact opposite phase, it actively cancels all the incoming noise. ANC+ is the perfect ‘antidote’ for power supply noise, the bane of USB audio. The AC iPurifier is the latest product to have onboard ANC. As its name suggests, it ACTIVELY cancels the noise which makes it one of the power accessories, if not the only one, that actively cancels noise. Modular Design to suppress noise With many modern audio systems, there are typically a plethora of mains power supplies. All of these add their own unwanted noise issues and pollute the local mains supply. The design of the AC iPurifier is such that it is even more effective if several are used to ‘contain’ the same type of noisy sources. You can insert into the AC mains wall outlet that supplies the audio system OR insert into the mains extension block for the audio system. Try both locations to discover which has the greatest impact on improved sonics. Tech Specifications Noise reduction:> 40dB (> 100x)Surge Protection:max. 30,000A @ 1,000V/10uSOperating Voltage:90V – 265VSize/Weight: (USA):ø 40mm x 105mm (L)108 (g) / 0.24 (lbs) (EU):ø 40mm x 115mm (L)126 (g) / 0.28 (lbs)
