Snub Station Zero

Still burning in, but my sound has improved.It's a change that's hard to describe.I can't say it's added more bass or detail,just that things sound a bit closer to being perceived as real than before.Definitely something is going on.Vinyl and cd's both sound better now than they did and I thought things were pretty good before.So for me this has been a welcome addition.
Klipsch Cornwall 1v, bi-amped with--Schitt GHorn for bottom and a Martin logan depth sub
Coherent sound Frankenstein 300B monos for top
Coherent sound statement linestage
JC3+ phono
SME 10/V Benze lo4 mc
Bryston bcd3 as transport
Ps Audio direct stream dac mk11
All wireworld eclipse 8 cables
Room treatment
And of course the Snub station and the Line noise blackhole

I didn’t expect much with all my power conditioning but boy right out of the box these power components improved the SQ noticeably. Volume seemed to increase, dynamics improved and 3D sound stage expanded. Thanks for the great products and amazing value. Now that the LNBH and SSZ have had some nice break-in hours, moving my Mainstream and Snubway to my modem/router roon core room and upgrading the LNBH/SSZ power cords all I can say is WOW. My system has never sounded better. Separating my Power Amp, Preamp and DAC away from all my other electrical devices and having 2 power conditioning set ups has really improved things. As an added bonus with these two devices I no longer need my Stack Audio SmoothLan, EtherRegan and external clock. They just no longer add improvement. Nice to clean up the space and simplify.

3 New Products: My Review:

3 New Products: My Review: The NEW Ver-Fi: Products:

1. Line Noise Black Hole (LNBH),

2. Snub Station Zero (SSZ),

3. Infinity Fuse.

Mark asked me if I would like to try a few of his new products, and as a big time Audiophile tweaker (however my wife would describe me as a nut) I couldn’t resist.

In this review I will try to show that I have tried these units everyway possible within my system (see my profile) to remove any doubts as to how they performed.

First off, using the new Infinity Fuse with a Graphene slug into my Lumin X1 was instant success. This one unit contributed to a much wider soundstage and just a general upgrade in overall sound quality. So, this item will remain, no matter how the rest of the Veri-Fi equipment performs. BTW, it replaced a Synergistic Research Master Fuse.

Then I tried the LNBH and SSZ in my “computer/streaming room”. This room includes my Modem/Router, Etherregen, AfterDark clock, AfterDark linear power supply, and some other sundry items (printer etc.). I let the system stream music for a few days, and after that time, honestly, I could not hear any additional sonic improvement or change of any sort.

So, the next day I relocated the LNBH and SSZ into my audio system. I think I read that these items should be used in Tandem. I am using an AQ Dragon source power cord (from my AQ Niagara 7000 power conditioner) that was plugged directly into my Lumin X1 but now I plugged it into the LNBH and with a short DIY jumper power cord from that unit into the SSZ. And since the Infinity Fuse unit was a definite keeper, I also added an additional short jumper DIY AC cord to plug it into the Lumin X1. I should add that the AC input and outlets are on opposite ends of the devices which made daisy chaining them difficult.

When I played the system with familiar tunes it seemed that the soundstage was pushed way back, kinda sounded like into a tunnel and not as lively as I remembered the tunes before.

So, for “Shts & Giggles” I removed the Veri-Fi previous versions of the “Snubway & Mainstream” devices from the Audio system. (My thinking was perhaps there is too much filtering of the same type). And sure enough, the liveliness returned, so make note of this: the original Snubway and Mainstream do not mesh well with these new products.

Question:

Should I plug all of this directly into the AC wall outlet instead of the AQ Niagara power conditioner 7000?

To answer that question, I then went ahead and plugged the daisy chained trio directly into the dedicated wall outlet. And at first listen, I thought, hmm not bad. But after several back-and-forth trials, I decided that having these units plugged into the AQ 7000 is better. Perhaps different power conditioners may react differently. So, experiment is the word.

After a week of listening to the trio as above, the last and final test would be to return to the beginning, that is; removing the LNBH and SSZ from the system. Note: I have already determined that the Infinity/graphene fuse was a definite instant plus, so it will always remain.

Conclusion:

Well first, I can conclude that that a week of burn/breakin was helpful, as it does for most new equipment, and it may improve further with more use. Then, I have found in the past that using a new item for a period of time, that “new” sound, becomes the standard, (you get used to it) and only after removing it can it be judged on the effectiveness, (if any) good or bad. Do I miss it?

So, after a week of playing my favorite tunes with the LNBH and SSZ devices connected, I then disconnected them and went back to my original set up, (but, again with the Infinity Fuse and the Graphene slug still installed).

At first, I thought the midrange was richer but as I continued listening, I began to realize that the music had lost that “sparkle”. By that I mean, the feeling of extreme openness with images clean and deep with a liveliness that I guess I would say, it no longer sounded “live”.

I then re-connected the LNBH and SSZ devices and ahh, that very open sound returned.

The Downside?

Several short power cord jumpers are needed and as mentioned, daisy chaining them can be difficult.

Sound Quality Wise?

So, my conclusion is that, yes, these devices are a Definite Plus and with whatever is inside them, improved the sound for this old Audiophile. Your music will be released into your room and sparkle the soundstage, enjoy the new performance!

Wow! My system has never sounded better! Highly Recommended!

BTW, my wife still thinks I’m nuts…

ozzy

I have two in my systems, both used in combination with the Line Noise BlackHole. The one in my all-analog system connects my PS Audio Stellar phono preamp, ProJect Classic EVO turntable, and my PrimaLuna EVO 300 tube integrated amplifier, which also has a Swiss Digital Fuse Box between the amp and SSZ's high-current, soft-start AC outlet. I'd been slightly troubled by a slight "buzz" in the system, which I attributed to either the Ortofon Quintet Bronze MC cartridge, the phono preamp, or the tube amplifier. After inserting the new VeraFi power conditioning equipment, the buzz was completely gone, and in its place is complete silence! The combination has replaced an AudioQuest Niagara 1200, which is a good unit, but not in the same class as the VeraFi LNBH, SSZ, and SDFB -- I have been totally shocked by the improvement, which stretches across every possible metric of analog playback.

The same setup is in my digital source system, except with an Infinity Fuse unit replacing the Swiss Digital Fuse Box. In this case, a new Boyuurange A50 Mk III SET 300B tube amp is plugged into the Infinity Fuse, then into the SSZ's soft-start outlet. My Aurender A1000 music server/network player is also connected to the SSZ, as well as my S.M.S.L. VMV D2R DAC. The soft-start outlet is perfect for extending 300b tube life, and the overall system sound is astonishingly good! I'm playing through a pair of vintage Klipsch RB3 Reference monitors (94 dB/watt, 3.8 ohms) and the room synergy is now beyond perfect with the VeraFi Equipment!