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FAQ -  page 2

 

10-      I own some excellent mains cables that already have some kind of native filtering (i.e. cases on the cable length, filters into the Schuko socket etc.). Can I use them to/from the BlackNoise to improve even more its effect?

 

NO!! Different kinds of filters set in cascade one to the other and not designed to work together, surely will give, in the huge majority of situations, some kind of completely unpredictable and almost NEVER favourable result. See also point 8.

 

BlackNoise have to be used with cables (however over-refined they could be) that simply are “plain cables” with no kind of additional filter whatsoever; “filtrated” cables can be used on any other electronics with no ill-effect, but never on the BlackNoise itself, either in or out.

 

The only “filtered” cables, at this time, that make an exception are the MIT ones: Shotgun, Magnum, Oracle etc.

 

11-     Allright... but could I place more BlackNoise one in cascade to the other to enhance even more the effectivness?

 

NO!! The considerations just made at point 10 hold exactly in the same way: BlackNoise filters are designed to have the mains line running on a side and audio gear running on the other... that’s all! The only exception is represented by our own e-Spira  filters that can be succesfully employed together with BlackNoise filters.

 

12-     How can I know which is the most suitable BlackNoise model for my setup?

 

So expressed, there is no way anyone would be able to answer this question! First of all, lets try to analyze which are the electronics involved in your particular setup: this is a good start, at least from a purely electrical point of view, to understand the powers into play in order to size accordingly the filter/s. See point 5 to compute the setup absorption.

 

Next, it’s equally important to assess what is the flavour of these components. Do you preferably listen to vinyl? Then the phono stage is a hot spot indeed. Are there any high power amps? They send back a lot of noise over the mains line. Any electrostatic speakers? It is profitable to provide a separate filter just for them.

 

In mixed systems, like for instance pure stereo standing side by side with TV, DVD, Home Theatre or multichannel audio, is possible to find some combinations that allow the use of the same filter with electronics not used at the same time, like a CDP/DVD on an Extreme or a TV and a stereo power amp on a 1000.

 

See also the Comparison Table in this regard.

 

At the same time it is important to understand if there are any problems already present in the mains line or in the environment around: tic/tac, radio returns, vibrating transformers, etc. Moreover: are you living on your own in the countryside? In an apartment block in the city? Close to workshops, factories or offices? Are there frequent and sudden voltage changes? Its equally important not just listening to the best, but also safeguarding the setup?

 

Last but not least, the budget at disposal could be the most conclusive factor, although the BlackNoise are especially competitive under this aspect.

 

Surely there are so many factors and better and more rational choises arise from their evaluation, but some standpoints stays there, no matter what. Which are they? Well, for one thing, a single filter is surely better than no filter at all, even if it is not the optimum! Obvious maybe, but not always so. The original question could be now so reformulated:

 

Where is the best place to start in order to have the best result?

 

A little better, it’s possible to start giving some answers. Generally a good starting point is represented by sources and preamplifiers. In fact, a great deal of the overall quality depends by the signal treatment in the early stages. Active Step-Up, DAC and Pre-Phono are also excellent candidates and they all find a profit from the use of a BlackNoise, including the ones with an external power supply.

 

Afterwards may be convenient to operate on power amps… even if sometimes it is better to act first on these rather than on sources, especially if the amplification has a considerable power.

 

General advice is to buy a BlackNoise 500 or 1000 and try it on each component: the outcome will be more or less evident, but it will be always present. The BlackNoise must be left on the electronics with the best effect and a reasoning is due over the obtained results.

For example, we have got a 1000 and the most evident effect is on the integrated amp, but with the CDP sounds good too? We may think then to get an Extreme for the CDP to surely gain a crisp improvement. Have both DAC and preamplifier done a leap forward with the purchase of a 500? Then another 500 or an Extreme could be acquired. Even better? Then a 1000 or a 2500 placed on the power amp could close the loop for good.

 

The main rule is: testing with the peace in mind that every decision will always be supported by concrete results.

 

13-    I am hearing a slight buzzing coming out the filter. Is it normal?

 

Yes, it’s normal. Inside the filter there are some inductances (copper coil windings) that naturally vibrate at mains frequency (50-60Hz) when there is a connected load. According to how they have been more or less tightly factory wound, it’s possible that some of them wave a little even if the resin tapping has, among its several aims, the one of dumping these vibrations off.

 

The light buzz may also be present in some particular conditions, depending by a great deal by the mains line state and by the applied load: it might get louder, softer or disappear at different times in the same day depending by line condition, earth effectiveness, number and kind of elettrical appliances active at that time at home and in close surroundings.

 

The buzz it’s only audible at close range or in a large quite room, and in any case with a level not detectable during the normal music experience. It may also be due to the “physical” filter placement: for example if the BlackNoise is placed in a corner, the wall closeness originates a reflection, amplifying beyond all bounds the eventual weak buzz.

 

14-    Is it necessary a burn-in to obtain the best from BlackNoise filters? If this is the case, how long has it to be?

 

Yes. A burn-in “streamlines” the performance, like generally happens to all electronics. A full burn-in needs roughly 100-200 hours but unlike other electronics BlackNoise is always powered, so the “perceived” burn-in time is markedly shorter than usual: one week is normally more than enough for the Extreme, the 500 and the MiniBlack, while both the 1000 and the 2500 require a slightly longer time.

 

15-     Is there any difference between the power distributor you did for SUONO magazine and the BlackNoise filters themselves? I’ve got the impression they both are more or  less the same thing with very few differences.  Am I right?

 

Not at all!!

Between the “official” BlackNoise and the power distributor offered by SUONO there is a huge difference: the SUONO power distributor is exactly this, a power strip, NOT A FILTER! In spite of how good the build and the materials are (the same used for the filters), the “filtering circuit” is completely absent except for the spike and overvoltage protection module: but even this part is simplified in respect to the one build either in the BlackNoise filters and in the other power distributors (Four, Six, Eight, Slim3 and Slim5) directly selled by us. Specifically, beside the live-neutral protection, is also present a earth-live and a earth-neutral protection as well that are instead missed in the SUONO power distributor. As a power strip this is an outstanding product, shielded, with a high-section star cabling and with excellent multistandard outlets, but precisely... it’s nothing more!

 

This power distributor, in 2004 and 2005 has been produced in two models, the first one in our traditional ash blue and the other one in gold/bronze. There is no functional difference between the two models: they are absolutely identical save for the color.

 

16-     What are the phisical dimensions and weight of BlackNoise filters and distributors?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17-     If I install a dedicated line from the electricity meter to the audio-video setup, do the BlackNoises become then useless?

 

Not at all, a solution does not exclude the other, rather there is a “collaboration” between the dedicated line and the BlackNoises.

 

The dedicated line (or even better, the lines, one for sources and the other for power amps) it’s an excellent starting point toward the audio-video setup optimization (particularly if the wires are of good section, at least 2.5mmq) but, precisely, it’s just a starting point and not a complete solution.

 

The dedicated line, if well built, guarantees a higher dynamics (particularly in case of “sturdy” amplifications) and lowers the noises coming from the rest of the house, but due to its own nature can’t possibly remove them all (it’s just a wire, after all).

 

The best asset a dedicated line has, is that it doesn’t have other “clients” along its course (read: sockets and household appliances) that modulates the line voltage, reducing in this way what is called “coupling through common impedance”.

 

But what is often forgotten is that each audio-video electronic not only pollutes the line but also pollutes any other electronic close by as well. BlackNoise filters are bidirectional, they screen both incoming noise and outgoing one: in this way, not only they keep out noise that is trying to get in, but installed on every electronic they remove also (*AFTER* the dedicated line, then!!) all disturbances generated by the audio-video setup itself.

 

18-     My electric network has no safety ground connection: can BlackNoise filters be used nonetheless? Do their efficency decrease?

 

All BlackNoise filters do not rely on ground to perform at their best; rather than divert disturbances toward ground, they tranform noise internally into heat fully erasing it.

 

In general, safety ground is not there to “carry noise away” but rather to offer a “fast track” to the currents that, in case of a failure of any electric device connected to the mains network itself, could be dangerous to our health. This is its main task. Through the monitoring of these currents the differential safety switch (on the main entrance panel) is able to break the line and in so doing nullify the dangerous condition represented by the faulty device.

 

That some small disturbances (read: very small currents) could (and do) take the “ground way” it’s true, but it’s not a good practice to use it, particularly to rely on it, for this purpose.

 

The crucial point is that safety ground is essential, but it is not necessary for the best performance of BlackNoise filters, rather for your health!!

 

More pragmatically, remember that the guarantee of any electrical appliance (ours included) is not valid if the device is employed with mains networks that do not fully comply with current legislation rules.

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