Audio Tweaks - Tweak Ref. 83

Description		Disclaimer
Improved AC hot to AC neutral EMI/RFI filters

Reference #	Submitted by	Submitter rating	Cost
83	junebug	Excellent	$25.00

Source		Brand
Magnan Web Site

Construction
You will need (4) 10 microfarad 400-600VDC metallized polypropylene film caps, at least (1) .47 microfarad 400-600VDC metallized polypropylene film cap, at least (1) .1 microfarad 400-600VDC metallized polypropylene film cap, (1) 100,000 ohm 1/2 watt resistor. All of these items are connected in parallel with each other (attach their leads and solder) and are inserted between AC hot (the smaller slot on the right in your AC wall outlet) and AC neutral (the longer slot on the left in your AC wall outlet.) Orient the capacitor all in the same direction (printing on cap reading the same way). The resistor is there to drain the charge in the caps upon removal from the wall (otherwise you may be faced with 180volts of a nasty shock.) Be sure to cover the leads with shrink wrap to avoid contact with them. The best way to install the components is to solder them to a bare AC plug (get at Home Depot or an electronics store). Before you do this, carefully insert the assembly into the wall and listen to which orientation sounds better - the capacitors are slightly directional.

Setup
These filters are meant to be in the same AC circuit as your system. It is particularly important to get them plugged in as close as possible to the outlets you have your digital gear plugged into.

Use
Plug in and listen. The more total capacitance the better the results.

Performance
Far blacker background, better transparency, more detail. The music even sounds louder!

Other
Sources for components: Call Madisound (608)831-3433 for the GE Series 41L 10mf/400VDC caps at $3.75 each. Call Mouser (800)-346-6873 for the Xicon .47/630VDC caps at about $1.75 each and the Xicon .1mf/630VDC at about $1.30 each.

Comments

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Rod	IKEA sells a surge protector for about $11 if I'm not mistaken, that has a built in EMI/RFI filter. I tried my amp and CD player on it and there is a noticeable difference. Better detail in the mids, less brittle highs. I don't think it was designed to be used as a power strip, so it'll go on my computer. But this might be an inexpensive way to test line filtering on your system. If it makes a difference, consider building this filter.

Bardes	Rod, small capacitors strapped from hot to neutral will make a nice improvement in the treble and midrange like the small ceramic filter cap included in the IKEA product. Bigger caps will make a great improvement in the depth and articulation of the bass frequencies in many systems. The author is correct in including both small and large caps in his design. I have made a similar filter for my rig - and the difference is night and day! Yes, keep the filter as close to the gear as possible. I made a smaller version and placed it inside my CD player chassis with stellar results. For a complete treatise on this subject, check out www.magnan.com.