Synergistic Research UEF Active Tuning Circuits | … · Synergistic Research UEF Active Tuning Circuits ... Synergistic Research UEF Active Tuning Circuits ... From Ted Denny III,

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Synergistic Research UEF Active Tuning CircuitsBy Steven Plaskin • Posted: Mar 10, 2014

Device Type: Tuning Circuit for Synergistic Research ProductsPrice: $250 for 2 Silver and 2 Grey devices for upgrade (the standard tuning devices providedwith new Synergistic Research products); $150 for 1 Silver and 1 Grey, $150 for 1 Silver rightangled and 1 Grey right angled.Availability: Authorized DealersWebsite: www.synergisticresearch.com

The Synergistic Research UEF (Uniform Energy Field) Technology Active Tuning Circuits are thenew replacements for the Enigma Tuning Circuits (Bullets) provided with the SynergisticResearch Element and Galileo Series cables and AC cords, Digital Power Tools, TranquilityBases, PowerCell line conditioners, and older Tesla Series LE cables and AC cords. The EnigmaTuning Circuits or Bullets were used to fine tune the sound of the Active Shields in Synergistic

Synergistic Research UEF Active Tuning Circuits | AudioStream http://www.audiostream.com/node/77769

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cable (see review), and the Element C.T.S. Digital AC cord (see review).

There were 3 different Enigma Tuning Circuits that were color coded: Silver, Grey, and Black.The Silver imparted a feeling of greater high end extension with an open “airy” sound, the Greywas the standard reference, and use of the Black Enigma Tuning Circuits resulted in awarmer-less airy sound. The New UEF Active Tuning Circuits no longer include the Blackdevices. They now come in the Silver and Grey Tuning Circuit plug-in devices. This is also truefor the right angled devices that plug into the Tranquility Bases, The Music Cable, and PowerCellline conditioners. The new UEF Active Tuning Circuits can be identified from the previousEmigma devices by a series of concentric rings on the cylindrical bodies. As with the previousEnigma Tuning Circuits, the new devices follow the same sound pattern with the Grey being thestandard device and the Silver offering a more extended, lighter sound. But the difference insound between the new UEF Active Tuning Circuits and the Enigma Tuning devices couldn’t bemore different.

The new UEF Active Tuning Circuit utilizes the technology found in the recently released HFTand FEQ products that I also previously reviewed for AudioStream. The High FrequencyTransducers and Frequency Equalizer are also based on Synergistic Research’s Uniform EnergyField Technology. The new UEF Active Tuning Circuits are the standard tuning devices beingsupplied with current Synergistic products. Synergistic Research is also offering these as asimple-to-implement upgrade for former products. All one has to do is pull the old Enigma TuningCircuit off and replace them with the new UEF Active device.

From Ted Denny III, Lead Designer at Synergistic Research:

“Synergistic Research’s new UEF Tuning Circuits are based on the sametechnology found in Synergistic Research HFT High Frequency Transducers, FEQFrequency Equalizers and XOT Cross Over Transducers. UEF Technology actuallycleans up high frequency noise that otherwise distorts harmonics in the musicsignal. When UEF technology is applied to Synergistic Research Active Shielding,Tranquility Bases, and PowerCells, you hear a lower noise floor, higher resolutionand a significant increase in soundstage air with improved mid-range clarity andimproved low frequency control for a more holographic overall presentation. Bycleaning up the DC signal applied to Active Shielded cables, Tranquility Bases andPowerCells, all aspects of performance are enhanced in a noticeable andsignificant way.”

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The SoundI started my listening session by replacing the Enigma Tuning Bullets on my SynergisticResearch USB Active SE cable. I had been using the Silver Enigma Bullet and replaced it with anew Silver UEF Active Tuning Circuit. I immediately heard a significant change in the sound. Thesoundstage seemed to open up and was more holographic sounding. The noise floor droppedwith increased detail and resolution. I then proceeded to change out all of my older EnigmaTuning devices with the new UEF Active Tuning Circuits.

More Than a Soundstage EnhancementA total of 24 UEF Active Tuning Circuits were installed on my Synergistic Research Cables, ACcords, Speaker cables, PowerCell 10 SE MKIII and 6SE line conditioners, USB and Thunderboltcables, and Tranquility Bases. The change in sound quality was substantial; nothing like thatpreviously heard with the Enigma Tuning devices.

The best way to describe what I am now hearing from the system is a soundstage “bloom” thatimparted a holographic dimensionality to the sound. The sound seems to have been pulledforward from the speakers and is more enveloping in terms of front to back depth. I was betterable to discern a layering of the acoustic space in well recorded orchestral music. The side toside depth was very large, but it is this added dimensionally previously described that grabbedmy attention. I have never experienced soundstage reproduction from my system as I am nowhearing with the UEF Active Tuning Circuits. Besides observing the added dimensionality,superior resolution of instruments and voices within the recording’s acoustic space was plainlyevident. Complex musical passages were more easily discerned with improvement of thereproduction of musical textures.



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The UEF Active Tuning Circuits imparted liquidity to the sound that I was not previouslyexperiencing in my system. I have to chuckle to myself with these audiophile terms like liquidity.When I listen to a live orchestra, I never think of the term liquidity. Yet, most audiophiles knowexactly what I’m talking about. Our systems impose, for lack of a better term, a form of distortionthat does not exist when listening to live acoustic instruments or voices. The UEF Active TuningCircuits stripped away much of this subtle hardness and glare that prevents our reproducedmusic from sounding real. This reduction of subtle low level distortion and noise is what I feel isthe greatest accomplishment of these devices. As I listened to my favorite musical titles, I couldnot believe the improvement I was hearing. It was akin to going from a solid state amplifier to aSingle End Triode tube amp, but without the limitations of this design. A relaxed presentation ofthe music resulted without a subtle electronic quality or smearing of the sound as previouslyheard with the older Enigma Tuning Circuits.

The noise floor dropped with a blacker background. Definition of voices and instruments wereimproved from top to bottom. This ultra-quiet back ground resulted in superior resolution of lowlevel information. Micro dynamic changes were now more obvious and easily heard.



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Bring On the MusicI have always enjoyed the sound quality of 2L Records recordings; especially those titlesprovided in the original DXD 352.8 kHz format. But I have always felt that the 2L recordings werea touch hard sounding. Quiet Winter Night by the Hoff Ensemble is an example. Listening to thisDXD recording with the Analog DAC / Analog Power Base and the newly installed UEF ActiveTuning Circuits gave me a new perspective on this recording. The subtle hardness I previouslyheard was eliminated with the music now exhibiting a more open and airy sound. Hymn to theVirgin by Schola Cantorum, another DXD title, not only sounded less grainy and without the mildglare I was previously hearing, but the contrapuntal voices were more easily identified with abeautiful relaxed presentation.

I moved on to one of my favorite Crosby, Stills, Nash titles, the 24/192 HDtracks download ofDaylight Again. This is a big sounding recording with good drive to the low end. My newlyupdated UEF Active system made this wonderful recording shine. I noticed that the weight of thebass was increased with better focus of the voices. That wonderful grain-free sound was heardwith great sonic ease and detail.



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Next up was the impressive Carol Kidd recording Tell Me One Again with Nigel Clark on guitarfrom Linn Records (24/192 download). The UEF Active Tuning Circuits dropped the noise floorwith the deepest black background I have ever heard my system reproduce. Nigel Clark’sfingerings on the nylon string guitar were never as obvious as they were with the UEFs. Theoverall clarity of Carol’s voice with the guitar was a new listening experience for me with thisfamiliar recording.

And finally, my favorite Diana Krall album, All for You: A Dedication to the Nat King Cole Trio24/96 (HDtracks). The overall sound of this recording seemed to move forward in thesoundstage with improved clarity and focus of the instruments and Diana’s voice. The pace andrhythm of the group seemed improved over my previous listening experiences with the EnigmaTuning Circuits.



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Other Applications of the UEF TechnologyThe XOT Crossover Transducer ($399/pair) represents another new application of the UEFTechnology. These high frequency filters for speaker crossovers attach directly to the speakercable connectors. I attached a set to each of my Wilson Sasha speakers and found animprovement in the sound of my system similar to what I have described for the UEF ActiveTuning Circuits. It appears to me that the improvements with this technology are additive foreach segment of the system treated. I then replaced 2 sets of Walker High Definition ReferencePlus Links ($725.00/pair) on the back of each upper module of my Sasha speakers with 2 sets ofXOT Crossover Transducers. 1 set is attached to the midrange terminals and 1 set to the tweeterterminals. I immediately noticed an additional improvement in clarity, definition, and overallbloom with the Synergistic XOT Crossover Transducers compared to what I was hearing with theWalker HDLs.

SummaryThe UEF Active Tuning Circuits have made a significant improvement to my system whencompared to that attained with the Enigma Tuning Circuits. The UEF Active Tuning Circuitsrevealed the existence of a subtle distortion-noise that was degrading what I had previouslythought was a very good system using the Enigma Tuning Circuits. Given that the UEF ActiveTuning Circuits are now the standard Tuning Circuits supplied with Synergistic Researchproducts, new owners will not have to shell out additional money to benefit from this newtechnology. And for owners of products with the older Enigma Tuning Circuits, this is oneupgrade I recommend without hesitation.



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