I hope you enjoyed the video, a quick note on the production, I am in the early stages of using a new video editor tool. The visual results I like but there are a few bugs with it at the moment I am working through so there are a few odd flickers to the image here and there I apologise for that and hope its not distracting. Also for the review I didn't cover negative points as I focused more on my 10 year history with IsoTek products - but of course nothing is perfect. There is the cost and rack space to consider with these. But for the biggest weak point would be how tight the plugs grip or the clamping force. I wish there was more clamping force to the plug sockets, especially the central Titan socket so it was very hard to get the plugs in and out for a more tight and solid secure fit. The clamping force could be better but this will depend on what plugs and power cables you use of course. Mine have been plugged in and out many times.
Excellent review and comments. I've recently replaced my Supra conditioner for the Aquarius V5 and I love the improvement. I'm interested in the cables you have used. The Aquarius comes with the premium cable. I recently tried an Optimum cable from the wall. My goodness. I can't quite understand the difference, but I know it's there, tiny sounds and perhaps movement in the soundstage, perhaps weight of the sound. I feel like there is a whole new world to understand. Cheers
Cheers, Terry! Yet another interesting, informative & explanatory video. Love your enthusiasm & easy-going nature; really helps when the topic of some reviews you've done deal with quite 'dry', scientific/electrical engineering type, audiophile, hi-fidelity components. All the very best from Japan. (ex-Scotland)
Great review ! Very well done and interesting , I have the titan v3 so I really appreciate someone bothered to explain the difference with the v5. Food for thoughts 😊
I own the Sigmas V5 and it improved the sound of my system so much that i imediately thought about also getting the Titan V5. I have two Audionet "AMP" monos connected to the Sigmas V5....i am curios if the Titan would lift the sound performance that much again... The Sigmas V5 together with Audioquest Monsoon Powercords was one of the best upgrade i ever made to my system...it opened the soundstage and the bass performance to another level that i didn't know my system was able to.... Great video again Terry! 👍🏻
With a system like that if you have the money home demo the titan v5, even with a gryphon Diablo 300 the difference was stark enough for you to appreciate it. It’s less polite and smooth but the window opens much more as I explained here. Great that you have had the same experience that I was recommending here that helps me be confident in what I am hearing and doing ;)
Appreciate your take here. I have a modest system and currently have a Polaris. I may never upgrade to the needs of what you reviewed but I do enjoy learning about the products. Well done.
Hi, yes this is a review at the more extreme end which is in large part what I am trying to look at - in pursuit of perfect and all that but from a Polaris a step up to an Aquarius would be a nice move for you. The Aquarius has always been the best bang for buck product from IsoTek and I am sure the v5 would be no exception to that. You can sometimes pick up a mint ex dem unit and save so money and recoup some from selling the Polaris. That is how I have often done it over the years.
@@PursuitPerfectSystem I have been looking at the Aquarius as an upgrade. Since I have other gear, mostly vintage, I would keep the Polaris. Since you have a 10 year history with Isotek your experience means a lot.
Keith Martin and his team have always made good power filters, but what he did with the V5 generation is actually a mystery. V5 Sigmas - similar to the basic V5 Polaris, V5 Corvus, V5 Sirius or medium V5 Elektra and V5 Aquarius, and especially the top V5 Titan - offers cleaning, sharpening and clarification of your reproduction, pushing the components to their maximum performance and most importantly improvements which - judging of course only according to two different places, but still - it surpasses what we've had the opportunity to hear in the power filter segment so far. Why is it so good? Hard to say. But if you are looking for a filter that can fit three components with a larger and four with a smaller draw and that makes a big difference, then V5 Sigmas is a great solution.
Space is a premium for me however after integrating the wall mountable iso-tek evo3 sirius power bar into the system, the already low noise floor became even lower, and for someone like me who's ultra sensitive to RF interference, I really couldn't ask for anything more. Can't help smirking when listening to our Terry 😄
Oh, bummer, my comment disappeared. Let me try again. I have used a Furman 20Pfi Elite, an upgraded one (fully internally shielded), since 2014, too. But I've not pulled them out and compared out vs in. Maybe I need to do that one day, lol.
Nice video again 👍 Your question: I own my audiorack for more 20 years ( Solidsteel with 5 shelves). And my AudioPhysics are more than 20 years but thats not fair because nothing is original anymore 😊
It would be nice to try something from airlink-transformers, they make balanced models that can power a whole system for reasonable prices. I have a 5kva one. As you say, it removes the glass-ceiling-effect.
I had an EVO 3 Aquarius (it was around 2013), which had 2 high current sockets that I used for my monoblokck amps. Out of interest, I tried a Musicworks mains block and there was a vast improvement in dynamic range. It seems that although the Isotek helped with low current devices, it was limiting the dynamic range capabilities of the monoblocks so I sold it. This is just my experience and is not intended to undermine the review.
That is where the situation usage is likely off a little - if you tried a Titan for your mono blocks linked to the Aquarius you get the benefits of the better filtering of the Titan plus more from the amps due to how the Titan is designed - whats called direct coupling. The aquarius is for a medium sized system with a medium integrated amplifier not bigger mono amps that need constant current. Thats where the Titan shines and you can see why they have the different products. Looking at the music works product it seems like a straight forward mains block not really any different to plugging into the wall except for adding extra outlets so its not doing anything to reduce mains noise except the star earth. I could be wrong not an expert here just saying it as I see it as the difference
@@PursuitPerfectSystem Thanks, Terry. I’m certainly no expert when it comes to the science behind mains conditioners and blocks. That said, I really like the Musicworks blocks, so much so that I went from the G3 to the G4 then to the G5. I was able to loan them beforehand and I was really surprised how much of an improvement there is between the G4 and G5. The monoblocks were used with the G3 and G4 but I changed to a single power amp before moving from the G4 to the G5. The Monoblocks and the two subsequent power amp upgrades are all class A, which I believe makes them quite power hungry. Musicworks use a material called Peek, which apparently has an impact on the sound.
Yeah power hungry class a mono blocks the Aquarius wont be designed for that, that is what the Titan is defo for but if you found a solution that you love then that is what matters most
Hi Terry, I know you have talked and demonstrated Audioquest in the past. Maybe the video answers the question but I wanted to know if you liked lsotek better than Audioquest. I do have Audioquest power management systems currently just wanted to hear your thoughts.
Would be nice if you could review the New Sonus Faber Sonetto G2-s. The VIII or the V tower speakers with their new mid range. I'd love to hear your opinion on them. You always explain the sound of speakers and AMPs well. Thank you!
If you all did a bit of research.. you would see that upgrading your direct power supply from the Henley blocks with a dedicated consumer unit with its own earth / ground spikes , virtually eliminates the need for power conditioning. You have to go big cable wise ,but is the best upgrade for any good Hifi.
I installed a dedicated mains ring with a dedicated consumer unit just for the hifi about 10 years ago, I didn’t do a ground spike, but these products still make the difference explained in the video
Thanks for the reply, do enjoy your videos, I’m sure that they do a great job a for 99% of people they will be great. But your missing a massive opportunity to get the absolute most out of any component you test if your on a ring an don’t have dedicated gourd. You won’t believe the results you can achieve. Single runs to a single socket with its own breaker are a must. An an absolute min 10mm to the cu. That’s just the start ..
Yeah I investigated the ground rod at the time but there was conflicting information with some people saying you can create a worse situation because you can create 2 paths to ground and ideally you want just one. I have been exploring the puritan labs ground products but it’s early days with that. I think ground is very important how can it not be
Some people are definitely mistaken, if you go directly from the Henley blocks, to a dedicated cu , with two core there’s no possibility of a ground loop. But you have to have everything on that cu hifi related. I have 5 spikes and know a few who do , I was lucky to meet a retired electrical engineer who has done a lot of research over decades, his knowledge and research is free .. an invaluable..
Hmmm, compared with Audioquest niagara 7000 and PS Audio P20, would be an eye opener. Since you've had all these in your system, what's your conclusion? 😊😊
I have never had a ps audio audio in the system only their dacs and the niagara I did really like that but that was a long time ago and so much has changed in my room since then I can’t use that as any reference. I think they can all be very good and will have pros and cons like everything does
I have the ISOL-8 Minisub Axis (4 low/Med current output plus 2 high current output), which I am still using. Does it mean that I'll have to buy both the Titan and the V5 Sigma in order to feel the difference in sound 🤔 😉?
I dont really know the ISOl-8 product range, you could try the Sigmas on its own to see how you get on? You could try the Titan for your high current devices and see how that compares - few different ways to go here I feel to see if there is mileage in the upgrade. I think if your using a Titan and a Sigmas they will work better linked together rather than from separate mains sockets. I made that mistake with the EVO 3 range for a long time before I realised.
Interesting to hear your experience. I do wonder where the usual snake oil shouting posters are... Have you found a way keeping them quiet? Unless you're feeding the comments through the conditioners 😂
I did a comparison with the products I had here the EVO3 range, there are thousands of owners out there of these products, maybe 10's thousands - which is why my review and conclusion was solely based around the differences between the original Titan and Nova and the EVO3 range and the new V5 -products I have bought lived with and tested over 10 years. I didn't say "great" or use any words like that, I explained what the differences were and what the products do. Go test them for yourself you will get the same result I describe here. That is THE DEFINITION of a GOOD REVIEW.
I hope you enjoyed the video, a quick note on the production, I am in the early stages of using a new video editor tool. The visual results I like but there are a few bugs with it at the moment I am working through so there are a few odd flickers to the image here and there I apologise for that and hope its not distracting.
Also for the review I didn't cover negative points as I focused more on my 10 year history with IsoTek products - but of course nothing is perfect. There is the cost and rack space to consider with these. But for the biggest weak point would be how tight the plugs grip or the clamping force. I wish there was more clamping force to the plug sockets, especially the central Titan socket so it was very hard to get the plugs in and out for a more tight and solid secure fit. The clamping force could be better but this will depend on what plugs and power cables you use of course. Mine have been plugged in and out many times.
Been using my Isotek titan for nearly 16 years!!! Can’t do and won’t do without it!!!
Excellent review and comments. I've recently replaced my Supra conditioner for the Aquarius V5 and I love the improvement. I'm interested in the cables you have used. The Aquarius comes with the premium cable. I recently tried an Optimum cable from the wall. My goodness. I can't quite understand the difference, but I know it's there, tiny sounds and perhaps movement in the soundstage, perhaps weight of the sound. I feel like there is a whole new world to understand. Cheers
Cheers, Terry! Yet another interesting, informative & explanatory video. Love your enthusiasm & easy-going nature; really helps when the topic of some reviews you've done deal with quite 'dry', scientific/electrical engineering type, audiophile, hi-fidelity components. All the very best from Japan. (ex-Scotland)
Great review ! Very well done and interesting , I have the titan v3 so I really appreciate someone bothered to explain the difference with the v5. Food for thoughts 😊
Have you ever tried the Ps Audio PowerPlants? It could be an interesting comparison.
I own the Sigmas V5 and it improved the sound of my system so much that i imediately thought about also getting the Titan V5.
I have two Audionet "AMP" monos connected to the Sigmas V5....i am curios if the Titan would lift the sound performance that much again...
The Sigmas V5 together with Audioquest Monsoon Powercords was one of the best upgrade i ever made to my system...it opened the soundstage and the bass performance to another level that i didn't know my system was able to....
Great video again Terry! 👍🏻
With a system like that if you have the money home demo the titan v5, even with a gryphon Diablo 300 the difference was stark enough for you to appreciate it. It’s less polite and smooth but the window opens much more as I explained here. Great that you have had the same experience that I was recommending here that helps me be confident in what I am hearing and doing ;)
Appreciate your take here. I have a modest system and currently have a Polaris. I may never upgrade to the needs of what you reviewed but I do enjoy learning about the products. Well done.
Hi, yes this is a review at the more extreme end which is in large part what I am trying to look at - in pursuit of perfect and all that but from a Polaris a step up to an Aquarius would be a nice move for you. The Aquarius has always been the best bang for buck product from IsoTek and I am sure the v5 would be no exception to that. You can sometimes pick up a mint ex dem unit and save so money and recoup some from selling the Polaris. That is how I have often done it over the years.
@@PursuitPerfectSystem I have been looking at the Aquarius as an upgrade. Since I have other gear, mostly vintage, I would keep the Polaris. Since you have a 10 year history with Isotek your experience means a lot.
Exactly. That's how I do it too. Cheers.@PursuitPerfectSystem
Keith Martin and his team have always made good power filters, but what he did with the V5 generation is actually a mystery. V5 Sigmas - similar to the basic V5 Polaris, V5 Corvus, V5 Sirius or medium V5 Elektra and V5 Aquarius, and especially the top V5 Titan - offers cleaning, sharpening and clarification of your reproduction, pushing the components to their maximum performance and most importantly improvements which - judging of course only according to two different places, but still - it surpasses what we've had the opportunity to hear in the power filter segment so far. Why is it so good? Hard to say. But if you are looking for a filter that can fit three components with a larger and four with a smaller draw and that makes a big difference, then V5 Sigmas is a great solution.
Space is a premium for me however after integrating the wall mountable iso-tek evo3 sirius power bar into the system, the already low noise floor became even lower, and for someone like me who's ultra sensitive to RF interference, I really couldn't ask for anything more.
Can't help smirking when listening to our Terry 😄
Great video! Are these better than the Puritan Audio 156? or are they different products entirely?
They are definitely different that’s all I can say right now
Oh, bummer, my comment disappeared. Let me try again. I have used a Furman 20Pfi Elite, an upgraded one (fully internally shielded), since 2014, too. But I've not pulled them out and compared out vs in. Maybe I need to do that one day, lol.
Nice video again 👍
Your question: I own my audiorack for more 20 years ( Solidsteel with 5 shelves).
And my AudioPhysics are more than 20 years but thats not fair because nothing is original anymore 😊
It would be nice to try something from airlink-transformers, they make balanced models that can power a whole system for reasonable prices. I have a 5kva one. As you say, it removes the glass-ceiling-effect.
Cheers Terry, love your channel.., unfortunately I’ve spent my coins.. have Dyn Contour 30s , MF M6DSI amp & Altair streamer… so watch fir the candy👍🙏
I had an EVO 3 Aquarius (it was around 2013), which had 2 high current sockets that I used for my monoblokck amps. Out of interest, I tried a Musicworks mains block and there was a vast improvement in dynamic range. It seems that although the Isotek helped with low current devices, it was limiting the dynamic range capabilities of the monoblocks so I sold it. This is just my experience and is not intended to undermine the review.
That is where the situation usage is likely off a little - if you tried a Titan for your mono blocks linked to the Aquarius you get the benefits of the better filtering of the Titan plus more from the amps due to how the Titan is designed - whats called direct coupling. The aquarius is for a medium sized system with a medium integrated amplifier not bigger mono amps that need constant current. Thats where the Titan shines and you can see why they have the different products.
Looking at the music works product it seems like a straight forward mains block not really any different to plugging into the wall except for adding extra outlets so its not doing anything to reduce mains noise except the star earth. I could be wrong not an expert here just saying it as I see it as the difference
@@PursuitPerfectSystem Thanks, Terry. I’m certainly no expert when it comes to the science behind mains conditioners and blocks. That said, I really like the Musicworks blocks, so much so that I went from the G3 to the G4 then to the G5. I was able to loan them beforehand and I was really surprised how much of an improvement there is between the G4 and G5. The monoblocks were used with the G3 and G4 but I changed to a single power amp before moving from the G4 to the G5. The Monoblocks and the two subsequent power amp upgrades are all class A, which I believe makes them quite power hungry. Musicworks use a material called Peek, which apparently has an impact on the sound.
Yeah power hungry class a mono blocks the Aquarius wont be designed for that, that is what the Titan is defo for but if you found a solution that you love then that is what matters most
@Terry Could you review the V5 Elektra? As that is budget friendly 🙂
I will see what I can do but there is so much scheduled in already I will do my best
Hi Terry,
I know you have talked and demonstrated Audioquest in the past. Maybe the video answers the question but I wanted to know if you liked lsotek better than Audioquest. I do have Audioquest power management systems currently just wanted to hear your thoughts.
I had a period of about a month with an Audioquest and it seemed good, but 10 years with IsoTek - the new V5 stuff is great, V3 is still very good
Long time no see! When did you get rid of your arcam/ kef system?
Since January 2022 ua-cam.com/video/_hTofpjheGc/v-deo.html
Would be nice if you could review the New Sonus Faber Sonetto G2-s. The VIII or the V tower speakers with their new mid range. I'd love to hear your opinion on them. You always explain the sound of speakers and AMPs well. Thank you!
Was ist den eigentlich besser, ein Power conditioner oder ein Sinus wave regenerator?
If you all did a bit of research.. you would see that upgrading your direct power supply from the Henley blocks with a dedicated consumer unit with its own earth / ground spikes , virtually eliminates the need for power conditioning.
You have to go big cable wise ,but is the best upgrade for any good Hifi.
I installed a dedicated mains ring with a dedicated consumer unit just for the hifi about 10 years ago, I didn’t do a ground spike, but these products still make the difference explained in the video
Thanks for the reply, do enjoy your videos, I’m sure that they do a great job a for 99% of people they will be great.
But your missing a massive opportunity to get the absolute most out of any component you test if your on a ring an don’t have dedicated gourd.
You won’t believe the results you can achieve.
Single runs to a single socket with its own breaker are a must.
An an absolute min 10mm to the cu. That’s just the start ..
Yeah I investigated the ground rod at the time but there was conflicting information with some people saying you can create a worse situation because you can create 2 paths to ground and ideally you want just one. I have been exploring the puritan labs ground products but it’s early days with that. I think ground is very important how can it not be
Some people are definitely mistaken, if you go directly from the Henley blocks, to a dedicated cu , with two core there’s no possibility of a ground loop. But you have to have everything on that cu hifi related.
I have 5 spikes and know a few who do , I was lucky to meet a retired electrical engineer who has done a lot of research over decades, his knowledge and research is free .. an invaluable..
Hmmm, compared with Audioquest niagara 7000 and PS Audio P20, would be an eye opener.
Since you've had all these in your system, what's your conclusion?
😊😊
I have never had a ps audio audio in the system only their dacs and the niagara I did really like that but that was a long time ago and so much has changed in my room since then I can’t use that as any reference. I think they can all be very good and will have pros and cons like everything does
I have the ISOL-8 Minisub Axis (4 low/Med current output plus 2 high current output), which I am still using. Does it mean that I'll have to buy both the Titan and the V5 Sigma in order to feel the difference in sound 🤔 😉?
I dont really know the ISOl-8 product range, you could try the Sigmas on its own to see how you get on? You could try the Titan for your high current devices and see how that compares - few different ways to go here I feel to see if there is mileage in the upgrade. I think if your using a Titan and a Sigmas they will work better linked together rather than from separate mains sockets. I made that mistake with the EVO 3 range for a long time before I realised.
ISOL-8 is great stuff. The owner/lead designer Poulson used to do the design work for IsoTek.
Interesting to hear your experience.
I do wonder where the usual snake oil shouting posters are... Have you found a way keeping them quiet? Unless you're feeding the comments through the conditioners 😂
did you pay for these yourself or were they provided by isotek?
I said in the video they were sent to me to review, I bought the originals and more I talked about as the history of the review
🙏🙏🙏🙏
Power conditioners
Someone who gets sent free equipment tells us how great it is and no comparisons with similar products..Yawn
I did a comparison with the products I had here the EVO3 range, there are thousands of owners out there of these products, maybe 10's thousands - which is why my review and conclusion was solely based around the differences between the original Titan and Nova and the EVO3 range and the new V5 -products I have bought lived with and tested over 10 years. I didn't say "great" or use any words like that, I explained what the differences were and what the products do. Go test them for yourself you will get the same result I describe here. That is THE DEFINITION of a GOOD REVIEW.