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Torus RM-15 AVR Power Isolation Unit Review

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Setup & Observations

The first thing I did for the review was to pull out the Audience aR6-T and listen to my system for a week plugged straight into my dedicated AC lines. Then I set the Torus RM-15 AVR in the same place the Audience aR6-T had sat; other than it being bigger and much heavier than the Audienc,e all I had to do was plug and unplug the power cords. I used the Torus in three different setups; in two setups, I used only three of the receptacles, and I used four in another. I used it with my reference system consisting of the Shindo 301 turntable, Shindo Giscours preamp, and Wavac EC-300B amp, and also with another system consisting of an Electrocompaniet AW 2×120 amp and Atma-Sphere M-60 Mk. 3.1 OTL mono amps.

Compared to plugging everything into my dedicated lines the Torus RM-15 AVR greatly enhanced overall quietness, dynamics, and detail. It also improved the imaging and sense of scale. When I removed it from the system the soundstage diminished in size, resulting in a less three-dimensional sense of space.

I have had several world class power conditioners in for review, each of which costs more than three times as much as the Torus, yet the RM-15 AVR held its own very well. In fact, the Torus does nothing negative to the sound in comparison to these very expensive units, though with both the $6,300 version of the Audience aR6-T and the Synergistic Research Tesla PowerCell 10SE there were greater differences to be heard compared to no power conditioning at all.

Over the years all the better power conditioners I have used made a fundamental difference in the musicality of my system. The really good ones have had the ability to improve the overall detail, transparency and clarity of the sound. The Torus does it even with powerful amps without inhibiting macro- or micro-dynamics, nor obscuring the natural rhythm and pace of music. The Torus also increased the musical flow of my system and improved my system’s overall PRaT. The audible difference that the Torus made compared to plugging everything straight into my dedicated lines is quite impressive, and the top-end no longer had that kind of grainy, hazy-sound. I could go on, but my system simply wasn’t nearly as good without the Torus.

In conclusion, I find the Torus not only doesn’t limit dynamics, it improves them as well as the musical flow, and PRaT. It removes haze and blurring.

The last thing I would like to address is the question of price. As I mentioned in the review, it cost much less than my two favorite power conditioners, yet provides much of the magic for a lot less money. Without a doubt the Torus Power Isolation Units should be on your short list of things that give you a big sound improvement for the money spent.

TorusRM15AVR-5

Manufacturer’s comment:

Thanks to Jack Roberts for his careful and thoughtful review of the Torus Power RM15-AVR.

Torus Power products are made in Canada by Plitron Manufacturing Inc., at our factory in Toronto . Plitron has been designing and manufacturing toroidal transformers for almost 30 years, and supplying to many of the world’s leading audio manufacturers, as well as aerospace, medical, alternate energy and other cutting edge industries.

Your readers might find a further explanation for the noticeable improvement in audio performance provided by Torus Power interesting. Plitron has developed proprietary technology to utilize the characteristics of toroidal transformers to act as low-pass filters. Applied to power conditioning for audio and video, the results are outstanding- as Jack Roberts has noted. The over-sized toroidal isolation transformer is able to provide high amounts of current on an almost instantaneous basis, so that the amplifiers have access to that current when and as needed to meet peak demands in the music. The transformer also acts as a noise filter, eliminating impurities on the power line. The connected equipment operates free of power line impurities, as if in a “protected bubble – the Torus Zone. “

The full range of Torus products use identical technology and provide similar performance and protection benefits. For areas where voltage stabilization is not an issue, the standard RM15 or RM20 models without voltage stabilization are available at lower cost. For the purist audiophile, and for custom installations, balanced input versions of Torus units with 240 Volts ( 2 x 120V) are available. To full appreciate the full range of Torus products, with models rated up to 100 Amps, your readers are encouraged to visit our website www.toruspower.com

We would also like to provide clarification about the development of the Torus power line, and the relationship with Bryston. Bryston is a leading manufacturer of audio equipment who has used Plitron transformers in their products for more than 20 years. Plitron consulted Bryston during the development of Torus products for performance evaluation and feedback. Bryston has distributed Torus Power products to the audio industry, and have now introduced their own BIT line of power conditioners utilizing Torus Power/Plitron technology. Torus Power products are available from Plitron, and through a growing network of audio/video retailers, custom electronic installers, and international distributors.

Sincerely,

Howard Gladstone
President/CEO
Plitron Toroidal Power Products

TorusRM15AVR-3

TorusRM15AVR-6

 

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