The Neodio B2 Orange Acoustic Purifier
https://gy8.eu/review/the-neodio-b2-orange/
The most recent addition to this sub-set of set-up tools, the Neodio Orange has become an almost instant essential. First used atop speakers it instantly established itself as the perfect partner to the ZeroPoint Matrix 1, the sum of the parts greater than either (already impressive) item. Since then, I’ve had the chance to explore further – although there still a long way to go. So far, one Neodio B2 Orange on top of each Wadax Ref DAC or CH power supply has proved seriously beneficial and, in general, it’s not a case of does the Orange generate a positive impact, but where it creates the greatest impact.
Reviewing, it I wrote:
“And so it goes: it doesn’t matter what you play, Bach to the B52s, the recording opens out, the voices and instruments gain body and identity, the music gains sense, immediacy and a more powerful connection, be that the intricate patterns and symmetry of a baroque violin concerto or the manic rock rhythms of Athens’ finest.”
“These are not smack you in the face differences. They are all about less: less intrusion, less mechanical influence, less information loss. They are by their very nature, submerged in the fabric of the performance. But they are the difference between a very, very good system and no system. The B2 Orange seems able to strip away the last artefacts of reproduction, the smeared fingerprints of electronics and speakers, the limitations of the storage medium and replay.”
I’m impatiently awaiting more units to try – demand is outstripping supply – and there’ll be far more to write on this subject. But, suffice to say, at this point, I try not to listen to any system without the Orange influence – even if, currently, that means carrying them from one location/system to another.
The Tripp Lite PLC14YW Plug Lock
IEC power sockets are as ubiquitous as they are (often) unsatisfactory, when it comes to achieving a secure fit, especially if you are using heavy-duty, audiophile power cords. The combination of weighty, inflexible leads and loose sockets is made for poor connection integrity, which can result in inadvertent disconnection of the AC power or, in a worst-case scenario (at least as far as sound quality goes) inconsistency and even arcing within the plug/socket connection, impairing AC and/or ground quality.
But, there’s a simple and (relatively) cost effective solution. Generic cable manufacturer Eaton offer the Tripp Lite Plug Locks, simple sleeves with tapered external ribs that slip over the nose of an IEC connector and ensure a seriously secure fit in even the loosest socket. Not something new, but definitely something worth a reminder… Never again will you suffer issues with consistent and reliable AC connection – a surprisingly common factor when it comes to dressing multiple power cords in the confines behind the average audio rack or within a media cupboard. They are even bright yellow, so there’s no mistaking their presence…
Downsides? Individually the Plug Locks cost a little less than a Euro/Dollar – but they are supplied for industrial applications, which means they come in bags of a hundred! Not even the multiple listening rooms, systems and cables at Gy8 demand that many Plug Locks. However, splitting the purchase with a friend or friends works, while just keeping spares isn’t exactly a ruinous financial burden. The second, minor irritation is those moulded tags that engage with stock ‘kettle’ leads. These but up against the larger plug bodies found on most audiophile leads, but are easily trimmed with a craft knife or box cutter.
Far from sexy, the Plug Locks don’t deliver an immediate or obvious sonic or musical benefit. In fact, they’re the very definition of fit and forget. But the Tripp Lite Plug Locks bring security and consistency to the vital AC connections feeding your system, making installation easier and delivering long-term consistency when it comes to performance. Just make sure you order the right model. Tripp Lite make Plug Locks to fit both male and female, C15 and C20 type connections. The correct designator is in the title, while the easiest source is probably via Ebay.
