Pandorium - Audiophile Power Spa (New)

Hi to all, kindly take note that as of December 08, 2012, all available Schaffner (FN686-36-23) had been allotted for confirmed order of full specs Pandorium- Audiophile Power Spa. Thus, we can only accept new order for "mono filter version" (i.e using only the High Performance Pure Audio Filter [HPPAF]) of Pandorium - Audiophile Power Spa; or alternatively, the "Full Specs version" that uses another High Performance EMI/EMC Filter (also designed and built by Mr K.K Lim) in place of the depleted Schaffner Filter.

Please note that it is the HPPAF that matter most, as it is the heart and soul of the Pandorium - Audiophile Power Spa. However, depending on individual unique system syncronization, the High Performance EMI/EMC Filter will offer additional flexibility and options for connectivity. ______________________________________________________________________________

Hi to all, the review you read below would be excerpts from the original post that was moved to the Equipment Review section. Due to overwhelming response and inquiries on Pandorium - Audiophile Power Spa, Mr K.K Lim has consented that the itemized cost of building this unit be published for the benefits of those who may wish to order.

COST OF BUILDING A UNIT OF "FULL SPECS" PANDORIUM - AUDIOPHILE POWER SPA

-Schaffner (FN686-36-23) 36Amps EMI/EMC Filter / Custom build "High Performance EMI/EMC Filter"

-Custom built "High Performance Pure Audio Filter"

-Full Stainless Steel Filter Housing (1.5mm body / 6.0mm Top/Front/Rear Plate)



-Duplex Power Socket (High Quality Copper)

-Duplex Carbon Fiber Power Socket (Red Copper)

-Digital Panel Meter

-IEC Socket Receptor (Japan)

- Silver and Audioquest wiring

Instead of going for the complete package like mine, you may also opt for selective items to suits your own requirement or needs at slightly different cost.

You may reach me at 012-2899257 (Koong) for audition arrangement and order placement.




Sharing a True Audiophile Power Filter

Post by whkoong December 04, 2012 at 1:45 am

Power
Filter, Harmonizer, Regenerator….etc, you name it. Now frankly, it is no secret
that many experienced audiophile would advised against using any of it where
possible, for one simple reason… the “trade off” one will have to live with,
albeit be getting a darker background.

For a brief moment, one would heap praise on
how they now hear more details from familiar tracks upon applying any of the
aforementioned. Then gradually they start to feel that their music now seems to
somehow lack the dynamics they use to have, seems to loss some power, felt suppressed,
etc … in short, their music doesn’t excite anymore but instead became very
sterile and cold.

Like many
of them, I too had learned my lesson the hard way. So, the obvious right thing
to do was to remove the ‘element’ which causes the decay, and … walah!! my
music is suddenly ‘alive’ again, despite.. ahem..well, the noisier background.
Well, at least my music is breathing like before again.

But, like
many I suspect, I very often get annoyed by the noisy power supply and start to
craved for the ‘dark background’ again, which allows me to hear a lot more
details through my system. Well, to console myself, I just say to myself that
nothing is perfect in life, so don’t try to be a perfectionist. But, I really
just wanted a darker background for my music, without the ‘trade off’ of course.
Is that really too much to ask for, or is that really achievable without
costing a bomb? I would really rate my system set up as being decent enough –
Aragon 4004 mkii, Audible Illusions Modulus L1, Timbre TT-1 (Full Balance
version), C.E.C TL51X, XTZ 99.36 MKII.

I’ll save
your time and give you the answer straight.
IT IS REALLY ACHIEVABLE AND
WITHOUT THE COST OF A BOMB! Now, this
is really no joke in all honesty. I was
introduced to this very technically
sound audio specialist – Mr K.K Lim. A very quiet, humble and low profile
gentleman, he runs a Hifi and AV shop that offers both Sales and Repairs
services. With close to 40 years of electronics technical background, he also
deals with Speaker and Crossover design and all kind of Hifi DIY components
design. I later found out that he’s indeed a very well respected figure among many
hifi veterans and the ’who and who of the used hifi gear traders
community’.

It all
began with one of my casual visit to his shop when I saw some filters on one of
his display rack. A few particularly big filters – Corcom(H.K) and Shaffner
(Switzerland) caught my eyes. I quietly took down their model nos and did some
research on them. The Shaffner (FN686) EMC/EMI filter with
rated attenuation performance of ‘high, very high’ and rated current of 10A –
36A particularly interest me. Upon enquiring, Mr Lim only quoted me RM350/= for
it and ask me what I intend to used it for? I told him my less than ideal past
experience with such gadgets and my quest for a ‘perfect power filter’. He just
nodded and says that selective applications with the Schaffner may bring about
desirable result but can’t guarantee on its ‘trade off’. Further chats on the topic
finally get him into agreeing to also design and build a “High Performance Pure Audio Filter” for me. 3 weeks later, and after numerous visits,
the’ custom built power filter’ is finally ready – fitted into a plain wood
casing together with the Shaffner filter with 4 duplex US Plug wall plates (2
duplex each per filter).

I must
admit that, immediately upon collecting the filter, though a little excited, I
dare not place too much hope on its performance – either haunted by past
experiences or discouraged by the outlook of the unfashionable filter housing .
So, without much expectation, I tried it out on my system. Initially all 4
components using the Shaffner – very dark background but with strong
resemblance in ‘trade off’ as in using RGPC & PS Audio (I won’t mentioned
their models). Now, all 4 components
using the purposed built Audio Filter – You guessed it (otherwise I wouldn’t be
burning midnight oil writing this review after a long day of work). Surprise,
surprise, and surprise I must still say. The background of all tracks played
using this filter is superbly quiet. I hear so much of details in my music and
more surprisingly without any loss of dynamics and power. My music is so alive
and airy; and I mean with such dark background with it. In fact, it also makes
both male and female voices sounded so much warmer and seductive. Celine Dion,
Diana Krall, Teresa Teng, Tsai Ching, Shirley (Rogue), Liu Ya-Li, Jheena
Lodwick, Jackie Cheung, Zhao Peng, Michael Bolton all sounded so clean, crisp
and seductive with a sense of warmth.
Even the sound of piano note is with that sense of warmth in it. Playing Kenny
G’s Love Ballads collection with it is totally mesmerizing. The plucks of
guitar strings now sounded so real to the very last bits … I’m just lost for
words and dumb folded …. I mean, how else to describe it. Good golly, this
filter must truly be a product of very clever play with high quality
electronics and the work of a maestro.

Well, I
must be grinning from my first hearing using this filter and the grin
definitely has widened into a smile and that smile is now from ear to ear.
Having said that, now after almost one month of critical listening, and further
testing with components’ plug positioning, I can firmly attest to the
effectiveness of this “High Performance Pure Audio Filter” designed and built
by Mr K.K Lim. I further found that connecting
the CDT, DAC and Power Amp to this Filter while connecting only the Pre Amp to
the Schaffner Filter yields the best result. I’m connecting my AV Receiver,
BDP and Plasma TV to the remaining 3 slots available on the Schaffner Filter.

Ah, before
I forget, in order to do justice to it, these pair of magnificent filters are now being housed in a custom made full Stainless Steel housing (as per pics) and aptly named ‘PANDORIUM’ – Audiophile Power Spa
(laser etched on face plate). Pandorium
= Pandora + Opium – legendary and addictive. So, be forewarned if you ever wish to audition it.I’ve written this review as a way to
pay my sincere tribute to Mr K.K Lim (The
Maestro who designed and built this truly excellent Power Spa – the
‘PANDORIUM’).


WARNING: Drug abuse (Opium being one of it) is really
bad and is punishable by law. So, steer clear
and lead a healthy lifestyle. On the other hand, listening to music is
cool and relaxing; and Hifi is a good hobby to indulge in.


whkoong
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[b]

may I ask if the designer is based at Amcorp?

Just want to confirm the unit total price selling is how much ?