'Never Connected' - Update
Dave Davies
I recently reviewed the Trichord Delphini and as an added bonus following Graham of Trichord's enthusiastic recommendation, found marked improvements with the use of the 'Never Connected' power supply when used in the supplies of both the Delphini and the Orca pre-amp. This supply distributed by Trichord, was developed over two years by Fenson Ltd and is designed to ensure that equipment is never connected directly to the mains, providing total isolation from mains borne noise and inteference. Substantial improvements in sound quality are claimed and these were borne out in my system. Increased musicality and better resolution were very evident from the start and the 'Never Connected' quickly earned a permanent place chez Davies. The effect of these supplies has been so positive that a dim bulb lit in my head: if they're so good with pre and 'phono stage, what could they do with my CD player.
I have a much loved Copland 289, a bulky, big but rather beautiful beast. Its primary strength has been in its delivery of a warm, big-hearted sound much in keeping with its looks (a 'Ben Webser' when compared to the 'Jan Garbarek'of many CD players). Given the size of the casing, there had to be plenty of space in there to try out a 'Never Connected' supply, so I duly gave Graham a call and arranged to ship the player to him. Within a ew days the job was done and the player returned. I hooked it up with a little trepidation - had I unwittingly robbed the Copland of its essential characer? At least I had the comfort of knowing that the job could be reveresed if i didn't like the results.
I needn't have worried, in fact the use of 'Never Connected' has wrought an even bigger improvement in the Copland than my pre and 'phono' stages.
It still has lost none of its presence and warmth but has now gained hugely in musicaliy. Timing is more accurate, and it's gained in speed too with dynamics like rim-shots much more, well, dynamic. Imagery is also more precise, on the excellent Paul Motian CD 'On Broadway Vol. 1' (JMT edition 919 029-2), it's much easier to position the individual elements of his drum kit, and the sense of Joe Lovano's fingers on the keys of his tenor, and of Bill Frisell's fingers on the strings and fret as he powers out his characteristic sustained notes making it all more tangible and human. This is not to imply that the resullt is a much more squeeky-clean 'hi-fi' performance. Far from it; Sonny Rollin's tenor has never sounded more in my room and three-dimensional from a CD source, nor has acoustic bass sounded so tangible and full-bodied. Moloko's 'Time is Now' has gained a new urgency, and Richard Thompson's 'Old Kit Bag' (Cooking Vinyl), sounds markedly more like his excellent band's live performance of these songs.
The effect of all this is simple:The player is much more musical and therefore more involving, in short, the 'Never Connected' has made a good CD player even better. And that's with just one supply powering the 5V digital stage, in theory, Graham could fit a multiplicity of supplies powering each of the voltage rails in the CD player including the analogue stages.....Now there's a thought!
Dave Davies