The Grid Protector, the EMI Protector and The Allocator By Schnerzinger-In My System and I’m Blown Away

[Zeotrope]

Read through the thread.
I have also managed to reduce the background noise at the listening position to essentially zero. If I try hard when nothing is playing I can barely *just* hear a bit of hiss, but that’s it. With massive monoblocks (2000kVA transformers in each) and highly sensitive horns, sitting about 2.5m away, I think this is the best that can be achieved.

I’m not going to replace my Shunyata Denali v2 + Typhon T2 / ALTAIRA Ground system, with Shunyata Sigma cords, as that’s synergistic in its own right and I don’t believe anyone comes close to Shunyata when it comes to AC and Grounding. So that will rule out the Allocator. BTW, Shunyata’s solutions are passive with no capacitors, etc.

Steve, you mentioned you had cheater plugs on your sources, if I’m not mistaken. This implies a grounding issue(s). Certainly, with dedicated lines, you are inviting grounding issues. Cheater plugs are never a long-term solution, BTW.
I’m glad to hear the Schnerzinger products cleared that up; but per the company, they do not want the devices used to mask fundamental issues with our setups.

I’m still keen to try the Schnerzinger products though…
I agree that it would be useful to understand what they do. Saying that it’s “proprietary” is a cop out. There are many proprietary technologies that can be described without describing the IP, but still explaining how they work.
All someone needs to do is open up the case and see what’s inside…

There is a hint about what may be inside in the company FAQs:
What are the effects of precious and semiprecious stones, rock crystals, rose quartz, tourmaline, etc.?
Precious and semiprecious stones, rock crystals, rose quartz, tourmaline etc. strongly emanate natural energetic information due to their high storage capacity and hundreds of years of gathering of natural energy. In addition, these rocks have a cleansing effect that ensures that information from the environment does not mix with their natural information. To preserve their energetic properties, however, these rocks require a regular short charge in nature. [Note that if you do not connect the Schnerzinger products to AC power full-time, they recommend doing so every year for 15 minutes… indicating there is probably some type of ‘magic’ rocks inside!]
Because of these positive properties, they are often used in curative care.
It is critical, however, when precious and semi-precious stones, rock crystals, rose quartz, tourmaline, etc. are used for informing processes. Although their high storage capacity is ideal to deposit artificially generated information; informing leads to a mixture of existing natural energetic information and artificially generated information.
Furthermore, the activation triggered by the informing process ensures that the cleaning effect does no longer work adequately and that from now on these rocks must be cleaned elaborately and regularly in ever shorter intervals.

 

[Steve williams]

Actually, no, the recommendation is to connect the AC (if required/desired) to a separate AC line, not the one used by your system. That’s going to be really hard for 99% of setups. You would need a dedicated line that is not being used by any audio components.

I got lucky as I have 12 dedicated circuits in my room

 

[Steve williams]

BTW, I suggested yesterday that the Allocator might be one stop shopping for you but I was talking to Gideon about some things yesterday that I was discovering in my system and your post came up and I might have misguided you as each of the Schnerzinger products serve a different function. No doubt this is a deep rabbit hole but for me it was somewhat revelational. It's always reassuring for me that other people have similar experiences

 

[Zeotrope]

I got lucky as I have 12 dedicated circuits in my room

Nice! I will take luck whenever I can get it.

What I did to reduce essentially all background noise was methodically turn off components in adjacent rooms and in the media room. In the end I found that the noise was cumulative, with each component adding a small, almost undistinguishable amount of background noise; but taken together, it made a difference.
The offenders were:
• LED lamp - made in Italy by FLO - not cheap! The lamp is normally off, but it has an LED indicator that is always on and the PSU is quite bulky.
• Kasa Wi-Fi controlled “smart” outlet, Ring WifI “extender” on an Amazon outlet extension box - this was not on the same circuit but in an adjacent room
• XLR interconnect to one monobloc that was passing close by a stack of 5 PSUs

Now, what I’ve found is that the background noise can vary with the day. So even though it was dead quiet last night, it may not be the case on another night… perhaps the GRID or EMI can help here?

 

[Zeotrope]

Interesting customer review:

Das macht der GRID PROTECTOR perfekt! - SCHNERZINGER

Was bei der ganzen Sache übrigens echt verblüffend ist: Meine gesamte Stromversorgung ist recht ausgefeilt. Alles sehr aufwändig gefiltert und gegeneinander entkoppelt. Trotzdem wirkt der GRID PROTECTOR aber deutlich nachvollziehbar! Das bedeutet für mich: Es ist keine herkömmliche, technisch...

www.schnerzinger.com

"Today I put the Schnerzinger GRID PROTECTOR into permanent operation here.

I already had the opportunity to try Schnerzinger products here for an afternoon some time ago. Only at that time, as many Schnerzinger products as possible should be demonstrated and the listening test was carried out primarily with CD. Even then, the GRID PROTECTOR impressed me most positively! That's why I decided to purchase one here for our reference system.

The scope of supply includes the GRID PROTECTOR itself - with the power cord connected and marked for proper phasing. A small cylinder, called a control unit, which is connected to a specific input of the GRID PROTECTOR. A small plug-in power supply unit is connected to this cylinder with the supplied cables.

On the GRID PROTECTOR itself, there are a total of 9 switches: a two-stage switch selects: Lowest power (LED's off), Medium power (LED's on, but dimmed), Full power (LED's on, very bright). 4 switches each are for bandwidth and clock rate. At first tests I got the best results with medium power and bandwidth and clock rate each 3 out of 4.

So what does this device do sonically?

I myself have some experience with mains filtering and mains conditioning - both in audio and in measurement technology. My impression: results like from very good mains filtering:

• less noise, i.e. hiss and masking effects
• thus more details, better spatial representation
• Instruments & voices are more precise, better delineated from each other
• the dynamics improve

Such effects are sometimes caused by additional distortions, e.g. when an amplifier stage in the chain is overdriven. After a short time of enthusiasm, it is then simply annoying after a short time!

That's why the "acid test" for me is whether the naturalness and emotionality also increase with the above-mentioned points. Only then is it a real improvement.

The Schnerzinger GRID PROTECTOR does this perfectly!

When it comes to something like spatiality, delineation of instruments, I like to use Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side of the Moon'. I know this record very well and especially I know very well how it was recorded.

With the first 3 pieces there the Leslie and/or the Leslie produced with the synthesizer and mixer is quite meaningful, just like the runner in the dispatch hall. With such well-known pieces I have here with the Schnerzinger GRID PROTECTOR a clear increase in the overall playback quality.

For the question of naturalness and emotionality I use Rickie Lee Jones 'Pirates' and Keith Jarett 'The Cologne Concert': a clear increase here too and of course in a very positive sense!

I have the device not yet long in operation and can certainly still optimize the setting in the long run! Some changes are not immediately audible, but need some time to take effect. Also what placement and the choice of the power outlet to which I connect the GRID PROTECTOR, must still be tried out exactly.

What's really amazing about the whole thing, by the way:

My entire power supply is quite sophisticated. Everything very elaborately filtered and decoupled from each other. Nevertheless, the GRID PROTECTOR works but clearly traceable! This means for me: It is not a conventional, technically known way of filtering / noise reduction, but something completely new!

What about the price/performance ratio: The device costs €3800. I find the price quite justified. With other upgrades - e.g. cables, component replacement, you very often don't get as far with the same financial investment.

So for higher-quality stereo systems a clear recommendation from my side!

What I have to admit: I have (still!) no idea how the device works technically. Since I am now times very curious, there will be a very, very detailed metrological investigation in the near future.

But I have to disappoint all those who hope for a publication of the results: If and what I find out, I will keep to myself - if only out of fairness to the manufacturer, who after all has created something extraordinary!

(Stephan G. – GECOM TECH 11/2021)

 

[luca.pelliccioli]

I wouldn’t suggest the Grid/EMI Protectors to solve or tame electrical issues, especially if the expectation is to “hear” a more silent environment every day. Consider this an added benefit, if it happens, not the goal.

What you may like once installed them is the (remarkable) pleasure you get from the music, the realistic reproduction of the sound in front of you just like (hyperbole) if the performance was taking place in your room. This is the relevant point, or it should be in my modest opinion.

The quieter background, a sense of control and ease, an immersive contact with the music. All those things makes the listening experience more involving and enjoyable.

What they do or can do to improve also the noise free flows of electricity is like the icing on the cake. I noticed a reduced buzz from the toroidal transformer, true. But it was an ancillary consequence. The most important thing, again IMHO, is the improvement in sound quality.

Hope that helps.

 

[Zeotrope]

Thanks, Luca!

Now that I’ve solved the noise issues and I can hear no appreciable background noise at the listening position, I have noticed that background noise can vary by day. While I have only removed all the noise offenders yesterday, so have therefore not had a chance to hear if the noise returns on certain days, I imagine that since the noise varies by day, it is caused by EMI and/or AC noise (e.g., due to changing demands on the power grid).
Is it correct to assume that the GRID+EMI will eliminate the “noisy days”, since they appear to remove high frequency interference?

 

[luca.pelliccioli]

Is it correct to assume that the GRID+EMI will eliminate the “noisy days”, since they appear to remove high frequency interference?

I’m not so sure they can but I’d give them a try. If they work in your room like in mine, you’ll soon forget the background issue, just because you find yourself focusing only on the music with a big smile on your face.

Good luck and Happy New Year!

 

[Zeotrope]

Thank you, Luca! Happy New Year to you as well!

Well if it stays as it did last night, after I unplugged a few ‘offenders’, the background noise is gone. Toggling between Mute on/off on the pre-amp, I was unable to hear a difference unless I really focused hard, and even then it was minor. I have never had that achievement in about 10 years and using different components, including:
Kondo Japan Souga and M77
DarTZeel 18NS and 108
Currently: Nagra REF
And PS Audio P5/P20
Currently: Shunyata Denali/Typhon/Altaira

I still am waiting for the Luna Noir XLR, which will replace the temporary Mogami 2534 (BTW, I’m still astounded at how negative the sound became when I replaced the Metaxas (unbalanced) XLR with the Mogami — wow!).

I can’t imagine further improvements with the EMI+GRID, but let’s see!

 

[Steve williams]

This rabbit hole is getting deeper. I just ordered a 5 Multi Guard system

 

[Jazzjunkie]

There is a hint about what may be inside in the company FAQs:

What I read is the opposite: they describe what’s NOT inside (informed material, crystals etc.) and why.

 

[Zeotrope]

What I read is the opposite: they describe what’s NOT inside (informed material, crystals etc.) and why.

I can read it both ways… it’s a mystery!

 

[Steve williams]

I gave up worrying about what they use and why. I am just enjoying my system so much more.

 

[Audio Addict]

What about the price/performance ratio: The device costs €3800. I find the price quite justified

That is substantially lower than the US cost with the current euro conversion rate. Also you didn't mention if that included the VAT.

 

[Zeotrope]

Hmm, good point. i don’t recall writing that, BTW…that’s not my quote. I have no idea what the EU price is.

 

[Steve williams]

What about the price/performance ratio: The device costs €3800. I find the price quite justified

Hmm, good point. i don’t recall writing that, BTW…that’s not my quote. I have no idea what the EU price is.

I have some bad news for you EU readers. The price quoted above is apparently incorrect and the prices in the EU are in fact more than the USA. I think VAT is a factor but I might be wrong

 

[Audio Addict]

I have some bad news for you EU readers. The price quoted above is apparently incorrect and the prices in the EU are in fact more than the USA. I think VAT is a factor but I might be wrong

And I had hoped it was the US price was wrong

 

[luca.pelliccioli]

The Schnerzy rabbit hole is really deeper, I agree.

I’ve added the Allocator, as mentioned above and I like it.

Secondly I connected the Cable Protector to the power cord of the Allocator, via its own 3.5 jack connector. This is not a night and day difference but I like it too.

Now it’s time to add also the Multi Guards.

There is a Master, which is a little little box like the Grid Protector with an antenna. It must be placed in a central position (if raised off the floor is better). It’s so small that on the rack iti’s very easy to find a place for it.
It controls the plug-in Guards (Schuko) around the room.
It has 0, I and II positions, as usual. I’m using it set to 0 - so without any SMPS at the moment.

Then there are 4 Multi Guards to be plugged into different sockets. They are intended (and labeled) for different purposes:
PHASE
EARTH
ROOM

So you can choose a complete set of 1 Master + X Multi Guards and you can add more plug in Guards in future, if needed.

Currently I plugged:

a Phase Guard into the Allocator
a second Phase Guard into a socket on the front wall (dedicated line)
a Earth Guard into a socket on the side wall (dedicated line)

I’m still working with different combinations though.

They really work! All the beauty brought by the Grid Protector can be enhanced even further. Calm, control and realism as usual are the immediate benefits.

Fun and joy here tonight!

I was told the Grid Protector alone can do 70% of the job, the Multi Guards can add an extra 30% of beauty. It seems true to my ears and I haven’t yet tried I and II positions. Wow!

 

[Steve williams]

Very informative. Thanks Luca. I have 5 on order and intend also on placing one in my Allocator. Where did you place the Master.

 

[Steve williams]

Is the one designated ROOM the master. Is the master powered. Or is it a plug in like the guards