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

[Zeotrope]

Another HiEndy video has website images from Schnerzinger for the GIGA GUARD, which explained more about how it works. Don’t see the GIGA GUARD on the site anymore…

Also, there is the NEW INNOVATOR, which seems to be like the Allocator, but larger:

NEW INNOVATOR - SCHNERZINGER

NEW INNOVATOR Für den Netzanschluss Das Kraftwerk für Ihre Stromverteilung Mehr erfahren SAUBERER STROM Innovative Netzverteilung Der NEW INNOVATOR ist ein komplexes, bidirektional arbeitendes Netzverteilersystem für bis zu 8 bzw. 12 Geräte, das die Spitze der innovativen SCHNERZINGER...

www.schnerzinger.com

There are a lot of products, and a lot of questions… For example, when is it better to connect the Component or Speaker guards, vs treating the room? The Component/Speaker guards seem to work in the same way, but they channel the frequency delay to the specific component directly.

 

[Zeotrope]

From what I gathered from the above:
- the main component (the black box with the antenna) receives the noise/distortion signals.
- a delay is added
- the signal is then broadcast out into the room (in the case of the EMI), or to a processor unit (MULTI-GUARD, COMPONENT, etc.), or into the AC mains (GRID)
“The precisely defined offset between received and re-emitted interference frequencies causes cancelation effects that minimize interfering fields sound impairment, without reducing speed and bandwidth of the audio signal at all. In addition, the functionality of radio-controlled devices is retained.”

The EMI settings:
Bandwidth: Extends or decreases the detection range
Clock: Changes the processing speed
“The rule is: the narrower the bandwidth, the higher the efficiency - the smaller the detection range. The lower the clock rate, the higher the extinction rate - the less interference frequencies are detected.”
Reading between the lines, there are tradeoffs here:
• a wider bandwidth will mean more interference frequencies are detected, but efficiency decreases.
• a lower the clock rate, you get more cancellation but for fewer frequencies.
So you are trading off how wide of an interference frequency bandwidth you want to eliminate, with how effectively you want to eliminate it.

 

[Kingrex]

From what I gathered from the above:
- the main component (the black box with the antenna) receives the noise/distortion signals.
- a delay is added
- the signal is then broadcast out into the room (in the case of the EMI), or to a processor unit (MULTI-GUARD, COMPONENT, etc.), or into the AC mains (GRID)
“The precisely defined offset between received and re-emitted interference frequencies causes cancelation effects that minimize interfering fields sound impairment, without reducing speed and bandwidth of the audio signal at all. In addition, the functionality of radio-controlled devices is retained.”

The EMI settings:
Bandwidth: Extends or decreases the detection range
Clock: Changes the processing speed
“The rule is: the narrower the bandwidth, the higher the efficiency - the smaller the detection range. The lower the clock rate, the higher the extinction rate - the less interference frequencies are detected.”
Reading between the lines, there are tradeoffs here:
• a wider bandwidth will mean more interference frequencies are detected, but efficiency decreases.
• a lower the clock rate, you get more cancellation but for fewer frequencies.
So you are trading off how wide of an interference frequency bandwidth you want to eliminate, with how effectively you want to eliminate it.

Makes total sense. Its sounds like what I thought it was from the start. Hence, I was asking if it would cancel noise that causes humming from the high gain in vinyl. That is almost always airborne. If you're broadcasting a canceling signal, then why wouldn't it diminish hum from RF modulating into vinyl. If it does not, it must be operating in a different frequency range.

The 2 different devices with antenna probably work at different frequencies.

It is an interesting idea to apply a canceling frequency to a power line. AddPower does something of the sort. Better would be a product that only created a opposite and opposing frequency to what it actually there. Not just a random generator. Once I started using a Torus, I could hear the AddPower frequency generator as a veil. It was now making distortions of its own as it had nothing to cancel on the power line. Most any filter is going to eliminate high frequency noise on a power line. What they can not do is impact what is in the air. So the field generating devices from Schnerzinger are interesting in that regard.

 

[Steve Williams]

I was getting worried re seeing all of these devices that none of us have heard about such as INNOVATOR, I reached out to Gideon and bottom line is that these are all discontinued products. In fact it says "discontinued in 2023" He said these are all old pictures and Schnerzinger keeps old manuals for users but all current products are on site. Reality is the Allocator is the current version and the photos shown are all discontinued items.

 

[Zeotrope]

Ok great. Yes, I knew the GRID was discontinued but the description of how it works is I’m sure still applicable. That’s why I posted it.
The INNOVATOR was released in 2022, so I assumed it was still in production, but good to know that the Allocator is the latest.

For those interested in how these devices work, the above should be interesting, as it definitely sheds more light on what is happening. In all cases, the black antenna on the main unit is reading the interference frequencies. It then adds a delay and rebroadcasts the signal either into the room, or to a receiver unit, or into the AC line.
There must be a battery inside that is recharged annually, or constantly if you use Mode 1 or 2, which must increase the transmission strength.

If rebroadcasting to another device or into the room, an elevated position for the master unit is beneficial. If sending the signal to the AC line (e.g., GRID), there is no need to elevate the unit.

 

[luca.pelliccioli]

Thanks for your research.

As often happens in this hobby, I strongly recommend that you let your ears be the judge of how to position these devices, in the absence of further details from the manufacturer (which I strongly doubt will be available) or from those who usually install them and are more familiar with them.

I have found that even the GRID Protector IME can perform better when raised off the ground, for example.

 

[Zeotrope]

For sure, on letting our ears be the judge.
But there are room and other constraints, so it’s also helpful to understand at least a bit about how they work. There is no recommendation in the manual to raise the GRID, and that makes sense, as it’s sending its signal into the AC line (must be the same circuit as used for the audio components). This is why you can place it outside the media room:
“The GRID PROTECTOR can also affect the HiFi system very effectively in other places in the house. Used e.g. in the kitchen or at the workplace in the same circuit of the electrical devices there, it can also have a positive influence on the current phase and protective conductor interferences. This effect can extend into the HiFi room.”

I won’t argue with what you hear but the GRID is not broadcasting anything into the room. If I don’t have to raise something, I won’t; nor should we care about how it’s oriented, for example.

 

[luca.pelliccioli]

Good observation.

I’ll keep my unit raised anyhow, no matter how it is supposed to work if my ears are perceiving something so pleasant and enjoyable. Maybe in my own room it detects (why the antenna otherwise?) something and works better in synergy with the other Schnerzy things.
Who knows or who cares, after all. Until there is a smile on face listening to music, that’s the way.

One can always test and hear before deciding, that is my only advice to other owners due to my empirical knowledge.

 

[Zeotrope]

For sure. Did you plug your GRID into the first slot of the Allocator?
Perhaps there is less noise coming through the cord to the Allocator if the GRID is elevated.

 

[luca.pelliccioli]

I have 2 racks, one on the front and the other on the side wall. The GRID is plugged into a Gryphon PowerZone 3.10 (which is not a conditioner) that feeds amp and DAC, on the front wall. It is incredibly boosting all the wonderful qualities already provided by the PZ itself. See my posts above in this thread.
The Allocator is feeding the other components on the side wall.

 

[Steve Williams]

I have to agree with Luca on this. And also @vinyl_mike for suggesting these little speaker mounts. I did not change their position in the room but merely elevated them with definite improvement in what I heard

My other perception is that the improvement continued over several days until a ready state has no been reached

 

[Zeotrope]

Steve, if they transmit they require elevation. So the EMI and MULTI should be elevated.
The GRID doesn’t transmit anything.

Science and how things work must also play a role. Our brains alone are not always the best judge. Just my POV.

 

[Steve Williams]

I still really don't care why or how as it's above my pay grade. For me it's the visceral pleasure they instill into my system, so it's all good

 

[57Uli]

Unfortunately, I have only now become aware of this exchange of opinions and experiences about some Schnerzinger products. My experience goes back a long way. At first, it was the Schnerzinger cables (loudspeaker cables, signal cables and power cables) that inspired me.

I had my first experience with the Schnerzinger GIGA CANCELING technology, which is now available in the PROTECTORS & GUARDS product family, with the Schnerzinger DIGITAL CLEANER in 2012, which I connected to my CD player. It was fascinating. To make sure of the impressive effect of this device, I had done a real A-B test every now and then. This meant cutting off the connection of the CLEANER to the mains and the CD player in the evening and removing it from the listening room. Just switching off the device for a short time would not have been enough. It was not until the next morning that I switched the system on again. This ensured that the previous operation of the CLEANER did not have any after-effects. In each case, the sonic regression was so clear that I immediately rebuilt the CLEANER and put it into operation.

Schnerzinger improved the CLEANER over several generations of devices. The current successor product is called COMPONENT GUARD, and belongs to the modular family of PROTECTORS & GUARDS for the audio devices.

I had my second experience in 2016 with my EMI PROTECTOR. This concept is part of the PROTECTORS & GUARDS family for the HiFi room.

Later, Schnerzinger also opened up the field of electricity, so the GRID PROTECTOR came into my listening room in 2020, the MULTI GUARD followed in 2021.

For the PROTECTORS & GUARDS for the HiFi room product family, the installation height is indeed important, as it is about having an effect in the room, as it is also written in the texts available on the Schnerzinger website. For me, the difference was huge. The operating instructions help: first test the optimal positioning (which includes the height) and as a later step test the switch positions.

This does not apply to the PROTECTORS & GUARDS for the power grid product family. With the GRID, one may like to try it out and it may also have an effect. The MULTI GUARD MASTER should be centrally located and slightly elevated, but only to ensure proper communication with the MULTI GUARDs. In my case, it is on the coffee table. The individual MULTI GUARDs are located in wall sockets, and their height is usually standardized. Again, the operating instructions are concise, but the information is very helpful.

I am glad that I now have a wide range of protectors and guards from all areas of application (initially devices, room and electricity). Since 2023, there has been a fourth area of application, namely the network and the LAN PROTECTOR for it.

The sonic effects have already been well described in this thread; they apply to each of the four areas to the same extent. Everything comes together to form a sound image in which the qualities such as audibility, transparency, resolution, spatiality, power, dynamics, naturalness and musicality are no longer contradictory, but succeed at the same time. The exciting result: a wonderfully relaxed musical experience.

 

[gds7368]

Unfortunately, I have only now become aware of this exchange of opinions and experiences about some Schnerzinger products. My experience goes back a long way. At first, it was the Schnerzinger cables (loudspeaker cables, signal cables and power cables) that inspired me.

I had my first experience with the Schnerzinger GIGA CANCELING technology, which is now available in the PROTECTORS & GUARDS product family, with the Schnerzinger DIGITAL CLEANER in 2012, which I connected to my CD player. It was fascinating. To make sure of the impressive effect of this device, I had done a real A-B test every now and then. This meant cutting off the connection of the CLEANER to the mains and the CD player in the evening and removing it from the listening room. Just switching off the device for a short time would not have been enough. It was not until the next morning that I switched the system on again. This ensured that the previous operation of the CLEANER did not have any after-effects. In each case, the sonic regression was so clear that I immediately rebuilt the CLEANER and put it into operation.

Schnerzinger improved the CLEANER over several generations of devices. The current successor product is called COMPONENT GUARD, and belongs to the modular family of PROTECTORS & GUARDS for the audio devices.

I had my second experience in 2016 with my EMI PROTECTOR. This concept is part of the PROTECTORS & GUARDS family for the HiFi room.

Later, Schnerzinger also opened up the field of electricity, so the GRID PROTECTOR came into my listening room in 2020, the MULTI GUARD followed in 2021.

For the PROTECTORS & GUARDS for the HiFi room product family, the installation height is indeed important, as it is about having an effect in the room, as it is also written in the texts available on the Schnerzinger website. For me, the difference was huge. The operating instructions help: first test the optimal positioning (which includes the height) and as a later step test the switch positions.

This does not apply to the PROTECTORS & GUARDS for the power grid product family. With the GRID, one may like to try it out and it may also have an effect. The MULTI GUARD MASTER should be centrally located and slightly elevated, but only to ensure proper communication with the MULTI GUARDs. In my case, it is on the coffee table. The individual MULTI GUARDs are located in wall sockets, and their height is usually standardized. Again, the operating instructions are concise, but the information is very helpful.

I am glad that I now have a wide range of protectors and guards from all areas of application (initially devices, room and electricity). Since 2023, there has been a fourth area of application, namely the network and the LAN PROTECTOR for it.

The sonic effects have already been well described in this thread; they apply to each of the four areas to the same extent. Everything comes together to form a sound image in which the qualities such as audibility, transparency, resolution, spatiality, power, dynamics, naturalness and musicality are no longer contradictory, but succeed at the same time. The exciting result: a wonderfully relaxed musical experience.

Thank you for sharing your experience! Would you be able to provide pictures of all this?

 

[Steve Williams]

Im still waiting on delivery of my Multi Guards.but it is refreshing to read other members' experiences as it serves to corroborate that we parents all drinking the Kool Aid. I find as in the post above, that I cannot be without these devices in my room.

 

[57Uli]

Vielen Dank, dass Sie Ihre Erfahrungen mit uns geteilt haben! Könnten Sie mir Bilder von all dem zur Verfügung stellen?

Thank you for sharing your experience! Would you be able to provide pictures of all this?

Schnerzinger has published two customer reviews from me on their website
1. "Just great! I'm thrilled with the new Protectors" about my very early EMI.
2. "Why have I only taken this step now? Life is too short to give up this joy..." about the speaker amp guard that I added last year.
Both reports include a picture.

Also I just made some photos for you:
The first shows my complete system.
The second shows my GRID (under a lot of schnerzinger cabling). Please be aware that this is the old GRID version, it looks different than the current version.
The third shows a single MULTI GUARD.

​

 

[Audioarts]

It’s funny that the digital cleaner was your first foray into Schnerzinger, as it was mine as well. When I got my initial training in Dortmund, DE, it was the digital cleaner that had me in shock. The natural ease and flow introduced, along with removal of any glare or digital stridency (which you don’t realize is there until it’s gone) even with the best digital sources. You’re correct to point out that the current iteration is now called “Component Guard.”
As you can see here, it has multiple digital interfaces to plug in to any digital source. It’s a wonderful product whether using alone or later supplementing with other Schnerzinger products.

COMPONENT GUARD - SCHNERZINGER

Component Guard Für die Hifi-Komponente Body-Guards für die HiFi-Komponenten Mehr erfahren Wirkung Aktive Bereinigung interner Störfelder Die kabellos gesteuerten COMPONENT GUARDs nutzen die GIGA CANCELING Technologie zur Bereinigung von internen, in den Geräten entstehenden Störfeldern. Die...

www.schnerzinger.com

 

[57Uli]

It’s funny that the digital cleaner was your first foray into Schnerzinger, as it was mine as well. When I got my initial training in Dortmund, DE, it was the digital cleaner that had me in shock. The natural ease and flow introduced, along with removal of any glare or digital stridency (which you don’t realize is there until it’s gone) even with the best digital sources. You’re correct to point out that the current iteration is now called “Component Guard.”
As you can see here, it has multiple digital interfaces to plug in to any digital source. It’s a wonderful product whether using alone or later supplementing with other Schnerzinger products.

COMPONENT GUARD - SCHNERZINGER

Component Guard Für die Hifi-Komponente Body-Guards für die HiFi-Komponenten Mehr erfahren Wirkung Aktive Bereinigung interner Störfelder Die kabellos gesteuerten COMPONENT GUARDs nutzen die GIGA CANCELING Technologie zur Bereinigung von internen, in den Geräten entstehenden Störfeldern. Die...

www.schnerzinger.com

No, my first contact with Schnerzinger was through the cables of this manufacturer. I could only afford to switch to Schnerzinger cables step by step, and each step was convincing in itself. But it wasn't until the cable chain from the source to the speaker was complete that there was a particularly big leap. Obviously, the last brake had now disappeared, there was no other way to explain the experience.

At that moment, I also understood why my previous top cables, which were actually so good, had failed so miserably in the comparison test at Schnerzinger in Dortmund. Because when Dirk used to connect one of my cables, of which I was previously completely convinced, to his system as a test, the sound quality of his chain virtually collapsed. My cables couldn't be that bad! I was irritated at the time, and couldn't really understand what I had experienced. But now everything was clear.

Compared to the competition, Schnerzinger cables already enabled the highest speed of signal transmission at maximum bandwidth, and offered a neutral and maximum resolution sound without compromise. The later cable lines up to the current RESOLUTION series have continued or further expanded this lead. Logically, a single third-party cable in the chain blocks this special quality.

After my system was equipped with Schnerzinger cables throughout, this had further consequences. So, I discovered that some wonderful tuning products, which previously only showed advantages in my system, now slowed down the sound flow and thus also had disadvantages. I began to part with such products.

This had all happened before I got the Schnerzinger DIGITAL CLEANER. The CLEANER was my first experience with Schnerzinger GIGA CANCELING products.

 

[Frankie67]

Hello everyone.

Yesterday I've been able to finally listen to Schernzinger in my system and here is my (very fresh) experience so far.

I have inserted (i) the Power Grid with the Schuko Plug on a dedicated power line and the transformer on the other power line and (ii) the Piccolo on the general power line.

The PG is placed behind the speakers on top of a DAAD Halifax resonator (https://acusticaapplicata.com/en/product/halifax/) at about 1m height. The volume of the PG is set to 1-1-1.

The Piccolo is composed of four elements with the Master unit next to the PG (behind the speakers over the DAAD Halifax at about 1m height). The other elements are placed, respectively, above the listening point (on top of an absorbing panel at about 120 cm from the ground) and at the sides of the listening point (approx. at the height of the tweeters) at about 150 cm height. The Piccolo is set to volume 2

Very happy so far! Big SQ improvement, especially in terms of microdynamics and air. Mid frequencies are super textured and sweet and the bass is controlled but deep at the same time. All of this while maintaining perfect tonal coherence.

I am now waiting to try EMI and MG.

The only thing that kind of worries me is the headache that I had yesterday night and which I still have. Maybe it is just tiredness but I've had a bad experience in the past when I introduced a second pair of Stein Harmonizers to the rear sides of my listening room so much so that I returned the second pair to the dealer, keeping only two elements on the rear bookshelf at almost zero volume. Should I be worried about this? Any experience?

Thanks,
Franco