Introducing SilentPower from iFi - DC Blocker & GND Defender

Discussion in 'Product Announcements' started by iFi audio, Mar 19, 2021.

  1. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    DC Blocker
    Your humming transformer is your quarterback.

    Got mechanical hum. Deploy the DC Blocker.

    [​IMG]

    Goodbye mechanical hum

    Many amplifiers have a really annoying mechanical transformer hum (emitted from the transformer itself), especially those with toroidal (circular) transformers.

    You can hear it when you place your ear close or next to the chassis.

    This is usually caused by a small amount of DC voltage in the mains which makes its way through to the mains transformer, it will become ‘saturated’ and start to hum like a trooper.

    The DC Blocker is a clever device that you place at the IEC (at the rear power inlet) and as its name implies, it stops DC from getting into the audio mains. It eliminates transformer hum from amplifiers.

    GND Defender
    GND control.
    Take out speaker hum.


    [​IMG]

    AI ground detection

    With a GND Defender at the IEC power input, it will intelligently detect and remove the ground loop at the component.

    Behind this, the GND Defender:
    • Intelligently breaks DC ground loops to eliminate ground loop hum
    • EMI shielding is retained
    • Equipment Safety is unaffected (not a ground lift – so maintains equipment safety ground)
    If multiple ground loops exist, more than one GND Defender may be required.

    The GND Defender is smarter than the average ground lift. By a long way.
     
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  2. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    Then it's a damned good thing I never do that, then!



    ...But if it helps rid the world of audible hums, especially the sort that seems to curse some turntable users, I'm all in favour. Does it get rid of that tactile hum that one can feel through the finger tips, like (well I suppose it is) a very small electric shock?
     
  3. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    Static on a cabinet is related to issues with grounding, so either GND Defender or our Groundhog will fix that. It depends on whether there are too many ground connections or if there's none.
     
  4. MellowVelo

    MellowVelo Friend

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    Can you explain more about the difference between these products? They sound very similar to me. What are the different scenarios for choosing one over the other?
     
  5. Metro

    Metro Friend

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    GND Defender for hum output from the speakers
    DC Blocker for amp transformer mechanical hum
     
  6. dasman66

    dasman66 Self proclaimed lazy ass - friend

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    any idea on pricing? I don't see them in online stores yet...
     
  7. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    Sure, DC Blocker is €149/US$129 and GND Defender is €129/US$99.
     
  8. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    Exactly.

    DC Blockers aren't new, but usually they are more expensive and bigger. Ours is small and affordable.

    GND Defender handles excess ground points to prevent ground loops, so it does the exact opposite to our Groundhog, which was designed to provide ground for systems without it.
     
  9. scotto

    scotto New

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    Just tried one of these new GND Defenders out with an older stereo McCormack amp with a ground hum issue that I previously solved by omitting the ground pin. Steve McCormack advised me against this! So thought i'd give this a try! It works! The major hum is as gone as with the ground pin ommission. Maybe a little better actually. I'm using a Schiit Saga Preamp, original, with some interconnects that aren't shielded some inputs have been noisy if I cycle through them with nothing playing. The main input I use with a Metrum Octave Dac is less noisy. Now the other thing is there is more detail and clarity from the Trusty old McCormack Amp :) with the GND Defender! So a safer amp, a bit less hum than with a ground lift, and more subtle detail and clarity! Thanks iFi!
     
  10. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    Sure thing! I'm glad to read that our GND Defender works for you :)

    Enjoy!
     
  11. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I just got a user First Watt speaker amp to use for my orthos and it’s got a nasty hum audible through the headphones (not emitted from the amp itself). I’ve done some troubleshooting and plugged it into an outlet that was just professionally rewired and the buzz is the same.

    So I think it’s a problem with the amp, probably something that happened during shipping (it’s a huge super heavy amp so it was probably thrown by someone).

    is one of these a possible fix for this? If so I want the DNG Defender right? I can’t imagine this kind of gadget fixing something broken in the amp.

    thank you!
     
  12. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    It all depends on the reason for this hum. If itąs the result of DC leakage, then DC Blocker would remove it, and if it's related to grounding, then GND Defender is the one that would fix that.

    But then again, if something is internally wrong with the circuit itself (i.e. due to transportation damage etc.), our sorters won't fix that. If I were you, I'd probably get both and try them out to see which one remedies the problem. If it's neither, I'd return them.
     
  13. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    That’s generous. Where and when can they be purchased? I don’t see them online anywhere for sale yet.
     
  14. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    Please take a look here: https://ifi-audio.com/stockists/

    If your country isn't on our stockist list, please let me know!
     
  15. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    These products just aren’t available for sale at any of your US distributors. Maybe too new?
     
  16. MellowVelo

    MellowVelo Friend

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    Can you tell me where you purchased the GND Defender? I haven't been able to find it online yet in the United States. Thanks!
     
  17. Metro

    Metro Friend

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  18. MellowVelo

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  19. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    It was launched just recently, but now it should be available :)
     
  20. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Buying both to help troubleshoot a buzz in an amp and will return if not useful as you suggested.

    I do think both of these units are way overpriced though. But the amp I have is huge and expensive to ship so you got me. Otherwise I would not buy these due to the price.

    I might also mention that I first had a positive impression of iFI but I am now reluctant to buy anything you make because of your advertising strategies. It is so much hype it makes me feel like your products are not actually that great. Just the name iFI alone pirating off an Apple brand I find distasteful.

    might as well give you some feedback.
     
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