John
The PQ-303, PQ-505 and PQ-707 are three new power products from AudioQuest that extend the company’s PowerQuest line. Each unit puts twelve outlets in a full-width box to sit in a hi-fi rack (like any other audio component) or be fitted to a home install rack with the optional “2RU rack ears”.
Of those twelve sockets, eight are noise-filtered; and are intended for connecting constant current source components like TVs, CD players, network streamers, DACs, turntables and phono stages. The four unfiltered ‘high-current’ sockets are for connecting variable current components like power amplifiers, AV receivers, subwoofers powered loudspeakers whose dynamic performance would otherwise be constricted by noise filters. Think: snorkeling with a drinking straw.
Noise filters? The PQ-303’s eight noise-filtered sockets take aim at any differential mode noise (from 30kHz to 1GHz) piggybacking on your listening room’s mains power supply. Differential mode noise, according to AudioQuest, is typically generated by washing machines, ovens, lights, vacuum cleaners and fridges whose power supply noise can backwash noise into the building’s mains supply. Yes, that backwash can even come from your neighbours!
The PQ-505 adds common-mode filtering (from 30kHz to 100MHz) to its arsenal which strips out the noise generated by mobile phones, Bluetooth transmitters, wi-fi networks and radio signals that can leach into our power cables. According to AudioQuest, all cables, including power cables, act as antennae to these types of airborne noise.
The PQ-707 ups the ante by offering wider-bandwidth differential mode filtering than the PQ-303 and PQ-505 by going down to 8kHz instead of 30kHz.
But that’s not all.
The PQ-707 also features something called a Transient Power Correction (TPC – pictured above) reservoir where an internal ‘supercapacitor’-like device can instantaneously deliver up to 45 amps of power to your power amplifier, AV receiver, subwoofer or powered speakers should the music demand it. As a point of reference, a typical wall socket will top out at around 15-16 amps. TPC’s extra temporary current delivery (for up to 25ms) can be useful for better controlling a song’s big bass moments and/or making more expressive its dynamic peaks.
All new PowerQuest models feature “non-sacrificial” surge protection and will automatically shut down if more than 140VAC is detected on the incoming AC line for more than a quarter or a second. A detachable 2m PowerQuest cable is supplied with each unit.
Pricing? The PQ-303 will sell for US$459.95, the PQ-505 for US$699.95 and the PQ-70 for US$1299.95. Note: these are US-only models fitted with ‘Edison’ sockets. The European and UK versions that require Schuko and the ’13 A’ sockets respectively will follow in due course.
AudioQuest has an educational white paper on its power products here.
Further information: AudioQuest
