Ansuz D-TC Supreme - Positive Feedback

Introduction

This review is a follow up to my earlier posting on the Aavik I-580 Integrated Amplifier. If interested, please click on the link here as it provides some very useful background information. Like the Aavik I-580, the Ansuz products discussed in this review are all part of the Audio Group Denmark portfolio. Audio Group Denmark is an umbrella company with three primary brands: Aavik Acoustics, Ansuz Acoustics, and Børresen Acoustics. Aavik is focused on electronic components. Ansuz is focused on cabling, power and resonant control devices. Børresen is focused on speakers.

We are now seeing more and more superb products entering the marketplace when it comes to Ethernet Switches, Power Conditioners, and Grounding components. Some argue that these provide only expensive incremental improvements and are only intended for those who can afford to squeeze out every last ounce of sound quality from their system. Affordability and value are always subjective, but I argue that these technologies are going to be the next big thing (especially the Ethernet Switch). This might be particularly true for Audiophiles who are content with their current primary system, but are still seeking additional improvements beyond the more traditional building blocks. As we all know, the search for the Holy Grail never seems to end!

Individually, the impact of these Ansuz components in my system were all positive if not extremely impressive. But collectively, they really made a huge impact. The term "synergy" is often tossed around in the high end audio community like a $2 bill, but let me reassure you, in this case its use is highly appropriate. None of these technologies are new. Many truth seekers have stated their importance before. But as with all things audio, it's all about creativity, engineering and execution.

As discussed previously in my earlier article, the key driving forces behind these Ansuz designs are clearly an all-out assault on reducing noise levels and providing additional resonance control. Many of the same engineering and design principals are used in each component. And again, the results are quite remarkable and easy to hear.

Thanks

I want to thank Tyler Mueller and Joshua Jendryka of Next Level HiFi in Wayne, Illinois, and Peter Hansen of Audio Group Denmark for coming by for the setup. We found ourselves on our hands and knees for several hours during much of the installation, routing all the cables and making all the connections. Not to worry though, we were highly caffeinated with the very best coffee that Italy can provide! However, we had a buncha fun and it proved to be very educational to hear about the history of these products and all the design objectives. Three fantastic guys!

Caveat Emptor

System synergy and personal taste are critical when evaluating high-end audio products. This review is based on my subjective requirements, my subjective ears, my specific system configuration, and my specific listening room. This combination is only one data point of many that exist out there for these components. Please consider my comments and analysis appropriately.

Review System

I have included a comprehensive list of all my components and a description of my listening room. Please click on my name in red above if needed.

Key Design Elements

For the Mainz8 D-TC Supreme Distributor, the PowerSwitch DT-C Supreme (Ethernet Switch), and the D-TC Supreme Cables, several innovative Ansuz technologies have been utilized for noise reduction, resonance control, and dither applications. All of these technologies are scalable and integrated into the circuit design to reduce or properly manage the noise floor. The end result is an additional blackness to the presentation, as if the proverbial window or soundstage is wiped clean. This allows for improved levels of detail, transparency, and dynamics. Though I have slightly paraphrased, see the descriptions of each key design element below as provided by the Audio Group Denmark website. Additional technical information and detail can also be found on this same website along with other noted references.

The Tesla Coil Principle. The key operating principle of the Ansuz Tesla Coil is to have two coils wound in opposite directions—one coil and one counter coil. In Ansuz's words, this is called "a double inverted coil." The two coils both carry voltage, and when one of the coils encounters a voltage spike, a counter spike is activated to eliminate the noise. Since noise spikes are pure voltage carrying virtually no charge, the cancelation is quite good, but not perfect. Adding more Tesla coils in parallel, increases the noise cancellation and the perceived blackness in the music increases significantly along with the purity and clarity of the sound. Ansuz uses various types of Tesla coils, as their individual properties ideally complement and reinforce each other.
Active Tesla Coils. The Active Tesla Coils are current fed, which ensures a much lower impedance and thus, a much better ability to eliminate noise. The active version is about three to four times more efficient than passive Tesla coils.
Active Square Tesla Coils. The Active Square Tesla Coils are embedded in the printed circuit boards—a coil on the top and the counter coil on the back. The principle is exactly the same as the Active Tesla Coil, and thus has a greater ability to eliminate noise than passive Tesla Coils.
Active Cable Tesla Coils. The Active Cable Tesla Coil is wound directly on the outer part of the cable and protects the signal from absorbing the airborne RF noise. This noise is absorbed in the Tesla Coil. The Active version is about three to four times more efficient than a Passive Cable Tesla Coil.
Analog Dither Technology. Analog Dither Technology originated in the development of radar technology, where it ensured a stronger signal and thus greater range. Ansuz adopted this technology. Their Active Tesla Coils send pulsating signals at precisely defined frequencies. These signals are sent in anti-phase. This significantly amplifies the musical signal and eliminates the background noise floor.
Anti Aerial Resonance Coil Technology. All cables and cable shields act as antennas for unwanted airborne sound waves (RF noise), which impairs the clarity of the authentic audio signal. The Anti Aerial Resonance Coil (AARC) protects the signal from absorbing the airborne RF noise. This noise is absorbed in the coil and eliminated in the countercoil. The AARC splits the length of the cable into undefined lengths. As a result, the cable is less likely to absorb RF noise, which no longer can bleed into the audio system as annoying 'white noise.'
Ansuz Star Ground Technology. Voltage also carries disturbing noise, which has a negative impact on the electronics of audio components. Ansuz Star Ground Technology prevents this disturbing noise from "bleeding" into the electronics of all the audio components connected to the power distributor. Ansuz Star Ground Technology is built around a precisely defined area within the power distributor (star point) boasting the lowest possible grounding impedance. It ensures that no voltage is transferred from the power distributor to the power cables of the individual audio components. Since this star point has the best ground impedance, all sockets in the power distributor are grounded from there.
Internal Resonance Control. Ansuz Darkz resonance control devices are designed to ensure a distinctly better mechanical grounding of the speaker cabinet to the floor. To optimize the musical performance, the Mainz8 is fitted with Ansuz Darkz Technology inside the cabinet.
Natural-Based Composite Cabinet Material. The cabinet is an important Ansuz consideration and is designed to eliminate sonic distortion. This disturbing sonic influence, which emanates from the material the cabinet is made of (mostly aluminum), results from its mechanical resonance. To eliminate this sonic distortion, the challenge was to minimize the use of aluminum in the cabinet. Ansuz's sister company, Aavik, began testing various materials and designed an innovative natural-based composite material. This natural-based composite material reduces the mechanical influence (particularly the hysteresis), with a sonic result that is distinctly audible.

Ansuz Mainz8 D-TC Supreme Power Distributor

Let's start with the Ansuz Mainz8 D-TC Supreme Power Distributor, which is the flagship power conditioning and ground component from Ansuz with a MSRP of $44,000. The Mainz8 D-TC Supreme weighs in at 17.8 lbs. with the following dimensions: 19.9 x 11.73 x 3.94 inches. Eight IEC power outlets are provided for power cords to eight different devices. An IEC power inlet is provided for power to the unit itself which leaves flexibility for a power cord of choice.

The fit and finish of the Mainz8 D-TC Supreme is simply outstanding. Elegant and refined, the various curves and dimensions are like candy to the eye. Scandinavian design at its best! The low resonance natural-based composite material that is used for the cabinet is smartly integrated into the look and feel of the profile. There is a sense of quality and substance, especially when you pick the unit up and observe it from all angles.

Beyond the unique noise reduction and resonance control technologies mentioned above, the key implementation here is the Ansuz Star Grounding technology. The Mainz8 D-TC Supreme provides extremely low grounding impedance, which ensures that almost no noise is transferred from the power distributor to the individual power cables that provide power to all other system components.

As you move up the family tree of the various Ansuz Power Distributor models, you should note that the configuration changes and the quantity of the various Ansuz noise suppression devices increases. From the table below, you can see that the Mainz8 D-TC Supreme has the most sophisticated configuration of all the models.

From a sound perspective, with the Mainz8 D-TC Supreme in place, I immediately found that the level of detail and the three dimensional soundstage presented in my system had improved dramatically. The room almost evaporated on certain tracks with a clarity and definition that was now unconstrained and exquisitely revealing. In somewhat of a contrast, I found the tone and harmonic density of various instruments and vocals to be more on the rich side, with a very liquid and natural rendition. Typically, detail and richness are not something found together as we move up the audiophile ladder. They are often fighting each other as performance improvements in one or the other are implemented. It's a big challenge to provide both at reference levels, but we have it here in spades.

Music

Cannonball Adderley with Bill Evans, Know What I Mean (45 RPM LP)

I recently received my new box set of the Bill Evans - Riverside Recordings. For years I have sought out a clean original copy of the included Know What I Mean LP. Now I have an amazing 45 RPM pressing cut by Kevin Gray and Steve Hoffman. Could it get any better? Listening to the LP with and without the Mainz8 DT-S Supreme in the system provided an interesting answer. In addition to the expected results via the advantages of 45 RPM pressings and the superb quality of vinyl from RTI, there was still a noticeable if not significant difference.

The Mainz8 D-TC Supreme afforded an even more dazzling and potent presentation. Bill Evans on piano sat squarely before me with the clarity and definition of the real thing. Cannonball Adderley and his breathy reedy sax just whirled around the soundstage in solitude and deep emotion. The additional air and spatial queues surrounding each instrument will almost have your heart stop during certain passages. Congrats to Chad Kassem and Analogue Productions on this reissue! The Mains8 D-TC Supreme really made these LPs shine and even took the sound quality up another notch!

Ansuz PowerSwitch D-TC Supreme (Ethernet Switch)

One of the hottest new products to enter the Audiophile marketplace in recent years is the Ethernet Switch. When properly designed and executed, an Ethernet Switch can eliminate both RF and EMI noise and provide a clean signal path to a music streamer. This is also true for any device that has an Ethernet port. That includes routers, computers, hard drives, televisions, gaming consoles, and even your refrigerator if it has a port and smart intelligence built in.

The PowerSwitch D-TC Supreme is the flagship Ethernet Switch offering from Ansuz with a MSRP at $16,000. The PowerSwitch D-TC Supreme weighs in at 8.8 lbs and has the following dimensions: 10.31 x 14.88 x 2.72 inches. It has ten Ethernet ports, ten ground link ports (for cables with ground links), and an IEC inlet for flexibility and preferred power cord selection.

Like the Mainz8 D-TC Power Distributor, as you move up the family tree of the various Ansuz PowerSwitch models, you should note that the configuration changes and that the quantity of the various Ansuz noise suppression devices increases as does performance. From the table below, you can see that the PowerSwitch D-TC Supreme has the most sophisticated configuration of all the models.

It is difficult to find the right words to describe the sound with the PowerSwitch D-TC Supreme in the network. When accessing my four TB hard drive files or when streaming with both Tidal and Qobuz, the difference with and without was striking. This was one of the quickest and easiest demonstrations ever for my wife to provide her own opinion/review. It did not take more than a few albums before she stood up, smiled, and proclaimed, "No Contest!"

The sound had evolved to something well beyond the norm. Talk about a pitch black background! Music just seemed to jump out of the soundstage, but there was still a sense of ease and liquidity. That "digital edge" that we are all familiar with was significantly tamed, if not eliminated. Everything just opened up and flowed naturally, like a gentle quiet stream on a beautiful spring day. Listening sessions went on and on for hours without fatigue.

However, you could still hear every little trickle and ripple as the water gathered steam rolling by. You could also feel the roar as the water pounded into the nearby bedrock and ricocheted around the bend (my apologies for all analogies). If you like detail and speed, you will embrace this presentation. If you like power and drive, you will embrace this presentation. If you like musicality, you will embrace this presentation. This is digital done right! You know it when you hear it, and the Powerswitch D-TC Supreme delivers.

Music

Dominique Fils-Aimé, Nameless (Qobuz FLAC 24-bit/88.24 Hz)

Though a very common title used for demonstration at many of the high end audio shows, something wonderful materialized when listening to this album via the PowerSwitch D-TC Supreme. The popular track is definitely "Birds," which demonstrated what an Ethernet Switch can really do when properly if not superbly executed. This is one of those big production efforts with so much going on that sound seems to be coming at you from all directions. Sometimes this can be suffocating in certain systems, with a glare and hardness that can inspire you to move on after a just few minutes.

With the PowerSwitch D-TC Supreme engaged, the music settled down significantly, but you still had all the micro and macro dynamics that you could wish for. Dominque's voice was now fully realized and layered with oodles of detail while floating center and front-stage between the two speakers. There was a sense of nuance and weight to the double bass that was hidden before in all the white noise like haze. You could hear more of the ambiance within the recording venue and the echoes of those clapping along with the beat of music. Again, this was all nicely separated from the curtain of turbulence that seemed to drape the presentation before. The PowerSwitch D-TC Supreme can really open up your system and is a decided and strong step forward for digital!

Ansuz D-TC Supreme Cables

I was also very fortunate to have the Ansuz D-TC Supreme Cables on loan for this review. This included a full loom of RCA and XLR interconnects, digital interconnects, speaker cables, power cords, and Ethernet cables. Please see the price list at the end of this review.

The D-TC Supreme Cables are all handmade and manufactured in Audio Group Denmark's main facility in Aalborg, utilizing some of the most advanced cutting edge materials and technologies available. A key component of these cables, is a network housing that includes a specific configuration and quantity of the Ansuz noise suppression and dithering technologies mentioned earlier.

Like the Mainz8 D-TC Supreme and the PowerSwitch D-TC Supreme, as you move up the family tree of the various Ansuz cable types and models, you should note that the configuration changes and that the quantity of the various Ansuz noise suppression devices increases. Please see the various tables for each cable type on the Group Audio Denmark website. Again, the D-TC Supreme Cables have the most sophisticated configurations of all the models.

The physical design of the D-TC Supreme Cable series includes a unique resonance coating for each individual network housing. This is applied to the housing via a High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering (HiPIMS) process, and creates what is said to be the finest, and most uniform layer of zirconium and tungsten, complemented by a layer of aluminum titanium nitride. Yes, the folks at Ansuz feel strongly that proper resonance control is absolutely critical when it comes to cable design!

Connectors are made of gold-plated pure copper. Conductors are made of shielded silver plated-copper. For mechanical stability, Ansuz utilizes a twisted cable topology and a double inverted helix coil (DIHC). This is said to provide the lowest possible induction. When the coil and the counter coil are closely wound in a double helix pattern, induction can be significantly reduced. Again, the folks at Ansuz feel strongly that the lower the induction the better the sound quality! It is a key factor in all of their cable design choices.

I evaluated the D-TC Supreme cables in three ways. First as a full loom throughout my system, and then with only the D-TC Supreme power cords for two specific components. This included my dCS Bartok DAC and my VAC Signature Mk IIa SE Preamplifier (w/phono stage). I find that power cords can sometimes be the most revealing way to identify a specific cable design and its sound. The sound character of the DT-C Supreme Cables were consistent for all three scenarios.

With the DT-C Supreme Cables in place, there was now a clear fundamentally correct and coherent presentation at all frequencies. There was a certain burst of life and drive to the music that made me sit up straight and take notice. Even at the lowest volume levels, there seemed to be a rhythmic vitality and excitement that had me leaning in with great satisfaction. All of this with no forwardness or strain.

In my system, tone and timbre were spot on with possibly a slight amount of seduction and harmonic richness. Maybe just a small dash of cream in your coffee—but just a dash. For my taste, I found this to be very inviting and made the entire experience much more engaging. I want to be clear on this. Nothing was rounded off or dark. There was still an almost surreal amount of inner density and detail shining through.

Speed and dynamics were up there with the best. This presented a life-like presence and immediacy that on certain tracks had my teeth clenched and my hands gripped tightly to the arm rest! I was just trying to hold on! The sound stage was wide and deep—possibly the deepest sound stage yet for my listening room. Imaging was also superb with a locked in three dimensional and layered presentation.

I was swept away by the sonic beauty and purity of both the highs and the mids. Violin, saxophone, and female vocalists were especially impressive. Bass performance had plenty of blunt power and visceral impact. There was an iron-fisted control to the low end that was rarely experienced in my listening room. John Entwistle and Ray Brown never sounded better! I greatly enjoyed the Mainz8 DT-C Supreme and the PowerSwitch DT-C Supreme, but the DT-C Supreme Cables provided the icing on the cake.

Music

Richard Thompson, The Old Kit Bag (CD Ripped 16-bit/44.1 kHz)

One of Richard Thompson's finest works, The Old Kit Bag is a brilliant combination of Rock, Folk and Celtic masterpieces. There is no question that Thompson is one of our finest guitarists, but his writing skills are way underrated and this album brings him to the forefront. The track "Gethsemane" is my favorite from this album and it demonstrates the differences what a full loom of D-TC Supreme Cable can make.

From the opening guitar riff as Thompson stands alone, you can now clearly differentiate that this is electric and not acoustic guitar. His voice had a raspy fleshed out palpability that was never apparent before. Soon an additional electric guitar, drums, and bass enter the picture, yet all are nicely separated and three dimensional. Drums are particularly impressive here. You now get a fantastic amount of whack from the drum sticks and the clearly defined sharp staccato sound of the snares. All leads to a powerful thunderous weight to the mids and bass frequencies as the music builds to a crescendo. Such a physical and yet compelling combination!

Final Thoughts

I want to reaffirm the statement made earlier about synergy. I found that each of the components discussed at length in this review made a considerable impact on the sound of my system. As I evaluated each individually and then added another and then the last, the end result was more exponential than just cumulative. I have not even discussed the Ansuz Darkz T2 Supreme Resonance Control Devices ($1000) and the Grade2 Titanium Balls ($20) that are used with the Darkz T2. These footer designs can be utilized throughout your system and can provide even better performance and flexibility. They deserve their own dedicated review! The end result with all of these in place really pushed the envelope and established a definite benchmark for sound quality.

Lets also talk about the elephant in the room. Yes, these components are expensive. My intent is not to justify or persuade. This can only be determined by each individual and their associated priorities and budget. What I can say is that all of these components do make a difference. I can also say that the innovation, engineering, and execution is some of the best in the industry. The only way that one can determine value and real impact is by personal audition. This I do highly recommend! I would make the effort to reach out to the nearest dealer—even if that means some time and travel beyond the norm. These products are something special and really do deserve your consideration. Bravo to Audio Group Denmark! Job well done!

Mainz8 D-TC Supreme Power Distributor

Retail: $44,000

PowerSwitch D-TC Supreme Ethernet Switch

Retail: $16,000

Signalz D-TC Supreme Interconnects

Retail: $33,000 (2M/Pair)

Speakz D-TC Supreme Speaker Cables

Retail: $70,000 (3M/Pair)

Digitalz D-TC Supreme Digital Cable

Retail: $17,600 (2M/Each/RCA/BNC/XLR)

Digitalz D-TC Supreme Ethernet Cable

Retail: $8000 (2M/Each)