Shunyata vs. line noise
 

So a few days ago I picked up a Entech noise sniffer. In my audio room I plug into one of three 15 amp power sockets and set the gain on the Entech to 100. Clearly audible is static and talk from radio and other broadcast sources. Noise level is the same with or without the lights in the room. I then plug into one of my dedicated 20 amp lines and without adjusting the gain I get about 59.5 on the Entech display. Next I plug into my Talos, again without touching the gain and I get 33.4 on my Entech display. The power cord feeding the Talos in a Shunyata Anaconda Zitron. While a significant drop from the baseline I was a bit disappointed. I do of course realize I'm about mid level in the Shunyata product food chain. Might be time for some upgrades :)

Yeah the food chain keeps changing. You're a few generations behind, I think. They just came out with a new line today!

It is important to note, that although the Entech is a nice consumer level product that amplifies line noise as audible and has a display, it is quite limited in terms of measurement when it comes to the noise that impacts audio-electronics. I would stop short of considering that to be a scientific tool, but it is not without merit.

The Talos and Alpha power cords both target noise in the megahertz and gigahertz regions, which we feel are the most significant in terms of audio or recording replay. The Entech measures noise in a much narrower, lower frequency band. We use the Entech for some base-line, audible line-noise measurements, but the far more expensive Fluke model products and power-analyzers costing thousands more, paint a far more accurate and complete picture.

Yes, the new range of Alpha NR and Sigma NR power cords will measure better using the Entech than the Alpha HC, for example, but that is not necessarily an accurate representation of the audible differences when you compare them on an audio-system.

Best regards,

Grant
Shunyata Research

Oops!

While I understand the frequency band the Entech measures is limited I figured it was useful to some extent. After seeing this video some time ago I went in search of one.

As I said in my post, we use the Entech for some base-line audible noise measurement because its easy to use, see and hear, not because its a definitive measuring tool.

We also use DTCD Analysis, Fluke and full-spectrum power-analysis, which lend themselves less-well to a simple video demonstration and not at all to audible ones.

I use the Entech when I travel because its easy to carry and demonstrate. As I said, our current products demonstrate improved noise measurement using the Entech, but that's far from the most significant measurement that enables our products to perform well in audio or medical applications. They are handy and fun to use, certainly.

Grant

How does the MPC-12C perform with the Entech?

From my original post I had considered a upgrade might be in order, so I will begin with this. Just purchased a 20amp Alpha NR to feed my Talos. With a 20 to 15amp adapter I will move Anaconda Zitron to my Luxman integrated which will be replacing a Black Mamba HC. I will also experiment by placing the Alpha NR on the Luxman and see what combo gives me the biggest jump in performance.

What does the Entech display when using the Alpha NR to feed the Talos vs. the Anaconda Zitron feeding the Talos?