The veteran British firm Audiolab has just launched the DC Block 6, an attractive and elaborate mains filter with continuous blocker incorporated, which aims to clean the signal responsible for powering all types of High Fidelity components from foreign elements. It is well known that the signal present in the electrical network it has a fundamental influence on audio when it circulates through a musical reproduction system, that is, from the source to the amplifiers and from these to the speakers. In parallel, the electrical installation of any home is subject to interference induced by various reasons that cause the alternating current to present distortions before reaching any component of our equipment, which generates noise likely to degrade sound quality, a situation that continues to worsen as more electrical devices are added to the aforementioned installation. One of these reasons is the presence of direct current in the electrical network, which directly affects the performance of audio components, particularly amplifiers, since in theory what we should have is a pure alternating signal, with a perfect sine wave alternating between positive and negative phases.
The fact is that the transformers commonly used in audio components cannot tolerate the presence of current levels continues significant without its benefits are compromisedwhich in the case of those that equip the amplifiers translates into a saturation which not only negatively affects sound quality, but can also cause audible mechanical vibrations. The DC Block 6 is an elegant solution to the problem just described, by block –even cancel- the direct voltage present in the network signal, correcting what is known as direct current drift and rebalancing the sine wave coming from the electrical installation. But the new Audiolab goes further, as it incorporates a high level audio filtering circuit which eliminates potential parasites due to electromagnetic interference (EMI) or radio frequency interference (RFI) present in the electrical network.
This is very effective when it comes to reduce both the noise in differential mode (which is substantially increased by the low-priced switching power supplies used by many household appliances) like common mode noise (aggravated by airborne interference from mobile phones, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth networks). Sized to perfectly fit Audiolab components and easy to integrate into any dedicated Hi-Fi component cabinet, the DC Block 6 includes a single input for the network signal and six IEC approved output sockets to power as many other audio components, as well as an OLED function display to show the level of electrical voltage.
