iFi's AC iPurifier (official) - Mains Noise Buster - New videos!

[AMR/iFi audio]

 Let no noise go unsilenced

 

 

If you think of mains power as the ‘gasoline’ fuelling your audio system, the AC iPurifier is the product that ensures that it’s getting a clean, super premium blend to deliver the best possible audio fidelity.

 

The AC iPurifier is the latest in iFi audio’s stable of ‘power products’ designed to clean-up noisy mains supplies to audio systems. But this is no ordinary mains purifier. Technologically advanced, it’s Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) circuitry can eliminate far more noise across the frequency range than other passive devices. At -40dB, the difference is as distinct as night and day.

 

The following diagram depicts the placement of three AC iPurifiers in one system.

 

 

• Insert AC iPurifier (1) into the shared mains wall outlet.
• Place AC iPurifier (2) at the first entry point.
• A third AC iPurifier (3) is best located in-between the two types of power supplies.

We recommend that all linear power supplies are located after the AC iPurifier (2) but before AC iPurifier (3). Then all SMPS power supplies are located after AC iPurifier (3).

 

Also, the digital and analogue power sources should be in their respective groups as shown in the diagram.

 

Specifications:

• Noise Reduction:  >40dB (> 100x)
• Surge Protection:  max. 30,000A @ 1,000V/10uS
• Operating Voltage:  90V – 265V
• Size/Weight:  

  (USA)  40mm x 105mm (L)

  108 (g) / 0.24 (lbs)

  (EU)  40mm x 115mm (L)

  126 (g) / 0.28 (lbs)

The retail price of the AC iPurifier is US$99 (ex-tax) or €109 /£99 (incl. tax).

 

Next in line are AC iPurifier technical notes, hence stay tuned!

[AMR/iFi audio]

7 hours ago, firedog said:

When will it be available? I looked at several of your UK dealers and it isn't listed.

 

It already is. It's for the best to simply ask via mail or give them a call. 

[AMR/iFi audio]

AC iPurifier

Part 1/5: Actively goes where no purifier has gone before

Mains is the fuel that powers an audio system. Whether it is clean or not has a material impact upon quality and the user’s enjoyment of playback. iFi’s latest ‘power product’, the AC iPurifier, is no ordinary mains purification commodity.

 

Technologically advanced, it is an ACTIVE not a passive product, so it goes above and beyond and cancels far more noise across the frequency range than passive devices.

 

They are, in effect, flip sides of the same coin and are the bane of audio systems regardless of the type of power supply.

 

It is effective against both:

1. Common mode noise existing equally on both of the power pins, referenced to the earth pin.
2. Differential noise existing only between the two power pins – the net to earth is zero.

 

Nullifies noise others can’t reach

Compared to other generic noise filters, the AC iPurifier is superior because it is ACTIVE as opposed to passive. This enables it to achieve a far more comprehensive termination of noise across the frequency spectrum. As noise exists across the frequency range, this clearly means the AC iPurifier is unparalleled when it comes to neutralizing noise.

 

This chart compares the AC iPurifier (green line) which is ACTIVE to generic mains filters   (red line) which are typically passive.

The effective noise reduction difference is as different as night and day.

 

1. MUCH better at up to -40dB and…
2. Effective across a wide frequency range, compared to passive filters which cover only very high RF frequencies.

 

Every audio system benefits from the AC iPurifier

The AC iPurifier is designed for use in ANY mains powered audio system and is very effective when added to modern audio systems that have an abundance of digital and analogue components. Typically these systems are powered from a plethora of mains plugs. All of these ‘wall warts’ can add their own unwanted noise issues and pollute the local mains supply. However, the design of the AC iPurifier is such that it is even more effective if several are used to ‘contain’ the same type of noisy sources.

 

Insert it into the AC mains wall outlet supplying the audio system OR insert into the mains extension block powering the audio system. Try both locations to determine which has the greatest impact on improving any noise issues.

 

 

Bristling with serious Power Technology

Compared to similar AC power products, the AC iPurifier can boast the technological features below, making it far more comprehensive and effective than its rivals.

 

 

Stay tuned, there's more!

[AMR/iFi audio]

On 23.12.2017 at 5:51 AM, Boomboy said:

hey there .. wondering if there will be different plugs available to suit different countries ? like how your ifi audio power adapter comes with multi country adapters ? or uk plug only ? thnx

 

Our AC iPurifier is available in USA and EU plug types.

[AMR/iFi audio]

On 27.12.2017 at 10:42 AM, Audio_ELF said:

Is there any likelihood of a version with UK plugs?

 

That's unlikely.

[AMR/iFi audio]

AC iPurifier

Part 2/5: Mains noise. A real bane.

 

Power supply noise is the bane of every audio system. There are always multiple sources of noise and they come from two main sources – inside and outside.

 

External noise is all around

 

This chart shows that noise is anywhere and everywhere and some of it inevitably ends up in the mains that supplies the audio system, due to the mains wiring acting as aerial. Most of the sources, we can do little about as they are found in everyday life such as radios or mobile phones.

 

 

The next chart shows the ‘local’ noise sources found in and around an audio system.

 

Local noise comes from hi-fi components

 

These sources of noise are found in hi-fi systems and come from three main sources:

1. AC mains power supplies
2. Switch-Mode Power Supplies
3. Digital circuitry. 

 

From left to right:

 

The first set of noise sources (10k > 10MHz) relate to AC supply rectifiers and their harmonics caused by Linear Power Supplies (LPS). Yes, they make a noise!

 

The second set of noise sources (67k > 200 MHz) is caused by Switch-Mode Power Supplies (SMPS). By comparison, these harmonics run in the higher frequencies.

 

The third set of noise sources (8 MHz > 500 MHz) is caused by digital circuitry, clocks and their harmonics. And this type of noise exists in the most upper frequencies.

 

You can see from the chart that the concentration of noise is from 30kHz upwards (the lower the dB, the less influential is the noise).

 

 

LPS vs SMPS

 

It is worth noting that, as much as LPS designs get a good reputation and SMPS designs get a bad reputation, the reality is somewhere in between. And the situation is dynamic.

 

 

First, LPS designs are on the whole, good and, on average, are quieter than poorly designed SMPS power supplies (which tend to be more for charging mobile phones and are not optimised for noise). This is why LPS is often perceived as superior to SMPS.

 

Hybrid and electric cars used to be shunned, yet they are now all the rage. We believe the same is happening for SMPS. These are now more environmentally-friendly and consume far less power. Whereas all SMPS used to be ‘noisy’, we are one of the few companies who have broken down the SMPS into its constituent parts and fundamentally re-designed it for audiophile use ie super low-noise. The iPOWER is the ‘Model 3’ of SMPS power supplies.

 

Nevertheless not everyone has an iPOWER at their disposal. It is therefore important to be able to effectively deal with normal SMPS noise which can be quite severe.

 

The next section explains which aspects of the AC iPurifier target the different groups of noise and how this compares to the common approach.

 

 

[AMR/iFi audio]

We'll just put it here: 2 PCBs and 109 parts in total.

 

[AMR/iFi audio]

9 hours ago, Liam said:

MMmm nice!

 

We think so as well. As far from snake oil as it gets. And it's worth to know that AC iPurifier is a very usefool diagnostic tool in general. It'll show whether earth or polarity are off. These are things everyone can and should have in check.

[AMR/iFi audio]

15 hours ago, One and a half said:

Looks very much like a 4mm hole.

 

It actually is. It can be used to create a supplementary ground/earth connection for audio systems where there is no ground/earth present. The supplementary ground/earth connection is ‘smart’ as it will NOT introduce a ground loop EVEN if the system is already earthed (as more than one earth also creates a ground loop).

[AMR/iFi audio]

AC iPurifier

Part 3/5: Active beats passive.

 

Passive filtration is the most common approach seen in aftermarket power supply accessories.

However, it is not without its limitations:

1. It filters only in the very high frequencies in the high MHz region.
2. To be effective, the capacitors must be large and this means bulky and costly.

Given these drawbacks, the AC iPurifier had to be different, more thorough and more comprehensive.

The solution for the AC IPurifier is active + passive sections for the most complete purification over the frequency range.

 

1.       Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)   - covers high KHz and low MHz ranges

2.       Passive Noise Reduction (PNR)     - covers the high MHz range

3.       Intelligent Earth                                 - connects to devices without earth to drain mains leakage noise to earth

 

The chart below illustrates the impact upon noise.

 

 

The black line represents normal noise found in a system with no remedy for it. It runs across the frequency range at 0dB as it is not reduced.

 

The red line represents typical mains accessories that have passive circuitry – these typically start to work at around 1 MHz.

 

The green line represents the AC iPurifier impact by starting at 10k and then reducing noise by up to 40dB all the way up to 100 Mhz! By comparison passive filtration starts much higher in the frequency range at 1 MHz so misses out on filtering two-thirds of the noise.

 

AC iPurifier against generic passive filters

 

As explained earlier, external sources of noise, from radios to TVs to mobile phones, are not concentrated in just one area as they contribute to noise across the frequency range.

 

The graph below shows how the AC iPurifier nullifies external noise sources across the frequency spectrum.

 

By comparison, the generic passive filter does not deal with certain radios and walkie-talkie type products.

 

With local sources of noise, these range from linear power supplies (yes they make noise!) to switch-mode power supplies to digital circuitry and all the related harmonics.

 

It should be no surprise that, with the AC iPurifier actively covering the frequency range, far more noise is reduced – by an impressive -45dB or so!  

 

By comparison, with a generic passive filter, noise from linear power supplies and switched-mode power supplies remain with only some digital circuitry being attended to.

 

 

[AMR/iFi audio]

AC iPurifier

Part 4/5: Where to deploy.

 

The AC iPurifier works by taking out noise across the frequency range. In terms of effectiveness, it typically reduces noise by up to 100x or 40dB (and sometimes more).

 

The following diagram shows the placement of three AC iPurifiers in one system.

• The first AC iPurifier (1) is best inserted into the shared mains wall outlet that supplies the downstream audio system.

• A second AC iPurifier (2) should then be situated at the first entry point of the wall mains into the extension block.

• A third AC iPurifier (3) is then best located in-between the two types of power supplies. For example we recommend that all linear power supplies are located after the second AC iPurifier but before the third. All SMPS power supplies should then be located after the third AC iPurifier.

 

By connecting this way, all the respective noise is ‘contained’ and terminated in its immediate vicinity. Also, the digital and analogue power sources should be in their respective groups as shown in the above diagram.

 

[AMR/iFi audio]

18 hours ago, soundlogic said:

Sub'd...Would appreciate hearing from actual user's.

 

We look forward to more feedback as well. The product itself is quite new, hence it might take a while before users can contribute here with solid 'yay' or 'nay' opinions.

 

But yes, we are curious indeed!

[AMR/iFi audio]

AC iPurifier

Part 5/5: Not just a pretty case.

Not only does the AC iPurifier carry out exceptional noise filtration, it also has several other features to go that extra mile:

1. Smart Diagnostics of Polarity – with both versions, EU and USA, it is possible to connect in the opposite polarity. The AC iPurifier detects a change and indicates this.
2. Smart Diagnostics of Earth – detects if the audio mains system it is inserted into has a Ground/Earth or not.
3.  Intelligent Ground – by attaching the optional ground cable, it is possible to give any system an audio ground. Going directly to the AC iPurifier and into the mains, the Ground/Earth will be of the highest quality connection, making it the most effective at draining system noise.
4. Overvoltage Protection System means that electrical shorts, lightning strikes and surges in the mains will be detected and the AC iPurifier will clamp the voltage to safe levels to protect your AV components from damage.

 

To summarise:

• The AC iPurifier is no ordinary mains filter.
• Firstly, and most importantly, it purges the audio system mains of noise using both Active and Passive technologies to work across a wide frequency spectrum.
• Secondly, it provides an intelligent Ground/Earth to reduce noise for cases of a “missing earth” causing problems with noise.
• Thirdly, it checks and detects the local mains for Earth and Polarity anomalies.
• There is simply no other mains power improvement accessory like it.

[AMR/iFi audio]

7 hours ago, Matias said:

Even with rock and pop music the changes can be heard clearly. Cleaner and more dynamic. In my main system it appears to have improved not only highs but mids and lows as well. I did several with/without tests of the unit next to the DAC cable, and it is noticeable every time. Plus I get some peace of mind that my system has now additional surge protection. Highly recommend!

 

As soon as they show up on Amazon I will buy a couple more. I guess they have been selling well because it is not the first time they are unavailable there from iFi itself.

 

Thanks for your nice feedback! Enjoy!

[AMR/iFi audio]

On 2.03.2018 at 9:52 PM, Matias said:

I bought some more, now 5 total for 2 systems.  

 

It seems that you're happy with them!

[AMR/iFi audio]

On 5.03.2018 at 4:30 AM, exdmd said:

 

Looks like they are limiting orders to one per customer though. Could only add one to cart.

 

Let us check on this.

[AMR/iFi audio]

On 5.03.2018 at 4:30 AM, exdmd said:

 

Looks like they are limiting orders to one per customer though. Could only add one to cart.

 

Nothing of this sort happened at our end. Kitsune should be stocked.

[AMR/iFi audio]

Ah, one more thing. The 2018 Audio Video show in Lisbon just ended and here are some pictures our staff did during short breaks they were fortunate to have.

 

There were some peculiarly looking audio products showcased in there, that's a given!

 

The place itself was beautiful, in comparison to the weather in UK right now it seemed like a real paradise!

 

We had a listen to Sennheisers HD820 for the 1235423123123 time and yes, we like these.

 

Some of us couldn't keep up with the pressure and had to rest for a bit whenever and wherever possible. That's the official version. The unofficial one? It's very easy to be intimidated by TOTL Gryphon floorstanders...

[AMR/iFi audio]

On 6.04.2018 at 9:37 PM, doors.sl said:

@AMR/iFi audio

Do you have prediction when the unit will be available for sale in amazon?

Thanks.

 

AC iPurifier on Amazon is currently sold out. It should take several days, so please do check the site once in a while.

[AMR/iFi audio]

1 hour ago, RichB said:

OR, ahem, check with a authorized iFi Audio dealer to see if they have any in stock. 

 

Yes, this should work too!

[AMR/iFi audio]

On 14.05.2018 at 7:04 AM, firedog said:

What's the capacity in terms of Watts of the AC purifier? My system at peak can theoretically pull over 3000W. Can  one of these little guys in the main wall outlet handle that?

 

There's no reason why it shouldn't.

[AMR/iFi audio]

21 hours ago, applesnowleo said:

The nigara gave me the sensation of removing a big dirty curtain in front of my speakers, but it also removed a lot of body in the music, the sound was thin but clear as water, so I had to compensate with power cables to maintain that sense of cleaning and recover some body in the music and bass.

 

A puzzle to solve, ain't it?

[AMR/iFi audio]

18 hours ago, applesnowleo said:

And the puzzle grows with every step...

 

When it's getting solved bit by bit is the also enjoyable part 

[AMR/iFi audio]

20 hours ago, PPk said:

ifi,

 

a question for ipower powering the iusb 3.0, which region should i be placing it? after the 2nd ac purifier or the 3rd?

 

Can you be more specific about your setup? 

[AMR/iFi audio]

On 10/20/2018 at 11:25 AM, PPk said:

 

 

using the above example, and especially the sentence "We recommend that all linear power supplies are located after the AC iPurifier (2) but before AC iPurifier (3). Then all SMPS power supplies are located after AC iPurifier (3).",

 

for micro iusb 3.0, where should i place the ipower? after the last ipurifier (3) or between the (2) and (3)? 

 

i have 2 active monitor and 1 sub, so those 3 power cable should be place between (2) and (3) as well?

 

 

 

 

How many AC iPurifiers you have currently?