Synergistic Research PowerCell 8 SX

PowerCell 8 SX NEW!

The Synergistic Research PowerCell 8 SX reimagines power conditioning by incorporating every available technology from our portfolio into a compact, ultra-performance unit. Engineered from a clean slate, it brings together an array of advanced features within a sleek, solid chassis crafted from machined aircraft aluminum and carbon fiber to control resonance; it’s form dictated by its role as one of the world’s highest-performance non-current limiting line conditioners.

The PowerCell 8 SX introduces significant advancements, including a reformulated Ultra Low-Frequency RF bias and the same power supply technology found in the latest Galileo SX PowerCell line conditioner, engineered to ensure the cleanest power delivery and the lowest possible noise floor for your audio system. With the addition of a redesigned Ground Plane Technology, the PowerCell 8 SX achieves one of the blackest backgrounds of any PowerCell to date, allowing the essence of your music to come through.

A highlight of the PowerCell 8 SX is its comprehensive redesign of our patented electromagnetic cell, which, in turn, was taken directly from our work on the upcoming flagship 20-outlet SRX power conditioner, which will retail for over $50,000 when launched. The PowerCell 8 SX gets the first major EM Cell redesign in over a decade, where the patented Electromagnetic Cell is enhanced to have twice the surface area for greater conditioning power compared to previous folded EM Cells. This upgrade is complemented by significant improvements in the internal materials and assembly processes, setting the standard for efficiency and performance.

The PowerCell 8 SX stands out as a testament to our commitment to pushing the boundaries of performance, packing our latest technology into a compact form factor, and is ideal for audiophiles seeking the best possible power conditioner without compromising space or design.

The PowerCell 8 SX exemplifies Synergistic Research’s approach of cascading innovations from flagship models down to more accessibly priced products, ensuring cutting-edge technology reaches a wider audience. It incorporates the sophisticated EM Cell power supply from the esteemed Galileo SX PowerCell, and leverages the advancements in Electromagnetic cell design from the forthcoming SRX PowerCell. This approach ensures that the PowerCell 8 SX delivers exceptional performance and value, making premium technologies available at a competitive price point.

The PowerCell 8 SX now utilizes a multi-frequency ULF Schumann Frequency Generator to complement both large and smaller-scale performances. To make accurate small and large scale soundstaging reality, we use technology first developed for our Atmosphere Acoustic Field Generators. Ultimately we perfected two new frequency combinations to perfectly complement large and small scale acoustic enviroments after first createing multiple combinations that proved unncecessary in the final stages of development. The mulit frequency bias of the intenal EM Cell is similar to what you hear when comparing our original FEQ field generator to an Atmosphere Acoustic Field Generator, which presents music on a grander scale with improved dynmaics and musicality. To optimize the Galileo PowerCell SX to your system and personal tastes, press a button to switch between Red and Purple settings selecting the option that makes music in your stereo when playing your favority recordings.

Two frequency bias, one perfect sound.

Blue Frequency: voiced for acoustic instruments, vocals, and smaller-scale performances.

Red Frequency: convincingly portrays large-scale performances and electronic music.

with included 5ft. Foundation SX 10awg power cable

Review HiFi Chicken

Conclusion

Clean power is important in all electronics, especially in Hifi where you are trying to as accurately as possible playback the music as it was recorded. When you have tiny signals that are very susceptible to interference power conditioning very well could be considered a necessity. The Powercell 8 SX offers clean, full current linear power to every outlet in the device, which can not be said about all the Conditioners on the market such as my Powerquest 3. On top of that, there are options for on-the-fly tuning to tailor your sound to the type of music you are listening to. 8 outlets should be enough for the average audio enthusiast, as that covers a preamp, two monoblocks, a subwoofer, and 4 sources which is the config I used for a good portion of the review. At no point did I think this wasn’t doing enough or offering me enough, especially at the price point. For larger systems, SR does offer larger conditioners with more outlets, though you could also add a second Powercell 8 down the road if you add more sources or amps. With some of the other SR accessories, you get a nearly infinitely tunable device which for a system tinkerer is a dream come true. I used the Purple Tuning Discs on all of my power cables and also tried a couple of the gold and purple on the Powercell itself. If you are fighting noise in your system you owe it to yourself to audition the Powecell 8 SX to see if it is the right fit for you.

Technical data

• Graphene treatment throughout unit
• Internal Active UEF EM Perpendicular Plane Cell area: 387 square centimeters including
• Dielectric: PTFE
• Connector Input:  1 each 20 amp IEC
• 8 each Purple 2.0 UEF Outlets (Two stage Quantum Treatment)
• Connector Output International (EU/AU/UK): 8 UEF Blue Schuko outlets (Two Stage Quantum Treated)
• 99.995% Pure Silver Ground Strap: 62 square centimeters
• Power Cable: Foundation SX 10awg power cable
• 12 awg. Mil Spec Silver Matrix Multi-Stranded Wire
• Swiss-made “Active Power Supply”
• SR Quantum Capacitors
• Point-to-point wiring
• Silver Solder 4%
• Hand Built Time: 2.5 hours
• 4th generation Internal, Dual Channel, Multi-Frequency, ULF (Ultra-low frequency) Generator applied to each individual electromagnetic cell to bias AC to the Earth’s Schumann Resonance for a dramatic drop in a system’s noise floor.
• 5 Day Burn In: 2 Step Process
• Input rating US: 20amp/125v
• Input Rating International (EU/AU/UK): 16amp/250v
• US Version: Rating is limited by the US Outlet rating of 20amp/125v
• The PowerCell 8 SX is equipped with Galileo SX PCB technologies. Incorporating UEF Purple Capacitors and a dramatically improved Dual Channel ULF generator. Originally designed for the flagship Galileo SX Ground Block and PowerCell models, the newly developed, 3 x more powerful, multi-setting, Ultra Low Frequency (ULF) generator allows users to select between multiple generator frequency settings. Providing the ability to adjust the characteristics of yourPowerCell 8 SX ground/power components to perfectly match your system and music style