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A little over a month ago I received a PE-IV (Power Enhancer version IV) from Alan Maher to evaluate. Since then I have had the chance to experiment within my main A/V setup two versions of the new PE-IV. As most of you already know, I have six PE, one PE-II, one PE-III and ten Hammond 193L chokes in my main A/V Proceed system. That is a lot of parallel filtering on one dedicated 20amp line! Alan has been gently asking me for my impressions of the PE-IV. Because I have been so busy with work, other projects, and family over the holiday season I have been vague at best with my impressions of the PE-IV. The last week and a half I have logged some serious critical listening time, with both versions of the new PE-IV.
The following is a basic comparison versus the standard PE in my main system listening to music. For listening evaluations I used mainly four pieces of software, The Very Best of Diana Krall CD and DVD, Chesky’s Critical Listening CD and Diana Krall’s Christmas Songs CD. All of my critical listening was done at night at varying volume levels. Critical listening was done with the PE-IV after it was in my system for three weeks. The PE-IV Signature was in the system for a week before I sat down to really take a listen. Here are my impressions after approx. 20 logged listening hours with the two different PE-IVs:
PE-IV (standard version): The PE-IV looks identical to the PE. Same two pronged wall wart case. Adding the PE-IV to the system anywhere from at the components to the end of the five duplex wired dedicated line yielded the same results. What the PE-IV does to the overall sonic presentation is a bit hard to explain. Anyone that uses a PE has probably experienced a relaxing of the music and lowered noise floor. With the overall presentation sounding or feeling more organic, this all helps the system sound a bit more musical. The PE-IV does the same thing as the PE except the midband frequencies are more textured and meatier/thicker. When I refer to texture, I mean more depth and detail, especially with vocals. This texture I refer to was more prominent with female vocals then male vocals. Although even with Chesky’s voice there was added thickness, detail and chest. With female vocals they were also a bit more lush and full. What I found interesting is that the overall presentation did not get warmer, only in the midrange frequency band. The added texture and meat in the vocals had me literally spell bound with Diana Krall’s voice. Even my wife (the non-audiophile) commented many times in the last week on how luring and sexy Diana Krall’s voice was. Both my wife and I have been listening to Diana Krall for years, but have never enjoyed listening to her as we do now. It seemed liked most of the midband frequencies sounded a bit more delicate with overall improved PRAT, and more involving. You know, when you are more into the music, foot tapping, head moving and feel more energetic kind of thing. Hmmm I wonder what adding more of these PE-IV would do???? :o)
PE-IV Signature: Alan has been experimenting with different shielding schemes. So you’ve probably guessed it, this version is a PE-IV with an undisclosed shielding scheme Alan has been working on. This wall wart does have a ground pin. Oh man I liked this filter. The PE-IV Signature filter has the same effect on my system as the PE-IV except double the effect! Note, when evaluating the PE-IV Signature, I did not have the PE-IV in my system. My understanding is that the PE-IV Signature is not for everyone. I did not know that some homes especially in the East Coast of the US did not have copper ground wiring. As I understand it, the Signature version will only benefit homes wired with 14ga. or thicker Copper grounds. Since I have not paid Alan for these filters yet, I asked how much more is the Signature version, he said $30.
In Summary, IMHO, the PE-IV is a nice upgrade to the PE. I think the PE-IV Signature is much better than the PE. I have not asked Alan when he is actually going to make the PE-IV available for sale, or how much they will be. I recommend contacting Alan regarding which version PE-IV (or PE-IV Signature) is best for you. So, for those of you current PE owners that are curious as to what this new PE-IV does, here you have it… at least in my system. Alan Maher’s contact info:
www.alanmaherdesigns.com
audionutge@yahoo.com
Best Regards,
Chris
Hi Chris,
Nice post. there.
Cheers!
xtrprof.
Thanks for the review Chris. Nice to hear about the difference in the IV models. I'll have to keep an eye on Alans website.
Thanks for the review Chris.
I have been thinking of trying several PEIIs. From what you have written, it appears that the midrange improves as you move up the line.
Do you have nay other comments on the IIs?
Steve
In my system...
I would agree with Alan regarding the PE-III and PE-IV. The PE-II in my opinion would be a nice addition to a system that is overly warm. Or has other filtering devices that you can use to tune the overall presentation via AC. The PE-II extends the top end and tightens the midbass a bit. Aside the top end extension, the PE-II from moving it in different places on the same dedicated line within the A/V system did the same thing, tilted the system toward neutral one notch. There are a few other areas that were positive from the addition of the PE-II, but in my opinion, unless your system is overly warm, you probably will prefer the other PE offerings. Hope the above helps.
Chris
PE sounds neutral.
PE III sounds like a 300B tube amp.
PE IV adds detail across the entire musical spectrum.
Alan
The PE II has been phased out...lack of customer interest. Both the PE III and IV provide midrange enhancement, but in different ways...email me for more info.
Alan Maher
nt
...
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