The Article
ATLAS EOS MODULAR power distribution unit
2nd March 2015
This power distribution unit (I reviewed the 4-way model) features star wiring on each outlet. Shielded against RFI/EMI, the weighty steel chassis includes a plug-in mains cable. Three of the four connectors are symmetrically filtered.
Spinning Porcupine Tree’s Lightbulb Sun on my Densen B-475 CD player, I initially isolated the block itself by plugging a household black cable into the Atlas chassis and the Densen into an unfiltered plug, the EOS displayed calming vocals upon a magnificently wide soundstage, a prominent piano sequence and bass guitar that showed admirable clarity and gravitas. Yet transients were dull, woolly and lacking in sharpness and midrange/treble was lacklustre.
Swopping the household mains cable for the supplied Atlas cable and the Densen, into a filtered socket, produced a solid, measured performance. Upper mids and treble exhibited great control. Though the extended midrange and treble frequencies were restrained, bass did remain characterful, if lacking presence while the immediacy of the drum strike was subdued.
Moving the Densen from a filtered to unfiltered socket, produced open and airy vocals, impressively complex guitar strumming, informative upper mid frequency response and a 3D-like soundstage, rich in detail. Bass drum slam was tough and expressive.
The same results occurred via my Origin Live Sovereign turntable and Ella Fitzgerald’s Sweet And Slow. Filtered music produced a rather claustrophobic atmosphere, passive bass and artificially intimate vocals while the unfiltered variant saw Ella’s voice as smooth and sensuous with a touch of reverb while the backing orchestra provided complexity and engagement.
The EOS Modular is not for general use but remains a valuable tool to solve a problem: when unruly mains systems, full of spikes and wayward frequencies, hamper sonic enjoyment. If you are braving such a source then this Atlas system demands a home demo because it will instil stability and order on your music.
ATLAS EOS MODULAR
Price: £395
Tel: 0800 731 1140
Website: www.atlascables.com
Hey Paul: (RE: ATLAS EOS MODULAR POWER DISTRIBUTION UNIT -March, 2015)
Quite the name for a power bar. I realize this review is three years old -somehow I stumbled upon it.
I’m not sure why it is some reviewer’s feel it necessary to “sugar-coat’ some of their reviews ?
Basically, we have a very limited 4-socket power bar priced at $700/$530 (US/Canada $).
Any such device (whether a AC power ‘extender’ -such as this one under review, AC power cord or for that matter any other aftermarket hifi device must be a ‘brilliant’ performer) in order to justify the outlay.
Here, a glorified power bar with (at best) dubious “symmetrical” filtering that impairs system performance after forking over $500 (US$) for the privilege is laughable.
This power distribution unit (I reviewed the 4-way model) features star wiring on each outlet. Shielded against RFI/EMI, the weighty steel chassis includes a plug-in mains cable. Three of the four connectors are symmetrically filtered.
” …Yet transients were dull, woolly and lacking in sharpness and midrange/treble was lacklustre.”
” …Though the extended midrange and treble frequencies were restrained, bass did remain characterful, if lacking presence while the immediacy of the drum strike was subdued.”
Therefor, how can one conclude: (?)
” …If you are braving such a source then this Atlas system demands a home demo because it will instil stability and order on your music.”
pj
Hi pj – many thanks for your note. As you say, I do have issues with the unit in terms of its sound quality. This is when compared to other models within the same price point area. On an audiophile level, the unit does exhibit sonic problems. On a mechanical level, though, it may be of use for those people suffering from mains problems. While never as effective as a power conditioner, of course (but neither is it as expensive as the better PCs out there), the bar can add a semblance of calm or at least reduce aggressive mains effects. Whether it’s wise to spend your cash to experience these limited benefits is up to you but my rating would indicate ‘not’ 🙂
Somebody has one for sale on eBay at present. An unfiltered 4 way. £225.
If you can cast your mind back, how did it sound using the unfiltered sockets?
Reading your reviews of various mains blocks, perhaps I’d be better off buying a Titan Styx.
Hi Peter – I do like the Styx and it does offer great value for money. I’d lean towards that.