Customer Feedback
BALANCEDPOWER
After installing the Balanced Power BMU-2500 my entire soundstage grew in all directions and there was an abundance of new detail for me to explore. Bass is controlled and full and everything seems so much more “balanced” I guess. Very pleased with the improvements. Now time to re-explore my music collection!Thanks!
Alan Murray - Melton Mowbray
Straight out of the (extremely well packaged) box its performance vindicates first impressions. Its qualities/abilities mirror precisely the description on their website and which, thankfully, therefore saves this post from being overly long. So I shall confine myself to summarising the main comparative findings, which I hope will explain my (unexpected) surprise and said astonishment. I'm also sure I don't need to stress the benefits/necessity for most folks with good hifi systems to clean up the ubiquitous sources of "noise"/interference in our mains supplies awash with EMI/RFI.
In every area of sound delivery the difference in performance between the 2500 and ASF was literally night and day - even before any burn-in. And given the difference between my ASF and my friend's Titan wasn't overly dramatic, one can therefore (IMHO) safely postulate the 2500's superiority over the Isotek also, despite not being ideally a real time A/B test and therefore a qualified statement of course.
The immediately obvious jump is, as one might expect, in the greater dynamics of presentation - when more power is called on by such as Hans Zimmer's massed orchestration (including extreme special effects) in the "Battle" section of 'Gladiator's music score, it's delivered so cleanly and effortlessly regardless of the scale of demand...both smoothly in crescendo and with confident, masterly force when wanted immediately. You just know this PS could handle anything thrown at it with complete aplomb and remain fully in control.
Just as apparent is how it allows good equipment to shine in its separation and placement abilities, leading to much improved focus, imaging and 3 dimensional spatial effects. I personally wasn't expecting such a degree of improvement here - many of my (better) complex hires recordings especially are now almost unrecognisable from what I've known after years of listening for assessment purposes, both via tubes and SS. For example, entire string sections sometimes as if hover in space above/below/between others in that 'layering' aspect I've never before fully experienced in such a way or to this extent...while always remaining coherent and not sounding artificial/'strange'/disjointed in any way whatsoever. On the contrary, the effect is simply 'mind altering'/hypnotic... (and after 30 years as a professional Hypnotherapist I use these words advisedly). I'm still wondering how these guys have managed to create a product that enables other equipment to perform thus by 'simply'?! providing it with better power - even though electricity is, of course, what carries all our audio signals.
Naturally, what allows really good equipment to excel in such ways depends much upon music emanating from that totally, deathly 'black' background, and here too this unit shines supremely...almost eerily so!
Masterly also is that despite massive power handling prowess, its ability to deliver just the right, controlled amounts in the softer, quieter passages is unmistakeable and equally impressive.
Needless to say, FR is enhanced across the board - from solid, extended textured bass, through well balanced mids to crystal clear, sparkling treble with no hint of harshness/sibilance, along with the finest detail precision...all depending on the quality of the associated gear of course.
Colin Page - Lowestoft
Dynamic, full of rich timbres and a completely silent background, this is the best of the power supplies I’ve auditioned in this price range. Everything is just so natural and believable, unforced and uncoloured - well done guys!
Michael Rose - Fife
Bought 2 of these for a large A/V setup and am really pleased with results. Movies and music have benefitted greatly, I even had my projector recalibrated due to the contrast increase. A great all-round unit and highly recommended!
Christopher Matterson - Bedford
Very pleased indeed with this product, 5 stars for sure. I am not a professional reviewer so I will simply say that everything sounds more real and with a much wider soundstage than before. The DC blocker also works very well as it has solved an issue I previously had on this front.
Factor One provide excellent customer service. Recommended!
John McKinnon - Bath
I’m not sure how I could listen to my system without the Balanced Power BMU-2500 now.
After a very positive few days with the supply in the system I unplugged in and put back in my former Isol-8 supply to revisit my previous configuration and it didn’t stay in for long!
The BMU brings a whole host of benefits across the board. More realism, better dynamics, better bass control, detail and expression, whilst retaining that playful bouncy sound I love when playing modern jazz.
It’s certainly done what I hoped it would after talking with Factor One at great length. My system has retained it’s charactersnd boosting its benefits and attributes.
One of the best upgrades I’ve made to date, thank you.
Tony Vassallo - S.Wales
In my system it makes the music more enjoyable to listen to. In communications I highlighted I would be unavailable to receive the item on certain dates and I received a phone call to confirm the item was ready to despatch so I could agree the day of receipt. Excellent service,
Andrew Aiken - Swindon
I have heard many great reports about using a balanced mains unit whilst reading information around the internet. I had been considering something along the lines of a BMU or at least a DC Blocker due to having intermittent noise in the system which pointed at electrical noise.
Investigating these issues further I came across the BMU-2500, which comes fitted as standard with a DC Blocker. I had a chat with the guys at Factor One who were confident that the BMU would resolve these issues and it did. No more buzzing and humming, no more pops and clicks from appliances and the sound of my system is even better than before. Well worth the money.
James Fairchild - Enfield
My first experience with Factor One was with the purchase of the Balanced Power BMU-2500. I was using one of the more expensive Isotek models for a while and much like with the rest of my HiFi system and much like most audiophiles I am consistently looking towards the next upgrade in my system.
I use a Notts Analogue deck, Kondo SUT and phonostage, Antipodes streamer/server combo and Vitus DAC, Kondo pre into either a Vitus power amp or Definitive Audio modified Art Audio 300b, into a pair of Audiovectors.I tried many other conditioners, filters, regenerators and power supplies from other major brands on my quest for more performance. Some I liked, some I liked very much and others left a lot to be desired.The Balanced Power balanced power supply was at the cheaper end of my home demonstrations and I was hopeful after hearing good reports about it, yet realistic in my approach not to have any preconceived perception of how it may perform.
Install was simple and due to rack limitations (double width Creaktiv Trend) I had no choice but to place the unit underneath my rack on the floor, which just fit! Well, I must say, I was pretty much convinced by the technology and implementation from the off…
I use analogue as my main source, with digital being only a small % of my overall listening. The BMU certainly increased the overall presence of the music in terms of soundstage layering, I already have a beautifully wide soundstage but the BMU added better layering throughout and gives a tremendously quiet background. Tonal density and timbre are fantastic and the clarity in richness of notes is nothing short of bewildering at times. From the controlled bass-lines right up to the airy grain free top end I can’t fault what I’m hearing.
It’s also silent in operation and has eradicated any noise from my mains, which could be a problem at times, allowing me to achieve a consistent listening experience at any time of the day or night.I’d certainly recommend it to others!
Chris Thomas - Toton
I'm absolutely delighted with your excellent transformer and feet!!
The new level of resolution, from a already high level, are
something it will take a while to get used to.
The singers had an tendency towards that mongolian throat technique earlier, now their chests are coming forward along their "gestalt" (gestalt has the same meaning in swedish as in german but I can't figure out the english equivalent)
All the usual hifi traits are of course also on a higher level.
Kjell Hägglund - Sweden
In my Plinius setup I have found the balanced power supply to offer far greater insight, detail and quietness to the background. My daytime listening is equivalent to night time listening now.
Shipping wasn’t as expensive as I first thought it would be and with the export price I was given everything “balanced” out nicely.
Jeremy Colburn - Gold Coast AU
I came across Balanced Power after reading a review in HiFi Choice Magazine. I had been pondering a balanced supply for some time and the BMU-2500 seemed a cost effective route to trying one out.
I received my unit very quickly and was able to plug in all of my systems components (Accuphase) with one socket still free as there is a generous 6 sockets available (unlike others on the market).
The differences were immediate, even without completing burn in.
My soundstage has opened up dramatically, with all instruments having a more defined space in time.
Detail is more abundant and the representation of free air and space more notable. I sense more naturalness and balance to the overall presentation and bass extension is greater with more control.
I really can’t fault what this unit brings to my listening pleasure and it looks good and is well made to boot.
Adrian Farrow - York
A close friend of mine purchased a BMU-2500 from Factor One a few months ago. Since doing so we have had our frequent hifi related conversations over the phone (we only meet up 3-4 times in person a year due to our geography these days). He had made many fond statements about its performance with his Naim/Linn system - LP12, NDX2, 555PS, 252, SCDR and 135s. My system is similar with a LP12, CD3 and 555PS-DR, 252/SCDR, 135s (modified). Graham had said to me many times “just get one and try it, what do you have to lose?” But I’m the sort of person who likes to consider and mull things over for a long time prior to taking a plunge. Well, Graham was coming back to Telford for a week to visit family and said to me “im going to bring the BMU with me so that you can assess it for a few days while I’m in town”. Okay I said, I’d be happy to try it out.
A few weeks later my old friend arrived. We went for lunch and subsequently spent the remainder of the afternoon together listening to music with the BMU powering the system. I must admit, the improvements were obvious to us both and I looked forward to having some intimate time alone with the unit over the upcoming evenings.
I played a range of classical, rock, vocal and acoustic music over the coming evenings. The BMU-2500 certainly created a new found ‘order’ to my soundstage and bass notes were very well extended, solid and articulate. Midrange had more depth with more vivid details and the top end was very well extended, clean and controlled too, less apparent distortion, with digital.
My LP12 was the surprise, I already use Linn’s own Lingo power supply. Adding the Balanced Power supply gave me more of everything whilst retaining its character.
Needless to say I made a purchase and am very pleased.
Thank you 😊
S, J. Richardson - Telford
Analogue is my main source.
My system is simple. Clearaudio deck and phonostage into a Vitus integrated, coupled to Raidho speakers.
I use Studio Connections analogue, speaker and power cables from Factor One. An offer of trying the Balanced Power BMU-2500 was made. I was curious as I’ve heard a lot about what balanced supplies can do.
My demo went very well. I was pleasantly surprised at how well it could manage delicacies and quiet passages without quashing dynamic integrity, which is a very important factor for me being a predominantly classical listener.
There was a clear enough performance increase over my Russ Andrew’s Ultra Mains Block to proceed with the purchase and the supply was under half the price of RA’s own offering.
Highly recommended ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Joseph Abela - London
There are many words I’m sure which would explain the uplift in performance my system has received since installing the BMU more fitting than what I’m able to express. My system has increased its performance in every way imaginable. Highs, lows and everything inbetween. It’s as if all of my electronics have had an upgrade and not a small one at that. I’m so pleased I purchased this item, I would be without it now.
Brian Aspall - Cumbria
Balanced Power BMU 2500. The balanced mains unit has been in my system for a year now - it has brought a greatly improved sonic balance and clarity to my system. Highly recommended
Stuart Wilkie - Lymington
OMEX
Cormorant Garamond is a classic font with a modern twist. It's easy to read on screens of every shape and size, and perfect for long blocks of text.
Michael Dahnelt OMEX Review
I've finally found the time to tell you about my experience with the OMEX Symphony 3S device feet.
I first became aware of the OMEX feet through a short article in Image Hifi (DE). They are very similar to the Ansuz Darkz feet.
Since I use Ansuz Power Distributors in my power supply, I was familiar with the Darkz feet. I had three different versions and price ranges of these for testing for my distributors here.
I didn't really get along well with any of the three Darkz models. Something always bothered me. But it was always different.
When I saw the OMEX, I thought I had to try them out immediately.
I started with a set of 3S under my tube amp. But the sound didn't quite click. The tonal balance seemed to have shifted toward the high frequencies.
I removed the 3S and placed it under the lowest of the two Ansuz distributors. I stacked them one above the other and connected them one behind the other using a short power cable.
What reached my ears made me very curious about using additional 3S feet. The sound was no longer brightened and was very homogeneous.
I then placed the second set under my tube amp. And lo and behold, the sound improved further in terms of purity, precision, detail, and distinguishability of the timbres and tonal balance.
I placed the third set of 3S feet alternately under my two CD players and the phono preamp.
The sound result changed more and more towards what I described above each time.
I always did a quick A/B comparison with all devices and even listened for days with and without the 3S
I always did a quick A/B comparison of all devices and even listened for days with and without the 3S.
However, by switching so quickly, the listener misses what I consider the most obvious and positive feature. The 3S avoids any exaggeration or over-emphasis, so you'll look in vain for the wow factor. With other feet or couplers, you usually hear very quickly and clearly that their use trims or dampens the system's sound.
The 3S do neither.
They combine high precision and clarity with body and volume.
The music responds very well to the throttle and is powerful when this is required. However, with the right music, it can also sound laid back. The 3S provide better definition and clarity. The timbres feel like they have increased by 200%. The sound has improved in all areas and gets better, more harmonious, and more homogenous with each additional set of 3S.
The energy distribution is fantastically balanced, and with the right music, the bass is truly impressive. The transient response is top-notch.
What I'm so impressed with about the Symphony 3S feet is their harmonious distribution of hi-fi parameters. Nothing stands out, nothing is less well represented, and I get the long-term impression that it should sound exactly like that.
Speaking of long-term impressions, long-term listening is significantly enhanced by using the 3S feet. The music doesn't sound treble-heavy and shrill. It sounds more neutral and natural than with my absorber feet. This astonishes me all the more because no rigidly coupled foot has ever achieved this before.
Let me summarize briefly. The 3S feet create a feat I've never heard in this form and form before. And they combine pure analysis with musicality, color, flow, and emotionality. For me, they combine all the essential hi-fi criteria while avoiding any exaggerated presentation or overemphasis. No side effects have been observed for three months.
The 3S work synergistically. With each additional set, the quality of reproduction improves. But they also mercilessly point out where there's room for improvement elsewhere.
For example, the Ansuz distributors weren't optimally positioned with my absorber feet, and that's why the first 3S set didn't work well under my amp. I found the problem in the setup elsewhere, and so nothing stood out in the way of further tests.
At the end of my test, I also equipped the second Ansuz distributor with 3S feet. They absolutely have to stay there, and my source devices will have to wait a bit longer until each of them gets its own 3S set.
It's crazy because the distributors are devices for improving power quality. They don't even process a real music signal. And yet the 3S perform practically here.
I've long followed the principle of unrestricted troubleshooting. This creates better working conditions and allows the devices to reveal their full potential.
I've moved away from rigidly coupling the devices to their base for years and have now returned to rigid coupling.
The 3S are doing necessary work in my system and therefore I am hearing great things.
A few more things about my listening room and the system component.
My room is 4x7 meters and has a high ceiling of almost 4 meters towards the rear wall. The system is centered on the long side with a low ceiling height of 2 meters.
The system has been rotated 7 degrees into the room, so it's not positioned parallel to the front wall.
I ran a separate power cable from the fuse box to the listening room.
The fuse box contains a 3-phase fuse holder from Refine Audio for the pre-fuse circuit. For the sub-fuse circuit, I installed a Refine Audio cartridge-style fuse module. All fuses are from Refine Audio, including those in the components.
Power conditioning is handled by a Supra DC Blocker, an Ansuz A2, and a D3 distributor connected in series. Some power cables are from Ansuz, A2, and D2, but also from Audio Consequent and Vovox.
Signal cables are from Analog Tube Audio and Black Cat for the CD player, tonearm, and phono preamplifier. The second tonearm has an Isenberg Audio connection cable.
My vinyl turntable consists of an old Thorens TD 520 S that I converted to a mass-produced turntable 20 years ago. The tonearms are an SME 3012 modified by Analog Tube Audio with full silver wiring and a Rega tuned by Trans Rotor with an Isenberg cable.
The Thorens is heavily tuned. The original brass platter has even more flywheel mass, a double-layered acrylic platter with its own center pin, and a large linear power supply. The chassis is made of a birch plywood cabinet filled with quartz sand. I'm also using two MC pickups: a Clearaudio Talisman V2 Gold and a Miyajima Shilabe.
The speakers are Trenner & Friedl Pharoahs with absorber feet on sandstone bases. I'm also running a DIY subwoofer with a 15" PA bass driver in a bandpass enclosure. The subwoofer amp is from Reckhorn and is in the rack.
The speaker cable is a Sternklang foil cable.
I equipped my listening room with homemade diffusers on the walls and ceiling. The sound characteristics can be described as slightly dry, with a short reverberation time.
I use only two small DIY models in the high rear corners of the room as absorbers. Behind the listening position are diffusers and a thin DIY absorber above the listening position.
The acoustics of my listening room are free of any overtones and long reverberation times.
The distance to the floorstanding Pharoahs is 2.3 meters. So, I tend to listen from a short distance, as is probably often the case in many listening rooms.
Last but not least, I would like to mention the separate grounding of all devices with copper foil cables connected to Huesmann Earth Conductors and the power and room re-energization with Hifine cylinders.
All in all, a very musical and musically beneficial result!
Best regards from Germany
Michael Dahnelt - Niederfischbach Germany
My rack is a Creaktiv Trend Double Width. My isolation is/was made up of various Stillpoints, Finite Elements, Nordost and a few other not as well known brands which I’ve dabbled with.
I became aware of OMEX after a previous purchase from Factor One of their Balanced Power BMU-2500 power supply (which is still within my system, even after many other changes). I was curious how the Symphony 2S and 3S would perform in my analogue front-end. I have unfortunate height restrictions within my rack and appreciated their approach in having a lower profile variant for those in a similar position.
I tried a combination of 2S and 3S with my Kondo SUT and Phonostage, where previously I was using Stillpoints Ultra and Ultra 2S. The OMEX were certainly a good comparison to each of the Stillpoints models with notable benefits being a more natural and tonally accurate sound. The Stillpoints were a little more open but also a little more etched and mechanical sounding and at times during my initial listening tests I really could have lived with either, depending on choice of music.
It was only after spending much more time listening that my brain adjusted away from the Stillpoints presentation to the more natural and typically analogue sound that the OMEX gave. Don’t get me wrong, the Stillpoints are absolutely fantastic but more of an initial wow, where the OMEX are as I said more natural. They also didn’t present me with any loss of detail at all in comparison.
I purchased a few further sets to try on my Antipodes streamer/server combo which again tipped the scales to a more analogue presence and better overall performance compared to the Finite Elements Cerapucks I was using previously. For me this was very welcomed as I don’t really listen to much digital.
My Kondo M-7 preamp is also a match made in heaven! I also tried them under my newly acquired Mola Mola DAC which gave an immediate uplift in performance, enhancing it in many ways, especially noting a more organic top end.
My Art Audio Argento (Definitive Audio modified) was one of the biggest surprises. Comparing Symphony 3S again Dalby Audio feet and Stillpoints Ultra 6s, I again, concluded that the OMEX are indeed the more favourable sound and it wasn’t even that close!
There’s a cool little tweak with the Symphony feet. You can use them with the rubber O rings on the internal spine for a slightly smoother sound or remove them altogether for a slightly cleaner and more dynamic sound, I love this tweak as I am able to really fine tune their abilities dependant on placement.
Another great product!
Chris Thomas - Toton
Got a set of 2S for my Auralic Aries G2.1…awesome! Really brought it to life. Got another two sets for my Metrum Amber and Luxman 505UxII. Same great results, everything is more vivid and realistic. Maybe some for the Harbeths next…
Andy Tomlinson Elmbridge
After being a Studio Connections user for many years I was asked if I’d like to try some OMEX Symphony feet. Well, I’m very glad I did!
First off the packaging itself is a work of art, it’s not very often a Hifi brand goes to this level to present an expensive item. It really adds to the pride of ownership factor for sure.
The product itself is equally as visually impressive too and also very well made.
What have they done for my sound?
I had 4 sets of Symphony 3A and the results have been fantastic under my VPI and Moon amplifier, along with my Audiovectors.
Bass is more tuneful, the soundstage bigger and an abundance more detail in every area of the sound. Exploring my music collection again has been a revelation and I really couldn’t recommend them more to anybody looking for something at this performance level, for not that big an outlay really.
Darren G - Uxbridge
I’m using 3 x sets of OMEX Symphony 3As with my main system and have to say the improvements are profound. I’ve tried and tried en other isolation products and what I enjoy most about these is that they don’t change the Moon sound, simply enhance it in all areas, yet at the same time give more insight and shape to the sound. I’ll defo be in touch for some for my speakers when funds allow thanks!
Garry Mitchell - Bristol
All good guys, love the OMEX. Everything sounds much better, difficult to describe but it sounds like I’ve had a new amplifier that is controlling my speakers far better. A little tricky to put underneath my speakers but once I realised the sticky pads are used to hold the layers together while placing under speakers I had a little chuckle to myself and installation went swimmingly thereafter ha!
Terence Crisp - Stratton
I can’t thank you enough for performance uplift. OMEX are amazing! They make the sound more full of detail and drama.
Rega P9 is more vivid and natural. Denafrips Avatar and Pontus 12th sound more like analogue Rega. Will try with Hegel H390 and Harbeth SHL5 another day
Ami Gent – Bruges
OMEX 2S. The OEX 2S are installed under all of my components Linn Selekt Edition, Rega P8, Bricasti M3H Antipodes CX and Norma IPA140, along with OMEX 2A under my BMU 2500. The impact of OMEX on my system has been to elevate it to a level which I hadn't thought possible with my mid-range electronics and Wuadraspire Q4 equipment rack. The OMEX' have lead to a greater definition thoughout the frequency range. For me the OMEX' are a more flexible approach than buying a high-end equipment rack.
Stuart Wilkie – Lymington
Very Impressed!
It’s been a while since I’ve felt compelled to leave a review of any kind on any product. In the case of Factor One and their OMEX Symphony range of equipment supports I felt compelled.
Firstly frs;omh with these guys is an absolute pleasure. They have a great knowledge base and a wealth of experience in the field, answering all my questions quickly and spending real-time in discussing my system and it’s potential requirements. I certainly never felt like I was taking up too much of their time.
I have a Levinson 519 Streaming CD Player and a Levinson 585.5 Amplifier, not exactly a complex system but nevertheless a very communicative and high-fidelity sound which I enjoy very much.
I took the opportunity of demoing the OMEX Symphony 2S against the 3S. I have no height restrictions to contend with as both player and amplifier reside on a solid teak shelf built into an alcove.
Both 2S and 3S present the image similarly in terms of tonal colour, image density and midrange presence. 3S however, delivered a more expansive image, with increased midrange depth and layering. Resolution had more definition but never added more detail perse but rendered details in a more refined manner, polishing and highlighting more micro details more immaculately.
The character of my system certainly remains Levinson. The uplift in resolution and image presence has taken a clear step toward getting more out of them.
I won’t be attempting to mount my Wilsons on a set of Symphony feet, I read in Hifi+ that the reviewer had good results doing just this with his Duette standmounts. My SabrinaX however are a different sort of colossus which are just fine where they are!
A big thank you to Factor One.
Adrian Weiss – Burbank LA