THE DISCOVERY SERIES

V5 ELEKTRA

 

 

REMOVES MAINS NOISE

Differential Mode mains noise is created by all electrical appliances – everything with a power supply, in fact. This includes your microwave oven, your television and your computer, as well as every hi-fi component you own.

Common Mode mains noise is often referred to as RFI – transmitted frequencies that surround us but we cannot see. For example, imagine how much data is transmitted by smartphones and tablets; cheap power cables act as aerials (antennas) for these unwanted frequencies.

 

SINE WAVE CORRECTION

From a high quality audio point of view, mains electricity needs two factors; a nice 50 or 60Hz sine wave supplied from a very low impedance source, without radio frequency noise. The low impedance makes for a near constant voltage regardless of how much power is used in the surrounding area. In reality we can typically expect around 5% fluctuation. The very low impedance of the mains, which is way below 1 ohm at 50 or 60Hz is not maintained when approaching radio frequencies (> 50 ohms > 100 kHz) and acts as an aerial (antenna) inviting RF noise.

IsoTek’s power cleaning circuits are designed to reduce impedance whilst remaining safe as well as correcting well into the audio frequency bands. This is not only a judgment from sound electrical engineering, but it also follows the codes of electrical safety, which are independently assessed.

 

MULTIPLE FILTER SYSTEM

Many IsoTek products are not just a single power cleaning system but are multiple power cleaners in one convenient chassis. The advantage being that each component in your audio system has own dedicated clean power delivery system. Furthermore, Differential Mode noise, created as electrical devices draw power, is kept to a minimum and the possibility of electrical noise cross contamination between outlet sockets is eliminated.

Many power cleaning systems simply place a standard filter design in a box with all outlet sockets joined together in series one after the other, thus connected equipment cross contaminates and the purpose of the product is lost.

 

INDEPENDENT SOCKETS

IsoTek products feature outlet sockets that are totally independent from each other; no two outlet sockets being directly connected. This is a critical point for limiting or eliminating the cross contamination of Differential Mode mains noise.

Each socket connects directly back to the PCB and is serviced by IsoTek’s unique power cleaning technologies.

 

HIGH GRADE COMPONENTS

Every IsoTek product uses the finest grade electrical components, many custom made, using the highest quality metals and materials which are specifically designed for purpose. Quality doesn’t stop at parts but also extends into the PCB designs, which maintain high levels of amperage and extraordinarily low levels of resistance, using up to eight times the general standard of copper prior to pure silver plating.

Internal wiring also uses high purity coppers combined with silver plating, with either Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP) dielectric or IsoTek’s Virtual Dielectric of Air (VDA), where a FEP tube is wound around the conductor before an extruded FEP dielectric protects this construction giving unrivalled performance and the ultimate low resistance, high performance internal power delivery system.

 

SURGE PROTECTION

Power surges or spikes on the mains supply are generally very bad for any electrical device especially a high quality audio replay system. Power surges occur when there is a boost to the electrical charge at some point in the power lines. This causes an increase in the electrical potential energy, which can increase the current flowing to your wall outlet. This in turn can damage your sensitive audio system.

The IsoTek protection system uses an array of VDRs which offer a cascading level of protection, in some cases over 100’000A. These step in fast and sequentially dependent upon the severity of the encountered power surge or spike. The architecture of the protection circuit extends dramatically and almost instantly when required.

The protection circuit has two primary functions, one to preserve itself and the second to step in gradually as any problem increases, with the ability to act very fast should an extreme condition occur. The protection circuits also protect the filters and the filters assist the protection in the initial stage. Unlike many protection devices these assist sound quality as well as providing protection.  Studies suggest this problem is not subtle and is frequent. The disturbing challenge is the 1’000 to 6’000V range. It is likely most protection systems do very little good and probably cause sound degradation.

 

ADAPTIVE GATING

IsoTek’s unique Adaptive Gating system determines the appropriate level of differential filtration for any connected load. The maximum level of overall power filtration is achieved whilst respecting current requirements.

This system also eliminates Differential Mode noise cross contamination between outlet sockets, as all connected devices will corrupt the supplied clean power upon consumption throwing back Differential Mode noise. It is vital that this noise isn’t allowed to affect another component’s performance.

 

K.E.R.P.

Technical papers state that Kirchhoff’s circuit laws are two equalities that deal with the current and potential difference (commonly known as voltage) in the lumped element model of electrical circuits. They were first described in 1845 by German physicist Gustav Kirchhoff. This generalized the work of Georg Ohm and preceded the work of James Clerk Maxwell. Widely used in electrical engineering, they are also called Kirchhoff’s rules or simply Kirchhoff’s laws. These laws can be applied in time and frequency domains and form the basis for network analysis.

The guiding principles for IsoTek circuits are driven by Kirchhoff’s two current laws, a simple analogy would be that for every litre of water placed into a water distribution system we would expect to get the same out.

To put it another way, Kirchhoff and Gauss described how seemingly impossible problems could be resolved by the concept of a town. If traffic flows on a circular orbital road around the town there is no effect on the town. However, if traffic enters the town, then there will be an effect on the town, and however many cars that enter eventually have to leave. The structure of that town will have either a positive or negative effect on that migration. In electronics this is also true. We must totally respect the signal path as, whether one wishes it or not, ultimately everything will be in the signal path to a greater or lesser degree.

 

MULTI 6N OFC AG

As one would expect, the internal wiring of any IsoTek product is of the highest standard, pure 6n OFC (Oxygen Free Copper – 99.9999%) conductor strands with silver-plating offer low resistance and high amperage. An FEP dielectric is used to protect the conductors as well as giving the ultimate internal power delivery system.

IsoTek’s internal wiring synergizes with the range of IsoTek power cables. One critical but overlooked area is maintaining commonality of design and material properties though an audio wiring loom, be it signal carrying cables or your power cable network.

 

CONTINUOUS ABSOLUTE POWER

IsoTek delivers absolute power, unrestricted current delivery within what the power company can supply, and regulations allow. Generally, for power amplifiers or high wattage electronics IsoTek provides output which offers extremely low impedance and low DCR, this completely eliminates (within the concepts of power filtering) any possibility of current restriction and enhances dynamic range, the impedance of the chain back to the power station being far larger. When power is contaminated, dynamic range is reduced.

It is impossible to get more than 100% out of the mains supply. The very principle of AC power is that it doesn’t store energy in the transmission system. It is therefore impossible to store energy in an AC system by the very principles by which it works. There can be no so-called power reserve, thus a power reserve within an AC circuit in the truest sense of the word does not and cannot exist.

Power reserve would require the voltage to increase as ohms law insists it must, saying a circuit doesn’t sag isn’t a reserve of power. The AC waveform goes between maximum and minimum points at 50 Hz in 10 mS, it then swings to the maximum negative value. At 20 mS a full cycle is achieved. Therefore, in fact the average values of an AC waveform is zero. Only as a power wave can it be positive, this is due to the law of squared negatives. It looks like a ballooned sine wave where the value of 45 degrees is 0.5 not 0.7071 from a trigonometric table. Were this only a voltage wave it would have a long-term value of zero! As far as energy storage is concerned zero is the value of stored energy.

Direct Current resistance (DCR) will cause sag. To put it in other words, a system has to be developed which does not limit the power reserve of the power station, meaning a circuit needs to have extremely low resistance whilst maintaining sufficiently high inductance. When done correctly and in perfect balance the inductance is virtually zero at 50/60 Hz and the Direct Current resistance (DCR) is also very close to zero. Therefore, an ideal filter circuit must maintain zero Ohms resistance DC (or very close) and considerable AC resistance to noise above 50/60 Hz. Despite statements to the contrary, this is precisely where correctly specified materials matter most. Whilst some might consider these ‘exotic’ they represent a critical and important part of the function and appropriate to use. Remarkably IsoTek filter designs can maintain very low resistance at 50/60Hz but have very high amounts of noise cancellation above that frequency.

Most AC circuits are reactive – produce a reaction either from the power drawn or the circuit itself, put simply they are not pure resistors and behave like a capacitance and resistance or an inductance and resistance. In an ideal world the only allowable impediment is resistance and ideally this needs to be extremely low. A dilemma, do you want high transient power, or do you want heavy filtration – amazingly you can have both, but one must have components of the very highest quality, which are designed specifically for purpose with totally correct architecture. This is extremely complex and has resulted in the design of specialist parts; these do not exist outside the world of specialist power engineering and are unique to IsoTek designs.

 

SYSTEM LINK

Some IsoTek products (all V5) contain a System Link outlet, which is designed to connect multiple units together, maintaining a stared earth reference, and preserving the need for multiple wall outlet sockets.

This is particularly useful for joining multiple units together using our System Link cable available in EVO3 Initium, EVO3 Premier, EVO3 Sequel and EVO3 Optimum quality.

 

3 YEAR WARRANTY

As part of our on-going commitment to the highest standards of customer service, IsoTek offers you the opportunity to extend the standard 2 years product warranty to 3 years, free of charge.

Simply REGISTER YOUR PURCHASE with IsoTek. We do not share your personal details with any third parties without your permission.

 

 

DESIGN

The V5 Elektra represents IsoTek’s new entry-level component width power cleaning system featuring six independent outlets with six individual power cleaning networks. The Elektra measures 450mm in width, 350mm deep and 106mm high. It features two high current outlets (for amplifiers) that are driven by a two stage high current power cleaning network consisting of both choke and double Pi filter design. Each of the four remaining medium current outlets (for your source components) feature four independent six stage delta filter power cleaning networks, these give almost 20 dB of power cleaning at 1kHz (reference 600 Ohms), this then improves to almost 40 dB at 10 kHz, ten times greater than the recommended standard. A further five independent filter stages are placed between each output combined with IsoTek’s Adaptive Gating system which is double that of the EVO3 Aquarius, this is designed to eliminate Differential Mode cross contamination between each power outlet.

Thus, Elektra is six power cleaning systems in one box. Most power filters of this style join output sockets together, running each in series connection. This is an error of judgement as Differential Mode Noise, created by the connected load (your audio components) will cross contaminate between the output sockets. The electrical architecture and multiple power cleaning networks, one for each output socket of the V5 Elektra prevents this and is therefore superior.

Both Differential Mode and Common Mode noise are dramatically reduced. Cross contamination of connected components is also kept to a minimum due to the multiple power cleaning stages one for each output socket. Most power filters join output sockets together, running each in series. This is an error as Differential Mode Noise created by your connected electronics will cross contaminate from one output socket to the next.

The electrical architecture and design of the V5 Elektra is inline with IsoTek’s high standard of purposeful design. The printed circuit board (PCB) design and topology has twice the industry standard copper loading and is silver plated to improve amperage and decreased resistance. Unique critical (bespoke) components have better overall tolerances with improved inductance and current handling to that of the EVO3 range. This new circuit offers twice the inductance and 40% more current compared to the EVO3 Aquarius. This contributes to a more open and specious sound stage, micro dynamics and greater detail with more immediate timing. Dramatically improved Direct Current Resistance (DCR) has been applied throughout this new design. Part of the IsoTek goal being to reduce DCR bringing performance closer to the zero Ohms ideal.

These technological improvements result in the V5 Elektra delivering 10A of absolute power, unrestricted current delivery (close to 16A transient) within the power company standard, and regulations allow within a 10A designed product.

KERP © (Kirchhoff’s Equal Resistance Path) ensures equal resistance and equal power delivery to all outlets. The internal wiring is of the highest standard, a unique 2sqmm design featuring pure 6n oxygen free copper conductor strands each silver-plated, these offer low resistance and high amperage. An aerospace grade Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP) dielectric, with very low dielectric resistance is used to protect the conductors as well as giving an ideal conductor contact dielectric for the internal power delivery system.

Furthermore, the instantaneous protection of the V5 Elektra is increased to 67’500A, this not only protects the circuit but also safeguards your valuable connected equipment via IsoTek’s unique sequential and repeatable protection system.

V5 Elektra also contains a System Link outlet, this is designed to connect multiple units together, whilst maintaining a star earth reference, and preserving the need for multiple wall outlet sockets.

The internal wiring of IsoTek products synergises with the range of IsoTek power cables. One critical but overlooked area within audio is maintaining commonality of design and material properties though an audio wiring loom, be it a signal carrying cable or a power cable network.

IsoTek’s award winning EVO3 Initium power cable is also included.

 

REVIEW & AWARDS

HiFi line filter IsoTek V5 Elektra – pure electricity for clean sound - Read More

"The IsoTek V5 line filter strip will certainly be relevant for those who do not prefer any compromises or half-solutions. Of course, 1,599 euros seems quite generous for a line filter, but in my opinion it is a worthwhile investment in the long term. On the one hand, you not only have protection in the event of an overvoltage, but also the good feeling that you have left nothing to chance when it comes to electricity. The V5 Elektra is clearly a cathedral of electricity, it uses its capabilities to not only keep the devices connected to it from any harm, but also to fully bring out their sonic potential. Tonally, it doesn't tend towards any shy, reserved expression, but rather ensures a clean, dynamic and neutrally balanced sound that takes the edge off and results in a pleasant, coherent and holistically involving style of playing." - FRITZ I. SCHWERTFEGER

 

IsoTek V5 Elektra power conditioner - Read More

"Sometimes power product reviews are a little difficult to write and place in context, but maybe that’s because we’re being polite about their performance. The IsoTek V5 Elektra needs no apologies or excuses; you plug it in, you hear what it does, you buy it. It will keep your system cosseted in great power until you reach some very high-end audio kit. " - Alan Sircom

 

REVIEW ISOTEK V5 ELEKTRA: SOPHISTICATED POWER CLEANING SYSTEM IN A NEW PRICE RANGE - Read More

"With the V5 Elektra, IsoTek has succeeded in applying its sophisticated technology for power filtering and cleaning networks in a new price range. " - EDOUARD HENDRIX

 

 

IsoTek V5 Elektra – sound plus thanks to clean electricity for six devices - Read More

"As IsoTek's new entry-level model in the line filter portfolio, the V5 Elektra offers outstanding performance: at an attractive price, it combines high-level surge protection with complex and efficient power optimization. Each of the six slots is equipped with its own filtering - and this in turn is designed precisely: the four connections for source devices and the two outputs for amplifiers are filtered differently for optimal performance. This effort was worth it: The V5 Elektra provides greater sound clarity, transparency and resolution and increases precision, dynamics and bass power. This means that the reproduction gains significantly in plasticity and spatiality and therefore in presence, intensity and liveliness. When listening, you also notice a greater sense of calm and relaxation. The V5 Elektra proves acoustically what it already claims visually: the high-quality power supply is an essential component of a sophisticated system. " - Volker Frech

 

Review: IsoTek V5 Elektra – Schone stroom en prachtig geluid - Read More

"With the V5 Elektra, IsoTek has succeeded in applying its sophisticated technology for power filtering and cleaning networks in a lower price range for the first time. There is no doubt that the IsoTek V5 Elektra, with its excellent value for money, can be a significant upgrade in a quality audiovisual system. Not only because of the better performance, but also because of the high degree of protection and the associated potentially increased lifespan of our cherished audiovisual equipment. If the investment in an IsoTek V5 Elektra is in proportion to the total value of the set in which you want to use the V5 Elektra, there is no reason not to do it. Don't take my word for it, but go to an IsoTek dealer and put it to the test. The chance that you will return the IsoTek V5 Elektra seems very small to me. Don't say I didn't warn you. " - Edouard Hendrix

 

Test Stromfilter IsoTek V5 Elektra - Read More

"The new power filter gives the impression that it is the quintessence of IsoTek's work to date: The V5 Elektra is well made and also looks so elegant and valuable that it visually enriches the system. The fact that it (as usual) provides lightning protection and enables the system to be completely switched off is extremely pleasant. Its six slots are enough for almost all hi-fi systems. But above all, the filter sounds so convincingly good, giving the sound contours and finesse without slowing down the dynamics.

And so its price of 1,600 euros is absolutely OK. In order to really get even more sound from clean electricity, you need the so-called conditioners. And they are many times more expensive. If you want to tackle the issue of electricity with an affordable, no-nonsense product, the V5 Elektra is the right choice." - Holger Biermann

 

Electricity in perfection - Read More

"Without question, the V5 Elektra from IsoTek belongs to the range of technically advanced power supplies: its sophisticated filter network, solid cabling and comfort set standards. In addition, there is the oversized surge protection, which protects the connected devices without compromising even a minimum of sound quality. The V5 Elektra also offers a link output for system expansion so that the system can grow. If you want to save on standby power, you can shut down the entire system using a switch. Finally, the sound quality can be influenced by the choice of supply cable. In other words, IsoTek's V5 Elektra is a perfect, inexpensive solution for power supply." - Olaf Sturm

 

 

SPECIFICATIONS

NUMBER OF OUTLETS	6 + System Link
TYPE OF OUTLETS	UK, EU, US, AU & CH
MAINS INLET	10A IEC C14
MAINS VOLTAGE	100-240V / 50-60Hz
MEDIUM CURRENT - 230V	x4 (5A 1'150W total)
MEDIUM CURRENT - 115V	x4 (5A 575W total)
HIGH CURRENT - 230V	x2 (10A 2'300W total)
HIGH CURRENT - 115V	x2 (10A 1'150W total)
SYSTEM LINK	x1
SURGE PROTECTION	67'500A
DIMENSIONS (W X H X D)	450 x 106 x 350mm
WEIGHT	9.0Kg