Ansuz Mainz8 D2 and Mainz8 D-TC Power Distributors
Review samples supplied by Ohm Audio
Retail prices in the Netherlands, including 21% VAT:
Mainz D2 Power Cable 8.800 euro for 1 meter
Mainz8 D2 Power Distributor 8.000 euro
Mainz8 D-TC Power Distributor 20.000 euro
Darkz Resonance Control Adjustable T2 920 euro per piece
Darkz Resonance Control Adjustable T2 Supreme 1.380 euro per piece
Mainz 8 D2 and Mainz 8 D-TC
The Ansuz Mainz8 power distributors have been designed with the goal of providing a very clean power supply to all Hi-Fi components of the audio system. This is mainly achieved by applying Ansuz’s advancements in noise reduction and resonance control. Mainz8 power distributors provide a low grounding impedance which ensures that almost no noise is transferred from the power distributor to the individual power cables that feed the hi-fi components. The Ansuz Mainz8 D2 power distributor is equipped with both Ansuz Tesla active coil technology and Ansuz dither technology.
As Ansuz found, the cabinet has an influence on the sound, which emanates from the material the cabinet is made of – usually aluminum – which results from its mechanical resonance. To eliminate this distortion, the challenge was to minimize the use of aluminum in the cabinet. Ansuz’s sister company Aavik began testing various materials and designed an innovative natural-based composite material (Black lacquered composite wood), which reduces the mechanical influence, particularly the hysteresis.
Ansuz Star Ground technology is built around a precisely defined area within the power distributor (the star point) boasting the lowest possible grounding impedance. It ensures that no voltage is transferred from the power distributor to the power cables of the individual audio components. Since this star point has the best ground impedance, all sockets in the power distributor are grounded from here. The system can be further optimized by the use of Ansuz Mainz Power cables. They complement the power distributor with a strong grounding conductor as well as various shielding and noise-suppressing technologies.
The key operating principle of the Ansuz Tesla coil is to have two coils wound in opposite directions – one coil and one counter coil. In Ansuz’s words, this is called “A double inverted coil”. The two coils both carry voltage, and when one of the Tesla coils encounters a voltage spike, a counter spike is activated to eliminate the noise. Since noise spikes are pure voltage carrying virtually no charge, the cancelation is quite good, but not perfect. Adding more Tesla coils in parallel increases the noise cancellation and the perceived blackness in the music increases significantly along with the purity and clarity of the sound. Ansuz uses various types of Tesla coils, as their individual properties ideally complement and reinforce each other.
The active cable Tesla coil is wound directly on the outer part of the cable and protects the signal from absorbing the airborne RF noise. This noise is absorbed in the Tesla coil. The active version is about three to four times more efficient than the Passive cable Tesla coil.
Analog dither technology originated in radar, where it ensured a stronger signal and thus greater range. Ansuz adopted this technology. Their active Tesla coils send pulsating signals at precisely defined frequencies. These signals are sent in anti-phase. This amplifies the musical signal and eliminates the background noise floor.
Both the Mainz 8 D2 and the Mainz 8 D-TC distributors offer Star-Grounding, Cable Tesla Coils, and Dither Circuitry. The Cable Tesla Coils are active coils that are acting directly on the mains wires.
Above: Mainz8 D2, Below: Mainz8 D-TC
What distinguishes the Mainz8 D2 from the over twice as costly Mainz8 D-TC power distributor are a few important aspects, the first of which can be seen and felt when looking at the two units side by side and picking them up. The D-TC version is wider, taller, considerably deeper, and significantly heavier.
The added weight is caused for a large part by its more complex enclosure and the internal double-layer Resonance Control mechanism which places the electronics on a second layer that is coupled to the distributor’s bottom panel via a custom version of Darkz feet. In addition to these mechanical differences, the D-TC distributor also offers additional Active Tesla Coils as well as Active Square Tesla Coils. The latter type of coil is embedded on both sides of the double-sided circuitry board.
Contrary to the descriptions on the original Ansuz website, mentioning a “Non-magnetic steel chassis” for both distributors, this is actually only true for the Mainz8 D2 (pictured above). The Mainz8 D-TC is made entirely of very dense wood composite.
Next: Darkz T2 and T2 Supreme
Hi Christiaan,
Have you also tried without any balls and just the darkz underneath the conditioner? I am interested in the single impact of the balls
Hi Mark, I’ve not tried this with the Darkz and due to the ridges in the Mainz’ feet, that wouldn’t have been ideal for stability either. But I could have positioned them directly under the main chassis as one would do with Ceraballs or other aftermarket footers. Alas, I have not tried that. Also, note that one will never bypass all the balls in the Darkz as there are still those between the two discs. Anyway, earlier experience tells me that removing a narrow point of contact while retaining a hard coupling with the main material will result in a slightly warmer and less articulate delivery with less obvious transients and “fatter” bass and lower midrange. It’s not something I would recommend unless the system sounds too controlled or too dry.
Hi Christiaan,
Thanks for the reply. Do you mean it is the same when not applied to the ansuz products, but for example as support for the amplifier?
Yes, it is my experience that pretty much all components respond similarly to support. Somewhat annoyingly, indeed, Darkz and other resonance control devices, spikes, or other couplers can be as beneficial under a power distributor as under a source component or amplifier. I use Finite Elemente Cerapucs under my relatively simple power distributors and they make a heck of a difference. Many times I have wanted to remove them and apply them elsewhere but every time I tried, I no longer liked the sound without them. The Darkz are probably even more effective than the Cerapucs but I have not made that comparison as they were part of the Power Distributor review, it was not a full Darkz review.
Hello Christian,
this was indeed an exciting test for me to read, and it is 100% in line with my own experience. I became aware of Ansuz products the year before last and was also rather skeptical. I have a complete Grimm Audio setup, so LS1be and MU1 as a source and was sure there is not much more to change. What a big mistake that hurt very very much financially, but sonically has brought me to a level that I would not have thought possible. I can also assure you that you would have been even more excited if you had instead of the D2 a complete DTC2 wiring. The DTC cables are just as good as the DTC Mainz8 and both together are incredible. I use a DTC Supreme Mainz8 and DTC2 power cords that are well beyond the value of the speakers and streamer, but I can assure you that it makes 100% sense. Even a single DTC power cord has so far brought the Ansuz magic you describe to every system I’ve been able to try it on. The Darkz are similarly sensational and everyone I told smiled kindly but usually didn’t believe it. All the greater was my joy then to be able to look into the astonished faces when testing. 🙂
Greetings Björn
Mainz is the capital of Rheinland-Pfalz/ Germany …nothing more and nothing less! And the sticker prize of these accompanying items is just RIDICULOUS in my humble opinion!
Hello Christian, thank you so much for the nice review. By reading your exciting review, I am interested in Mainz8, now.
May I ask you? In the Mainz8, the top model is D-TC superme. It is very very high price. But, the difference to D-TC is only ‘Anti aerial resonance coil technology’. D-TC superme may be great of course. But are only small upgrade of sound for comparing to D-TC???
Many thanks again,
Hi Messa, I have not heard the D-TC Supreme Mainz8 and while the price difference is indeed enormous, other experience with Ansuz products as well as Aavik products that also use this coil technology tells me that the Annsuz top-tier models will indeed offer even better performance than the lower-tier models. Even if the only difference is something as seemingly trivial as the type or number of coils, this will still result in a large audible difference. Thus far, with Ansuz and Aavik products, that has mostly meant a more organic presentation with deeper imaging.
Hi Christiaan,
Thank you very much! Ansuz are nice manufacture. If you checked the D-TC Supreme Mainz8, please me teach the impression. And, I look forward to your next reviews, too.
Many thanks again
Messa
Hi Christiaan
Thanks for a great review. I have just bought the Ansuz D2 Mainz8 with Darkz c2t / Tungsten balls. And it just sounds so amazing. Just like you describe. Right now I use the Belden cable with Oyiade C004/schucko .
My question is what cable length did you use with the D2 Ansuz cable. I have been recommended to start with the A2 Ansuz cable. Is there a “rule” when it comes to length of a power cable ? Some say it should be 2 m at least
Best regards
Michael Gravlund
Hi Michael, There are many opinions on (power) cable length. Indeed, some say 1,5m, others say 2m. My own experience tells me that the longer the cable, the more you hear of its character or its effect. That can go two ways. A fat sounding cable will usually sound fatter as it becomes longer. The opposite is not always true but I did find it to be the case for GigaWatt LC-2 EVO where the 2-meter cable sounded very noticeably leaner, tighter, and crisper than the 1,5 meter cable. Of course, the “best” length will be the length that has the best synergy with your system and/or caters to your taste. As such, I don’t feel there is an absolute best. I will say that I’m not a fan of ultra-short cables because they will always turn out too short when you chance something in the system. As a result, the cables I use are usually 2 meters or longer. I’m not sure of the length of the Ansuz cable but I think it was 2m.
hi Christiaan.
thanks for your answer. Then I think I have to try different lengths of the A2 before buying. I tried a 2m a while ago and compared it to the Belden combo like you use.
there was a remarkable difference in the sound. there was more “body” to the sound. more punchy if you could say so. But it also make me in doubt, because I felt it was too overwhelming in some way. but in the deep bass the A2 sounds alot better. more tight bass. but you are about the synergy… and thats the tough part LOL
best regards
Michael
What with all the swapping around I did not notice the Mainz8 in your Artesania rack. Did I miss it or is there a reason?
The Artesania racks have a rack-in-a-rack construction that works opposite to regular racks and a bit like a pendulum. The racks sound increasingly relaxed and “free-flowing” the lower the level. This is why I don’t use their bottom levels, and prefer using power distributors on the floor.
Hello Christiaan,
How did the sound check with the Soulution 711 go?
Actually like Soulution 725 and
711 no line filter.
My attempts with poer conditioners on 7 series devices went completely wrong.
To put some numbers into play, I would
Talk about a 40% loss in sound!!
Thank you for the answer.
Kind regards
Jürgen Kress
Sorry Christiaan,
The translator must have swallowed some words!!
Actually like Soulution 725 and
711 no power conditioners .
My attempts with power conditioners on 7-series devices went completely wrong .
Kind regards
Jürgen
Hi Jurgen, I find that not all systems need or like conditioning. The ones I tried have different sonic signatures, but they usually have a huge impact, and their character has to synergize with a given system. I have not tried the power conditioners in Niels’s 711 setup, but we did connect the D2 Power Cable, and that worked very nicely. He normally uses a Cardas Golden Power for his amps, and the Ansuz made for a grippier, more impactful and robust sound that still carried warmth and fluidity, and was delicate and refined.
I have had a Powerplant P12 from PS Audio. but switching to Ansuz Mainz8 D2 made a huge improvement to the sound. more detailed, better bas control. better sound stage etc. The P12 didnt do a thing. And when adding more Ansuz products like cables and Sortz , Sparkz is just kept on getting better. it is a matter of how much money you want to spent on your system. I am a Bricasti fan and own M28, M10 and M21 paired with Franco Serblin Ktema speakers. it has never been better after I have startet with the Ansuz products.