"Remarkable"?...not a term I'm usually very happy with in equipment description, but in this context hopefully I will be forgiven - ie. in comparison to my AirlinkTransformers ASF3000 BMU (with Advanced Filter System) and its own historic comparison with an (much more expensive) Isotek 'Titan'.
EDIT : The Airlink and Titan were also fed by a PowerInspired Regenerator...until it packed up!! (Made very little difference anyway actually...and see ps).
This BMU-2500 is the brainchild of Daniel and his team at a UK independent high end specialist - FACTOR ONE, and what they've managed to achieve is quite astonishing (another term I don't use lightly), and even more so at the price. Its classy minimalist design (which appeals to me anyway) and obvious supreme build quality hint at what's to come long before plugging it in, and even 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.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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!
5. 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.
6. 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.
I could go on further about what this BMU-2500 is capable of, but suffice to finish with my own belief at least that I use the word "remarkable" with good justification, and highly recommend you at least give it a try, if at all possible. Daniel, of Factor One is an amazingly knowledgeable, helpful guy and will answer any questions/queries you may have : https://www.factor-one.co.uk/product-page/balanced-power-bmu-2500
ps. My system comprises (now) BMU-2500>Denon DCD A110 (SA)CD/DVD-+R player (as transport)>Ferrum Hypsos PSU>Chord mscaler/TT2>Cen.Grand 9i-906 "Silver Fox" headphone amp>Meze Empyreans (OG, Angled Alcantara pads). ALL cables DIY using various combinations of Neotech UP-OCC multi-gauge solid silver and copper wires (always together) and in a dual configuration...ie. separate for pos/neg; signal/return.
pps. An invaluable addition is the 2500's incorporated trip/CB safety function that protects all connected equipment (as some others might also do), and which means - no more sound degrading fuses needed!!...(the additional resulting performance boosts are usually quite significant).
My endless gratitude goes to Dan and all the team at Factor One, along with congratulations for bringing such a special piece of equipment to market. And no, this review is not on a loaned unit...no way is it going back - unless I succumb to trying out his new 'SE' version some time in the future!
...CHEERS!EDIT : ps:
1. A very useful additional feature (that may be invaluable for some in fact) is the inclusion of a DC Blocker. All manner of appliances can be dumping DC into the mains, which can easily cause hum in anything using very large transformers.
2. Mains power "Conditioners/Filters" can all too often have negative impacts on the supply, such as reducing dynamic delivery etc. There's no such detriment from using a good Balanced Mains Unit - and this offering obviously needs no other assistance to deliver wonderfully clean power...but see below...
3. Actually, even this BMU can be tweaked (as with everything) to up its game further by taking advantage of (yet another) one of its many features - viz an external output for all its 6 outlets' star grounds. When used to take to a separate (from Mains) Earth Grounding point, there are indeed further slight, but noticeable gains - especially in dynamics, separation/placement and soundstage. Having no desire to go the external Grounding Rod route, and experiencing said benefit by simply using myself to act as Ground, I was surprised (and pleased) to replicate the effect by taking the wire to one of my loudspeaker spikes....(and for good measure I took the signal grounds from my Denon, TT2 and Silver Fox to separate spikes, but treating the chassis Grounds brings (for me) most benefit...and for NIL cost!!
pps. 4. Another qualification for the word 'remarkable' IMHO is that these guys include a lifetime warranty (against innate fault). I don't know of many manufacturers who have such faith in their product...and at £1995 (with free UK delivery), represents a rare level of value-for-money - which, given the supreme nature of this offering is almost bordering on an insult and deserves a (more appropriate) term that does not imply a big qualifying "but"...).
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