SnubWay Noise Defender

[xrk971]

Here's a snippet from the Positive Feedback Writers Choice Awards article (https://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/2024-positive-feedback-writers-choice-awards/) that may be helpful in delineating the two products:

"The Main Stream Master Class Dynamic Parallel AC Line Conditioner and SnubWay Noise Defender are a new pair of designed "from-the-ground-up" AC power conditioners developed by Vera-Fi Audio. Each device employs specialized filters that have been specifically tailored to address troublesome aspects of AC mains noise, and Vera-Fi's Mark Schifter clearly didn't want to go with a "one size fits all" type device to accomplish his goals. SnubWay is an advanced parallel mains noise filter, or "snubber;" its multiple discrete LRC filters are tuned to absorb AC mains noise in the 10kHz to 2MHz frequency range created by switch mode power supplies and other sources. However, its greatest range of effectiveness is in the problematic 400kHz-600kHz range, where most of the noise it's designed to eliminate resides; you can read my review of SnubWay HERE. Main Stream's effectiveness is focused on the frequency range from 10kHz to 20kHz, but it's particularly potent in and around the critical 20kHz region, where hum, hiss, and hash tend to be most prominent. Main Stream directly takes aim at frequencies where so much of the other equipment in your home creates noise and pollutes the AC power stream—the same stream that also provides current to your audio and A/V systems.

Main Stream and SnubWay are individually focused on eliminating noise from specific, problematic frequency regions, but they've also been designed to overlap their coverage, working in tandem to provide a complete solution for the elimination of AC mains noise. They also offer a staggeringly good one-two punch when used in combination, and are what I now call the dynamic duo. And they're priced such that everyone can afford them and benefit from the improvements they'll bring to your system. Even though I have Audioquest Niagara power conditioning in both listening rooms here in South Carolina, I was shocked by the level of improvement with both devices brought to my dual systems. Main Stream and Snub Way come very highly recommended!"

Good summary.

 

[xrk971]

Hi xr
Different paths to what appears to be the very same goal - the MainStream. And unusual for a company to offer two products with the same goal at the same price

So could you outline the differences in the effectiveness of the two. I’d think much more useful based on the data rather than listening.

Id guess it’d be more useful if you say something about frequencies. But you would know better than anyone(!)

I say frequencies: is there a frequency range where they are most effective? Because as best as I could tell from zooming in on one of the trace graphs - which is pretty limited, there is a little more benefit below maybe 200 Hz. But I wouldn’t say that with any confidence.

For use with: pretty sure it was the descriptions at VeraFi of the earlier MainStream model which talked a fair bit about the benefits on a turntable with MC cartridge. That would seem to make most sense for any device of this type. Is that correct?

For folks like me who have a TT with MC. Would the MainStream give more benefit than the new Snubway?
Id guess that nowadays more people use a network streamer. Which I also use. What would be more effective with that?

Are the two complementary ie one does X better and the other something else

The SnubWay handles mostly higher frequency noise from SMPS. While the MainStream handles a broader range down to lower frequencies, but perhaps not as specialized at high frequencies like SnubWay.

 

[otto88]

Here's a snippet from the Positive Feedback Writers Choice Awards article (https://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/2024-positive-feedback-writers-choice-awards/) that may be helpful in delineating the two products:

"The Main Stream Master Class Dynamic Parallel AC Line Conditioner and SnubWay Noise Defender are a new pair of designed "from-the-ground-up" AC power conditioners developed by Vera-Fi Audio. Each device employs specialized filters that have been specifically tailored to address troublesome aspects of AC mains noise, and Vera-Fi's Mark Schifter clearly didn't want to go with a "one size fits all" type device to accomplish his goals. SnubWay is an advanced parallel mains noise filter, or "snubber;" its multiple discrete LRC filters are tuned to absorb AC mains noise in the 10kHz to 2MHz frequency range created by switch mode power supplies and other sources. However, its greatest range of effectiveness is in the problematic 400kHz-600kHz range, where most of the noise it's designed to eliminate resides; you can read my review of SnubWay HERE. Main Stream's effectiveness is focused on the frequency range from 10kHz to 20kHz, but it's particularly potent in and around the critical 20kHz region, where hum, hiss, and hash tend to be most prominent. Main Stream directly takes aim at frequencies where so much of the other equipment in your home creates noise and pollutes the AC power stream—the same stream that also provides current to your audio and A/V systems.

Main Stream and SnubWay are individually focused on eliminating noise from specific, problematic frequency regions, but they've also been designed to overlap their coverage, working in tandem to provide a complete solution for the elimination of AC mains noise. They also offer a staggeringly good one-two punch when used in combination, and are what I now call the dynamic duo. And they're priced such that everyone can afford them and benefit from the improvements they'll bring to your system. Even though I have Audioquest Niagara power conditioning in both listening rooms here in South Carolina, I was shocked by the level of improvement with both devices brought to my dual systems. Main Stream and Snub Way come very highly recommended!"

Thanks Craig

SnubWay‘s “greatest range of effectiveness is in the problematic 400kHz-600kHz range, where most of the noise it's designed to eliminate resides; you can read my review of SnubWay HERE. Main Stream's effectiveness is focused on the frequency range from 10kHz to 20kHz”

A 20 yo can hear up to ~ 20kHz. (At my age it’s probably closer to 10 kHz)

Logic suggests the audible benefits of the the SnubWay might be limited to bats, and the MainStream would be limited
… What part of science am I missing?


To recap the question what types of audio device would benefit the most -
“pretty sure the descriptions at VeraFi of the MainStream which focused on the benefits for a turntable with a MC cartridge.
When that was written the SnubWay hadn’t yet been released

Now both are available, is it still correct that because of its low signal level a turntable with a MC cartridge will benefit the most? a lot more?
Apart from that “no. 1” usage combination, which other combinations of noise reduction product and audio device are likely to benefit most?


The quoted review of both by Positive Feedback only mentions benefits in the upper treble and above. … so neither reduces, eg - mains noise at 50/ 60 Hz?

While all house electricity supplies and audio systems vary, what level of reduction in noise reduction should you typically expect on the most common equipment say CDP and streamer.

if the most/ audible benefits are up high, what is the reduction in noise at say 15 kHz? Decibels from the actual measurement data

Thanks in anticipation