Ansuz Mainz8 D2 and Mainz8 D-TC Power Distributors
Darkz T2 and T2 Supreme
Ansuz Darkz resonance control devices absorb vibrations that are not directly related to the signal path. The absorption results in audible vibration feedback, which affects the sound quality. Whereas conventional grounding materials such as spikes and certain other hard couplers can make the sound unnaturally cold and harsh, it is the natural and authentic sound that Ansuz Darkz devices are designed to preserve.
The Darkz T2 and T2 Supreme are made from titanium, which has excellent material properties that according to Ansuz allow ideal resonance control. Furthermore, the Darkz T2 Supreme discs undergo an elaborate process where the titanium is further refined with the exclusive Ansuz Supreme coating. The Darkz discs are further acoustically optimized by applying the Ansuz Supreme coating on each disc. This coating is applied to the discs in Hi-PIMS (High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering) machine to create the finest and most uniform layer of Zirconium and tungsten followed by a layer consisting of aluminum titanium nitride.
The interlayer balls are an extremely important part of the resonance control elements and therefore these are made of Titanium. Contrary to the information on the new Ansuz website, the adjustable footers that I have for review contain 3 balls, not 6. The system consists of two discs with 3 dimples in which three Titanium balls are sandwiched together via a threaded top plate just so tightly that some horizontal movement is still allowed. In the case of the Adjustable Darkz (as reviewed here), the third disc on the bottom has a threaded connection to the disc above it to allow height adjustments. The topmost disc is also dimpled and this is where you place 3 separate balls that will interface with the component that is placed on top. Two types of balls are available: Titanium and Ceramic.
I will be testing the top two models, T2 and T2 Supreme, which admittedly cost serious money. If these fall outside of the budget then there are significant savings to be made by stepping down the ladder, right down to 320 euros per footer for the Adjustable C2t model and 280 euros for the non-Adjustable C2t model.
D2 Power Cable
Ansuz develops and manufactures cables based on advanced, cutting-edge technologies. Key design goals are to lower resistance, curb induction and reduce noise floor to a minimum. The more advanced the cable series, the more refined and sophisticated the implemented technologies, and the more transparent, holistic, and authentic the resulting soundstage. The Mainz D2 power cable is equipped with Ansuz’s double inverted helix coils and features a more sophisticated version of the anti-Arial resonance coils. In terms of the product portfolio, the D2 cables are positioned one step above the C2 midrange product, with only the D-TC2 and D-TC Supreme above it.
For this review, I have 4 of these cables available, of which one will always be used as the main cable to power the Power Distributor itself.
Review Context
I will perform this review using two very different audio setups. First, my own main setup, and second, my friend Niels vM’s setup. In my own setup, I will limit the used components to the CH Precision C1 DAC, L1 preamp, and A1.5 power amp, with my current best CD transport, a heavily modified Naim CD3, as the main source, feeding the C1.
In order to not make it too complicated and allow quick start-up times, for this occasion, Music Servers and analog sources do not apply. The speakers in my system are the Magico S1 MkII.
My normal power installation consists of a GigaWatt G-C16A 2P Circuit Breaker feeding an uninterrupted run of solid-core installation wire that ends in three wall-mounted GigaWatt G-044 Schuko Wall Sockets. Normally, the wall sockets feed three Popp/Eurolite unfiltered aluminum 8-output distributors via the same kind of solid-core installation wire. One of these three distributors is dedicated to the core of my system.
Listening
For the initial direct comparisons between my own power distributors and the two Ansuz Power Distributors, when listening to my own power distributors I will also use my own Belden 19364 power cables with Bals Schukos and Oyaide C-004 IEC connectors and where it concerns the Mainz Power Distributors, I will also use the Mainz D2 Power Cables. This way, we will be comparing complete solutions to one another. The one exception will be my power amplifier which requires a cable with a 20A connector.
Each of the two Mainz8 Power Distributors will be listened to separately under exactly the same circumstances, with the same Mainz D2 cables. The main power outlet for the Ansuz Power Distributors will be the very same GigaWatt G-044 as normally used for my own power distributors.
As part of this review, I will also involve the Ansuz Darkz Resonance Control footers, which, to make it extra interesting, have been supplied with both Titanium and Ceramic balls.
Next: Mainz8 D2 Power Distributor
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