Essential Audio Tools Soundsaver

For a good audio performance it is very important that the equipment is connected to the mains supply the right way. But which way is right? Manufacturers often indicate phase on their equipment or plug, so the only thing to find out is where the phase on the mains wall socket is. 

It is also important for your equipment to have a correct earth connection. Not having an earth connection is an unsafe condition. A bad earth condition or no earth at all can cause problems in sound reproduction. Hum is a very audible result, but sometimes we just realize what details we miss until we hear this piece of music somewhere else. 

The Sound Saver has a clever circuit which measures both mains contacts and earth. With two LEDs it indicates which mains contact is phase. Only one LED will light. The other mains contact is neutral; which is at about the same level as earth. Watch out, it should be in theory! In practice, due to some effects in leads or equipment, the neutral and earth can differ up to some volts. The result of this difference in voltage can be very serious for your sound quality.

If the Sound Saver gives no indication at all, the mains earth contact is not connected. Watch out! No LEDs does NOT mean no voltage! Don't touch the bare contacts of the mains supply, this can be very dangerous. When both LEDs light up, you have a balanced mains condition. Here the difference between phase and neutral can not be determined, in fact the contacts are both phase. This condition is problematic, but can give -under strict terms- some advantages for equipment with problematic power supplies. 

The Sound Saver is your easy tool to answer questions about connecting your equipment to the mains supply the right way.