Peak Shunt Module

Technology

The Peak Shunt Module is part of our highly acclaimed Peak Mains Connection System (PMCS).

At Quiescent, we focus on understanding electronic component cross-pollution between power supplies and sensitive electronics in addition to mains-born noise. The audio system is a noisy environment with large amounts of electromagnetic and mechanical energy created and radiating between system separates. Radiofrequency interference (RFI) cascades up and down power lines and, if not hindered, causes electronic components to generate their own microphonic noise modulated with the music we want to hear. The PMCS comprises a modular approach to building a mains loom that deals with this system interaction piece-by-piece to provide significant incremental upgrades until each audio separate power supply is isolated from the mains and each other.

The Peak Shunt Module reduces bi-directional noise propagation and mechanical oscillation cascading around your system. Whereas most manufacturers focus on dumping noise to the ground, the Peak Shunt Module uses patented high-frequency absorption technology to prevent standing wave reflections.

As with our Peak Mains Modules, the Peak Shunt has flexible deployment options. They can be used with your mains input leads or our low-noise/high-current cables. Once plugged into an available socket near your audio components, you will hear improved timing, coherency and significantly increased dynamic expression in your recordings.

The system’s modular design allows for flexibility and progressive upgrading to build a high-end mains loom.

Specifications

Technology

Our Peak Shunt is based upon one of our first products, the Vertex AQ Jaya. We realised that mains noise cannot be reduced by using traditional audio band filtering techniques. The Vertex Jaya was our first product that used mechanical vibration and limited high-frequency scattering to reduce the noise floor on the power feed.

The Silver Jaya and the Hi-Rez Jaya soon followed the Jaya with their improved absorption technology. Although these devices were highly effective, we realised several opportunities to improve the technology further. We significantly improved the RFI/EMI absorption by deploying our patented absorption matrix. The design of the Peak Module is also central to the mechanical properties using non-parallel surfaces and carefully crafted patterns on either side of the body. Finally, we added feet, stacking receptacles and an IEC inlet to make the module easy to install, flexible and aesthetically pleasing.

The core principle of all our absorption products is that they must have a high return loss. The return loss is a parameter often used in high-frequency engineering to determine the ability of the device to prevent standing waves. Standing waves arise when the wavelength of the mechanical or electrical signal is comparable to the path along which it is travelling. For audio signals, the wavelengths are much longer than the cables and PCB tracks along which they travel. This differs for high-frequency noise generated by computers, IC clocks, LEDs, and switch-mode power supplies. These noise sources plague our audio systems and cause a halo effect around the music that should not be present. They also cause the electronics to lose important timing artefacts, often leading to music being tangled during intense crescendos.

Although it may seem counter-intuitive that high-frequency signals can have any effect on the music we listen to, the real effect is the opposite of this supposition. When high-frequency electrical noise bounces around our audio, the noise modulates with the musical signal responsible for revealing texture, imaging, and timing. Vibration, albeit way beyond what we can hear, generates electrical signals through the microphonic effect. A capacitor, for example, will generate a very small electrical signal if it is subjected to vibration. Multiple this capacitor by a few hundred, that small signal becomes a larger number of separate small signals modulating with each other and the music we want to hear.

The Peak Shunt uses high-quality components to dissipate the high-frequency noise coupled with our patented RFI/EMI matrix to absorb high-frequency vibration and electrical energy. It does so without damaging the audio signal as it is electrically invisible at the frequencies concerned.

Whereas critics have reviewed other noise filters for bringing change, our Peak Shunt stands alone in being able to do this so that the change is instinctively correct and for the better.

Specifications

Casework

Absorption Technology

Connections