Bybee Power Purifier V2 - Bybee Stealth

Stereotimes Most Wanted Component 2009-2010 | Positive Feedback Brutus Award 2010

Reviews

• Positive Feedback Jan 2011
• Dagogo's August 2009 review
• Enjoy the Music's Superior Audio review of the Bybee AC Conditioner

About Bybee Purification Technology
Jack Bybee was a physicist who worked on sonar systems for the Navy. Sonar systems needed to be extremely quiet and sensitive so that they could "hear" better than their underwater opponents (the Soviets, back in Jack's day) in order to have the military advantage. Jack was instrumental in developing a technology that quieted noise (specifically 1/f noise) in a frequency range that no other circuit or component could do as well. When Jack left the Navy, his access to this technology remained, and he applied it to his hobby of audio with spectacular results.

Bybee Quantum Purifiers in their many iterations have been successfully implemented in audio systems for over 25 years. The basic versions are available for DIY applications, but the Super Effect, and laser welded Super Effect Purifiers are only available to manufacturers.

The Power Purifier
Both the V2 and the Stealth versions of the Bybee Power Purifier use the Super Effect Purifiers on the main incoming AC. The V2 uses the standard Super Effect Purifiers, and the Stealth uses the gold laser welded version. Laser welding has been found to be sonically superior, most probably due to the fact that gold is used instead of solder, and that there is less physical material used. Meaning it takes more solder to assemble an SE purifier, whereas with laser welding less material is needed to form a strong bond. Sonically, this makes a significant difference, as can be heard when comparing the Bybee V2 and the Stealth Power Purifiers.

X-Rated?
The Power Purifiers also use specially selected X capacitors. X capacitors are made specifically for across the line applications. Typically between the Hot and the Neutral power lines in North American applications and between L-1 and L-2 in European and other power line applications. The definition for "X" capacitor application is: "where damage to the capacitor will not lead to the danger of electrical shock". Many high end audio power conditioners do not use X rated capacitors, rather they use the same type of capacitors that are used in loudspeaker crossovers. While it may be easier to get great sound with the non X capacitor, should they ever fail, the non X capacitor could lead to a serious electrical shock, and a very unhappy customer.

We have experimented with "stacking" differing valued of X capacitors to get the right amount of filtering, and the best overall sound. This has taken much time and research. We were committed to not using the short cut (non X capacitors) and risking the endangerment of our customers.

Construction
Both the V2 and the Stealth Power Purifiers are housed in a high quality aluminum chassis that is made in Canada. No stamped steel here.

Stainless steel threaded inserts are used where every screw attaches. This ensures that the screws will never strip, and also a tighter fit. The faceplates are laser engraved with a single blue LED to indicate when the power is on. We use a heavy duty 15 or 20 amp circuit breaker on the back panel that also acts as a main on/off switch.

Inside, the components are laid out and wired with extreme attention to detail. The components sit inside potting boxes wich are filled with epoxy when wiring and testing are finished. This protects our intellecutal property, and also guards agains microphonic vibration and resonances interfering with the superb performance of the Power Purifier.

The V2 Edition
The V2 Edition features an Acme silver plated and cryo'd IEC inlet, Kaplan 10awg internal wiring, a John Curl designed spike and surge protection unit, Capacitive filtering of the AC mains, Bybee SE purifiers on the hot and neutral, Bybee standard Purification of the ground leg, more capacitive filtering across each receptacle, and finally 4 Hubbell 5262 AC receptacles.

The V2 edition comes standard with a Kaplan HE power cord that is made of the same wire that is used internally on the V2.

The Stealth Edition
The Stealth Edition of the Power Purifier utilizes the laser welded SE Purifiers, and adds Bybee slipstream purifiers in the capacitor stacks that run across the hot and neutral of each receptacle. The additional filtering capacitors across the hot and neutral of each Teslaplex in conjunction with the Bybee Slipstream Purifiers provides a formidable amount of AC line noise reduction without hindering any element of the music whatsoever.

The Stealth Edition also comes with a GS series power cord from Kaplan Cables.

Sonically, the Stealth digs just a bit deeper, most likely due to a lower noise floor. You get an even wider, deeper soundstage that is very cohesive and organic. The presentation has just a bit more ease to it than that of the V2.

Comparison

Dealers please call 888-998-9335 for inquiries.