NCF Clear Line

Reviewer: Srajan Ebaen
Financial interests: click here
Main system: Sources: Retina 5K 27" iMac (4GHz quad-core with Turbo boost, 32GB RAM, 3TB FusionDrive, OSX Yosemite. iTunes 14.4), PureMusic 3.02, Audirvana 3, Qobuz Hifi, Tidal Hifi, Denafrips Terminator, Soundaware D300Ref SD transport & USB bridge; Preamplifier: Vinnie Rossi L2 Signature with WE VT52/300B or Elrog 50/300B; Power amplifiers: Kinki Studio EX-7B monos; Headphone amp: Kinki Studio; Headphones: Final D8000; Loudspeakers: Audio Physic Codex; Cube Audio Nenuphar; Aurai Audio M1 [on loan]; Cables: Complete loom of Allnic Audio ZL3000; Power delivery: Vibex Granada/Alhambra on all source components, Vibex One 11R on amps, LessLoss C-MARC Entropic cords between wall and conditioners; Equipment rack: Artesanía Audio Exoteryc double-wide 3-tier with optional glass shelves, Exoteryc Krion and glass amp stands; Sundry accessories: Acoustic System resonators; Room: 4 x 6m with high gabled beam ceiling opening into 4 x 8m kitchen and 5 x 8m living room, hence no wall behind the listening chairs
Second system: Source: Soundaware D100Pro SD transport; DAC/pre: COS Engineering D1; Amplifier: Bakoon AMP-13R; Loudspeakers: Acelec Model One w. Franck Tchang magnesium 360° super tweeters, Zu Submission subwoofer, LessLoss Firewall for Loudspeakers; Power delivery: Puritan Audio Lab PSM-156; Equipment rack: Hifistay Mythology Transform X-Frame [on extended loan]; Room: ~4x6m
Desktop system: Source: HP Z230 work station Win7/64; USB bridge: Audiobyte Hydra X+; Headphone amp: COS Engineering H1; Headphones: Audeze LCD-XC; Powered speakers: Fram Audio Midi 150
Upstairs headfi system: Source: Soundaware A280 SD transport; DAC: Auralic Vega; Integrated amplifier: Schiit Jotunheim R; Headphones: Raal-Requisite SR1a
2-channel video system: Source: Oppo BDP-105; DAC: Kinki Studio; Preamp: Wyred4Sound STP-SE II; Power amp: Pass Labs XA-30.8, LinnenberG Liszt; Loudspeakers: German Physiks HRS-120; Room: ~6x4m
Review component retail in EU: $250 EU/Schuko or US/Nema

Salt shaker with prongs.
That's today's seasoning tweak from Furutech. Inside its carbon-lined nylon/fiberglass barrel which terminates in rhodium-plated Schuko or US/Nema blades, there's NanoCrystal². That's Furutech's trade name for a special powdered crystalline substance combined with ceramic particles and carbon powder to "generate negative ions, convert thermal energies to infrared and create mechanical/electrical piezo-effect damping". The final assembly of this parallel AC optimizer which also contains small enameled air-core inductors undergoes a 2-stage cryo and demag treatment which Furutech call Alpha Process.

Voilà, a hifi salt shaker of 88.4 x 39.5mm weighing 69g. That certain crystalline compounds have EM/RF-absorptive properties we've come across already with companies like Akiko Audio, DR Acoustics, Shunyata and Verictum. They all exploit their own formulations for AC purifying purposes, either with devices that plug into the power line in parallel or series; or influence it by sheer proximity. Like an Akiko Tuning Stick, Ansuz Sparkz or Nordost Qk1/Qv2 AC line harmonizer, Furutech's NCF Clear Line plugs into an unused AC receptacle. That ideally sits on the same spur as your hifi. Sonic and visual improvements—if you do video—are supposed to be instant and of obvious potency. A 24-hour break-in is recommended.

It sounded like a dead-easy gig to sign up for. Carpe diem? Tuorum periculo? My Latin was too hazy to be sure.