It was 2004 when I tested the model BlackNoise Extreme 500. I was one of the first to speak about the Systems and Magic: at that time a young company full of hopes and good will. The hopes have become a splendid reality and the will has remained, so that the Systems and Magic’s products and its BlackNoise mains filters are well known all around the world nowadays.

Eight years have gone by and the BlackNoise line has been updated of only one model: the V2, object of this review. In fact, the Italian firm has decided to update its product only when it has seen the possibility of vast room for some performance improvements.

The BlackNoise Extreme V2 presents substantial improvements although the aesthetic is the same and so the high manufacturing quality together with the material: specifically a splendid cabinet finished in brushed look blue-gray satin aluminium.

The substantial improvements have been achieved thanks to the optimal internal layout of the components. This studied layout avoids any kind of interferences and reduces even more the already reduced noise floor till its complete obliteration. The overvoltage protection has been doubled so to guarantee a sure insulation to the devices that are connected. But, the most important thing is the collaboration that Systems and Magic has concluded with Ætere’s, another Italian company that deals with the environmental electromagnetic pollution by restoring the biophysical equilibrium, and by fighting and removing the artificial congestions. 

In the last decade the entire world has witnessed a technologic speed-up which doesn’t offer any possibility of adaptation to the human being. 

The harmful artificial congestions are produced by thicker and more developed Wi-Fi networks, telephone boosters set everywhere, microwaves, air conditioners, TV screens of every kind and technology, computers, low consumption lamps and by all the appliances that make soaring the presence of unwanted and damaging electromagnetic effects. 

We are unconsciously surrounded by the congestions that Ætere’s fights developing new technologies and control systems to rebalance the natural equilibrium and the consequent improvement of the life quality. 

The collaboration between Systems and Magic and Ætere’s aims to integrate their own experiences mutually widening their own spheres: a joint venture favourable for both of them. 

I run the listening test with the V2 Extreme inserted both in my tube and transistor systems and I got some results that share the same confirmation. 

The company suggests that the V2 Extreme filter is meant to be used before the digital sources, the preamp and the phono. I’ve personally found it very performing if inserted before the Audio Innovations 500, the transistor preamp and my DIY CD players. I have obtained the best result with the analog source, though.

Evidently, the traditional power supply of the JA Michell motor needs to be clean, otherwise the feeble signal produced by the pick-up suffers dramatically the improvement given by the clean energy coming from the turntable motor. My systems are implemented in order to get a limpid sound inside a wide, high and deep image. Therefore, in principle, the insertion of a mains filter should have a relative effect considering my mains filter of 3.500 VA already inserted before all the power supplies of my system. 

 

Nevertheless, the BlackNoise V2 makes the difference and adds…. better, takes out something. Why taking out? Because it takes out all the impurities that dirty the signal, a signal that we consider clean but it isn’t clean at all.

So, as we are unaware of the presence of the invisible electromagnetic congestions around us, at the same time we are unaware of how much the sound reproduced by our system is “blurred”. Also when we are sure to have an absolute limpid system, we have to take into account that it is not like that. A proof is the Extreme V2 in my system which has made me realize that it is possible to further “clean” the audio signal. Amazing!

I mean, you can notice the veil in front of the loudspeakers only when this veil has disappeared. In brief, I noticed the light veil that blurred the sound image of my system only when this veil has fallen down. 

So much the better who, like Systems and Magic, allocates time and money resources in the research and experimentation so that we can get out of our systems that quality we did not think to have. 

Now, in my listening room, I can get a wide and deep soundstage thanks to the fact that the reproduced musical window is cleaner.

The most tangible sensation is, however, the improved timbric perception of the instrument or of the recorded voice which gains a “physical” smoothness, a tonal presence never heard before. I invite all of you to concentrate while listening the Extreme V2 inserted in your system.

I know what you are thinking: “…so it never ends! Every time there is someone who invents something new...”

But I say: “It’s a good thing when someone, maybe with just few money, offers something new and allow us to improve the performances of our audio system”.

I want to add that the described effect raises with the number of filters inserted in the audio system, as the benefits made by the Extreme V2 can be summed depending on the number of the used filters.

I do not want to linger upon detailed listening impressions. With every musical genre, with every components of my system, at every hour the effect is always the same: a better involvement and satisfaction.

One more thing: of the BlackNoise V2 there are also the variants 500, 1000 and 2500.

Finally, I would like to make a personal consideration that Systems and Magic doesn’t make. Maybe it is just a foolishness, but the BlackNoise V2 filter with my system switched off and with only the power supply in, has generate in my psyche a kind of serenity, relax and sense of well-being. I realized that only when I saw the intense blue led that always remains switched on.

It is only my personal opinion of course, but why not telling you?

Official technical specifications:  to the Systems and Magic website

Official Italian dealer: direct sales

Official current price in Italy: 600.00 EUR, 620.00 with US sockets

 

 

RIGHT OF REPLY | MANUFACTURERS FEEDBACK

"...la sensazione di benessere e serenità anche a impianto spento (ma a V2 acceso), è proprio un effetto della tecnologia Ætere's, neanche tanto collaterale, è un risultato assolutamente voluto."

Roberto Amato, Systems and Magic

03/04/2012