That’s a pretty fancy title for a power conditioner. A device to clean up the nasties that find their way into your system. Fancy, maybe, but I find the good ones an indispensable component. Is the impressive moniker apt? 

AudioQuest, maker of very fine cables and digital devices has produced a new series of power conditioners (the conditioner under review, the 5000, USD$3995—sits between the 1000, USD$995—and the 7000, USD$7995). AudioQuest is very serious about the technology and ingenuity they bring to solving this pesky audiophile problem.  

AudioQuest says: ‘The science of AC power delivery is not a simple one; it demands focus, and the devil is in the details. In fact, the great increase in airborne and AC-line-transmitted radio signals, combined with overtaxed utility lines and the ever-increasing demands from high-definition audio/video components, has rendered our utilities’ AC power a somewhat antiquated technology.‘

Emergency! All hands on deck! You know the feeling, audiophiles. You’ve just launched a stylus, the digital box just crapped out, or you just blew a tweeter changing interconnects without switching off. Happily, nothing like that here, but I was out of rack space. I hear you significant others laughing, but for OCD types like me, with three pieces of gear to review without a home and with deadlines looming, well, panic stations! Not even time to call the Canadian Target, Harmonic Resolution Systems (HRS) or Massif Audio Design (MAD) reps (my three favourite racks) to wangle a rack at an accommodation price. I want it now! And I’m in beautiful, but somewhat sleepy Victoria, BC. 

I headed down to Atlas Audio and Video where I knew they sold great high end kit but also showcase some gorgeous racks. No MAD or HRS, but they did have Target and some very lovely Salamander Designs racks on display. Karl Sigman wrote a review of one of their racks in Audiophilia and did a tour of the factory. Because of the strong US dollar, the price of Salamander’s Archetype System stand made me flinch. Atlas’ very nice owner took pity on me and let me have the stand at his cost. Thank you, William. Cost was still a mouthful, but the stand is so beautifully made and my need was great, so I got out the card. 

Unpacking the wood and hardware was the cost's tell. The stand is simple but made beautifully. The hardware works smoothly and effectively. Quality machining and lovely carpentry. My rack is in maple (also available in Walnut, Cherry and Black Ash).