Ansuz Acoustics Sortz
A pallet of Audio Group Denmark (AGD) gear, specifically from its three subsidiaries, Ansuz Acoustics, Aavik Acoustics & BØRRESEN Acoustics, was shipped from the home office in Aalborg DK to the island for review. Truly, an embarrassment of riches. I will take great care to listen to all of them and report back to you. I have already reviewed the BØRRESEN Acoustics 01 Silver Supreme Loudspeaker and the Ansuz Acoustics Darkz T2 Supreme Record Stabilizer, both remarkable products, the latter using many of the construction techniques and materials employed in the Sortz, reviewed here. All the products are from AGD’s very talented team led by CEO Lars Kristensen and chief designer Michael BØRRESEN. Both have had long, distinguished careers in high-end audio.
Full transparency. The equipment sent has no specific timeline for review and certainly no editorial input. Simply, kind loans with no expectation of reviews or date-specific articles. Just how we (and our readers) like it. Time constraints are sometimes a good thing, many times, not. With all this gear, we can take our time.
So, a big thank you to the AGD team for organizing shipping to the island so professionally.
First up for review is Sortz, from Ansuz Acoustics.
How do these beautifully constructed, small tube, termination plugs affect your system?
The Sortz comes in three flavours. Sortz (€680/each), Sortz Supreme (€1000/each) and Sortz Signature (€1400/each). These prices are for RCA termination. All are available in RCA, BNC and XLR configurations. Ansuz is working on both USB and LAN variants.
The Ansuz site reports:
The effective Anti-Aerial noise reduction for your audio system
Ansuz Acoustics complements its series of effective noise reduction and resonance control devices by introducing the new Ansuz Sortz. As a termination plug for open input and output sockets, this innovative audio product has been designed to audibly reduce disturbing noise that infiltrates any audio component through the open input/output sockets or through the ground connection. The new Sortz are equipped with Ansuz’s spearheading technologies that ensure effective electrical grounding. Ansuz Sortz are available in RCA, BNC and XLR configurations. Versions in USB and LAN will follow.
As you’ll find with many of the AGD devices we review over the next little while, the company is in the noise reduction business, taking the known science to the Nth degree. For them, any “noise floor” is bad. They are working to eliminate them from our aural consciousness. Kristensen believes we are at only 20% of heard musical information, the other unheard 80% hindered by topology and physics.
My Use
I was sent all three versions of the Sortz; 2 each of Sortz, Sortz Supreme and the top Sortz Signature, all in RCA terminations. You can see the differences in the chart below. I had enough of them to insert into different pieces of equipment, filling six of the unused inputs and outputs. With the 6 in my possession, there could be a dizzying array of variations and combinations which would probably serve to confuse the reader (and this listener). My primary listening notes are from the combination of units, placed randomly and remaining through the review process. However, I was told even one would make a difference. As such, I began with one Sortz (see photo below), listened for a while, then used all 6.
Choose your weapon or weapons of choice.
As you can see from the very specific per unit information, designer BØRRESEN is a stickler for precision. Like most of his high-end gear, you get three levels of excellence. As such, the purchaser does not have to take a full plate and a second helping at one go. A nibble here, a treat there. Even one will have a gratifying effect (read below).
As stated, BØRRESEN’s one goal is allowing you to hear more of the information on your records, CDs or streaming by eliminating disturbances with a concomitant lowered noise floor. Specifically for the Sortz, he has implemented Ansuz’s “spearheading technologies” called “AARC” and “TC” (conspectus below) in concert with specialized coatings.
Technology
The AGD team believes strongly that particular metals and coatings affect sound; they believe it down to the smallest ball bearing material for their damping devices. For example, I was sent a set of ball bearings in titanium. Later, they felt I would hear an improvement if they were made from Tungsten, so they sent me a replacement set for my Darkz resonance control pucks (I’ll report to you the differences in the upcoming Ansuz Darkz review).
Back to the two specific techs.
From the site:
Ansuz Anti Aerial Resonance Coil technology/AARC
The open sockets act like an antenna that picks up noise. Ansuz Sortz are equipped with Anti-Aerial technology to drastically reduce this sound interference. The principle of the technology is to ensure the signal path has no final length so it can no longer act as an antenna. This prevents airborne RF/ EMI (radio frequency radiation /electromagnetic interference) noise from being absorbed in the circuitry and then bleeding into the audio system as annoying “white noise”.
Ansuz Tesla Coil technology/TC
Ansuz Tesla coils are constructed as double inverted coils. So, when these dual coils encounter a voltage spike, a counter-spike is developed in the counter-wound section of these coils to eliminate the disturbing voltage spike.
Ansuz Zirconium Bar
The material properties of this zirconium bar allow for unprecedented resonance control resulting in outstanding musical refinement that creates a natural soundstage, unrivalled in its purity, precision and attention to musical detail.
That’s a lot of specialized tech in a tiny tube. In addition, each of the Sortz is coated in one or two resonance control elements (see chart above for particulars) to absorb any vibrations not related to the signal path. Preservation of the authentic sound is key to their implementation.
Ansuz Signature Resonance Coatings
The Sortz housings come in three finishes. The Sortz Signature model is the premium quality version. Its housing features an acoustically optimized supreme coating and has an additional layer of zirconium as a top coating to ensure the best sonic performance.
The coatings are applied to the housings in a particle accelerator to create the finest and most uniform layer and consist of zirconium and tungsten, followed by a layer of aluminum titanium nitride.
Cryogenic Treatment
All three versions of the Sortz undergo a Cryogenic treatment to increase their conductivity. When metal components undergo a cryogenic process, they are subjected to extreme cooling temperatures of about -321°F (-196° C ). In the course of this process, the crystal structure of the metal contracts. Alloying elements are displaced from the grain structure of the metal, which now becomes very similar to a monocrystal. These structural changes in the metal have profound effects on its audio properties resulting in a 6-8% increase in conductivity.
Testing & Sound
I’ve plugged a few ins and outs in my time. I used some Cardas “RCA Caps” at one time if memory serves me correctly. I’ve also been convinced to give all the ins and outs a swab with an “audiophile quality” contact cleaner at one time or another! Don’t ask me the name. I remember a small orange sachet with what looked like a wet wipe.
I also can’t remember if the Cardas RCA Caps made a difference or not. Been a while. They certainly looked good and were well made.
So, Sortzing the sound out, I began with one Sortz, the Supreme model, plugged into the left Input 3 of my Phasemation EA-350 Phono Amplifier.
An RCA Sortz Supreme in the L Input of my Phasemation EA-350. Kristensen told me that one would have significant effect no matter the component, L or R, input or output.
Yes, a very nice difference from my LPs and CDs with music emanating from a blacker background. That old audiophile reviewer cliché is so difficult to describe. Describe black? But, from this somewhat indescribable reaction came a very defined effect. String tone had more sheen and dynamics were more specific because of the lower noise. Specifically, p and pp were more distinct—now down amongst the micro-dynamic shifting weeds. So, your €1000 Sortz Supreme will give you the Ansuz promise—a clearer soundstage with better, accurate dynamics with an ability to hear improved instrumental and vocal timbres. Note: fine piano recordings really benefited from the single Sortz.
The Sortz proved to me the Ansuz hypothesis—they absorb vibrations unrelated to the signal path.
After a week with one, I plugged in the other five.
The Danish team is always searching for “authentic sound”—particular to your system and predilections, I would assume. So no bass boosting, treble etch or mid-range push. Simply, your curated sound, just cleaner and more of it. And that’s what adding more Sortz to my system achieved compared to the single Sortz. All repertoire and all topologies had a fresher, more lifelike sound like the single Sortz, but now with a deep dive into the superfine details. On a system as well resolved and organized as mine (with several AGD products already in use), the six various Sortz deleted hitherto unheard, unwanted noise with very musical results.
Very deep acoustic bass on “Train Song” from Holly Cole’s Temptation was ever so slightly cleaner—it can be very effective but a little muddy. The 6 units had a nice effect on this star bass track and others such as my requisite “Dead Already” from Thomas Newman’s American Beauty. This stunning track never ceases to amaze with its myriad of percussion and ultra-low sampling information—just when I think I’ve heard everything, the 6 Sortz discovered more information. Here, the ringing and slapping reverb in the bongos and roto toms. Head shaking time.
I mentioned fine piano recordings. As I listened over time, the delights of the Sortz became more and more apparent, that is, until I played the Beethoven Sonata in E Major, Op. 109 with Pollini on DG from his full set. The set was delivered well before the Sortz were placed in my system, but post-BØRRESEN speakers. I remember the power and tone imparted by the magnificent loudspeakers, specifically fine in relating the subtlest of details from the artist. But, you guessed it, even more, inner detail with transcendent piano power Pollini style with the 6 Sortz plugged in. Not a change in sound basics, per se, just more of what I experienced initially. Exactly what Ansuz is trying to achieve. My authentic sound was still there, but with even finer details heard and more of Pollini’s intentions. Pretty remarkable.
So revealing in fact, previously unheard, clangorous overtones from the artist’s pounding rang clearly. Riding the upper harmonic wave (FYI, midway through the 3rd movement).
After a few weeks, little things will begin to creep into your sessions, like crescendos that as before increase the loudness—yes, I’ve heard that—but with the Sortz in place, the crescendo is a little more controlled, demarcated and intense. So subtle, and so important if aiming for the most complete musical fabric.
I’m not sure whether the Sortz are blocking or obliterating the extraneous noise and hash, but once you hear your system without it, it’s gonna be pretty tough turning back.
Summary
If you love your system’s sound and have worked hard to curate one that works for you, no worries with the magical Ansuz plugs in place. They won’t change the essence of your hard-fought audiophile battles—flutes will be flutes, Heifetz will be his awesome self, Jimi will sound as if, but, your enjoyment and wonder of these instruments and singers will go up a notch. Begin with one based on your budget, and go from there. Very highly recommended.
Further information: Ansuz Acoustics
