Product information "AC-4500 | SCHUKO"

Where does fine sound begin? Where does it end? These questions ring constantly in our ears. The truth is, various factors have a major impact on the sound quality produced by audio systems, and one of these factors is power supply. It is subject to fluctuations that vary depending on the location of your home (in a city or a rural environment). If we look at things from a purely physics perspective, the music produced by a loudspeaker is ultimately nothing more than domestic current converted into sound. This statement sounds almost too banal compared to the hi-fi jargon we are all accustomed to. Unfortunately, all too often we ignore where the sound actually comes from and the importance of having a stable power supply. A “clean” current is the raw material of fine sound, and our AC-4500 Power Station makes sure that this is what you get.

The AC-4500 Power Station is available in several versions – from a basic model with one filter for all six sockets through to the top model that comes equipped with six separate filters, one for each socket. The models differ not only in the number of filters they are equipped with, but also in the combination of filter types they provide – type I (for analog devices) and type II (for digital devices). The AC-4500 Power Station was developed completely in-house, and each unit is manufactured in the company’s own facility. Units subsequently undergoes rigorous testing with documentation of the results. Because safety is paramount for this type of unit, we have also arranged for an accredited laboratory to verify CE/CB conformity. The Power Station’s sensitive technology is protected by a robust metal housing made of 2 mm-thick galvanized sheet steel. It has an elegant front panel made of brushed aluminum. The interior of the housing is designed so that the socket groups are shielded from one another, and any interference stemming from the connected devices is unable to propagate.

Click here and discover the exciting details

Application: High-end power station
Conductor material: High-purity copper
Conformity: CE, REACH, RoHS
Customized assembly: On request
DC suppression: Yes (high current)
Filter: Type I analog, Type II digital
Front panel: Brushed aluminum
Housing: Solid metal (powder-coated)
Internal cabling: 30 mm² busbars
Load capacity: 3680 W total (230 V AC/16 A)
Mains connection: High current IEC C20
Mains switch: Yes | all-pole mains disconnection
Model: Black, Natural aluminum
Number of sockets: 6
Phase marking: Yes
Phase tester: Included in the scope of delivery
Protection class: 1
Rated current: 16 A (total)
Rated voltage: 100 - 230 V AC | 50-60 Hz
Surge protection: Yes
Dimensions: 450 x 386 x 122 mm
Weight: Approx. 15 kg (fully equipped)
Product group: Power supply
Product category: Power filters
Quality: Referenz
Technology: Filter type analog & filter type digital
Connector: SCHUKO
Made in Germany: Yes
Free trial listening: Yes
Stereo Times Logo: The Complete Audiophile Magazine
"I should have never accepted the offer to hear the Inakustik Power Station AC-4500 conditioner. Serendipity struck when World Wide Wholesales owner Robert Neill offered me a review sample after discussing other high-end audio products he imports. For the past three-plus years, I have happily lived with the Puritan Audio Labs 156, which outperformed a very popular AC conditioner four times its $2400 asking price (the accompanying AC cord was $4k alone!). Heck, my Puritan 156 can still be the best I’ve heard, that is, if I can somehow find a way to un-hear what I just experienced after three months with the Inakustik Power Station AC-4500." Stereotimes.com | 03-2024
Go to the test report
Our AC-4500 was honoured with the Fidelity Award 2024 in the accessories category: "The topic of mains supply has become more than just a nice ingredient in our hobby - it has become a fact to be taken seriously. We no longer need to discuss interference of all kinds (such as WLAN, direct current from PV systems and a fundamentally unclean grid) at this point. And the fact that these influences have a negative effect on the sound of our beloved hi-fi equipment has also become common knowledge. It affects all lovers of sophisticated music reproduction in town and country alike - yes, to varying degrees, but we are all affected. And anyone who has their own PV system on the roof is inherently affected [...] The AC-4500 represents a comprehensive alternative to the competition on the market and uncovers hidden sound potential. I stand by my long-published insight "The sound is hidden in the power!", and the power of the in-akustik AC-4500 demonstrates this very clearly. So, as always: try it out!" Fidelity | 03-2024
To the corresponding test report
Logo of hifi.nl on a dark background
"We really liked the In-akustik AC-4500. It does what it is supposed to do without any negative side effects. It brings peace and quiet to the music and silence in and between pieces of music. It is a blessing for every critical listener that the music is no longer overlaid by distortion from the mains." hifi.nl | 02-2023
Go to the test report
in-akustik AC-4500 wins Golden Ear 2023
We are particularly honoured by the result of this reader poll because it is your direct feedback - you as music lovers, technology enthusiasts and loyal users - who voted our AC-4500 power filter the winner. We are proud of our achievement and see it as proof of our pioneering development approach and our commitment to outstanding product quality and innovative technology.

This award is also special for us because the AC-4500 is a 100% in-house development by our creative and dedicated team. First and foremost, we are delighted for Marius Ingold. He is our product developer for the "Electricity" division. Audio | 2023

Logo of the magazine AUDIO in red and white
"Let's say we had a necklace worth 20,000 euros. Then the filter would perhaps enhance the audiophile level by a further five to ten percent – we can make a clear recommendation. [..] in-akustik is fair and also loans out this Power Station for a trial period. The individual benefit can only be experienced in the user’s own environment. The effect will certainly be subtle, perhaps even dominant. The modular concept is clever, the workmanship simply outstanding.” Audio | 09-2022
Go to the test report
HiFi Test Reference Class 1.0 Logo in Red
"Any self-respecting system will clearly benefit from this [...] There was an immediate audible calmness and sovereignty in the sound, the musical flow gained and became smoother, the dynamics noticeably increased. These were not temporary effects, but a clear increase in the basic sound level. I admit that I didn't expect this and can only congratulate in-akustik on this great achievement. I would also like to have one." HiFi-Test | 06-2022
Go to the test report
Logo of the magazine STEREO
"This is anything but voodoo. It is a masterpiece of electrical engineering [...] The Power Station does its job extremely well. Even in our Eifel village, with an almost perfect power supply, it brings even more thrust, a blacker background and an increase in fine details. It's as if someone had cleaned the window to the music. Sound colors clearly benefit. In the city, the effect is even more drastic, so that you no longer want to be without the services of the Referenz AC-4500 ever again. Highly recommended!" Stereo | 12-2022
Go to the test report
  • AC-4500 Power Station | SCHUKO
  • Standard power cable
  • Phase tester
  • User manual
  • Quality certificate
  • Company profile

in-akustik GmbH & Co. KG
Untermatten 12-14
79282 Ballrechten-Dottingen
Tel.: +49 (0) 7634 5610-0
E-Mail: service@in-akustik.de

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in-akustik Reference AC-4500 product image
in-akustik Reference AC-3502 Power Filter in Black
Name
AC-4500 | SCHUKO
AC-3502 | SCHUKO
Rating
Description

Where does fine sound begin? Where does it end? These questions ring constantly in our ears. The truth is, various factors have a major impact on the sound quality produced by audio systems, and one of these factors is power supply. It is subject to fluctuations that vary depending on the location of your home (in a city or a rural environment). If we look at things from a purely physics perspective, the music produced by a loudspeaker is ultimately nothing more than domestic current converted into sound. This statement sounds almost too banal compared to the hi-fi jargon we are all accustomed to. Unfortunately, all too often we ignore where the sound actually comes from and the importance of having a stable power supply. A “clean” current is the raw material of fine sound, and our AC-4500 Power Station makes sure that this is what you get.

The AC-4500 Power Station is available in several versions – from a basic model with one filter for all six sockets through to the top model that comes equipped with six separate filters, one for each socket. The models differ not only in the number of filters they are equipped with, but also in the combination of filter types they provide – type I (for analog devices) and type II (for digital devices). The AC-4500 Power Station was developed completely in-house, and each unit is manufactured in the company’s own facility. Units subsequently undergoes rigorous testing with documentation of the results. Because safety is paramount for this type of unit, we have also arranged for an accredited laboratory to verify CE/CB conformity. The Power Station’s sensitive technology is protected by a robust metal housing made of 2 mm-thick galvanized sheet steel. It has an elegant front panel made of brushed aluminum. The interior of the housing is designed so that the socket groups are shielded from one another, and any interference stemming from the connected devices is unable to propagate.

Click here and discover the exciting details

The Referenz AC-3502 Power Station reliably suppresses undesirable interference from the power grid. At the core of the power distributor is a highly efficient parallel filter, finely tuned to audiophile requirements, which effectively dissipates annoying interference both from the mains power and from the connected devices themselves without restricting the energy supply. The star-shaped distribution also ensures a homogeneous supply to all connected components. The Referenz AC-3502 Power Station is a central pillar in achieving a sound that is both refined and powerful. The technology sits in a solid metal housing with a brushed black anodized aluminum front. Six high-quality sockets are available at the rear. Thanks to the central high-current mains connection socket (IEC C20), the power cable can be easily replaced if necessary, with a longer cable for example. Integrated surge protection safeguards the connected devices from everyday voltage peaks, and the sockets can be conveniently switched on and off using the "Power" button on the front panel

Price

€5,248.99*

€1,499.00*

Application
High-end power station
High-end power station
Conductor material
High-purity copper
High-purity copper
Conformity
CE; REACH; RoHS
CE; REACH; RoHS
Customized assembly
On request
-
DC suppression
Yes (high current)
-
Filter
Type I analog; Type II digital
Highly efficient parallel filter
Front panel
Brushed aluminum
Brushed aluminum
Housing
Solid metal (powder-coated)
Solid metal (powder-coated)
Internal cabling
30 mm² busbars
Symmetrical star distribution
Load capacity
3680 W total (230 V AC/16 A)
3680 W total (230 V AC/16 A)
Mains connection
High current IEC C20
High current IEC C20
Mains switch
Yes | all-pole mains disconnection
Yes | all-pole mains disconnection
Model
Black; Natural aluminum
Black
Number of sockets
6
6
Phase marking
Yes
Yes
Phase tester
Included in the scope of delivery
Included in the scope of delivery
Protection class
1
1
Rated current
16 A (total)
16 A (total)
Rated voltage
100 - 230 V AC | 50-60 Hz
100 - 230 V AC | 50-60 Hz
Surge protection
Yes
Yes
Dimensions
450 x 386 x 122 mm
450 x 386 x 122 mm
Weight
Approx. 15 kg (fully equipped)
Approx. 12.8 kg
Product group
Power supply
Power supply
Product category
Power filters
Power filters
Quality
Referenz
Referenz
Technology
Filter type analog & filter type digital
Parallel filter
Connector
SCHUKO
SCHUKO
Made in Germany
Yes
Yes
Free trial listening
Yes
Yes

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  • in-akustik AC-4500 audio cable and device setup
  • in-akustik AC-4500 product image in black

The power grid

We need electrical power to operate our hi-fi system from the wall socket in the living room. This energy is generated in power plants (e.g. coal-fired, hydroelectric or wind power plants) and distributed to consumers via the power grid. Such quantities of energy can only be transferred by cable via high-voltage lines (overhead lines) and/or underground cables. In order to minimize line losses in the grid, energy is distributed at different voltage levels. The higher the transmitted voltage value, the lower the losses and the smaller the required cross-section of the transmission lines. The power plant drives the power through the transmission grid at maximum voltage (1) of up to 380 kV. Transformers in the substations are used to transform the various voltage levels down. From here the electricity is distributed to towns and villages at high (2), medium (3) and low voltage (4) until the 230V reaches the end consumer and can be used for the hi-fi system.

Grid distortions

Countless loads, especially digital loads, switching power supplies, car charging stations, PV systems, etc. generate strong distortions on the power grid. And not only in urban centers, where the trend is rising. These distortions are a serious problem for hi-fi components and the integrated power supplies and circuits can only compensate for part of this interference. The rest influences the audio signal and covers the sound of the hi-fi chain like a veil. Hardly anyone operates their own power plant. Most high-end enthusiasts are forced to connect to the heavily loaded mains supply and, as described above, the sound starts at the socket or, in the best case scenario, at the fuse box. But even here there is interference from all consumers in your own home and the neighborhood on the power grid. Phenomena such as the flickering light when the hairdryer is switched on, or the cracking noises in the loudspeakers when the fridge compressor starts or a fluorescent lamp is switched on, illustrate these effects.

Power grid diagram with voltage levels from in-akustik
in-akustik AC-4500 power supply diagram in gray

Types of interference

In electrical engineering a distinction is made between conducted and field-bound interference. Conducted interference, also known as push-pull interference, is caused, for example, by switching devices on and off, by dynamic or pulsed loads and power sources. They are superimposed on the useful signal, spread via the connecting cables and reach the hi-fi components directly. Field-bound interference, also known as common mode interference, is caused, for example, by mobile phone networks, WLAN networks and Bluetooth devices. It spreads through the air as electromagnetic waves. Every device and every cable acts like an antenna in this environment and generates a voltage potential depending on the field strength. The field strength and the resulting potential depend, among other things, on the geometry of the component and the distance to the interference source. As a result, each component of a hi-fi chain builds up a different interference potential. This results in equalizing currents via the connecting cables, which in turn superimpose the useful signal.

in-akustik AC-4500 connection cable in close-up
in-akustik AC-4500 Detail view of the components
Man works with in-akustik AC-4500 device.

Customized filter concepts

Ferrite cores are the first line of defense against the interference described above. suppressing high-frequency interference through their inductance-enhancing effect. That’s why the Power Station AC-4500 comes equipped with powerful ferrite cores positioned directly downstream of the sockets.

Custom-made filter circuits are a further means of minimizing unwanted interference, but it is crucial that the filter type suits the application for which it is required. Countless tests and measurements using various circuit configurations have shown that digital and analog devices require different filter designs. And this is why the Referenz Power Station AC-4500 comes equipped with two different filter types depending on the particular configuration: type I for analog devices and type II for digital devices. These two types have a radically different filter design.

Type I is a series filter network in which coils conduct the useful current, offering a high level of resistance against interference. Type II, however, is a parallel filter network that diverts troublesome interference frequencies to ground. This filter network is also very finely tuned to the requirements of an audio system.

  • in-akustik AC-4500 power filter front view
  • in-akustik AC-4500 filter module, two units
  • In-Acoustics AC-4500 Filter I and II Circuit Diagram

The central core

Many household devices use only a half-wave of the AC mains current. For this reason, the 50 Hz sine waveform is asymmetrical and DC voltage components appear (DC offset). This leads to an “asymmetrical” power supply to the connected hi-fi components, leading to potential saturation of the unit’s internal transformers. On top of the many adverse sonic effects and impaired efficiency, this also results in the transformer making an annoying buzzing sound. At the heart of every Referenz Power Station AC-4500 is its powerful DC suppression, filtering DC components from the power system. This ensures that the connected devices are re-supplied with “symmetrical” current, so protecting the transformers from magnetic saturation.

in-akustik AC-4500 component with cables and capacitors

Individually configurable

A particular highlight of the AC-4500 is its modular design. 6 sockets are provided, tailored for either analog or digital components. Smaller audio systems may initially require a version with only one or two modules, but this can always be expanded to cater for any devices added in the future.

in-akustik AC-4500 interior view with components

Massive copper busbars

Special attention has been paid to how power is distributed within the Power Station AC-4500. Distribution is based on a combination of solid copper busbars (3 x 30mm2) and special solderless high-current connectors. Ensuring that loop resistance is extremely low, this design provides outstanding current delivery capacity. This makes the AC-4500 a rock-solid basis for an audio system, even at extremely high volume levels and during dynamic passages.

in-akustik AC-4500 Detail view of the components

Double protection

The Referenz Power Station AC-4500 is surge protected in order to shield the unit and any connected devices from extreme voltage peaks (possibly stemming from household devices with poor interference suppression, building infrastructure, machinery or atmospheric interference). Unlike conventional units, the AC-4500 comes with an additional “gas discharge pill”. Over time, recurring overvoltages (transients) can damage standard components or even destroy them, compromising the surge protection or even rendering it completely ineffective. With the AC-4500, however, its gas discharge pill absorbs the majority of the energy peak and ensures long-lasting, reliable surge protection.

in-akustik AC-4500 power cable connections

Developed and built by in-akustik

The AC-4500 Power Station was developed completely in-house, and each unit is manufactured in the company’s own facility. Units subsequently undergoes rigorous testing with documentation of the results. Because safety is paramount for this type of unit, we have also arranged for an accredited laboratory to verify CE/CB conformity.

in-akustik AC-4500 in workshop environment
  • "These were not temporary effects, but a clear enhancement of the basic sound quality. This was completely unexpected, I freely admit it. I can only congratulate in-akustik on its huge achievement. I'd like one too."

    Christian Bayer | HiFi Test
  • "Do yourself a favor and don't simply ignore the power issue. Give it a try. The AC-4500 is a masterpiece of electrical engineering."

    Tom Frantzen | Stereo
  • "in-akustik is fair and also loans out this Power Station for a trial period. The individual benefit can only be experienced in the users own environment. The effect will certainly be subtle, perhaps even dominant. The modular concept is clever, the workmanship simply outstanding."

    Andreas Günther | Audio
  • "These were not temporary effects, but a clear enhancement of the basic sound quality. This was completely unexpected, I freely admit it. I can only congratulate in-akustik on its huge achievement. I'd like one too."

    Christian Bayer | HiFi Test
  • "Do yourself a favor and don't simply ignore the power issue. Give it a try. The AC-4500 is a masterpiece of electrical engineering."

    Tom Frantzen | Stereo
  • "in-akustik is fair and also loans out this Power Station for a trial period. The individual benefit can only be experienced in the users own environment. The effect will certainly be subtle, perhaps even dominant. The modular concept is clever, the workmanship simply outstanding."

    Andreas Günther | Audio
  • in-akustik AC-4500 with cable connections
  • in-akustik AC-4500 power cable connections

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