Opinion 1

When I tested the, very successful, Forester F1 I allowed myself to mention two factors, that were the reason for the existence of the device, as well as for its success. The first one was the increased awareness, how much electronics is impaired when powered from wall-wart type power supplies, that are more suitable to charge phones, rather than power audiophile devices, susceptible to all kinds of “trash from the power lines”, and the other, but by no means least, the desire to have complete, finished and tested solutions from one brand. This is the reason, that we should not be surprised, that when the portfolio of the devices having more appetite for power expanded at Silent Angel, they immediately thought about offering a suitable power supply. So enter the today’s hero, dedicated not only to the older products, which are satisfied with 5V (like the Bonn N8 or Munich M1T), but most of all to those using 12V, like the Rhein Z1 transport, the N8 Pro switch, or the external drive Expander E1, patiently waiting for a review on our portal. Ladies and Gentlemen please welcome the “beefed up forester”, the Silent Angel Forester F2.

As you can see on the photos above, the Forester F2 is part of the slightly bigger sized line of products, what automatically means it has higher mass and price, but about the latter I will tell you in a while. Let us concentrate on the esthetics, as it is quite nicely looking for a power supply. A massive, rounded on the edges, steel and aluminum chassis is painted satin black. The front of the device is decorated only with the company name printed in the upper left and the model name in the upper right corner. Information about the status of the unit – the usage of the individual outputs, is indicated by six small LEDs placed in small, milled holes. On the massive top cover our attention is drawn to the centrally placed, gold-yellow company logo, and the side panels are densely perforated to allow for air to circulate inside the chassis. As you could foresee, most things happen on the back panel. There we have another field of ventilation holes, but also the main power switch, integrated with an IEC socket and fuse. And we need to praise the manufacturer for being proactive in safety – the F2 is capable of operating on 230V as well as on 115V, and there is a sticker on the back, that prompts the user to verify, if the selector is in the desired position. We have also a set of outputs – two 12V sockets with 3A and 1A current capability, for 5.5×2.5mm barrel plugs, and a similar set for 5V, with smaller barrels 5.5×2.1mm. Finally there are 2 USB ports with 1A capability. So you are served well.
The whole is very well thought out on construction level. The chassis top and bottom is made from steel plates, all the other walls are made from aluminum, but the front and back are 8mm thick to minimize vibration even more. A nice upgrade to the previous version are the solid, turned feet, so you do need to search for accessories like the Silent Angel S28. The insides have a fully symmetrical setup, with a toroidal transformer and low-noise MOSFETs. This allowed to minimize the internal interference and noise to a minimum. The whole is aided by EMI absorbers.

Moving onto the section devoted to the influence of the tested device on the sound, or being more precise, on the sound of gear attached to it, I deemed necessary to divide it in two parts. The first one will compare the tested power supply with the Forester F1 while powering the Bonn N8, and the second – while powering the Rhein Z1 and N8 Pro switch, which require 12V.
Frankly speaking, while I was not worried about the comparison of the “naked” N8 with the version powered by the Forester F2, the sparring between the two Foresters was one big unknown. The small switch has low appetite for Volts and Amperes, on the verge of not having it at all (5W max), so in this case the current the power supply can produce does not matter, only the purity of it. And that was the case. I did not make a comparison of the F2 with the wall-wart power supply. Or rather I did try it, but the difference was similar to comparing a professional, calibrated EIZO or Benq monitor with a 10 year old, burned out office screen from HP. Everything was seen, or rather heard, much better. Resolution and dynamics, both in the micro and macro scales, were improved, and I do not even want to mention the amount of layers and realism of timbres. The increase in quality could be seen as similar to what was offered, when introducing the mentioned switch in the system, that previously only worked with a “civilian” router.
But to make things less nice and smooth, time came to up the ante and to perform a sparring of the two Foresters. And? With some toned down enthusiasm, as I did not want to make any additional investments into my home network infrastructure, I must confess, that the F2 is ever so slightly better than the F1. Its advantage is mostly in terms of better definition and more precise positioning of the reproduced virtual sources. This is the result of a more darkened background, or more precisely, the removal of the semi-transparent moire. And I immediately want to stress, that both PSUs worked in exactly the same conditions, as during the comparisons I only re-plugged the power cord (Furutech FP-3TS762/FI-28R/FI-E38R), as I had two Luna Cables Gris DC power cables with the same length and mileage. It was sufficient to turn on the prog-metal “In Contact” by Caligula’s Horse. So what can you hear with such “clamor”? As it turned out – quite a lot, as the group from Brisbane prefers shorter and more concise forms to lengthy, and full of technical prowess ones (maybe with the exception of the piece “Graves” which is over 15 minutes long), serving the metal jumble in alternative form, based on mathematical precision of the guitar riffs woven around complicated melodic lines. Of course there is also typical metal meat, or even aggression, but those are very nicely toned down by the high pitched vocals of Jim Grey. And the denser and quicker the gents played, the more the advantage of the F2 grew. And while moving from the F1 to the F2 was a noticeable progress, but far from a wow effect, the switch back was similar to changing the comfortable trekking shoes from Salomon to elegant, but not having the mentioned attributes, Chelsea shoes.
Further observations were made using the higher voltage, as I mentioned in the beginning. I reached for devices requiring 12V and also here there were some surprises, caused by the N8 Pro switch, which does have a radar grade power module, based on an powerful DC/DC converter with a precision voltage regulator (Low Dropout Regulator) built in. Are you also surprised? If yes, then please imagine how much I was. We were minimizing the amount of elements in the system, we plug the power cord directly in the back of the device, so that configuration should have been better. But it is not, as the Forester F2 declasses the integrated switch PSU by far. It improves resolution and dynamics, while not moving the sound in the direction of laboratory analytics and morgue-like coldness. Instead it anchors the sound deeper in truly analog organicity and naturalness. The shapes of the musicians and their instruments became more palpable, what does not mean that their contours and textures were artificially sharpened, but their three-dimensionality were just enhanced. The difference looks small on paper, but in the long run, during hours of listening, it turns out to be truly key.
Now with the Rhein Z1 the Forester F2 created an almost ideal duo, very well seated in mass, juicy tissue and dynamics. Slightly upping the revolutions and adding some adrenaline to the noble transport the F2 emphasized on timing and drive, what in turn, quicker and more efficiently engaged the listeners in following the events on the stage, what made the music, that was just a not involving background, has a lot more chance to evolve into the main point of the meeting.

Summarizing, it would be appropriate to think, if an investment of 5.5 thousand zlotys just to power some low voltage devices makes sense. The response to that dilemma seems as obvious as it is unequivocal. If you are using 5V and 12V powered units, and consider them as fully fledged elements of your audio systems, then it should be logical, that leaving their sound to the low quality wall-wart type switching power supplies could be considered a kind of (sub)conscious masochism, or some kind of carelessness, bordering of not having any audiophile taste and not working towards perfection. And with the Silent Angel Forester F2 you will have certainty, that in the case of power supply, you have (almost) everything on the top notch. Why “almost”? I will not do the homework for you, but you will need to check, which DC cabling suits the combination of your gear to connect to the F2 best. And please do not worry, the choice in the market is surprisingly rich (even Silent Angel alone has four models in the Bastei series), so you should have enough to do during the long autumn and winter evenings.

Marcin Olszewski

System used in this test:
– CD/DAC: Ayon CD-35 (Preamp + Signature) + Finite Elemente Cerabase compact
– Network player: Lumin U2 Mini + I-O Data Soundgenic HDL-RA4TB
– Digital source selector: Audio Authority 1177
– Turntable: Kuzma Stabi S + Kuzma Stogi + Dynavector DV-10X5
– Phonostage: Tellurium Q Iridium MM/MC Phono Pre Amp
– Power amplifier: Bryston 4B³ + Graphite Audio IC-35 Isolation Cones
– Loudspeakers: Dynaudio Contour 30 + Brass Spike Receptacle Acoustic Revive SPU-8 + Base Audio Quartz platforms
– IC RCA: Tellurium Q Silver Diamond
– IC XLR: Organic Audio; Vermöuth Audio Reference; Acrolink 7N-A2070 Leggenda
– Digital IC: Fadel art DigiLitz; Harmonic Technology Cyberlink Copper; Apogee Wyde Eye; Monster Cable Interlink LightSpeed 200
– USB cables: Wireworld Starlight; Goldenote Firenze Silver; Fidata HFU2; Vermöuth Audio Reference
– Speaker cables: Signal Projects Hydra; Vermöuth Audio Reference Loudspeaker Cable + SHUBI Custom Acoustic Stands MMS-1
– Power cables: Furutech FP-3TS762 / FI-28R / FI-E38R; Organic Audio Power + Furutech CF-080 Damping Ring; Acoustic Zen Gargantua II; Furutech Nanoflux Power NCF
– Power distribution board: urutech e-TP60ER + Furutech FP-3TS762 / Fi-50 NCF(R) /FI-50M NCF(R)
– Wall power socket: Furutech FT-SWS(R)
– Anti-vibration platform: Franc Audio Accessories Wood Block Slim Platform
– Switch: Silent Angel Bonn N8 + Silent Angel S28 + Silent Angel Forester F1 + Luna Cables Gris DC
– Ethernet cables: Neyton CAT7+; Audiomica Anort Consequence + Artoc Ultra Reference + Arago Excellence; Furutech LAN-8 NCF
– Table: Solid Tech Radius Duo 3
– Acoustic panels: Vicoustic Flat Panels VMT

Opinion 2

I am not sure if you noticed, that in one aspect of our audiophile game, everybody is on the same page. And surprisingly, even the most die-hard chasers of audio-voodoo in our hobby, are. I am thinking about the power supply part of our electronics. Without the proper amount and quality of the supplied current and voltage we do not go anywhere. I experienced that myself many times, this is why observing even the most emotional discussions between audio enthusiasts, I never saw this being disputed. And even if, I still hope, that today’s meeting will interest everyone, even those of you, who treat me as a flat earther, due to my description of some sonic events. So what will we be dealing with today? Well, with an external power supply for the file player set. But this will not be a random testing event, but a planned process of enhancing the company set from a brand, that you should already be familiar with, Silent Angel. So after meeting the source Rhein Z1, then with the supportive switch N8 Pro we will now encounter the dedicated line power supply for those, the Silent Angel Forester F2, supplied by the Polish, Wroclaw based distributor Audio Atelier.

As you can notice on the set of photos, the looks of the tested power supply is unified with the streamer. This is a medium sized rectangular box, made from thick plates of aluminum and steel, but very interesting in terms of design, as it is rounded on the edges and, while the main chassis is finished black, the four feet are silver colored. In terms of internal construction of the F2, we know that it contains a powerful toroidal transformer and a completely symmetrical setup of the circuitry. It also utilizes low-noise and parallel connected MOSFET transistors, while the whole is protected against EMI. Looking at the back plate we notice a very important aspect – we can power up to four devices at once – two 12V ones, one with 3A and another one with 1A max current, as well as two 5V 2A and 1A respectively. Besides those we do have 5V USB ports and an IEC power socket integrated with the main power switch and a fuse. Importantly, in the box we will find a set of basic wiring, dedicated to other Silent Angel products.

So what did the inclusion of the Forester F2 bring into my system, already upgraded sonically by the N8 Pro switch? If someone did try such a thing out, then he or she already knows what could be expected, and I received exactly that. The effects reevaluated the quality of the file source completely. Suddenly the music gained an energetic boost, and at the same time it let go of the slight smog, a kind of veil, that was covering it before applying the PSU. Of course this was not a turn of the sound upside down, but it was clear enough, that when I returned to my previous setup, the music suffered in absolutely every aspect. The suffering was so big, that I was not able to apply myself so much pain and immediately switched the F2 back on. This decision resulted in the lower registers gain more energy and contour, the midrange juicier, wile still having all the information, and the treble much livelier, shining with millions of sparks, but not moving in front of the rest of the music. Really, every played note benefitted from the tested device. Once it was strong and energetic, another time enchanting with timbre, and another it just decayed without ending. And I did “nothing special”, I just exchanged the standard power supply for a dedicated line PSU. As you might imagine, I put the words “nothing special” in quotation marks on purpose, as this time, the mentioned power supply unit is the hero of the test. Yes, without this competent device I could still be enchanted by the played music, but knowing how easy you can reach another level of sound quality, this becomes a moot point. You can live without it, but why? Life is too short to not live it fully. The more, as the way of improving it is so easy to achieve and within reach. And at that, an improvement of every aspect of the music you are listening to. You might think, this is something not achievable, but in case of the Silent Angel, it absolutely is.

It does not happen very often, but in this case, I have a kind of difficulty to make the summary interesting. Not by lack of ideas for making you interested in trying it out, but due to the fact, that even opponents to the audiophile approach to listening to music, admit, that it is obvious, that improvements of power supply improve sound. Silent Angel Forester F2 does not change the sound, it does not correct it, but it allows the devices attached to it surpass the limitations of reproducing the energy and ease of sound. Popular switching power supplies are destined to fail in this aspect, only making the system sound anemic. So if you want to avoid that, there is only one solution. What solution do I mean? I think I made it absolutely clear in the previous paragraph.

Jacek Pazio

System used in this test:
Source:
– transport: CEC TL 0 3.0
– streamer: Melco N1A/2EX + switch Silent Angel Bonn N8
– DAC: dCS Vivaldi DAC 2.0
– Master clock: Mutec REF 10 SE-120
– reclocker: Mutec MC-3+USB
– Shunyata Research Omega Clock
– Shunyata Sigma V2 NR
– Preamplifier: Gryphon Audio Pandora
– Power amplifier: Gryphon Audio Apex Stereo
– Loudspeakers: Gauder Akustik Berlina RC-11 Black Edition
– Speaker Cables: Synergistic Research Galileo SX SC
IC RCA: Hijiri Million „Kiwami”, Vermouth Audio Reference
IC XLR: Tellurium Q Silver Diamond, Hijiri Milion „Kiwami”, Siltech Classic Legend 880i
Digital IC: Hijiri HDG-X Milion
Power cables: Hijiri Takumi Maestro, Furutech Project-V1, Furutech NanoFlux NCF, Furutech DPS-4.1 + FI-E50 NCF(R)/ FI-50(R), Hijiri Nagomi, Vermouth Audio Reference Power Cord, Acrolink 8N-PC8100 Performante
– Table: SOLID BASE VI
– Accessories: Harmonix TU 505EX MK II, Stillpoints ULTRA SS, Stillpoints ULTRA MINI, antivibration platform by SOLID TECH, Harmonix AC Enacom Improved for 100-240V, Harmonix Room Tuning Mini Disk RFA-80i
– Power distribution board: POWER BASE HIGH END
– Acoustic treatments by Artnovion
Analog stage:
Drive: Clearaudio Concept
Cartridge: Essence MC
Step-up: Thrax Trajan
Phonostage: Sensor 2 mk II

Polish distributor: Audio Atelier
Manufacturer: Silent Angel
Price: 5 490 PLN

Specifications
Power Input: IEC (AC) 115-230V or 120-240V, 1.5A at max
Power Use: 100W at max
Interface:
(DC) 12V/3A plug*1, 5.5 x 2.5 mm; 12V/1A plug*1, 5.5 x 2.5 mm
(DC) 5V/2A plug*1, 5.5 x 2.1 mm; 5V/1A plug*1, 5.5 x 2.1 mm
(The same set of USB ports and DC plugs of 5V output cannot be connected simultaneously.)
(The two sets share the same current output)
The maximum current gross output of two 12V ports is 3A, which means if you connect 12/3A port to a device which requires exactly 12/3A input, then the 12V/1A port cannot be used.
The maximum current gross output of two 5V ports is 2A, which means if you connect 5V/2Aport to a device which requires exactly 5V/2A input, then the 5V/1A port cannot be used.
Dimensions: 200 x 200 x 111 mm (with footstands)
Weight: 4.2 kg