IsoTek V5 Syncro Uni [10 or 16] DC Canceller

The IsoTek V5 Syncro Uni 16 is a mains DC cancelling unit from IsoTek (Bath, England), available at Vinyl Sound, an authorized IsoTek dealer in Buffalo, NY. Unlike a conventional power conditioner that targets RFI and noise above the mains frequency, the V5 Syncro Uni 16 addresses DC offset — direct current superimposed on the AC mains supply — which causes transformer cores in audio equipment to saturate asymmetrically, producing audible mechanical hum, elevated heat output, and degraded performance. IsoTek's newest version of its DC cancelling system, first introduced approximately 15 years ago, the V5 Syncro Uni 16 delivers 260% more current capability and corresponding impedance reductions compared to its predecessor, with an internal peak current of 32 amperes. It filters DC offset up to 4VDC and can be used as a standalone single-component conditioner or placed upstream of an existing IsoTek power conditioner to deliver a fully rebalanced mains sine wave across all downstream outlets. Internal wiring is multi-strand 6N OFC (99.9999% Oxygen Free Copper), silver-plated, with an FEP dielectric, housed in a fully star-earthed network and protected by IsoTek's thermomagnetic fusing system. The V5 Syncro Uni 16 is used with IsoTek's EVO3 Premier IEC C19 power cable (16A).

DC Offset on the Mains — What It Is, Why It Matters, and How the V5 Syncro Uni 16 Removes It

A clean mains supply is a sine wave that oscillates symmetrically around the zero-volt line, spending equal time and energy above and below it. DC offset disrupts this symmetry by adding a constant direct-current component that shifts the entire waveform to one side. The sources of DC on a domestic mains supply are increasingly common: LED lighting dimmers, variable-speed motor drives in HVAC and appliances, electric vehicle chargers, and switch-mode power supplies in modern electronics all introduce small DC voltages onto the mains circuit. When this DC-contaminated supply reaches a toroidal or EI-core transformer inside an audio component, the asymmetric waveform causes the transformer core to magnetically saturate on one half cycle but not the other. The result is audible mechanical vibration from the transformer core at 50 or 60Hz — what most listeners recognise as transformer hum — along with elevated operating temperature, increased current draw, and measurable degradation in audio performance. The V5 Syncro Uni 16 monitors the mains supply and applies an equal-and-opposite correcting current to rebalance the sine wave at the zero-volt crossing, removing the DC component before it reaches any connected equipment. Filtering capacity extends to 4VDC — sufficient to address the DC contamination levels found in real residential and commercial mains supplies, and rated to accommodate future electrical devices that may generate higher DC voltages. The correcting circuit adds no series resistance or current restriction in the signal path: dynamics, bass reproduction, and transient response are unaffected by the DC removal process. The V5 Syncro Uni 16 can be connected between the wall outlet and a single high-value component such as a power amplifier or preamplifier, or placed upstream of an IsoTek power conditioner so that the rebalanced, DC-free mains feeds the conditioner's input — delivering a fully corrected sine wave across all of the conditioner's outlets simultaneously. This is the most comprehensive approach for a complete audio system.

Thermomagnetic Fusing, Star-Earthed Network, and 6N OFC Silver Internal Wiring

The V5 Syncro Uni 16 uses thermomagnetic fusing rather than the traditional glass, ceramic, or gold-plated audiophile fuses found in most audio equipment. Conventional fuses operate by melting a resistive element under sustained overcurrent — a mechanism that introduces contact resistance and oxidation at the fuse holder contacts over the product's life, and that requires physical replacement once the fuse blows. Thermomagnetic circuit breakers combine a thermal element that responds to sustained overloads with a magnetic element that responds near-instantaneously to short-circuit conditions. The thermal element and magnetic element work in tandem, offering faster and more precise protection than a simple melting-wire fuse, and the circuit is self-resetting once the fault condition is cleared. IsoTek rates the thermomagnetic fusing in the V5 Syncro Uni 16 as delivering a minimum of 1000% better performance than traditional or audiophile fusing systems, measured across protection accuracy, contact resistance, and sonic transparency. The fully star-earthed network ensures all connections within the V5 Syncro Uni 16 share a single reference earth point, eliminating potential noise coupling at the earth terminal. Internal wiring is multi-strand 6N OFC — 99.9999% pure Oxygen Free Copper, silver-plated — with a Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP) dielectric. FEP's low dielectric constant minimises energy storage in the insulation and contributes to the very low internal impedance that the V5 Syncro Uni 16's increased-current architecture demands for accurate, artifact-free DC correction at the 32A internal peak current level.

Key Features

• Removes DC offset from the mains supply — filters up to 4VDC — rebalancing the mains sine wave at the zero-volt crossing to eliminate transformer hum, vibration, elevated heat, and the associated performance degradation in connected audio components
• Newest version of IsoTek's 15-year-old DC cancelling platform, upgraded with 260% greater current capability and corresponding impedance reductions compared to the previous design; internal peak current is 32 amperes
• Dual deployment: use standalone between wall outlet and a single component, or place upstream of an existing IsoTek power conditioner to deliver a fully DC-corrected mains feed across all downstream outlets simultaneously
• Thermomagnetic fusing — combining thermal and magnetic protection elements — rated at a minimum 1000% better performance than traditional glass/ceramic or audiophile gold-plated fusing in protection accuracy and sonic transparency
• Multi-strand 6N OFC (99.9999%) silver-plated internal wiring with FEP dielectric for low-resistance, low-impedance internal power delivery compatible with the unit's 32A peak current specification
• Fully star-earthed network; no loss in dynamics or bass reproduction from DC correction; suitable for all audio, home theatre, and network electronics; available in UK, EU, US, AU & CH outlet configurations; used with IsoTek's EVO3 Premier IEC C19 power cable (16A)

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the IsoTek V5 Syncro Uni 16?

The IsoTek V5 Syncro Uni 16 is a mains DC cancelling unit that removes DC offset from the AC mains supply, rebalancing the sine wave at the zero-volt crossing to eliminate transformer hum, vibration, excess heat, and the audio performance degradation they cause in connected equipment. It is the latest generation of IsoTek's DC cancelling system — upgraded with 260% more current capability and a 32A internal peak current — and can be used standalone for a single component or upstream of an IsoTek power conditioner to benefit an entire system. The V5 Syncro Uni 16 is available at Vinyl Sound, an authorized IsoTek dealer in Buffalo, NY.

What is DC offset on the mains and how does it affect audio equipment?

DC offset is a small amount of direct current superimposed on the alternating current mains supply, causing the AC sine wave to shift asymmetrically above or below the zero-volt line. Sources include LED dimmers, variable-speed drives, EV chargers, and switch-mode power supplies — all increasingly common in residential electrical environments. When DC-contaminated mains power reaches the toroidal or EI-core transformer in an audio component, the asymmetric waveform causes the core to magnetically saturate on one half cycle, producing audible mechanical hum at 50 or 60Hz, elevated operating temperature, higher current draw, and measurably reduced audio performance. Removing the DC offset restores symmetrical transformer operation, silencing the hum and allowing the component to operate as designed.

How does the V5 Syncro Uni 16 differ from the previous IsoTek Syncro DC canceller?

IsoTek introduced its first DC cancelling product approximately 15 years ago. The V5 Syncro Uni 16 is the latest generation and represents a substantial redesign: current capability has been increased by 260% with corresponding reductions in internal impedance, and the internal peak current now stands at 32 amperes. This means the DC correction circuit can respond accurately to high-demand transient loads — such as the current surges drawn by large power amplifiers — without the correction circuit introducing any restriction or artifact. The filtering range of up to 4VDC is also specified to accommodate DC contamination levels from both current and anticipated future electrical devices.

Can I use the V5 Syncro Uni 16 with my existing IsoTek power conditioner?

Yes — this is the recommended use for a full system installation. Placing the V5 Syncro Uni 16 between the wall outlet and the mains inlet of an IsoTek power conditioner means the DC-corrected, rebalanced sine wave feeds the conditioner's input, and the conditioner's own RFI filtering and power cleaning circuits then distribute that corrected power across all connected components simultaneously. The two products are complementary: the Syncro Uni 16 addresses DC offset specifically, while the conditioner addresses RFI, Common Mode, and Differential Mode noise. Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, NY carries IsoTek power conditioners across the V5 range and can advise on the most effective pairing for your system.

What is thermomagnetic fusing and why does it matter in the V5 Syncro Uni 16?

Thermomagnetic fusing combines two protection mechanisms: a thermal bimetallic strip that responds to sustained overcurrent conditions, and a magnetic coil that trips near-instantaneously in the event of a short circuit. Unlike a glass or ceramic fuse — which operates only by melting a resistive wire and must be physically replaced — the thermomagnetic breaker resets once the fault condition clears. IsoTek specifies thermomagnetic fusing in the V5 Syncro Uni 16 for its combination of faster protection response, lower contact resistance (glass and gold-plated fuse holders oxidize over time), and higher transparency in the current path. IsoTek rates the thermomagnetic design at a minimum of 1000% better performance than traditional or audiophile fusing systems across these combined criteria.

What is the difference between the V5 Syncro Uni 10 and V5 Syncro Uni 16?

The V5 Syncro Uni 10 is the 10A-rated version of the same DC cancelling platform, intended for use with standard-current components such as preamplifiers, source components, and integrated amplifiers drawing under 10A. The V5 Syncro Uni 16 is rated for 16A continuous with a 32A internal peak current, making it the appropriate choice for large power amplifiers, power conditioners with 16A mains inlets, and any component that draws sustained or peak current above the 10A rating. Both units address DC offset to 4VDC and share the same thermomagnetic fusing and 6N OFC silver internal wiring. Both the V5 Syncro Uni 10 and V5 Syncro Uni 16 are available at Vinyl Sound, an authorized IsoTek dealer in Buffalo, NY.

Where to buy the IsoTek V5 Syncro Uni 16 in Buffalo, NY?

The IsoTek V5 Syncro Uni 16 is available at Vinyl Sound, an authorized IsoTek dealer in Buffalo, NY, serving customers across Western New York and the United States. Contact Vinyl Sound Buffalo to confirm current availability in your preferred outlet configuration (UK, EU, US, AU, or CH) and to discuss whether the Uni 10 or Uni 16 is the better fit for your specific components and system.