The filter network is certainly effective at dealing with mains buzz

Stylish it ain't. But most of us are able to hide our mains distribution boards behind equipment stands or cabinets. So looks aren't everything. The Olson Sound Fantastic board is available in four, six, and eight-way versions at reasonable prices, and is well made and solidly built. It's fitted with a potted filtering network consisting of series inductors and parallel capacitors, plus a VDR (voltage dependant resistor) to clamp nasty mains spikes that might cause damage. The filter network is certain effective at dealing with mains noise, and using an Audio Prism Noise Sniffer I was able to hear a noticeable drop in mains buzz with the Olson board in line. However, it did not reduce the self-created noise made by my EAR 859 valve amplifier - unlike Maplins' ASC 431 which proved surprisingly effective.

Because I already have quite a few mains widgets in my system, I put the Olson board first in line, so it filters the mains supply feeding one of the isolation transformers that powers my whole system. Surprisingly, given the amount of treatment downline, there was a small but noticeable improvement in cleanness and bass tightness. Which just goes to show how insidious the problem of mains noise is. So I'd expect anyone replacing a bog-standard plastic mains distribution board (especially one with a neon light) to find the Olson sounds quite a bit better. Given reasonable selling prices and superior build quality, I'd say this board's something of a bargain.

FEATURES

Available in four, six and eight-way versions, fitted with a potted filtering network of series inductors and parallel capacitors, VDR (voltage dependent resistor)