Bristol Hi-Fi Show: Connected-Fidelity Unveils New Tonearm & Balanced PSU

The British brand, headed by Michael Osborn, an industry veteran with over 30 years of experience, is preparing to showcase his latest designs, including the new generation of the AC-2K balanced supply unit and the CF-1010 tonearm.

We were impressed by the AC-2K we had in to review in 2021, of which James Micheal Hughes stated, “be warned; once you hear the improvement it delivers, you may have difficulty listening without it.”

The Connected-Fidelity AC-2K balanced power supply unit now features ‘wirewound technology’ and includes four balanced output sockets.

We are informed that the newly developed ‘wirewound technology’ sits on the input side of the balanced power electronics, offering a Live, Neutral and Earth filter, to ensure a cleaner mains power supply through to the balanced power transformer.

This, according to Connected-fidelity, results in “a significant improvement in mains power quality.” Moreover, it is apparently achieved without loss of dynamics or other detrimental artefacts that conventional ‘cleaners’ can have.

Additionally, there is an AC-2K option with four outputs, available in UK, Shuko (EU) or US sockets.

Connected-fidelity CF-1010 Tonearm

Joining the new AC-2K range is the 9-inch CF-1010 tonearm.

Here we have a one-piece titanium tube-and-headshell design, with the tube featuring a very specific curved shape that, we’re told, controls its resonant behaviour. This should result in optimised stiffness and push the first resonant mode up as high as possible.

Furthermore, the designer states that the stiff composite headshell design sets the headshell's fundamental frequency at 14,000 Hz, and the composite material absorbs 80-90% of unwanted vibrational energy from the cartridge body.

Finally, the CF-1010’s bearing design promises both very accurate alignment and concentricity, with reliable zero play. Pre-loaded with a zero-micron tolerance, the brand says your cartridge will capture the very smallest details from the vinyl groove without distortion.

Connected-fidelity will demonstrate both new products and have the CF-1010 fitted to its own TT Hub turntable loaded with a Hana Umami Black cartridge in Room 414 of the Bristol Hi-Fi Show.

For more information visit Connected-fidelity