Chord Company PowerHAUS six-way power distribution blocks come in two flavours - the S6 (Studio) and M6 (Master) and boast "an uncompromising synthesis of design expertise, versatility and high-level build quality."

The Wiltshire-based manufacturer states that the PowerHAUS distribution devices result from one of the most prolonged product development phases the company has ever undertaken, following initial research undertaken as early as 2003.

That said, Chord Company has been building and using mains power distribution blocks since it started in 1984. However, what started out as a basic necessity for powering equipment and demonstrating the cable ranges has become a crucial part of an entertainment system's musical/visual performance. Many different mains block designs and construction methods were studied, borrowed from and tweaked over the intervening years. Some were better than others, and while minor performance improvements were noted, many of the designs would not pass safety regulations for domestic or commercial use.

Having trialled various approaches, Chord Company's research showed that star-wiring was best avoided where sound quality is concerned. So instead, the PowerHAUS uses three isolated bus bars running in parallel, limiting contact and subsequently reducing high-frequency noise (whilst remaining outside of the circuit). Secluding the earth bus bar from the live and neutral also brought further sound quality improvements during testing, we were told.

Additionally, the UK-designed and assembled devices benefit from the company's understanding of signal and power transfer, alongside the brand's proprietary ARAY technology developed for interconnects. The company then looked into creating GroundARAYs and PowerARAYs to try and improve power supplies to systems as well as the interaction of the live and neutral on the earth. Apparently, maintaining as clean an earth supply as possible as any noise on the earth causes issues to the final performance. The resulting MainsARAY has been specially advanced for power distribution.

At the select press launch, we were shown that the M6 and S6 eschew the use of noisy filters, neon power indicators and switches, all of which reduce sound quality. Furthermore, while the rather standard-looking aluminium case construction minimises the effects of microphony, practically every component inside the PowerHAUS has been manufactured specifically for its intended purpose.

The PowerHAUS blocks feature high-quality, heavy-gauge cables throughout, with sockets chosen not just for their reliability but also their sound performance, says Chord Company. In addition, a high-performance 16-amp IEC allows the PowerHAUS blocks to cope with even the most demanding home audio systems.

The flagship M6 offers the best outright performance and utilises three hybrid MainsARAYs fitted in parallel (rather than in series). Meanwhile, the S6 retains many of the M6's core features and offers a significant improvement over standard mains blocks at a lower price point than the M6.

The Chord Company PowerHAUS M6 is priced at £2,000, while the PowerHAUS S6 is £1,000. International pricing hasn't been announced by the company. Both are available now with six output sockets (UK or Euro) with 13 amp (UK)/16 amp (EU) rated outlets.

Visit Chord Company for more information