In this review we check out the AudioQuest PowerQuest 707 power conditioner, it is selling for $1,299 USD.
Disclaimer: AudioQuest supplied the PowerQuest 707 together with their NRG-Z3 cable at no cost in exchange for our honest opinion.
AudioQuest
AudioQuest is probably best known for their mobile D/A converters and headphones in our corners, though. We have covered their excellent DragonFly series in the past, as well as some of their cables and the Niagara 1200.
AudioQuest offers a wide range of different cables, starting at $45 USD going up to $4,450 USD. You can buy all sorts of digital and analogue cables from AudioQuest. I use their Black Beauty interconnects in my system, which are an excellent choice!
AudioQuest started out in 1980 when their founder, Bill Low, founded the company after two years of building custom cables for his one-man HiFi shop. Since then, AudioQuest has been expanding in growing in their business and has become one of the biggest, if not the biggest, cable manufacturer in the HiFi segment. Their portfolio also grew in diversity during that time, but it was especially after 2012 with the launch of the DragonFly DAC that they tipped their toes into unknown territory. Since then, they have introduced three generations of that series, with Cobalt being the latest and greatest.
In today’s review we check out the PowerQuest 707, one of their latest power conditioners.
PowerQuest 707
The PowerQuest 707 (PQ707) is a power conditioner and surge protector, designed to improve the audio quality of your gear. It can of course also be used in home theaters, enhancing the performance of your entire AV system. We focus on the audiophile section in this review.
The PowerQuest 707’s main feature is its power conditioning. It filters out electrical noise and interference, that can potentially have a negative impact on the sound quality. By using ultra-linear noise dissipation, it reduces interference across a broad frequency range. By doing so, it creates, in theory, a clearer and sharper image.
Its seven (or twelve, depending on your location) outlets deliver clean and stable power to your gear. This is essential to provide consistent quality to your products. Power usually has voltage swings that go up and down, with the PowerQuest 707 however, this is not the case. Meaning, that your amplifiers or source components will always be fed consistent power.
PowerQuest also brings non-sacrificial surge protection to the table. Which is one of the most important features in my opinion. This will protect your precious, and probably expensive, electronics from being harmed, should a sudden power surge occur. If the unit receives too high voltage, it will go to an automated shutdown to protect any connected equipment. Once the voltage returns to normal, the 707 resumes its work.
I cannot stress enough how important the protection feature of the PowerQuest is. I have electronics worth many thousands of euros in my chain, to think any of it could be damaged by a power surge gives me the chills. With the PowerQuest 707 my mind is at ease about that.
The PowerQuest 707 also includes a 45A reserve for high current components (like power amps). This helps maintain clean energy, especially during times when high power is needed, like during bass heavy tracks. Yes, they require more power.
AudioQuest also implemented noise filtering in the PowerQuest 707. It uses both differential (8kHz-1GHz) and common mode (30kHz-100MHz) filtering.
The PowerQuest 707 is quite a big box, especially considering the compact form factor of the Niagara 1200. It measures 43.18 x 8.63 x 37.85 cm (WHD) and puts 7.6kg on the scale. This is 17 x 3.4 x 14.9 inches (WHD) and 16.76 lbs.
The only thing that bothers me a little with the PowerQuest 707 is the rocker switch on the front. It needs some extra force to be pushed in. However, my eleven year old can also do it. So I think it’s still ok.
On the unit’s back, we have three high current outputs (for amplifiers) and four regular outputs for sources. The PowerQuest 707 comes with AudioQuest’s PQ-715 cable. AudioQuest also offers upgrade cables, like the NRG Z3 or Monsoon to go even further.
The PowerQuest 707 retails for 1,299 USD/EUR and is available through AudioQuest’s global retail network.
The review continues on page two, where you will find all about the sound improvements!