About the AudioQuest Niagara 1200
Classic "strip" form-factor, with component refinements
The sleek AudioQuest Niagara 1200 features seven AC outlets placed on the back panel for easier connections and a cleaner look.
Classic "strip" form-factor, with component refinements
The rock-solid, 15-pound AudioQuest Niagara 1200 stretches the limits of what we imagine for a "strip-style" surge protector. That's because you don't have to hide this gorgeous piece of gear. It is designed to fit right into a top-flight home theater or stereo setup. And it certainly isn't all about the looks — AudioQuest is advancing the art and science of AC power conditioning.
A new solution to a century-old problem
Garth Powell, the designer of the AudioQuest Niagara-series components, explains that "AC current is a century-old technology created for incandescent lights and electric motors — technology that was certainly never meant to power the sophisticated analog and digital circuits used in premium audio/video systems."
For today's advanced audio gear to sound its best, there has to be extremely low noise across all frequencies. That way you can hear all those wonderful details and lifelike dynamics. So the company has a laser-like focus on eliminating AC-related noise, as well as reducing the harmful effects of RFI and EMI.
Eliminating noise without limiting current
The key to the Niagara 1200's performance is its wideband linearity, designed to avoid the current compression and distortion that typically characterize less sophisticated AC power conditioners. The Niagara 1200's "secret sauce" is AudioQuest's patented Ground Noise-Dissipation technology.
Why is dissipating ground noise so critical?
A surprising amount of AC noise can be traced to the ground lead. Because the electrical service depends on this lead primarily for safety, there are very few ways to effectively reduce ground noise. On top of that, many audio circuits actually depend on the AC ground lead to ensure an electrical ground reference for minimal system hum.
The ground lead: an often-ignored source of RF noise
The typical 3-prong AC connector has three wires: line, neutral, and ground. In contrast to the line and neutral leads, the ground lead bypasses the component power supply and makes a direct connection to many critical analog and digital circuits, introducing a torrent of RF (radio frequency) noise. This noise is spread across a wide range of frequencies and impedances, which is why simple filters are only partially effective.
And even when the noise itself isn't audible it can mask or distort low-level audio signals, resulting in grainy sound and a constricted soundstage.
AudioQuest diverts the noise
AudioQuest's patented circuit combines ultra-low impedance (at 50-60Hz) induction with proper lead orientation for optimal noise dissipation. The noise currents that would otherwise result in audible distortion are instead directed away from the sensitive audio circuits for sound that is cleaner, clearer, and more dynamic and relaxed.
Comprehensive surge protection for your system
The Niagara 1200 has seven AC outlets to protect your entire A/V system. There are two high-current outlets that will protect your receiver or power amp without ever limiting the AC current it needs. The other five outlets feature multi-level noise filtering to remove AC line noise and ground noise.
The Niagara 1200's non-sacrificial surge protection can withstand multiple AC surges and spikes up to 6000 volts or 3000 amps — the maximum that can make it through a home or office electrical panel. Lesser units sacrifice themselves in order to suppress significant surges. The Niagara 1200 is unaffected by such surges, surviving to do its job over and over again as necessary.
Undervoltage shutdown is not used, since undervoltage alone rarely damages circuits. It's the massive overvoltage that often follows an undervoltage brown-out that you have to guard against. The Niagara overvoltage circuit responds in a fraction of a second, resetting the output when the AC voltage returns to a safe range.
Product highlights:
- heavy-duty strip-style surge protector with component-style design and finish
- outlets placed on back-panel for easier connection and neat, clean look
- rubber feet included for safe, secure grip (can also be placed on edge or side)
- total of 7 protected AC outlets with three isolated filter banks:
- 2 high-current Ground-Noise Dissipated outlet for connecting a power amplifier or receiver
- 5 Ultra-Linear Filtered/Ground Noise Dissipated outlets for connecting source components
- patented Ground Noise-Dissipation System vastly reduces ground-borne noise without compromising safety or creating low-level ground loops
- Ultra-Linear Noise-Dissipation Technology ensures the most consistent and widest bandwidth noise dissipation possible
- Zero Ground-Contamination Technology prevents the noise or surge energy present on AC Line or Neutral from connecting to the AC Ground
- direction-controlled ultra-low-resistance solid-core wiring
- ultra-linear AudioQuest AC RF filtering capacitors
- low impedance NRG Series AC power inlet and outlets
- connections feature the superior grip and lower resistance of beryllium copper, plus a heavy Hanging-Silver plating to ensure the lowest impedance at radio frequencies, enabling superior noise dissipation
- non-sacrificial surge protection can withstand multiple AC surges and spikes up to 6000 volts or 3000 amps
- overvoltage shutdown with automatic reset
- maximum current rating: 15 amps
- 19-5/8"W x 3-7/16"H x 7-9/16"D
- weight: 15.1 lbs.
- warranty: 3 years (5 years with registration)
- Our 60-day money-back guarantee
- MFR # NIAGARA1200USA
What's in the box:
AudioQuest Niagara 1200 owner's manual
- Power conditioner/surge protector
- Owner's Manual
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More details on the AudioQuest Niagara 1200
Features & specs
| Type | Strip | |
| Total AC Outlets | 7 | |
| Total Current Capacity | 15 | |
| High-Current Outlets | 2 | |
| USB Connections | None | |
| Coaxial RF Jacks | No | |
| Line Conditioning | Yes | |
| Joule Rating | N/A | |
| Powerline Network Compatible | No | |
| Connected Equipment Guarantee | N/A | |
| Width (inches) | 19-5/8 | |
| Height (inches) | 3-7/16 | |
| Depth (inches) | 7-9/16 | |
| Weight (pounds) | 15.1 | |
| Parts Warranty | 3 Yrs (5 Yrs registered) | |
| Labor Warranty | 3 Yrs (5 Yrs registered) | |
Product Research
Features
Niagara 1200: The Niagara 1200 features AudioQuest's non-sacrificial surge protection, Zero Ground-Contamination Technology, and over-voltage shutdown, ensuring that your AV components are thoroughly protected from AC surges and spikes. The Niagara 1200 uses ultra-low resistance solid-core wiring optimized for low-noise directionality, capacitor forming technologies that vastly improve linearity and minimize distortion, and low impedance AC inlet and outlet contacts with heavy silver plating over high-purity Beryllium Copper for superior noise dissipation.
6 Low-Z AC Outlets: There are 7 total AC outlets divided into 2 groups or banks. Group One consists of two High-Current outlets, while Group Two consists of six isolated Ultra-Linear Filtered AC outlets. These 7 AC outlet not only feature the superior grip and lower resistance of beryllium copper, but they also include a heavy Hanging-Silver plating to ensure the lowest impedance at radio frequencies, enabling superior noise dissipation.
- High Current Power Banks: The two High Current Power outlets is designed to enhance the performance of power amplifiers and powered receivers via the Niagara 1000's low-impedance, differential-filter circuitry. This, coupled with the patented Ground Noise-Dissipation System, ensures maximum performance from any power amplifier without the typical performance-limiting effects of current compression found in many typical power conditioners/surge protectors.
- Ultra-Linear Noise-Dissipation System: There are six outlets within the Niagara 1000 that utilize Ultra-Linear Noise-Dissipation Technology, making them optimized for varying line and load impedance with more than 18 octaves of AC differential filtering. This ensures the most consistent and widest bandwidth noise dissipation possible, without the inconsistent results that typify minimalist, multi-node resonant peaking found in may other AC power conditioners/surge protectors.
Non-Sacrificial Surge Suppression: The Niagara 1200 employs non-sacrificial surge protection. It will accept multiple transient power surges and spikes up to 6000V or 3000A (the maximum that can make it through a home or office electrical panel). If a lightning strike produces enough voltage to damage electronic circuits, the Niagara will still survive and the outlets will shut off until the AC line is normal and safe for operation. A massive voltage sag (under 70 VAC), will shut the unit off. It will automatically reset when the voltage is in a safe range. Damage from electrical storms or power-line interruption is virtually impossible.
Automatic Over-Voltage Protection: One portion of the Niagara 1200's non-sacrificial surge protection is dedicated to a fast-acting extreme voltage shutdown circuit. If more than 140VAC is present on the incoming AC line for more than a quarter of a second, the circuit will instantly open a high-current relay that will disengage the AC power from all of the Niagara 1200's AC outlets. Once the event has passed and the AC voltage is back within a safe range, the Niagara 1200 will reset itself and re-engage.
Ground Noise-Dissipation System: The Niagara 1200 utilizes a patented Ground Noise-Dissipation System that vastly reduces ground-borne noise without compromising safety or creating low-level ground loops.
Zero Ground-Contamination Technology: Zero Ground-Contamination Technology prevents the noise or surge energy present on the AC Line or Neutral from connecting to the AC Ground.
Do Not Daisy Chain: Do not plug one Niagara Series product into another. As all of the current Niagara Series products utilize a linearized filter. Plugging one into another would place two filters in series which would create non-linear (inconsistent) filtering via resonance ringing modes.
Mounting Options: The Niagara 1200 is manufactured with four rubber feet for safe, secure placement on any table, cabinet, shelf, or floor. It can also be safely mounted on its edge or side.
3 or 5 Year Warranty: The Niagara 1200 features comes with a 3-year warranty out of the box and a 5-year warranty with registration. However, there is no connected equipment warranty.
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Customer Q&A
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Very nice piece but I prefer my PS Audio Stellar P3 Power Plant a bit more. I also purchased an AudioQuest Thunder HC power cable and preferred the sound with my amp (Gold Note IS 1000) plugged directly into the wall.
Michael from WAXHAW, NC