Ja, that reasoning was part of the buying decision.
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Yes, my wife knows I’m very afraid of her. 
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As promised I’ve done my own homework!
In order to determine how impactful the Grid Protector is separately from the PowerZone I tested it in my system with a Furutech e-TP609E NCF power strip.
You may say that the power cord used in this test plays a fundamental role too, I completely agree but the Puritan cable (with Furutech plug upgrade) was the only one available as spare. Hence… let it be!
Obvious disclaimer: here below is the results in my room, in my opinion, to my ears… bla bla bla!
Before starting listening I left the GP detached (both cables) and with antenna unscrewed at least 6 hours.
Having said that I tried without both of them first, just the Furutech power strip in use and, believe me, I really don’t want to do that anymore: I was suffering so much hearing my system sounding without life, period!
Then I plugged the GP into the power strip, checking the correct polarity (for all the EU Schuko afflicted) and set all the 3 switches as usual to 2 position.
The improvement was immediate and clearly audible, as expected. The reduction of the subtle hum from the amp’s toroidal transformer (mechanical noise from inside the chassis) was less significant than before, it takes probably more time to be effective as I’m used to hear.
But the experiment had other aims actually so I carefully tried to determine the amount of improvement compared to the one brought by PZ alone.
Here below you can find a chart with numbers that should better clarify my impressions. Assuming 100% the job done when both the PZ and GP are in use (and 0% without both of them) I tried to be more specific in order to have a better idea about the areas where the one is working more than the other.
| GRID PROTECTOR + POWERZONE | WITHOUT BOTH | ONLY WITH PZ | ONLY WITH GP | WITH BOTH PZ + GP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White noise/Hum | 0 | 20 | 80 | 100 |
| Background | 0 | 90 | 10 | 100 |
| Neutralness | 0 | 70 | 30 | 100 |
| Image precision | 0 | 80 | 20 | 100 |
| Soundstage depth | 0 | 60 | 40 | 100 |
| Soundstage width | 0 | 100 | 0 | 100 |
| Separation | 0 | 70 | 30 | 100 |
| Voice | 0 | 40 | 60 | 100 |
| Highs | 0 | 80 | 20 | 100 |
| Basses | 0 | 50 | 50 | 100 |
| Presence | 0 | 50 | 50 | 100 |
| Transient | 0 | 70 | 30 | 100 |
| Clarity | 0 | 80 | 20 | 100 |
| Airy | 0 | 50 | 50 | 100 |
| Detail | 0 | 80 | 20 | 100 |
| Unveil | 0 | 80 | 20 | 100 |
| Realism | 0 | 40 | 60 | 100 |
| Calm | 0 | 70 | 30 | 100 |
| Control | 0 | 80 | 20 | 100 |
| Engagement | 0 | 50 | 50 | 100 |
| 0 | 65,5 | 34,5 | 100 |
Conclusions.
It took me a day of listening but I was impatient, I continuously felt the urgency to set back all as usual because it’s really hard when you miss something so appreciated, even if for a short time.
I can confirm my initial impression, the Grid Protector and the PowerZone seem to be a perfect marriage, they sound great alone but the magic starts when I have both of them bringing my system to a higher level. Call it pleasure, audio Nirvana or whatever you like. I for sure can’t live without them, both together I mean.
Hope that helps.
Now back to music (at its best), the weekend starts now!
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So sad news for the lads who don’t have a PowerZone or a Grid Protector. You need to cough up the big bucks for both.
Soon the EMI Protector will be added to the list. Sigh.
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This is an excellent review. So, the conclusion was that one needs to spend three times more to get SQ twice as good. This is actually an excellent ratio compared to many other upgrades (from my own experience in my own system).
MU2 plus Muon Pro, like Al said before, is mandatory. Now I agree on the fourth day, and with PZ I am not suffering at all, with GP or without.
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I’ll accept the sad news. I’ve accepted I’ll never be able to cough up that kind of dough on my retirement income and lack of cash to flow. But I’ll be fine.
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Glad to know you are liking the Muon Pro (with Omega).
Can’t stress enough the fact that the GP could boost even further your PZ, don’t feel under pressure but keep it in your wish list for a while, no more than a few weeks! If possible try it as a demo. Make yourself a Christmas gift, my friend!
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A most thorough and illuminating review. It takes discipline to take out the very things that make a system shine and objectively assess its merits.
So, here we go again. Onward the March of the Black Box Brigade.
I give it only a few weeks till all of the Schnerzinger modules are deemed a “must have”. I love/hate this addiction.
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Thanks for your effort, Luca. It only remains to be seen what effects the power cable can add since you supply your power zone with the Stealth Audio Dream 20-20. Under certain circumstances, the power zone only makes a little less difference without the better power cable. The result consists of a power strip, cable and grid protector. But I can understand that the power strip (power zone) can offer greater added value. When I switched from the PS Audio P10 to my Furutech Vault power bar, it was a gain in dynamics, details and natural flow in the music. I used a Furutech DPS-4.1 power cable with both. When I swapped the DPS 4.1 for the Project V1 power cable, it was another step towards more naturalness, dynamics and micro details. With the addition of the Grid Protector, the low frequency range became a touch more controlled. The sound became cleaner and the separation improved a little. The power strip made a big difference, and the power cord made it even better. Maybe 50% power strip, 30-40% power cord and 10-20% GP. That’s how I would rate it in my system. The difference with GP isn’t the biggest, but it’s the finishing touch.
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I agree. If you have a PZ, Muon, and some sort of Grimm device (MU1 or 2) even without GP we are not suffering!
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Love it!
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Agree with you Andreas, the power cord feeding the PowerZone or whatever conditioner/regens/power distributor is probably the most important cable in a system. And it can influence the final result indeed. No doubt.
Having said that my experiment was intended to:
- determine what the GP alone (without the PZ) can bring to the table
- find out how the GP can mate with a “modest” power strip other than the PZ
- realize the real proportions of the contribution provided IN MY SYSTEM by the PZ and GP
The GP could have different impact in other systems, the goal here was answering to a simple question (clearly made by our mentor): could the GP alone be an alternative to the expensive PowerZone? Worth the PZ the money I spent after I discovered the real potential of the GP?
In other words, more than comparing the PZ with other alternatives, am I still recommending it to all the members out there that are going to purchase one?
At the end of the day, my final opinion, answering all the above questions, is:
. yes the PowerZone plays the biggest role in my system
. yes, if you are considering the investment, buy the PZ
. no, the GP alone can’t provide the same beauty as the PZ alone
. yes, I could live without suffering with only the PZ
and the final conclusion many won’t like
. if I want to achieve the best result of all, the top of the mountain, the Sakra level, the audio Nirvana… I have to have both the PZ and the GP in the equation - sorry Vince, in this case “more is more”
I strongly recommend to all the current and future happy PZ owners: do yourself a favor, sooner or later give the GP a try, you won’t regret! This marriage is made in heaven…
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Our experiences are consistent, a high-quality power strip/power distribution block provides the greatest benefit. And a grid protector alone cannot replace this. Good for everyone with high quality power strip and power cable. Bad for those who think they can save on electricity somewhere.
Luca, if your test had shown that GP alone was sufficient, I would also be disappointed with my latter high investments. Thank God not in vain. 
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Luca , many thanks for your efforts (and sacrifice lol). I find your chart helpful.
The sonic characteristics I like in a system and for the most part scored high in your evaluation are :
Detail
Airy
Realism (I wish PZ rated higher)
Clarity
Presence
Bass (The PZ does super well with my 333 and MU2, I am a 100% streamer)
Image precision
Soundstage width
Calm
Disappointing that the PZ didn’t score higher (but worked well in 333/MU2) for
Voice
Realism
You did not comment on musicality. It may be hard to do; it is the collective term that says it all for me.
Nice score card for me.
Important to keep in mind for all listeners, the system, room and tweaks make a big contribution.
Thank you
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Thanks cdfoley,
Musicality should be in my list indeed, I agree with you. Maybe I’m including it inside the Engagement quality, because like you I consider it one of the most important aspects able to really keep me in contact with the music.
Control and Calm. In these areas the PZ is clearly superior or fundamental but the GP can enhance the sense of relaxation, especially during prolonged listening sessions. Have I already said that I happened to fall asleep more frequently?
Bass are certainly the first thing you notice once the GP is doing its job, going deeper than usual but in a very clear and intelligible way.
Voices and Realism are really where the GP shines, along with that kind of being-there effect when you hear strings plucked or “vibrant” words/whispers able to render the venue where the performance is taking place. If the PZ is capable to offer that, oh well the GP can double the result to my ears in my room!
Once again, my general take is that the GP can elevate the PZ to a higher level, to put it simpler.
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Your organized and insightful approach to reviewing components is most appreciated. Especially with attention paid to the inherent synergy when adding one or more devices. Also, allowing for a proper component break-in adds credibility to your summary.
I had hoped that the Grphon PZ 3.10 would be the end of the road. Alas for me it most likely will be, but nice to know further opportunities exist for those that have the “itch”.
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This forum helped me so much that my little contribution It’s the least I can do to repay you all!
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You repay us by costing us more money. 
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Let’s just say I pay you back in kind, my friend!
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Great comparison once again.
I have a small question though, what is the effect of grounding boxes (Puritan and/or Computer Audio Design) on the Schnerzinger GP ?
Isn’t there a reduction in the effect of the GP by grounding boxes?
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