Synergistic Research Active Ground Block SX

Synergistic Research Active Ground Block SX

The Active Ground Block SX brings technology developed for Synergistic Research's cost-no-object Galileo Active Ground Block into a more accessible unit. It uses a Galileo-style chassis machined from a solid billet of aluminum and carbon fibre, a power supply built on lessons from the company's Linear Power Supply (LPS) program, and a dual-harmonic ULF bias generator (using technology developed for the 2023 Galileo PowerCell) instead of the single-harmonic bias used in the earlier Active Ground Block SE. Ground point count increases from 22 (on the SE) to 32, allowing roughly ten more components, cable shields, or conductive system elements to be grounded at once. It ships standard with a 5ft Foundation SX 12 AWG power cable. As an authorized Synergistic Research dealer in Toronto, Canada, Vinyl Sound can help you decide between the Active Ground Block SX and the Galileo SX Active Ground Block MKII for your system, including grounding for turntables such as our Rega Planar 3 and Dr. Feickert Blackbird.

Technical Specifications

What Can Be Grounded to It

• Synergistic Research Galileo UEF and Atmosphere cables
• Synergistic Research Tranquility Bases and Atmosphere acoustic field generators
• Turntables and phono stages, via standard or small spade connection to a ground post
• DACs, reel-to-reel decks, preamplifiers, and power amplifiers, via a spare input/output or chassis ground
• USB devices and audio computers (via headphone jack)
• Any active-circuit component with a spare ground connection point

Note from Synergistic Research: many power amplifiers sound best without the ground engaged. Try your power amp and speaker cables both with and without the ground attached, and use whichever sounds better in your system.

Active Ground Block SX FAQ

How is the Active Ground Block SX different from the Galileo SX Active Ground Block MKII?
The Galileo SX MKII is the higher-tier model, with 70 ground ports, three Active EM Cells (vs. a single-cell design in the SX), and four selectable ULF bias frequencies (vs. dual-harmonic bias on the SX). The Active Ground Block SX is the more accessible option for systems that don't need 70 ground points.

Should I ground my power amplifier to it?
Not always — Synergistic Research notes many power amplifiers sound best ungrounded. Try both ways in your system and use whichever you prefer.

Can I ground my turntable to it?
Yes — most turntables and phono stages can be connected via a standard or small spade connector to their ground post.

What's included with the Active Ground Block SX?
A 5ft Foundation SX 12 AWG power cable, plus 4x 4ft and 2x 8ft ground leads for use with Atmosphere and Galileo cables.

How does this compare to the entry-level Ground Block?
The Ground Block is a passive device with 18 ports and no active circuitry. The Active Ground Block SX adds EM Cells and a dual-harmonic ULF bias generator with 32 ports for a further effect.