Synergistic Research Ground Block

Synergistic Research Ground Block

The Ground Block is Synergistic Research's entry-level, passive ground reference device, providing a dedicated ground path for your system separate from the normal current-carrying path of your components. A poorly designed ground path can add measurable noise to a system; the Ground Block is designed to offer a lower-resistance path to earth ground than a component's stock connection. It was engineered specifically to improve ground performance on Synergistic Research's Atmosphere Series Level 2–4 interconnects and speaker cables, and works with any Synergistic Research product using an external ground plane connection, such as Tranquility Base platforms, FEQ, and Atmosphere wave generators. With optional connectivity cables, it can also ground turntables, DACs, preamps, power amps, and USB devices. As an authorized Synergistic Research dealer in Toronto, Canada, Vinyl Sound can help you decide between the Ground Block and Synergistic Research's active models — the Active Ground Block SX and 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

Note: dimensions and weight were not provided in the source material — confirm with Synergistic Research before publishing.

What Can Be Grounded to It

• Synergistic Research Galileo UEF and Atmosphere cables
• Synergistic Research Tranquility Bases, Atmosphere, and FEQ products
• 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.

Ground Block FAQ

How is the Ground Block different from the Active Ground Block SX and Galileo SX MKII?
The Ground Block is a passive device with 18 ports and no internal circuitry. The Active Ground Block SX adds active EM Cells and a dual-harmonic ULF bias generator with 32 ports. The Galileo SX Active Ground Block MKII is the top tier, with 70 ports, three Active EM Cells, and four selectable ULF bias frequencies.

Do I need an active ground block, or is the passive Ground Block enough?
It depends on your system size and how many components you want to ground. The passive Ground Block is a lower-cost entry point; the active models add EM Cell and ULF bias technology on top of the basic grounding function.

Should I ground my power amplifier?
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.