Audio T Verdict
Chord Company PowerHAUS S6 sits between the more affordable P6 and flagship M6, taking many of the design principles developed for the top model and putting them into a considerably more attainable six-way mains distribution block.
The philosophy is deliberately different from a conventional mains conditioner. Chord Company avoids switches, neon indicators and conventional series filters, concentrating instead on high-quality sockets, heavy-gauge internal cabling, carefully controlled conductor layout and its proprietary ARAY noise-reduction technology adapted specifically for mains distribution.
The six outputs are housed in a substantial aluminium enclosure with a heavy-duty 16A IEC input. Inside, heavily shielded ARAY wiring is used to reduce susceptibility to radio-frequency interference, while the live, neutral and earth paths are treated as important parts of the overall design.
It is worth being precise about where S6 sits relative to the M6. It shares many of the flagship model's core design principles, but Chord Company only publishes the M6 as using three hybrid MainsARAY devices and three isolated bus bars. Those particular internal features should not automatically be attributed to S6.
For a serious Hi-Fi or home-cinema system where a standard extension block feels out of place but the M6 is more than the system justifies, the S6 occupies a very useful middle ground.
Chord Company PowerHAUS S6 UK Mains Distribution Block
PowerHAUS S6 is a six-way mains distribution block designed and hand built by Chord Company in England.
It uses technologies developed through decades of Chord Company's work with signal and power transfer, including a mains-specific implementation of its proprietary ARAY noise-reduction principles.
This Audio T product is the:
UK six-socket version.
Six Mains Outputs
PowerHAUS S6 provides six mains output sockets for compatible powered Hi-Fi and audio-visual equipment.
Typical applications can include:
- Integrated amplifiers
- Pre-amplifiers
- Power amplifiers
- CD players and transports
- DACs
- Music streamers
- Phono stages
- Turntable power supplies
- AV amplifiers and processors
- Other compatible powered components
UK PowerHAUS S6
Chord Company manufactures PowerHAUS S6 in several regional outlet formats.
The Audio T product is intended specifically for:
UK mains connections.
Regional Versions Are Separate Products
Chord Company also manufactures PowerHAUS S6 with other regional mains socket formats.
This Audio T product should be treated specifically as the UK six-socket version rather than implying that the outlet format is user-selectable.
Heavy-Duty 16A IEC Input
The incoming mains connection uses a:
Heavy-duty 16A IEC power input.
This is part of Chord Company's design for using PowerHAUS S6 with demanding home-audio systems.
Use a Suitable 16A IEC Power Cable
PowerHAUS S6 uses the larger 16A IEC connection rather than the smaller IEC connector commonly found on many source components.
Make sure any replacement or upgraded mains cable has the correct connector and is suitable for the application.
PowerHAUS and MainsARAY Technology
Chord Company describes PowerHAUS as using a version of its acclaimed:
ARAY technology specially adapted for power distribution.
This is referred to by the manufacturer as:
MainsARAY.
The aim is to reduce unwanted high-frequency and earth-related noise within the mains distribution environment without placing a conventional series filter in the equipment power path.
Heavily Shielded ARAY Wiring
Chord Company specifically identifies:
Heavily shielded ARAY wiring
as part of the S6 construction.
This shielding is designed to provide protection from radio-frequency interference.
What Is RFI?
RFI stands for:
Radio-frequency interference.
Modern homes contain numerous devices capable of generating high-frequency electrical noise, including computers, network equipment, wireless products and switch-mode power supplies.
Chord Company's PowerHAUS design focuses partly on reducing the influence of this high-frequency interference around the system's mains connections.
Heavy-Gauge Internal Cables
PowerHAUS products use:
Specially selected high-quality heavy-gauge internal cables.
These carry the mains supply between the PowerHAUS input and its output sockets.
Carefully Selected Output Sockets
Chord Company also specifies that PowerHAUS sockets are chosen for:
rather than simply using generic distribution-block components.
No Conventional Series Filters
Chord Company deliberately avoids:
Series mains filters.
This is a fundamental part of the PowerHAUS design philosophy.
The company instead concentrates on internal wiring, shielding, layout and ARAY-based noise-reduction techniques.
Distribution Rather Than Conventional Series Conditioning
PowerHAUS S6 is better understood as a purpose-designed high-performance mains distribution system than as a conventional series-filter mains conditioner.
No Mains Switch
PowerHAUS S6 is:
Unswitched.
Chord Company deliberately removes the master switch from the block rather than adding another component to the mains path.
No Neon Power Indicator
The S6 also avoids:
Neon power indicators.
Chord Company identifies switches, filters and neon indicators as potentially noisy components and removes them from the PowerHAUS design.
There Is No Master Power Switch
Connected products should be powered on and off according to their individual manufacturers' instructions.
Solid Aluminium Construction
PowerHAUS S6 uses a:
Solid aluminium enclosure.
Chord Company states that the substantial construction helps minimise unwanted microphonic effects as well as providing mechanical protection for the internal mains assembly.
What Is Microphony?
Microphony describes unwanted electrical effects associated with mechanical vibration.
Chord Company's PowerHAUS design therefore considers the mechanical behaviour of the enclosure alongside its electrical construction.
Hand Built in England
PowerHAUS S6 is:
Hand built in England.
Chord Company also states that its PowerHAUS prototypes were independently examined and certified to the appropriate safety standards before production.
460mm Long
Chord Company's current dimensions for S6 are:
- Length: 460mm
- Width: 110mm
- Height: 77mm including feet
At 46cm long, the S6 is substantial enough that it is worth measuring the intended location before ordering.
PowerHAUS S6 and Power Amplifiers
Chord Company equips the S6 with a heavy-duty 16A IEC input and describes the PowerHAUS blocks as capable of working with demanding home-audio systems.
Because no conventional series filter is placed directly in the mains path, the design differs from conditioners that route equipment current through a filtering network.
S6 Versus P6
PowerHAUS P6 is now the most accessible model in the PowerHAUS family, while S6 occupies the next performance level.
PowerHAUS P6
- Six outputs
- Heavy-gauge internal wiring
- Shielded ARAY wiring
- 16A IEC input
- Aluminium construction
- No series filters
- No switch or neon indicator
PowerHAUS S6
- Six outputs
- Higher-level PowerHAUS model
- MainsARAY-derived power distribution technology
- High-quality heavy-gauge internal cabling
- Heavily shielded ARAY wiring
- 16A IEC input
- Solid aluminium construction
- No switches, conventional filters or neon indicators
Compare Chord Company PowerHAUS P6 at Audio T.
S6 Versus M6
The flagship M6 shares the same broad PowerHAUS philosophy but goes significantly further internally.
PowerHAUS S6
- Six-way Studio model
- Retains many core M6 design principles
- Heavy-gauge internal cabling
- Heavily shielded ARAY wiring
- MainsARAY-derived power distribution design
- Solid aluminium enclosure
PowerHAUS M6
- Flagship Master model
- Three hybrid MainsARAY devices
- MainsARAY devices fitted in parallel
- Three separate bus bars
- Bus bars isolated from one another
- Earth bus bar positioned away from live and neutral
Do Not Copy the M6 Internals Onto S6
Chord Company specifically publishes the three hybrid MainsARAY devices and isolated bus-bar architecture for PowerHAUS M6.
The current S6 specification does not state that S6 contains the same arrangement.
Compare Chord Company PowerHAUS M6 at Audio T.
PowerHAUS S6 and PowerARAY
Chord Company's parallel PowerARAY products can also be used alongside a suitable mains distribution system.
A PowerARAY occupies a spare outlet rather than powering another component through itself.
View Chord Company PowerARAY at Audio T.
PowerHAUS S6 and PowerARAY Professional
Chord Company publishes specific installation advice for PowerARAY Professional when used with S6:
Connect PowerARAY Professional to the socket closest to the S6 mains power input.
This differs from the recommendation for PowerHAUS M6, where the PowerARAY Professional should use the socket furthest from the input.
PowerARAY Professional Position Matters
- PowerHAUS S6: socket closest to mains input
- PowerHAUS M6: socket furthest from mains input
View Chord Company PowerARAY Professional at Audio T.
Can S6 Be Used for Home Cinema?
Yes. Chord Company developed PowerHAUS for both music and visual entertainment systems.
The six-way configuration can therefore be used with compatible home-cinema electronics as well as two-channel Hi-Fi equipment.
Does PowerHAUS S6 Regenerate the Mains?
No mains-regeneration function is published by Chord Company.
PowerHAUS S6 distributes the incoming mains supply using Chord Company's internal wiring, shielding and ARAY noise-reduction principles.
Does S6 Regulate Mains Voltage?
No voltage-regulation specification is published by Chord Company.
Is S6 a Surge Protector?
Chord Company does not currently publish a surge-protection rating for PowerHAUS S6.
Do Not Claim Surge Protection Without a Manufacturer Specification
PowerHAUS S6 is designed as a high-performance mains distribution and noise-management product.
It should not be advertised or relied upon as surge-protection equipment unless Chord Company publishes an appropriate electrical-protection specification.
PowerHAUS S6 at Audio T
Audio T has previously auditioned PowerHAUS S6 alongside other Chord Company mains and GroundARAY products.
Read: Humming to the Wrong Tune - How to Get Rid of Unwanted Noise
Key Features
- Chord Company PowerHAUS S6
- UK six-way mains distribution block
- Hand built in England
- Six mains outputs
- Heavy-duty 16A IEC input
- Chord Company PowerHAUS technology
- MainsARAY technology adapted for power distribution
- ARAY noise-reduction principles
- Heavily shielded ARAY wiring
- Designed to minimise HF noise
- Designed to minimise earth noise
- RFI protection through shielded wiring
- High-quality heavy-gauge internal cables
- Carefully selected output sockets
- No conventional series filters
- No mains switch
- No neon power indicator
- Solid aluminium enclosure
- Designed to reduce unwanted microphonic effects
- Conforms to applicable power safety requirements
- 460mm length
- 110mm width
- 77mm height including feet
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chord Company PowerHAUS S6?
PowerHAUS S6 is a six-way high-performance mains distribution block using Chord Company's ARAY and MainsARAY-derived power-distribution technology.
How many outlets does it have?
Six.
Is this the UK version?
Yes. This Audio T product is intended for UK mains connections.
Does Chord Company make other socket versions?
Yes. Chord Company manufactures regional PowerHAUS S6 variants, but these are separate products.
What mains input does S6 use?
A heavy-duty 16A IEC input.
Does S6 use ARAY technology?
Yes. Chord Company specifically states that unique ARAY technology is used to minimise high-frequency and earth noise.
What is MainsARAY?
Chord Company uses the MainsARAY name for its ARAY technology specially adapted for mains power distribution.
Does S6 contain three MainsARAY modules?
Chord Company specifically publishes three hybrid MainsARAY devices for the flagship M6. The current S6 specification does not state that S6 uses the same three-module arrangement.
Does S6 have three isolated bus bars?
Chord Company publishes that architecture specifically for M6. It should not automatically be attributed to S6.
How is the S6 internal wiring described?
Chord Company specifies high-quality heavy-gauge cabling and heavily shielded ARAY wiring.
What does the shielding protect against?
Chord Company specifically identifies protection from RFI, or radio-frequency interference.
Does S6 use conventional series filters?
No. Chord Company states that PowerHAUS M6 and S6 avoid filters that can generate noise or reduce performance.
Does S6 have an on/off switch?
No. PowerHAUS S6 is unswitched.
Does it have a power light?
No neon power indicator is used.
Why does Chord Company omit switches and indicators?
Chord Company identifies non-essential switches, filters and neon indicators as potential sources of unwanted electrical noise.
What is the case made from?
Chord Company specifies a solid, robust aluminium enclosure.
Why use aluminium?
Chord Company states that the solid construction helps reduce unwanted microphonic effects while providing a robust enclosure.
What are the dimensions?
460mm long, 110mm wide and 77mm high including feet.
Is PowerHAUS S6 handmade?
Yes. Chord Company states that it is hand built in England.
Can it be used with a power amplifier?
Chord Company describes PowerHAUS as designed to cope with demanding home-audio systems and uses a heavy-duty 16A IEC input.
Can it be used with home cinema?
Yes. Chord Company developed PowerHAUS for music and visual entertainment systems.
What is the difference between P6 and S6?
P6 is the more accessible PowerHAUS model. S6 moves further into Chord Company's higher-level PowerHAUS and MainsARAY-derived design architecture.
What is the difference between S6 and M6?
M6 is the flagship model and specifically adds three hybrid MainsARAY devices and three isolated bus bars, with the earth bar positioned away from live and neutral. Chord Company does not publish those exact internals for S6.
Can I use a PowerARAY with S6?
Yes. Chord Company's PowerARAY products operate from a spare mains outlet alongside the system.
Where should PowerARAY Professional go on S6?
Chord Company specifically recommends the S6 socket closest to the mains power input.
Does S6 regenerate the mains supply?
No mains-regeneration specification is published by Chord Company.
Does it regulate voltage?
No voltage-regulation function is published.
Does S6 provide surge protection?
Chord Company does not currently publish a surge-protection rating for S6, so Audio T should not make that claim.
Can Audio T demonstrate PowerHAUS S6?
Contact your local Audio T store to discuss demonstration or home-loan availability.
Related Chord Company Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy From Audio T?
- PowerHAUS P6, S6 and M6 comparison advice
- 16A IEC mains-cable guidance
- PowerARAY and PowerARAY Professional setup advice
- Help positioning PowerARAY Professional correctly on S6
- Complete Chord Company mains-system guidance
- Hi-Fi and home-cinema mains setup advice
- In-store demonstrations where available
- Home demonstrations where appropriate
- System-specific upgrade advice
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store if you would like to compare the PowerHAUS P6, S6 and M6 or discuss the most appropriate mains-distribution setup for your system.