For over three decades, Equi=Tech has been a quiet force—literally—in the world of professional audio. Founded in 1992 by the late Martin Glasband, the southern Oregon-based company has led the charge in symmetrical power technology, helping studios large and small eliminate electrical noise and interference at the source. From wall-mount to rack-mount systems, Equi=Tech’s offerings have long been trusted by top-tier recording and post-production facilities. Now, with a strategic new partnership and a product aimed at more compact setups, the company is preparing to bring balanced power to a broader audience.
Equi=Tech has announced a new collaboration with Sound Vision Works, a sales, marketing, and distribution firm with deep roots in the professional audio industry. A statement from the company discloses that the partnership “aims to champion Equi=Tech’s three decades of innovation and support new product releases, beginning with the Model 1R Balanced Power System.”
The Model 1R is the first product launched under this new partnership, and it’s designed with boutique studios and smaller-scale operations in mind. This 1U rackmount unit delivers 1000 watts of balanced power and plugs into a standard 120V outlet. Inside, a bifilar-wound isolation transformer generates a 60Hz sine wave based on Martin Glasband’s original specifications from 1992—technology that has not only stood the test of time, but continues to be more relevant than ever.
“Equi=Tech is eager to introduce Martin’s legacy to a new generation of users,” said Jan Glasband, CEO of Equi=Tech. A statement from the company continues, “Martin conducted his groundbreaking research on the safe-use and nationwide standard of balanced power applications over thirty years ago, and yet the technology is more relevant than ever.”
The 1R is aimed at users who want the benefits of Equi=Tech’s larger systems in a more accessible format. “The Model 1R is a fantastic entry point for engineers and studios curious about the benefits of symmetrical power,” Jan Glasband added. “It’s an easily integrable version of our larger wall-mount units that clients like Blackbird and Ardent Studios have come to rely on.”
For Sound Vision Works Managing Director Will Kahn, the proof is in the performance. “Plugging in my Equi=Tech at the studio was mind-blowing,” Kahn shared. A statement from Kahn adds, “During my A/B test against wall power, I thought I'd made a mistake—the instant improvement seemed impossible. Beyond just reducing noise, I gained depth, width, and stability... I’ve heard converter shootouts with less dramatic differences.”
The Model 1R includes a front panel with standby and power switches, two unswitched outlets, and ten filtered outlets on the back, making it flexible for a range of studio configurations. It can be rack-mounted or used on a desktop and, like all Equi=Tech products, is hand-assembled in Grants Pass, Oregon.
Retailing at $1,990 USD, the Model 1R is now available through select retailers. For studios looking to minimize noise and maximize clarity without overhauling their entire power infrastructure, this new unit may be just the right fit.
