"Goosebumps and Musical Insight" – HIFI.NL Explores the Sygnus X-2

Nothing beats a thorough, independent review to see if a product truly lives up to its promise. HIFI.NL is widely considered the most authoritative audio platform in the Netherlands, and we were honored to have them put the Sygnus X-2 through its paces.

From "explosions of flavor" to "unprecedented depth," the reviewer’s experience highlights exactly what we aimed to achieve with this flagship model. For our English-speaking friends and partners, we have translated the original Dutch article in its entirety. It’s a fascinating look at how power management can transform a listening experience from "analytical" to "purely musical."

Check out the translated review below.

SUMMARY For the Sygnus X-2, the gloves are off, and every new insight gained since the X-1 has been integrated. While the housing remains the same and the filter settings can—if desired—be adjusted with even greater subtlety, it is the built-in Active Earth Conditioner that steals the show. It delivers more clarity and precision, heightened tension, greater musical engagement, and even more intensity.

PROS + Innovative power conditioner with even more meaningful features. + Significant improvement over the X-1. + The wide array of adjustable functions enhances the joy of use.

CONS - The current hard device feet can damage soft surfaces due to the unit’s high weight. However, Ronald has since acknowledged this issue and designed a new foot that completely eliminates the problem. This can be selected as an option.

An Exciting Challenger

Last October, I sank my teeth into a unique and clever mains purification solution from Dutch soil: the Haandrikman Sygnus X-1 isolation transformer/mains filter. It proved to be a serious heavyweight—an ingenious device that, in addition to its 40kg mass, was exceptionally effective and packed with clever innovations.

With the new Sygnus X-2 flagship model, designer and owner Ronald Haandrikman goes a significant step further. This includes several new and progressive design aspects, such as a built-in LAN isolator and an Active Earth Conditioner (AEC).

The latter is a feature that actively intervenes in the ground potential, pushing interference even further into the background. All in all, these additions make the new X-2 so special that it feels like we are on the threshold of a new chapter in mains purification.

A Quick Refresher

A home-grown mains purification solution with more "tweakability" than almost any other brand? It sounds almost too good to be true. When I place the Sygnus X-2 next to its smaller brother, the X-1, the differences initially seem smaller than the similarities. Both units feature galvanic isolation, deliver balanced mains voltage, offer adjustable filters, and provide a specific system ground.

However, it quickly becomes clear that the X-2 goes several steps further. The filtering options are more extensive, there is an isolator for ethernet connections, and it features an active earth conditioner. Essentially, while the X-1 is a very well-thought-out passive solution, the X-2 offers more active and comprehensive control over the entire system. In concrete terms, the X-1 focuses on reducing mains pollution, ground loops, and common- and differential-mode noise, while the X-2 adds an extra layer: active suppression of noise on the ground itself, filtering of network-related pollution, and further control over the interaction between components.

Technology and Build

Much like the X-1, I find the flagship X-2 to be a purposeful workhorse rather than an "audio jewel" intended for prominent display. That said, the device is neatly finished, and as a pragmatic Dutchman, I appreciate the angular design language and the very evenly applied matte black powder-coated surface. The family resemblance goes beyond technical overlap; the chassis (43 cm wide, 12.7 cm high, 40 cm deep) and the aforementioned weight are identical.

The primary difference lies in the front panel layout. Where the X-1 has three vertical green LEDs indicating “Power,” “Earth Leakage,” and “System Earth,” these are positioned horizontally on the X-2. The indicators here are “Power,” “AEC” (Active Earth Conditioner), and “System Earth.” In addition to the three LEDs—whose color you can now customize (ideal for matching the blue of McIntosh or the signature green of classic Naim components)—physical buttons have been added for direct control.

Upon opening the X-2, the heart of the device is again dominated by a massive 1000 VA isolation transformer. Notably, Ronald also develops products for the medical sector, so it is no surprise that the transformer in the X-2 achieves the highest scores for reliability, consistency, and quality. The primary goal remains the crucial galvanic isolation between the mains and the connected equipment. The housing is made of 3mm thick steel, providing both robustness and effective shielding against electromagnetic fields.

Revised Layout

The rear of the X-2 is just as busy as its more affordable brother but laid out differently. The eight sockets remain, as do the four ground terminals, allowing for the use of external ground drains. Completely new are the two ethernet ports for the network isolator. This galvanically decouples your ethernet connection from the rest of your audio system, ensuring no direct electrical contact between the network (router/switch) and your audio gear. This is vital because high-frequency noise from routers and power supplies, as well as ground loops via network cabling, can creep into the system. The internal copper wiring is heavily dimensioned with great attention to contact quality, and the safety features—as always with Haandrikman—are top-notch.

Practical Handling and Connection

Because the Sygnus X-2 (at the time of writing) is still equipped with rounded hard feet, care must be taken given its high weight, as they can leave marks on softer wood. A great advantage of Haandrikman solutions is the total silence upon switching them on: no hum, no loud relays, no fans, and no startup time.

The philosophy is that a heavy passive isolation transformer intervenes less in the sound signature while still removing interference. What makes this flagship special is that it is not a static solution but a flexible, tunable tool. This allows for extensive experimentation with settings to find a personally optimal balance.

Grounding Options and Active Earth Conditioner

The X-2 offers a remarkably advanced system for grounding and noise management. Like the X-1, it can be used with the Haandrikman Nexum G (Ground) cables, designed for optimal conduction of both low and high-frequency signals.

The X-2’s true differentiator is the Active Earth Conditioner (AEC). Technically, the AEC continuously measures voltage and noise on the ground and generates an active corrective signal to stabilize the ground potential. While normal grounding dissipates pollution passively, the AEC actively suppresses both low and high-frequency noise, including noise entering the system from the connected components themselves. This creates a more stable reference point, lowering the noise floor further and controlling component interaction.

Usage and Components Used

Like the X-1, its big brother stayed with me for a long time. This extended stay was no luxury, as you only experience the full potential after the device and cables have had time to settle. The X-2 was brand new when I received it and benefited greatly from a thorough burn-in period. Keep this in mind if you try it out, as it made a significant difference here. Regarding peripherals, the Zanden 6000F integrated tube amplifier was joined by the Trilogy 921 and 925 hybrids, and the 903/993 pre/power combo. Sources included the Wadax Studio and Grimm MU1 with Mola Mola Tambaqui.

Reflections

With the X-1 still fresh in my auditory memory, I am very curious to see how significant the difference will be with the X-2, which is €2,000 more expensive. As you might recall from the previous test, I transitioned step-by-step with the X-1—moving from a situation without a mains filter to connecting everything device by device. For this test, I deliberately took a different approach. This is partly because I now know that with this comprehensive solution, it is crucial to connect all devices simultaneously.

The core principle of the Haandrikman Sygnus models is essentially one thing: establishing a single reference point for mass/ground across your entire audio system. As soon as you connect only a portion of your equipment, you undermine this principle. In a typical hi-fi system, you often face the following issue: the streamer, DAC, amplifier, switch, etc., all have their own power supplies. Consequently, every device "leaks" a small amount of current to ground via its power supply or shielding. If you only run a few devices through the X-1 or X-2 and leave others out, multiple reference points to ground are created. These will develop minor voltage differences between them, which can manifest as noise, grain, or a sense of restlessness in the reproduction.

Listening 1 – Introduction

Fresh out of the box, the X-2 was initially a bit disappointing—the sound was angular and artificial. However, after a proper burn-in period, the exaggerated brightness gave way to attractive transparency and musical insight. It is an evolution of the X-1: the same "type" of sound, but many steps better.

Like its smaller brother, the X-2 provides more calm, refinement, and a tighter, more defined low end. This leads to unique musical insights. On recordings that already possess a certain tension and organic flow—such as those by Italian drummer U.T. Gandhi—the realism is goosebump-inducing. It is also highly educational to play with the various settings, adjusting "weight," "color," and "transparency" to taste.

Listening 2 – Active Earth Conditioner

This is the X-2's "secret weapon." Engaging the AEC feels like the acceleration of an EV compared to a combustion engine, or the explosion of flavor in a top-tier restaurant. The X-2 intensifies auditory impressions. The bass becomes more dynamic and core-focused; the smallest details are pulled from the noise floor, and instruments have a longer, more natural decay.

This was most apparent on minimalist recordings, such as those from Chesky Records or Sound Liaison. On Amber Rubarth’s Sessions From The 17th Ward, the depth and purity were unprecedented. Similarly, on Ry X’s Shortline, the layered foundation beneath his voice was rich and full. Turning off the AEC is a shock; while the X-2 remains a very good filter without it, the specific qualities that set it apart—the transparency and expression—largely disappear.

Hifi.nl Conclusions

Although the Sygnus X-1 and X-2 look nearly identical, they have less in common sonically than you might think. The X-1 is perhaps the more "universal" solution—subtle and effective without ever getting in the way.

For the Sygnus X-2, the gloves are off. While the filter settings can be adjusted for subtlety, the Active Earth Conditioner steals the show. Once you switch on the AEC, everything falls into place: more definition, greater musical engagement, and more intensity. Because all functions can be toggled and fine-tuned, the Haandrikman Sygnus X-2 is a true asset for any high-end audio system.

More info?

See the original Dutch review on the hifi.nl website or see our product page