Synergistic Research Galileo SX Active Ground Block

The Galileo SX Active Ground Block is top to bottom re-engineering of SR's award winning Active Ground Block SE with technology originally designed for the Galileo SX PowerCell as well as new technologies expressly developed to make this the world’s highest performance ground filter for your stereo.

Synergistic Research starts with a new chassis machined from a solid billet of aluminum and carbon fiber to address unwanted vibration and chassis resonance that would otherwise lower your system’s performance. We SR re-engineered the internal Electromagnetic Cell increasing the number of active filters from one as found in the Active Ground Block SE to three Active EM Cells with Galileo SX PowerCell technology. This includes 2x rolled EM Cells in carbon fiber housings to control resonance and one flat Carbon Fiber Electromagnetic Cell with a copper mesh Ground Plane as found in our Galileo SX PowerCell. SR then turned up the gain in a new ULF Generator for three times the signal strength of the Active Ground Block SE for a significant gain in performance.

Since the Galileo Ground Block was developed in conjunction with the limited edition 2nd Generation Galileo SX PowerCell it shares its ability to custom tune the sound of the ground filter to compliment your system and personal tastes by changing the bias frequency of the ULF signal generator. By pressing a button on the back of the Galileo SX Ground Block you change the frequency that biases its three Active EM Cells and this changes the characteristic sound of your system. There is a default setting shared with the current Active Ground Blocks and three new frequencies that make your system sound more liquid or dynamic and holographic - the choice is yours. And to make keeping track of which frequency you have selected easy, when you press the button, it changes the color of the light inside the unit, visible from the view window on the top of the unit. SR also added new useful features like the ability to directly wire both your PowerCell line conditioner and Atmosphere Acoustic Field Generator to increase their performance.

- CLICK HERE to check out SR Basic Ground Cables - CLEARANCE SALE
- CLICK HERE to check out SR HD Ground Cables - CLEARANCE SALE
- CLICK HERE to check out SR Foundation Ground Cables
- CLICK HERE to check out SR HD SX Ground Cables

120V US units in stock - shipping now. Factory lead time for 240V units is 2-3 weeks.

- 99.9995% Pure 14awg Silver point-to-point wiring
- 2 each Active Folded EM Ground Cells 25% larger
- UEF Ground Plane (Copper in center of unit)
- New Galileo SX PCB with multi-setting ULF generator
- UEF Orange Capacitors
- New Multi-stage Quantum tunnel treatment
- 44 mini BFA ports
- 2 dedicated ground ports for SR Atmosphere and PowerCell conditioners
- View Window
- Gold & Silver Tuning Modules

New Galileo SX ULF Generator

SR engineered the Galileo SX Ground Block with a redesigned circuit that controls the heart of the ground conditioner - its Electromagnetic Cells. This new circuit includes new UEF Orange Capacitors built with the same technology as the award-winning Orange Fuses for a lower perceived noise floor and better overall musicality. The circuit itself has 3x the output strength of the circuit it replaces to increase the filtration power of all the internal Electromagnetic Cells. But perhaps the most exciting feature is the variable ULF signal generator so you can custom-tune your system’s sound. Just press a button to select between four harmonics of the Earth’s Schumann Resonance used to bias the Galileo SX Ground Block’s internal Electromagnetic Cells. In the past, the Active Ground Block’s ULF frequency generators had only one harmonic of the Earth’s Schumann Resonance selected for its ability to compliment as wide a variety of systems as possible. Now you can choose the original frequency as default or select between three additional frequencies that run the gambit from a highly focused sound to a vastly holographic and enveloping sound, or choose a fourth frequency that splits the difference. The choice is yours.

Four frequency bias, one perfect sound.

Purple Frequency:
When you select the Purple Frequency, you will see a purple light illuminating the internal circuit of your Galileo SX Ground Block. Purple is the default setting for systems that have a Synergistic Research Atmosphere or FEQ Acoustic Field Generator. Choose this setting when you want a cross between the Blue and Red frequency’s sonic balance.

Blue Frequency:
When you select the Blue Frequency, you see a blue light illuminating the internal circuit of the Galileo SX Ground Block. This is the most focused sound option with strong dynamics and precise imaging with a more forward sound than the other options.

Red Frequency:
When you select the Red Frequency, you see a red light illuminating the Galileo SX Ground Block’s internal circuit. This is the setting if you want to maximum soundstage scale with a deep soundstage that also envelops your listening position. This setting works best when you also have Synergistic Research acoustic products like HFT’s, Black Boxes, and Atmosphere or FEQ acoustic field generators.

Green Frequency:
When you select the Green Frequency, you see a green light illuminating the Galileo SX Ground Block’s internal circuit. Green is the default setting if you do not have an Atmosphere Acoustic Field Generator in your system. Fun fact, Green is the default bias frequency for the original Galileo SX PowerCell / Active Ground Block SE.

Robert Youman, Positive Feedback Online (April 2021):
"...my apologies for some of the hyperbole, but along with the Synergistic Research Galileo SX PowerCell, the Galileo SX Ground Block is possibly the most impressive new product that I have reviewed in the last couple of years. I have mentioned many times that the PowerCell might just be the most important component in my entire system. Now, there is some definite competition. Though each have different functions, both can offer something similar in terms of impact. Both provide a rising tide that can lift all boats... With the Galileo SX Ground Block in place, I stopped critiquing the sound and was able to just focus on the music. As a typical audiophile, this is always a challenge. Bottom line. The emotional connection and level of personal satisfaction has never been better in my listening room! That’s the biggest compliment that I could ever offer. If you are seeking state of the art performance, the Galileo SX Ground Block is a must audition. Innovative design. Superb execution. Wonderful results. Highly recommended..." CLICK HERE to read the entire review

More reviews for the predecessor version Active Ground Block SE:

Mike Girardi, The StereoTimes (Sept. 2018):
"...one of the most significant effect results of reducing the noise floor and signal compression via the SR AGB SE allowed me to listen to music at much lower volumes without any loss of detail, silence between notes, and dynamics. Component changes alone have never resulted in the type of improvement the SR AGB SE brings to the table. With the SR AGB SE installed I was more engaged with the music and not left searching for it. The SR AGB SE is an integral part of my reviewing system. Highly recommended." CLICK HERE to read the entire review

Audio Bacon concluded (April 2018):
"...The Synergistic Research passive Grounding Block and Active Ground Block SE have become an indispensable part of our systems. It improves the sound in a way where component and cable swaps just can’t mitigate. That’s because proper grounding is a foundational element and is an essential part of any Hi-Fi system. If you want to maximize the potential of your system and experience fresh musical highs, we have no hesitation in recommending either of these Synergistic Research grounding blocks..." CLICK HERE to check it out

Reviews and Awards for the original non-active Grounding Block.

Howard Kneller, UltraAudio.com, March 2017:

"...when I connected Synergistic’s Grounding Block to my Esoteric K-01X SACD/CD player, the results were astonishing. Noise and digital grunge were reduced, imaging and microdynamics improved, and soundstage size and perceived gain increased… the result of decreased dynamic compression and a much lower noise floor. That plugging a $595 device into a $20,000 component could have that kind of effect was mind-blowing..."

"...the cumulative effect of completely grounding my system was unforeseen. Details, imaging, soundstage size, dynamics, noise reduction, perceived gain, and transient impact all dramatically improved..."

"...I conclude that Synergistic’s Grounding Block is no mere accessory or tweak, but a necessity. After letting it work its magic, I realized that the power supplies of audio components, even really expensive ones, aren’t designed to remove much of the signal-damaging electromagnetic demons that ride our electrical lines..." CHECK OUT the entire review.

Mike Girardi, The StereoTimes, Dec.2015:
"...I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the High Definition Grounding cables.  The expense is justified by that delivered performance. The addition of the SR GB and HDG cables exceed my expectations and was similar to the level of improvement the SR Powercell 10 SE MKII I reviewed back in 2013 brought to my system.  The more I listened to my system with the HDG cables and Grounding Block, the more I was convinced that the addition of these products are on the critical path in assembling a truly high performance audio system..." CHECK OUT the entire review

Dr. David W. Robinson, Editor-in-Chief, PFO, November 2015:
"...this component provides a common grounding point for a system, via grounding cables that connect to the central block via pins. The effect on our system was immediately obvious:  A thin layer of hash that had been below my notice (Ain't it always the way?) was removed, clarifying a system that I already thought was exceptional. And this is the constant challenge of fine audio...you learn about the presence of "layers" in playback by subtraction. As Joni Mitchell sang in her song, "Big Yellow Taxi," "You don't know what you got ‘til it's gone." Well, yeah. And that's how it is with noise floors and transparency in audio. Certainly the Grounding Block knocked down some haze, no doubt about it..."
CHECK OUT the entire review.

Steven Plaskin, AudioStream.com, May 2015:
 "...transient quickness and impact of the bass was greatly improved with the Grounding Block"
 
"...louder musical passages were definitely clearer with better resolution of transient detail using the Grounding Block..."
 
"...the Grounding Block not only increased the soundstage, but enhanced the clarity of Krall’s voice. The enhancement in focus and definition of her voice was significant..."

"...for those that have the financial resources to add the High Definition Ground Cables to the Grounding Block, the money will be well spent given the level of improvement provided by the combination of these innovative products..."

"...when I decided to write about the Synergistic Research Ground Block and High Definition Ground Cables, I thought that this would be a short review of products that delivered subtle improvement to the sound of my system. I was not prepared for the major sonic enhancement that these products delivered. The extent of the positive enhancements goes far beyond merely those of a system tweak!"

CLICK HERE to check out the entire review!