Munich HIGH END Show Report 2016
High End Society Munich Germany

Stromtank S5000 Massive Battery Power Sine Wave Unit

  What is built like a tank, seems nearly as heavy as a tank and has the word tank in their name? Stromtank, a brand of WinBat Technology GmbH, was at HIGH END 2016 with their massive S5000 ($30,000) device that supplies pure battery power to your audio system. As a big fan of battery power ever since trying it years ago with the $30,000 Silbatone C-102 preamplifier in 2002, today there is approximately 700 lbs of batteries within my home for a variety of 'mission critical' systems including all audio systems. In fact i heard that once wind of me going full battery power within my home audio system was all set and done a few years back, there was another magazine editor who then changed over to battery power. Follow the leader and all that.

Getting back to Stromtank, their high-power battery pack integrates a pure-sine wave converter. The Stromtank totally disconnects audio systems from the grid to avoid DC voltage, high level, frequencies and other interferences that reduce audio quality. Another benefit is that power delivery impedance is lower via battery power than off the grid. Furthermore, all that noise on the grid is eliminated.

Stromtank's S5000 has a storage capacity of 5,000Wh and is contained in lithium-iron-phosphate-cells. These LiFe-PO4 cells are intrinsically safe, environmentally friendly, very cycle-resistant and lightweight. The excellent load capacity and a long service life speak for the future of this technology. The development of the intelligent and unique battery management system is carried out in cooperation with the Frauenhofer-Institution (IIS) Nuremberg. It is possible to listen to music up to eight hours (depending on your equipment's power needs) before recharging processes start. So what incredibly smart man invested this device you ask. Creator of this audio-declaration of independence is Wolfgang Meletzky – designer of high-end reference components and founder of MBL.

So what are you waiting for, go big battery power of go home to lackluster sound... unless a designer such as Gryphon Audio takes part as they design much of their gear with such an abundance of storage and power supply engineering that the power supply and capacitors greatly smooth and clean grid power. Once you heard the benefits of proper battery power you may never go back to the grid, including those of you with multiple dedicated power lines from the mains fuse block. Been there, done that.

Stromtank earns Enjoy the Music.com HIGH END 2016 Top 10 Award for providing an easy-to-use, very high quality battery power system with clean sine wave delivery. I wonder if that magazine editor guy is e-mailing Stromtank asking for a review sample right about now? C'mon, follow the leader (me) once again. :)

Input voltage range
150 to 265 VAC / 50 to 140 VAC

Input frequency
45 to 65 Hz (auto sensing)

Input current max.
16 Amperes AC (transfer relay)

Input current adjusted
8 Amperes AC (115VAC), 8 Ampere (230VAC) – factory setting

Output frequency
50 Hz/ 60 Hz +/- 0.05% (crystal controlled)

Harmonic distortion
< 2%

Continues power @ 25°C
900 VA

Power 30min. @ 25°C
1400 VA

Power 3 sec. @ 25°C
2800 VA

Battery Management System
Flex-BMS, single cell control, active balancing 5A

AC output receptacles
Two Hubbell duplex, Hospital spec. grade

Interface
CAN (RJ45-8 type Com bus) and USB

Color
Meteorite-gray with diamond pixels (other colors on request)

Weight
265 lbs.

Dimension (WxHxD)
19" x 22.8" x 23.2"

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