Vera-Fi Audio LLC’s Snub Station Zero review by Greg Voth

On the heels of my review of the Line Noise BlackHole (LNBH) [reviewed in these pages], from Mark Schifter’s Vera-Fi Audio LLC, comes Vera-Fi’s new Snub Station Zero (SSZ). I still had the Line Noise BlackHole connected to my tube integrated when I had the Snub Station Zero in hand. After contacting Schifter to confirm that I could connect the LNBH and SSZ, I jumped in quickly for a brief listening session.

I was careful to use the SSZ’s single high-power socket, filtered with Soft Start, for the 10A demanding integrated circuit. I routed the rear power IEC to the front outlet of the Line Noise BlackHole and from the LNBH’s rear IEC connection to the wall.

The tube integrated, an Opera Consonance M100SE, provides 40 wpc, which is plenty for my efficient Tekton floorstanders. I operate the tube, integrated with Vera-Fi’s Swiss Digital Fuse Box, which is factory set for the tube’s 10Amp demand and protects without an internal fuse. Instead, a graphene “Sluggo” sits in the fuse slot for the best sound. For this quick listen, I again used the Auris bluMe Pro for Bluetooth connectivity, plugging that into an available wall socket.

Early Listening

Reel, from Bugge Wesseltoft’s “Am Are“ (2025, Jazzland Recordings), was spacious, unhurried, and layered from front to back with intriguing textures. Arild Andersen’s bass commanded the stage, with a sound full and woody, as it stepped aside for occasional instrumental voices.

Render followed – a loose affair with cymbal, bell, and percussive hits and bits mingled with languishing piano moments, interrupted now and again by distorted electric bass textures.

It was Module 23 from Nik Bartsch’s Ronin’s “Spin“ (2024 Ronin Rhythm Records) that surrounded me with layers of atmosphere. I was off to another world—weightless and wandering through its hypnotic rhythms. Wherever I was, I wasn’t here. “Mesmerizing“ barely covers it. With the SSZ in the chain, the presentation became tactile and life-like.

The Snub Station Zero

The Snub Station Zero features the same low-profile styling as the Line Noise BlackHole, with a satin-finished, anodized black housing and durable construction. Like its sibling, the name is printed in white on its top panel and in smaller text on its front and rear. At 7-3/4″ d x  8-1/8″ w x 2-3/4″ h, the SSZ is slightly larger than the LNBH.

Three front-mounted 3-prong NEMA outlets are provided—two for low power use and one offering a Soft (delayed) Start. Two green LED indicators show power and the SSR Soft Start status. On the rear panel, you’ll find the power switch and an IEC inlet for your choice of power cable to the wall.

For a deeper listening experience, I inserted the SSZ into my basement system, utilizing all three front outlets. The SSZ powered my Conrad Johnson PV5 tube integrated preamp (upgraded by Music Technology, Inc.), an LSA Discovery Warp 1 power amplifier (reviewed in these pages), and that system’s affordable DAC, a Topping DX3 Pro+. The Warp 1 was connected to the Soft Start outlet, while the preamp and DAC were plugged into the two low-power outlets. The total draw was 7.6A—well under the SSZ’s 10A limit. Both preamp and amplifier use Swiss Digital Fuse Boxes with Vera-Fi’s top-tier graphene Sluggos.

Downstairs, I have both the XSA Labs Vanguard Bookshelf Speakers (reviewed in these pages) and Channel Island Audio R3 stand mounts, along with a pair of Vera-Fi’s own Caldera 10 powered subwoofers (reviewed in these pages). The room measures 642 sq. ft. with an 8-foot ceiling height–quite different from my upstairs space.

What Does the SSZ Do?

According to Vera-Fi Audio, the Snub Station Zero is an all-in-one mains power conditioner for audio/visual components. It incorporates a DC blocker, a high-performance EMI filter, and an automatic soft-start circuit utilizing a solid-state relay (SSR) to prevent damage from in-rush currents. Designed in the USA and assembled in China, it utilizes only premium-quality components.

From Schifter’s postings on Facebook, “When a significant change in current is detected, a solid state relay utilizing low on-resistance MOSFETs are employed to serve as non-contact solid state switches (which never wear out or arc, unlike mechanical relays) to bypass a pair of NTC (negative temperature coefficient) variable resistors that serve to slow down the in-rush current.  Once the MOSFETs are engaged, the front panel “SSR“ LED glows to indicate that the SSZ is providing full current to the system.”

The Snub Station Zero’s ideal scenario is as I’ve described above–powering a main power amp with the soft start outlet and inserting a preamp and a DAC, etc., in the two additional non-soft start outlets. If you use the SSZ with a single component, that component must not require more than 10A of current, and it should only be plugged into the SSZ’s Soft Start outlet.

In-Rush Current and Magnetostriction

The in-rush current spike from a toroidal transformer can be up to 20× the nominal current, which causes magnetostriction—mechanical stretching of copper windings—producing the brief buzz you hear when powering up an amp with a large transformer. Over time, this stress can cause failure.

DC Blocker Benefits

The SSZ uses four EPCOS 22,000uF capacitors and audio-grade discrete TO-220 rectifiers to eliminate unwanted DC offset from the mains power, protecting your equipment from damage.

EMI Noise Reduction

A custom EMI filter featuring large-gauge copper wire CMC chokes and premium film capacitors blocks unwanted interference, ensuring cleaner power and enhancing performance.

Grounding

The SSZ, like some other Vera-Fi products, does not currently support 3-prong Schuko grounding pins. Adapters are available on the company’s website for systems that require grounding.

Further Listening

Once in our basement space, I used Bluetooth with the Topping DAC to warm up the rig (this DAC’s BT isn’t the best, but other features work pretty well). I then powered up my vintage Marantz CD-63 player, from the late 1980s, using it as a transport, and connected it coaxially to the Topping DAC. I eased into this session with my pair of Vanguard bookshelf speakers, and, to my surprise, I stayed with them. The Vanguards shone in this smaller space, to the point where I had no urge to add my subs–the lower frequencies were that satisfying.

With the Christian McBride Trio’s “Out Here“ (2013, Mack Avenue Records, LLC), the percussive power of the piano, the authority of the upright bass, and the transients of the drums drew me in. The first thing I noticed was the speed of delivery; then the dynamics kicked in during that drum break! The SSZ seemed to energize the system in a way I hadn’t heard before.

However, it was Bill Frisell’s 2001 album, “with Dave Holland and Elvin Jones“ (Nonesuch Records), that cemented the mythic impressions of the SSZ. Outlaws was slow, deliberate, and enveloping, with striking dynamic swings and a noticeably larger soundstage. The Vanguard speakers filled the room effortlessly. Coffaro’s Theme was bombastic and commanding, as the plucks and drones of the guitar and bass strings shook the room, while still revealing quieter nuances—each instrument tactile and alive.

With the SSZ, my system’s soundstage expanded, clarity improved, and instrument separation became more distinct. At times, I even turned the volume down because the lowered noise floor and enhanced detail made the music feel louder and more present.

Note: None of Vera-Fi Audio’s small plug-and-play filtration products (Puron, Main Stream, Subway, or Line Noise BlackHole) are inserted in this system (all of these reside upstairs), so nothing is duplicating what the SSZ is doing. I also have a power conditioner here.

The Wrap

The Snub Station Zero deserves an audition. Its ability to protect gear, lower noise, and elevate sound quality makes it a strong candidate for serious systems. Vera-Fi Audio makes it easy with their 30-day no-questions-asked return policy.

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Product reviewed: Snub Station Zero

Price: $595.00 USD, introductory price ($695 retail)
Contact:
Mark Schifter
Vera-Fi Audio LLC
9025 Crestview Drive
Denton, Texas 76207
 
Website: verafiaudiollc.com
Phone: (818) 584-6870
Email: verafiaudio@gmail.com