Some things cannot be rushed. Zhan Zhuang, a quiet practice within Qigong, is one of them. You stand. The body aligns itself. Tension falls away without sacrificing strength. The mind grows calm – not empty.
What appears to be stillness reveals itself as the foundation of every movement. It is a concept that translates with surprising clarity to the power supply of a hi-fi system. Zhan Zhuang is not about doing; it is about letting go. Not forcing energy, but stabilizing its flow. The feet support without pressing, the knees remain relaxed, the pelvis settles. The spine lengthens without tension, and the breath naturally finds its own rhythm. The foundation – or rather, the root – of this practice is simply standing. This same principle is reflected in the external form of the Stromtank SEQ-5 Pure “power strip” – a clean, solid aluminum block resting on four feet. Weighing just over eleven pounds, it conveys both presence and composure. No playful lines, no decorative excess. Every ingredient has been consciously selected and united in harmony.
The SEQ-5 Pure approaches this philosophy with deliberate restraint – despite the physical presence of a Shinto shrine. It seeks to shape nothing, accelerate nothing, correct nothing. It doesn’t interfere with the flow of electricity; it simply ensures that energy arrives where it is needed. Its role is open to interpretation. You can treat it as a standalone power distributor. You can also use it as an extension for Stromtank battery power supplies that sometimes becomes a necessity, as those units generally provide four outputs – too few for more complex systems. The Berlin-based manufacturer recognized the need to offer its own expansion to prevent customers from connecting up inadequate power strips, skewing the pristine battery power right out of the gate. Because the accompanying battery power supplies already deliver exceptionally clean power, no filtering is required: four of the SEQ-5 Pure’s five outlets are completely unfiltered. Maximum current delivery takes priority. No damping, no delay, no well-intentioned interference. In the spirit of equal treatment, all outlets are wired in a star configuration. None receives electrical priority. Yet all five follow a clearly defined hierarchy, energizing sequentially – an approach that protects both amplifiers and tweeters alike. Controlled release of power prevents damage. Uncontrolled peaks have a habit of breaking knife hands, shins – or tweeters.
Powerful amplifiers, in particular, benefit from the unrestricted approach of a well-designed power distributor. Transients emerge without resistance, and impulses remain fully intact. The sound doesn’t become more spectacular – it simply becomes more natural. Just as the stance in Zhan Zhuang supports without constraining, these outlets support connected analog source components and amplifiers without limiting them. Everything follows its natural course, perfectly balanced – a fitting analogy to mindful breathing in meditation.
The fifth outlet follows a different philosophy. It is dedicated specifically to digital sources and the interference they generate. The so-called Digital Distortion Suppression (DDS) avoids indiscriminate filtering. Instead, it reduces high-frequency noise where it originates – in the immediate vicinity of digital circuitry and switching power supplies. It quietly removes only what creates disturbance. Just as negative thoughts are allowed to pass when one remains fully present in the moment. Everything is a matter of flow – whether breath or electricity. In Kung Fu, one might say: strength is not increased; the obstacle simply disappears. The effect of this calm is subtle yet unmistakable. The system feels less nervous. Musical relationships become clearer without calling attention to themselves.
Play the acoustic live version of “Snuff” (Corey Taylor), and the overtones unfold effortlessly into the room. The voice feels vulnerable and immediate. Emotion arises not through force, but through openness – through complete presence in the moment. A restrained interpretation of Franz Schubert’s famous Ave Maria thrives on that same presence. Hannah Holgersson’s voice floats gently, carried by space and silence. The finest dynamic gradations remain intact; nothing pushes itself into the foreground. The recording seems to breathe, expands effortlessly, carries the mind along, and repeatedly draws the listener back into the present moment. Jazz reveals this quality with particular clarity. The complete body of work by Lee Konitz served as a perfect example, contributing noticeably to my own sense of inner peace over the past few weeks. Wherever balance and restraint are essential, even the slightest agitation becomes immediately apparent. When saxophone, guitar, bass, and drums are free to breathe, a sense of tension emerges that supports rather than unsettles. Here, musicality is born not from control, but from balance. Not from intervention, but from trust.
Just as the mind becomes clear in Zhan Zhuang because the body no longer struggles, music unfolds when energy remains undisturbed. The Stromtank SEQ-5 Pure doesn’t present itself as an effects device or as a sonic formula. It’s a foundation. An immovable base. Solid as a rock. You stand. You listen. And everything flows.
Power Distributor Stromtank SEQ-5 Pure
Concept: Power distributor with sequential power-up and isolated outlet for digital components | Connections: 4 × unfiltered, 1 × isolated | Special Features: Star wiring, sequential (time-delayed outlet activation), Furutech outlets and plugs with rhodium-plated contacts, phase indicator, high-purity copper internal conductors | Finish: Brushed aluminum/stainless steel or black anodized | Dimensions (W/H/D): 17.3 × 3.9 × 4.7 in. (44 × 10 × 12 cm) | Weight: 11 lbs (5 kg) | Warranty: 2 years | Price: Approx. €5,800
WinBat Technology
Rathenower Straße 45
10559 Berlin
+49 30 52688330
info@stromtank.de