Torus Power RM 16 CE Review by Vumetre magazine
Canadian Engineering for Pristine Power Delivery
Torus Power, based in Ontario, Canada, specializes exclusively in designing and manufacturing Power Transformers for audio-video applications. Between the entry-level TOT series and the high-end AVR-2 series lies the company’s best-selling RM series. This review focuses on the outstanding RM 16 CE model.
Once you’ve settled on the key components of your hi-fi system—amplifier, sources, speakers—one of the most impactful upgrades you can make is to purify the power supply. Improvements in power quality can produce dramatic gains in musical clarity. A number of manufacturers have taken up this challenge, including Canada’s Torus Power, the subject of this review.
Founded in 2005, Torus Power has consistently evolved its product line. Today, its range starts with the TOT Mini CE at just over €2,000. However, to truly benefit from Torus’s expertise—especially when powering systems valued at €20,000 or more—the RM series is where the real magic happens. Aside from the compact RM 4 CE (designed for minimalist systems with just four 4A outlets), all models in the RM series significantly reduce power line noise.
The RM 8 CE (€6,950), with 8A capacity and five outlets, already delivers excellent results. For this review, we opted for the more robust RM 16 CE, priced under €2,000 more (€8,900), offering 16A of output and eight Schuko outlets compliant with CEE7 standards.
Technical specifications
- Origin: Canada
- Price: €8,900
- Dimensions: 483 x 203 x 483 mm
- Weight: 54 kg
- Power Input: IEC 20A
- Outlets: 8 Schuko CEE7
- Output Current: 16A
- Output Voltage: 220–240V
- Power: 3,840 VA
- Frequency: 50–60 Hz
Installation experience
At 54 kg, the RM 16 CE is manageable compared to the bulkier RM 30 CE (78 kg) and RM 45 CE (98 kg), but still hefty enough to make solo handling difficult.
For our evaluation, we partnered with Audio Harmonia in Bouliac, near Bordeaux, where we had the space and equipment to conduct a full test.
Housed in a 4U chassis, the eight Schuko outlets are powered by a large toroidal transformer that fully isolates the input power from the output. The IEC 20A input is not only surge-protected but also completely decoupled from the output side, which includes systems designed to handle peak current demands. As a result, power noise—often in the 1 kHz range—is driven down to levels below 1 MHz.
Sound impressions
Anyone with a carefully optimized hi-fi setup knows the importance of clean power. While skeptics may question the benefits of high-end power cables, few deny the advantages of treating power at the source—between the wall and your gear.
We began testing the RM 16 CE by powering a Maestro Absolute integrated amplifier. Instantly, we noticed a reduction in background noise and an improvement in detail from our reference speakers. Connecting two Pass Labs monoblocks produced similar gains. Adding the preamp revealed even greater benefits: not just improved dynamics but a newfound fluidity in the sound.
After connecting all sources and the phono preamp, noise dropped further still, revealing a richer, more transparent soundstage where individual instruments emerged with greater distinction. The overall presentation became more refined and interference-free—particularly when an internet switch was inserted between the modem and the streamer.
Final verdict
We’ve evaluated many Power Transformers over the years, but the RM 16 CE from Torus Power stands out as a top-tier contender. The reduction in noise is not just measurable—it’s transformative.
With purified power, music breathes freely. Attacks are sharper, the soundstage expands, and notes linger beautifully. For anyone serious about high-end audio who hasn’t yet explored power conditioning, we highly recommend giving Torus Power a try. The investment is significant, but for a premium system, the RM 16 CE isn’t just a worthwhile upgrade—it’s essential.