AB testing of power regenerators?? Ever do it?

For what it’s worth, there IS a middle ground between nothing and a power regenerator and that’s a voltage regulator.

The Furman conditioners such as this one with AR offers tight voltage output with high current, and don’t generate any Class D noise on the output. The SMP offers both noise filtering that starts around 3 kHz (really good) plus best in class surge protection.

If you are happy with 15 A instead this unit is almost half the price.

AR will keep your line from sagging under load as well as insulate your system from seasonal/daily variations in voltage while SMP/EVS will keep your system safe.

I live in an old part of the core of a large city, and my power often has 5 or 6% THD, and sometimes as high as 8%. Dirty power indeed!

I tried a PS Audio PP12 in my audio system and heard an instant benefit - darker backgrounds, improved dynamics, musicality, and clarity - a if a veil was lifted between the music and listener. My only complaint was transformer hum heard when you were close to the PS Audio PP12.

As part of a package purchase of Accuphase components last year, I acquired an Accuphase PS-530 power supply which seems to be similar in concept to the PS Audio power supplies except that it is more massive and built to a much higher standard with a large and totally silent toroidal transformer. It sounds even better than the PS Audio unit - more clarity, more musical, even blacker backgrounds - you hear the hall acoustics and ambiance more clearly.

Accuphase also makes a more massive PS-1250 power supply with impressive output - it can handle two A-300 monoblocks plugged into it. I wonder how this would compare to other units out there?

erik_squires
... the dedicated line is only relatively more voltage stable. Relatively meaning if you plug a vacuum into the same circuit you'll get a bigger sag than if you plug it somewhere else ...

A dedicated line is usually substantially more voltage stable. You're not going to plug a vacuum into it because it's a dedicated line. That's the whole point.

A dedicated line is usually substantially more voltage stable. You're not going to plug a vacuum into it because it's a dedicated line. That's the whole point.

And how often do you do that while listening?  :D

Yes, it's more stable, that doesn't necessarily make it stable.  I used to spend all my time listening and watching the voltage meter.  Seasonal variations, plus major appliances in the home kicking on and off still make it more variable than using a voltage regulator.

Anyone else who is curious should get a Kill-A-Watt meter or some other constantly running voltage meter to see how well or poorly things in their home are.  Be grateful if you find your home AC is stable all year long.

erik_squires

... it's more stable, that doesn't necessarily make it stable ... Seasonal variations, plus major appliances in the home kicking on and off still make it more variable than using a voltage regulator.

As with many audiophiles, I take a "source first" approach. Using a proper dedicated line can essentially eliminate the voltage drop typical of a daisy-changed convenience outlet. Power conditioning, including voltage regulation, can then further improve the AC. It's not an either/or choice.