AC Power

@mitch2

There is a very good chance that digital front end equipment already has voltage regulators on the DC power side of the equipment. Good chance that holds true on at least solid state preamps. Maybe even for tube preamps.

As for digital equipment the question is, does the equipment have filtering on the AC mains side that will filter out, prevent, digital hash from traveling back out on the power cord and re-interring on the power cords of an analog preamp and power amp that are plugged into a common power strip.? Even if the amp is plugged directly into the same wall outlet, same branch circuit, as the power strip.

There was a well respected EE, his field was in electronics, that passed many years ago. He frequently posted on the AA forum. I remember he used to say the main reason, (paraphrasing what he said), for multiple dedicated branch circuits is to decouple the power supplies of digital equipment from analog equipment.

That’s why I installed two dedicated 20A branch circuits. One for digital equipment, the other for analog.

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Always funny how this place just forces us all to spend 3-5x the cost of what we are thinking. Come in thinking one thing, come out thinking very different.

Asking about a power conditioner, now we are doing a couple dedicated circuits! Think I need to check my HT outlets, have a feeling they are all backstabbed. But did replace a couple outlets with cheap audio grade ones. 

My HT system has a Panamax PC, has both voltage and amp gauges on it. Everything is plugged into it. Voltage is usually 122v, depending on what I'm watching, 1.6-3.5a this is a 9.4.2 atmosphere setup, with a 80in TV, and an Xbox.

My 2ch has a Furman 15i, just with voltage gauge. My 2ch voltage goes from 115-124v, usually around 122. I can drop the voltage when listing at high levels. Also found out, that they hooked up the microwave to the living room outlets! When the microwave kicks in, voltage drops to 115v. I know that needs to be fixed. Also thinking abut 2 dedicated outlets.

Here is my point. On the HT side the PC really helps, picture is better, and sound is better when plugged into it. Almost everything there is digital. On the 2ch setup, the sound is cleaner with the PC, have plugged the sub and amp directly into the wall, and the PC. Could not tell a sonic difference. Also can not hear a difference when the microwave is turned on. This tells me the Furman is making a difference for the better.  The 2ch setup is vintage, I use the Furman to power it all on/off instead of using the components power switches. 

One question I do have abut dedicated circuits, is it worth the extra money to get magnetic breakers over the cheap other ones?

Speaking of voltage regulation, any difference between this and this, other than $1,400? It seems 15A should mostly be enough for digital front end, if not all front end components.

@mitch2

No, these units go on steep discounts routinely. Sometimes on Amazon, sometimes at Pro oriented stores so worth keeping an eye on them. You are correct that 15A (1800 VA) is basically overkill for most home systems.

Furman makes so many models that it’s always good to check the specific feature set with Furman. The basic features you want are:

• SMP (series mode protection)
• LiFT (linear filtering)
• EVS (Extreme Voltage Shutdown)

Usually those three come as a package in their pro or consumer models. These are some consumer oriented features:

• Power Factor correction
• Balanced outputs
• Switched outlets

So for me, SMP, LiFT, EVS and AR are features I really insist on having. The AR (automatic regulation) is the expensive part.  Like balanced power, it takes a big internal transformer to work so adds a few hundred dollars to the price tag compared to say the basic Furman strip without.

Furman DOES make an almost pure regulator without SMP, LiFT and EVS but more LEDs (HAH!) but uses old-school surge protection. The only advantage of that unit is that the LEDs constantly show you the incoming voltage.

@erik_squires - Thank you.

@jea48 - I actually have four 20A dedicated lines powering my system.

• One circuit located in a separate room away from my system that is dedicated to my internet modem, router, music server, and associated peripherals
• One circuit powering the digital front end equipment in my system room, including peripherals, with all power cords coming from an Isoclean 60A3 II filter
• One circuit powering my passive volume control (with display/remote) and SMc Audio unity-gain buffer, each of which have their own outboard linear power supplies plugged into the wall, and 
• One for my SMc 650wpc monoblock amplifiers also plugged into the wall.  I recently replaced the 10A SR input fuses in those amps with copper rods and incorporated in-line magnetic circuit breakers provided by SMc Audio, and as they began using in their equipment shortly after they completed my amps in 2020 (see 2nd and 3rd pics on my system page).

I don't perceive any noise issues whatsoever but was curious about the potential effect of voltage fluctuations, primarily on my front-end equipment.

@erik_squires GREAT info, as always!!!
The OP mentioned early that he has limited space for additional pieces of kit.  I have a similar issue with space.  The Furman unit you recommended (one you have always stood by and recommened before to others), is a 'rack mount' style.  Since it has "AR" and a sizable transformer, is it an issue to set it ontop of another piece of gear, or under another piece of gear with "normal" feet stand offs?  Meaning, 'stacking' but NOT in a rack? 
I would imagine no due to magnetic induction issues in either or both?  Is that correct?  Assuming would need at least 5inches of space top and bottom?
Great thread and info!!!

Furman P-1800 AR