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Advice needed on power cables, wall warts, conditioning, electrical outlet

Hi everyone,

I would appreciate any advice on power cables, wall warts, power conditioning, better electrical outlet,  etc. 

If I have a power conditioner, with all of my equipment plugged into it with their stock cables, would upgrading the individual components’ power cable, wall wart etc. really help to improve the sound quality?  If yes, in what order of priority would you suggest?  Looking to make some low/moderate cost "tweaks" where it makes sense.

FWIW, here’s my setup:

  • 15 amp dedicated electrical circuit with standard home grade grounded electrical outlet.
  • Furman PL Plus-C power conditioner (repurposed from my music equipment studio rack) plugged into this AC outlet.  (Furman has a hardwired power cable, so I cannot easily swap it out)
  • All of my audio equipment plugs into the Furman: e.g. integrated tube amp, DAC, Sound Expander, ethernet to optical converter, Sonore Optical Rendu (feeds the DAC via USB), and Small Green Computer Roon server.
  • All components have their respective manufacturers’ standard issue power cord or wall wart.  (Sonore Optical Rendu with their Small Green Computer standard LPS).
  • TrendNet ethernet switch, not on the conditioner and uses wall wart.  CAT 8 to upstairs to my Asus router also wall wart and not on conditioner.
  • Asus router to Verizon FIOS ONT via CAT 8 ethernet.

Any advice and comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks a lot!

bogbeat
rikkipuu's avatar
rikkipuu
278 posts
 

Electrical is a deep rabbit hole with many benefits.

I would try to replace all wall warts or put them on a seperate ac line.

I have many PS audio noise harvesters and they do help.

I have a PS P10 powerplant, I have all my digital on it.  It lets one chose between regulation and distortion and for good or bad it does change the sound.  I am not convinced either choice is good although I remember one was not good relative to the other.

I recently tried a SOtM powercord with filter on my music server and it was a big change relative to another $1000 cord in terms of noise.

ryder
1,697 posts
 
lak’s avatar
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lak
4,044 posts

I’d recommend you upgrade your AC wall outlet. There are a lot of good ones available on the market. I personally use the Furutech GTX-D Rhodium,

ryder
1,697 posts
 

I use Furutech GTX-D Rhodium as well. A revelation in my system.

oldschool1948's avatar
oldschool1948
503 posts
 

I use a PS Audio Power Port Classic AC Receptacle.  Seems to work well in my system.

lordmelton's avatar
lordmelton
877 posts
 

I've never changed my wall socket but I guess I'll give it a try one day.

I'd get a decent power conditioner, Plixir is very good, and then plug your Furman into it, use the Furman like a power extension.

Wall warts are evil excommunicate them.

Plixir or alternative regulated DC power supplies.

I'd buy used power cables until you find a brand that you like. You don't lose money on used cables especially if you buy Cardas etc.

However please understand there are BIG differences between power cables for DACs, Pre-Amps, Power Amps etc.

Power Amps should be plugged directly into the wall socket no power conditioner required.

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