2. amps-preamps
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Amplifier is now off the Power Conditioner

Yesterday, I replaced the wall outlet that my audio system uses to eliminate the switch on the bottom plug. Until now my tube amplifier had been plugged into the amplifier plug on my power conditioner, but now it is connected to the second plug via a basic surge protector.

I have b read that power conditioners are restrictive for amplifiers, but my first impression tonight was "wow". I doubt the wall outlet made the difference and it is possible that it was a good audio night (sometimes things just sound better for no known reason) so I will have to remain open minded for now.

It seemed that things are more clear, almost edgy, and the bass tightened up.
mceljo
lewinskih01
909 posts
 
How do you guys feel or what has been your experience with a balanced transformer in front of your amp? Do amps generally work better connected to balanced power than connected to the wall?

I want to tackle power treatment for my system, but I'm unable to try different options here. I would need to buy it (import it) to try it. My system: McIntosh MC275, Lamm LL2, Metrum Octave DAC.

Thanks!
ebm
9,311 posts
 
Wow thats great!!
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Lewinskih01,
My room has 20 amp dedicated circuits and with my amplifiers(8 watt
SET 300b, 40 watt el34 PP, and a 100 watt KT 88/6550 PP) plugged into the
wall outlet the sound is good. When any of these amplifiers are plugged
into my BPT3.5 Signature Plus (balanced AC transformer-conditioner) there
is undeniable across the board improvement. Dynamics, nuance, tonality,
naturalness, you name it, it all gets better.Some conditioners are inferior to
direct wall outlets and some will be clearly superior to direct plug in .
There's a wide range of quality like any other audio component/accessory.
Charles,
courant
119 posts
 
I've been very happy running Transparent PIMM surge/conditioners with my pre, power amp, and integrated.

I've done A/Bs with numerous conditioners, and most will kill an amp's soundstage. The PIMM actually appears to improve the sound slightly. Part of my situation is that the PIMMS also provide some insurance.

I'm in a condo, and my neighbors will on occasion spike the lines. One brown-out fried a $400.00 conference phone, and that was enough of a lesson. I run multiple PIMMs I picked up on closeout with the pre, amp, and integrated respectively, a Shunyata Hydra with my sources, and a Panamax M2-Sub with my sub. The Panamax does impede the sub's performance, but I accept the trade-off as part of living in a highrise.
lewinskih01
909 posts
 
Thanks Charles.

I guess your KT88 PP 100-Watter is close enough to my amp. I was considering one of the smaller BPT units, but I was more inclined to use it on the digital front-end and maybe the preamp. Maybe I should go larger and add the amp into the BPT.

BTW, do you only plug the amps into that BP, or do you also have pre and source on the same unit?

Regards
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