Has a Power Conditioner Improved Your Sound?


My system sounds great. When it is on and not playing music it is dead silent. I tried a PowerPlant Regenerator and it didn’t improve my sound. Actually it slightly constricted my soundstage. Like most audiophiles I’m always searching for that next improvement and wonder if a power conditioner might add something to my SQ So before I start auditioning any power conditioners on a 30 day trial I’d like to know if anyone has experienced a significant improvement to their system, what that improvement was and which power conditioners they used. Right now I’m considering the Isoteck brand. Possibly the Aquarius or Electra. I’d most likely keep the amp plugged into the wall and connect my Streamer and DAC to the conditioner.

jfrmusic

I've got three dedicated lines coming into my audio room on a rock-solid power grid (we share the grid with the county's emergency services).  I thought power solutions never offered much improvement in my system (Fleetwood DeVille, Backert Labs Preamp, McGary amp, Merason DAC).  That is until I demoed the Puritan PSM1512 (12-outlet version of the PSM156).

I was stunned at the difference.  Everything was clearer and better delineated.  The pace seemed to pick up and the sound seemed more "alive".  The sound stage was wider and deeper.  Honestly, I was stunned.  

In my other system (Volti, AGD, Technics, HiFi Rose) I swapped the Puritan in for my IsoTek EVO3 Aquarius (both using a Transparent Premium PC), and again, the difference was pretty staggering (and really obvious).  I would attempt to demo a Puritan before you commit to anything else.  It's by far the best that I've ever heard in any of my systems over the years, (but, to be fair, I'm not auditioning $10K power line solutions).

The only thing a power conditioner might do is introduce noise. They do not improve sound. Put down the snake oil someone is trying to feed you. 

Plixir Power products are quite fantastic. There are the Linear DC Power Supplies and the AC power conditioners in the lineup. James Soh in Singapore has just revamped and improved almost all products that he produces. Plixir products are available in Canada and the US market from the Canadian Distributor.

Update

Sorry to say I returned the 707. After a week of concentrated listening I realized that what first appealed to me was actually an increase in midrange energy. It is a vivid presentation that in a way is more tube like. Everything is warmer, fuller and somewhat closer in perspective. This is a valid and euphonic sound. However in the end it's not a perspective that over time I found to my liking. It's most noticeable with Classical recordings. With the 707 I'm sitting in the first 5 rows. Without the 707 and plugged into the wall I'm siting in rows 10 to 15. I prefer that more set back perspective. You may like what the 707 does and it does do its job. The overall sound was slightly quieter but with the effect of a warmer midrange. Bass is slightly fuller and Strings more forward although still refined. So basically less air or atmosphere in the sound.

I'm not sure what I will do next. I've re-read a number of Power Conditioner reviews and it seems that the reviewers often mention that the lower treble can be more vivid or forward etc. So this may be a common trait of active conditioners. I haven't noticed this mentioned on the few passive conditioner reviews I've read. This included Shunyata and Furutech. In fact a review of one of the Shunyata PCs said the perspective was more distant. So maybe I will try one of those. But again I do not notice any apparent noise issues with my system but as I mentioned you don't notice it until it's removed.