How do you know if you need a power conditioner?

A friend of mine has lent me his PS Audio P300 on three seperate occassions and a large balanced power unit one time. I only used these devices for cdp and pre and had them for long auditioning periods. I could never discern a difference using either of these units, either positive or negative. The audio community sometimes makes me feel as if I'm doing myself a disservice by not using some sort of conditioner. But my findings are strengthened when I read posts' such as the one above from Mr. Porter. But, as stated, I'm sure in some situations they are beneficial. I am running two 20amp dedicated circuits...

It's so interesting to read the different experiences people have had. I agree with everyone, but also think it's important to investigate your own particular situation. I used to have a house here in central Tucson. The power grid I was on also serves the U of A and the (huge) U of A Medical Center. The power was always above 122 (usually 123V) and never a hiccup (except occasionally during thunderstorms when it just flat quit!)

So I'd never even thought about power devices. Yes, installing dedicated circuits made a big difference in lowered noise floor and bigger dynamics, and I quit right there (un-intimidated!)

2 years ago, I sold my house and now live in a 50 unit apartment complex ca. 1950. It's on the same grid as my former house. Without even debating the issue, I bought both the ExactPower units and installed them; the balanced unit, for the source stuff, is powered by the main regenerator unit. It was all fed by some nasty 15A branch circuit. It did sound great though, and I settled down to a life of processed power ;~((

Then, one day when labeling the (real fuses) in the fusebox, I ran across a 20A circuit that I couldn't trace to anything. With my adrenalin pumping, and a few mis-steps (read: electrical shocks) later, I discovered it went (ONLY) to an outlet under the kitchen sink, meant for a garbage disposer that was never installed! OH JOY!! ;~))

I bypassed the disposer wall switch, with soldered connections. Changed the wall outlet for audiophile grade. Cleaned and Caig'ed the fuse and socket. Then I made a 12 foot Belden 10AWG umbilical to the ExactPower regenerator and let 'er rip!

Result: Sounds as good as it ever did at my house (Note: my whole system only draws 450 watts at full bore)

Moral: Always label your fuse or breaker panel!

Cheers

To elaborate on my experience I was getting very good results with a Chang Lightspeed device, and I was surprised when I took it out and inserted a simple Wiremold power strip the sound actually improved. High's seemed more extended and the sound was more lively. Thus as I and others have said, experimentation is key.

Thank you all, that helps a lot. I understand now that people's situations vary and that sometimes a power conditioner may improve things and sometimes not, and that experimentation is key. Also everyone agrees that dedicated lines are the way to go.

So that leads me to another question. Although I would love to have a dedicated line for each piece of gear a la Albertporter, (FOURTEEN!!!) that isn't feasible right now. At the moment I've got only one with a dual outlet on it. I am in a private home, so let's assume for now (until I have time to experiment with a conditioner) that the power is sufficiently clean and not in need of a conditioner. What is the best way to use this one outlet? E.g. all the stereo gear branched off of that via a power strip? Or say just the one component that is most in need of clean power (amplifier perhaps?) so that it's isolated from the other components? (leaving the rest of the gear to "dirty" outlets).

Sometimes you don't know until you try.
Well for the past 2 years I thought twisted dedicated lines seperate breakers on a dedicated ground were more than enough..

Enter: Equi=tech Balanced Power. Equi=tech runs gear for large sound studios, broadcast facilities etc, and home owners.

I purchased the Plane Jane Balanced Power Transformer in a box, and ran the output line to secondary breaker box where my dedicated lines connect. This is the simplist product that they sell.

The change was immediate and undeniable, but after 3 weeks. The overall change is overwhelming. TV / Satelite / Sourround system. Music how has sparkling clarity, . CD, DVD's especially a really large improvement. The picture is sharper and crisper colours are more saturated. The bass is HUGE it has grown, expanded, got deeper, tighter, more expressive, and unbeliveably powerful. Where is this bass comming from ????? The upgrade was worth it just for the Bass improvement.

My 2 channel using Klipschorns set amps, and Vinyl.. I could describe it as more immediate with pristine crystline clarity , more low level information, huge bass improvement.. better still, the music creeps out and grabs you, sucks you into it's captivating and enthralling musical vortex: and 20 minutes later you are released from its grip yet again to flipp the dam record!!! Enjoyment level 2-300% improvement.

I would like to try their other products.. A new line conditioner just for large plasma, and Hd TV rigs.. humm...

Yah I am convinced. Hydro is dirty, Balanced Power seems to lower the floor noise, and improve the bandwidth while injecting sparkle and pizazz. oh and did I mention bass