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Power Conditioning - How Important for Digital and Analog Source Components vs Amp?

I have two questions:  1) Is it worth installing power conditioning ONLY for my source components, and if so, 2) should I plan to use the same grade of power cords to my sources as I have with my amp (Gryphon Diablo 300)....

How impactful is using a conditioner (say an Audioquest Niagara 1200) on source components, as compared with amplifiers?  Is it worth getting a conditioner ONLY to use for my source components while leaving my Diablo 300 connected directly to the wall (as recommended by Gryphon)?

I can hear major differences with different brands of power cords connected to my Diablo 300, and I'm wondering if I need to invest in the same grade of power cables (3 of them!) for my conditioner (AQ 1200 potentially), turntable (VPS Prime 21), and digital source (Innuos Zenith Mk 2).  Can I cheap out a bit on the source power cords, or are these source power cords just as important as the power cord to my amp?

And finally, if I am JUST using the conditioner for my sources, do I still use a high-current power cord to the conditioner itself?

Looking forward to your thoughts!

 

 

 

nyev
nyev OP
1,031 posts
 

Yep, all makes sense.  What I was wondering about however, all conditions including "dirtiness" being equal, is which components are more or less impacted by the grade of power cords and conditioning.  Like, is it more important to put the best cords on the source or amp, etc...

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holmz's avatar
holmz
2,328 posts
 

Yep, all makes sense.  What I was wondering about however, all conditions including "dirtiness" being equal, is which components are more or less impacted by the grade of power cords and conditioning.  Like, is it more important to put the best cords on the source or amp, etc...

A larger factor might be which source components, and whether they were designed to be more of less immune to power line noise.

One could always as those manufacturers, but whether they will comment is another issue.

gdnrbob
4,447 posts
 

My 2 cents-

Amps and high current devices should be plugged directly into the wall.

The rest should go into a good conditioner, like the AQ 1200.

And, if you are concerned about power surges, put a whole house surge protector by the mains.

Bob

spenav
429 posts
 

@nyev 
I see what you mean by all dirtiness being equal: in your particular situation; it’s hard to know. If it is fairly clean, you won’t need much to get you over the humps. At any rate the AQ 1200 is as good a place to start as any. The reviews are generally favorable on it. If it has enough outlets for your needs, give it a try. It’s not  outrageously priced. As far as power cords, if you have a favorite, the way to go is to try it on all like components (sources or amps).  The characteristics that you favor will only be emphasized more. While there is nothing wrong with using different brands of cables, a lot of people stick with one brand for every thing.  As @steakster said there is no magic bullet, you are on the right path. Enjoy the process also. 

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