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

Drrstlif,

What power cords and USB cable are you using on your Diablo (which is totally awesome, I agree)?

I’m a bit worried about limiting the amp’s performance by plugging it into a conditioner considering what the manual and what Fleming says.  I’d be too paranoid that it could sound better a lot of the time, but maybe an element of dynamics or transients or slew rate could be negatively impacted - so maybe only in certain sonic scenarios performance could be hampered.  Not saying I think that, just that I’d be paranoid it could be so.  I read one instance when Phillip at the Gryphon distributor was putting on a show and the Diablo 300 was underwhelming everyone listening.  They removed the conditioner and suddenly the sound was transformed to what they expected….

A note on power for the Diablo DAC (which I adore the sound of):  I don’t believe the DAC itself is powered by the super-capacitor.  I think the super-cap powers the USB only, so it doesn’t rely on the USB power from the source which could be an unreliable computer.  I’ve tried to tell the difference in sound while that cool blue light is flashing at startup (signalling that the super-cap is still charging) and after the blue light stops, and I cannot hear any difference.  Perhaps because I am using a high quality InnuOS streamer with a solid USB power regulator? Don’t know…

how can the PC suddenly provide more power on demand when you have all that smaller gauge wire in your wall?  

A dedicated line from the service panel isn't a small gauge wire, typically 10 or 12 gauge. And usually the amp is the only component on the circuit. The amp demands voltage for the transformer and to keep the caps charged. Dynamic music and transients need instantaneous power.

I actually agree with you, I’ve found that beefy expensive cords to the amp definitely sound better.  But I do plug my amp directly into the wall as I mentioned.  I feel like there is no point even connecting it to the AQ 1200 considering that the Diablo is current hungry and considering that higher end AQ conditioners are rated to deliver more current.

My amp is plugged directly into the wall (direct line). I recently tried an IsoTech Titan. A power conditioner made for amps. I tried it on my ARC Ref 160s amp. I found the soundstage lost depth and the stage was pulled forward and presentation was a bit less relaxed. Not a positive improvement.

I do not want anyone to misconstrue this to mean it may not be a great improvement for you. My audio dealer and I talked through several other homes he had put it in… in most, it was a noticable improvement. I guess in addition to conditioning, it stores power to stabilize the supply. But, I think I have a pretty good source. Although the AQ Hurricane power cord was a big improvement. Like all this stuff… you just have to try it.