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

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.

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.

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.

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…

I know it’s an age old debating point but I will say it anyways:  how can the PC suddenly provide more power on demand when you have all that smaller gauge wire in your wall?  
 

One of the most audible improvements in SQ was using a 8awg OCC PC from wall to my Equi=Core 1800. A 20A dedicated line to service panel is the point of origin. IMO, you need a large gauge PC to a toroidal conditioner to keep enough power on demand. Same goes for the power amp.

I am using the same high quality power chord into my PowerCell conditioner and from the PowerCell to my Diablo 300.  The combination was decided upon after  different manufacturers, variations, and combinations were employed in trials in the actual system.  As far as the Gryphon Diablo DAC module, even though it is run off its own isolated capacitor bank power supply it does perform better with a quality USB cable from a quality server.  It was very revealing of the different USBs that were tried and the one I found best in my system was not the highest priced that was employed in the trials. It is a great amp just feed it well and it will reward…

Thanks, I suppose I will need to do a test of a basic cable connected to my conditioner vs a more spendy one.  Since I can’t swap my high end amp power cord without ruining the test results, I’ll need to find a demo cable to try.  
 

Despite my amp power cord making a world of difference, I somehow doubt the cable to the conditioner can possibly matter as much…. But this is just my unfounded speculation.

Your logic makes sense to me.

If the power conditioner is a cure-all then it should not need a PC on top.````````````

Thanks, I suppose I will need to do a test of a basic cable connected to my conditioner vs a more spendy one.  Since I can’t swap my high end amp power cord without ruining the test results, I’ll need to find a demo cable to try.  
 

Despite my amp power cord making a world of difference, I somehow doubt the cable to the conditioner can possibly matter as much…. But this is just my unfounded speculation.

Maybe I’m a sucker but I did upgrade to a AQ Diamond USB cable to my Gryphon’s DAC module, and I’m strongly considering upgrading my Ethernet cable to my InnuOS streamer / Roon core.  Even when I can’t actually hear a difference at all in the sound vs a standard $3 USB cable.  I know the Gryphon DAC module has some fancy voltage stabilization and clock sync tech for the USB input, so maybe my AQ Diamond USB cable isn’t needed…..

I hear massive differences with the amp power cord and also when swapping out speaker wire…. Now I’m getting to the nitty gritty I guess.

For what it's worth I've been told by friends (whom I consider true audiophiles with great listening skills) to use a very good power cord on the conditioner for the best results. They claim that's where they heard the greatest difference. Over the years of tuning various high-end systems, I've learned is there is no one answer that works for everyone. Trial and error and trust your ears.

I completely agree with your list ghdprentice and yes power cord to amp makes SO much difference. Can make or break a system.

what is still a mystery to me is how important the cord going TO the conditioner is. Is this a place that you can skimp out a LITTLE? Because, I would think that the cords taking the conditioned power to the source components would be much more important than the cord going to the conditioner?

Trying a conditioner is important. Most of the time it makes an improvement, occasionally it doesn’t. 
 

My most recent upgrade in power (over the last year).

Biggest effect first:

1) Amplifier Power cord (I spent many months on this… to get it right)

2) Direct line (10 gauge direct to,amp)

3) Power Conditioner to all non-amplifier components

4) Diect line to non-amplifier components

5) Finally power cords to all non-amplifier components

1 - 4 we’re all really… really important… not sure the order is correct at all. 

Thanks for the advice all.  Just did a first quick comparison with and without the AQ 1200 for my InnuOS streamer, and I definitely heard an improvement with the conditioning, albeit a small one.  It was the same effect all across the frequency range, with better clarity and definition.

I have will have a superior power cord going into my Diablo, than I do going into the conditioner.  Debating whether to go through the hassle of testing how much difference an upgraded power cord will make for the AQ 1200! 

@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. 

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

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.

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...

@nyev 
The advice I am going to give you might not please you but here it is anyway. The effect a conditioner will have on your system depends on how dirty your power is to start with, so YMMV.  As to power cords, the best you can do is hook up with the Cable Company and try the ones you are interested in. Their return policy is very generous and geared towards people who have not made their minds yet.  The only thing that is certain is that you need some dedicated lines if you haven’t considered these yet. Don’t be afraid of trying things out; that’s the only way to know for sure. If you don’t believe me just wait and see how many different brands you will be presented with from the audience with certitude that they will be the best for your situation. Hang in there, this is part of the journey. There is no short cut. Good luck.