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Power Conditioning/UPS for Digital Audio Server

I am in the process of building a Digital Audio Server (DAS) and I am giving some consideration to the selection and placement of power conditioner and ups. At this moment I am leaning towards an Audio Magic Stealth Digital/2 outlet connected to a large APC UPS which will connect to a wall outlet on a dedicated circuit. I have heard that UPS's do bad things to power for audio purposes so I may forego the UPS. I would like ideas and feedback from philes who have dealt with this issue before.

On a similar note I would appreciate comments on powercords also.
jazzdude
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Be careful that the APC UPS model you choose can produce a true sine wave.

There are also Audiophile APS available at www.audiophileAPS.com
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,227 posts
 
I run my HD server from a inexpensive APC UPS and despite all the negative press against such a setup, I haven't notice any negative effects on the sound quality when compared to going direct out of the wall outlet. It's not quite as clean sounding when compared to using a PS Audio Powerplant. The power in my neighborhood occassionally "blinks" on/off and prior to the UPS it wreaked havoc with the computer. Ideally I would rather not use the UPS, but it hasn't turned out to be such a bad move afterall.
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Let me be more clear. Some UPS devices (including some by APC) don't produce a sine wave; they produce a square wave. Using such a device could ruin your sensitive equipment.

Most audio equipment internal power supplies are not able to handle the fast edges produced by a square wave. They will not filter them properly and may just pass them though as "noise" to the speaker. This may be heard in the form of a 60 of 120Hz hum or click (or worse).

A computer does not care. Cheaper to make.
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