Power regeneration - good idea? PS audio?

Atmasphere,

I am referring to the regenerator from PS audio not a power conditioner. Your reference to me being false is not accurate. If you have a stable voltage from your outlet you don’t need a source of addl power offered by the PS audio 15.

The PS audio 15 product offers unclear value to the consumer. The marketing materials are misleading. You don’t need an additional power source to supplement existing amplifier when power source is stable as most people have these days. PS 15 is very misleading when it says the PS 15 offers additional power when demands from the music require more power. This is a one of their primary selling points and it’s wrong.

Further they don’t discuss the benefit offered when you attach a high end power cable which is what they recommend. Upgraded power cable offers tremendous value and negates much of the need for regenerating AC current. Cheap courtesy cable they furnish clearly needs to be upgraded and when this happens your system will improve even without a PS 15.

I am referring to the regenerator from PS audio not a power conditioner. Your reference to me being false is not accurate. If you have a stable voltage from your outlet you don’t need a source of addl power offered by the PS audio 15.

@jumia 

My prior statement was correct.

The PSAudio is a type of power conditioner. Its called a 'regenerator' since it uses a sine wave oscillator driving an amplifier which in turn drives a power transformer whose output is that of the unit. Literally it builds the AC output from scratch.

So it can run off dirty power and produce clean power of the correct voltage.

It sounds to me as if you've mis-characterized their claims, at least insofar as their website is concerned:

https://www.psaudio.com/products/directstream-power-plant-15/

I don't see anything there that says its an additional power source as you say and nothing misleading- I am certain they can demonstrate their claims. Its intention is to provide clean power, which can be in short supply anywhere in the country. IOW this isn't just about AC line voltage stability.

That big gray cylinder on the power poles, possibly in your back alley is a power transformer, and if loaded past 50% of its rated capacity will make enough 5th harmonic that it can easily mess with audio equipment (and other equipment- motors and the like) in your house. The power company has no concerns if the load goes past 50% as long as it does not exceed 100%. But many audiophiles have noticed their equipment seems to sound better at night- this often corresponds to lower load on those transformers and so the power can be cleaner. Something like the PSAudio allows you to have that better sound all the time.

A power cord can have a beneficial effect (Ohm's Law is why- they can develop voltage drops across them) but they in no way can filter harmonics of the AC line!

Hi

Jay as in Jay’s Audio has has a number of videos on Utube on his experience with Power Conditioners and Power Regeneration. You may want to check them out. From what I have seen, Jay is ono of few reviewers out there without any sort of real or perceived conflict of interest. Plus his systems sound amazing….even through my crappy IPad speakers.

cheers

Jerry 

@atmasphere , do you use P20 for your system? If so, do you plug in your preamp and amp into the same P20? Some people use separate power conditioners for the amp vs the rest.

thanks, Jay

A long time ago I formed the opinion that a good power source has low impedance.  Such a power source should have low load regulation which should be desirable where the load is an audio amplifier. The PS15 claims a very low impedance for its amplifier supplying power to connected devices. In my system, the PS15 seemed to improve soundstage and dynamics.  My suggestion is to pay attention to the manufacturer's claimed output impedance when shopping for regenerators or conditioners.  I.E., look for a low number.