Thanks for feedback. My amps are consuming 300 W each. Connected a few days ago one amp to each power outlet bank. Hum level mid 30 dB. Then I added CD/SACD/DAC, Preamp and turntable. Hum went up to 50 dB in one channel. The channel with only one amp plug. Nothing else. Guessing interference between the banks. 50 dB is too high!
Viewed Audio Science Review looking inside well designed amplifier. Looks like manufacturers spend a lot of time to get it right. I just need to get the clean power to the device.
After the test with P1000 went back to Monster Power HTS2500 Reference Power Center. No hum - what so ever. Maybe my issue is just power surge protection. I have dedicated line from panel to outlet. Outlet is PS Audio.
My P1000 and the Monster Power Center are about 15 years old.
My conclusion. Don't take risk with old power equipment, Instead buy two Tripp Lite Isobar Ultra 4-Outlet Surge Protectors, Use one for the power amps. One for turntable, cd/dvd etc. and pre-amp. Excellent surge protection. Equipment insurance for power surge for $ 25,000. Less than $ 200. Thanks for comments and guidance
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I love my PP15. Best bang for the buck I ever spent.
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cundare2
rereading my post, I can see why you're confused.
That's what I get for not proofreading. Should have read-"doesn't seem to agree"
Most of my posts are from airport lobbies and all thumbs on my phone
My experience is similar to the Stereophile review- plug everything into my PP, and no negative effects.
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@tablejockey
"Audio forum wisdom says plug your amp into the wall. ... Stereophile seemed to agree.
Now I’m confused. That article seems to say the exact opposite. The concluding paragraph states that most audiophiles (this was 15 years ago, remember) compromise the sound of their systems by plugging amps into the wall.
And I'd take issue with the phrase "audio forum wisdom." Maybe "audio forum opinion" would be more accurate! Just sayin'.
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When I first stumbled upon Audiogon, I was thinking about buying a PP 15 for my own system, having read about the vast improvement in the quality of the power and how much better my system would sound. Looking for reviews on the PP12, I came across this on a site I had never heard of. ASR. So I posted this link and asked members, who is ASR and how is it possible they seem to show the PP12 does nothing, according to all the tests they ran. Now this is just electricity we are talking about so the test results should be pretty obvious. The PP12 should show very clear and marked improvements. All I learned by posting my question on Audiogon is you can’t say anything that could be construed as positive when talking about ASR. So I will go out on a limb and pose the question again. How is the testing and review of the PP12 faulty? Because if it’s not, the PP12 is a giant waste of money. BTW, I also directed this review and question to Paul at PS Audio. He got back to me but not with any substantial explanation. So I’m still waiting for anyone to refute the ASR review with some science to back it up. Cheers. @amir_asr
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I am guessing you are using the P3? or the next one up, the P12? For two years I used the P3 and plugged my Preamp, Transport, Phono preamp, DAC, streamer and PS Audio M700s driving Magnepans into it. Never once had a problem. Upgraded to M1200s plugged into the P3 thinking I might need to upgrade the P3. Ran with the P3 for a year, no problems. I wanted more outlets on my powerplant so I upgraded to the P12 which has a wattage meter on the front. Running louder than I'd care to listen to for very long, it has never peaked above 500 watts usage. 95% of the time those amps are using very little power, even at 80 db and the Maggies are running full range. This has been my experience and not only does the P12 improve overall performance, the level of protection provided is very comforting.
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The PS power regenerator is the biggest gimmick on the planet. It's totally totally unnecessary and actually uses a lot of electricity when it's just plugged their waiting to be used. Spend a lot of money just keeping this box plugged into the wall over the course of a month maybe 25 $30 a month because it's 100 W continuous before it even does its thing to power your equipment.
You rarely hear comments about how it's improved and enhanced sound.
I use a Power isolator from transparent to reduce interference along the powerline and it seems unrestrictive and I can put lots of stuff on this thing. I think this glorified power switch I use is helpful and it makes me feel better.
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I spoke to Paul McGowan about this exact question last year at AXPONA, and he said there was no benefit to keeping power "reserve" on the regenerators. That is, the performance is the same for a 900 watt laod as for a 200 watt load.
I have about 700 watts running through mine and have no complaints about either sonic quality or heat buildup.
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I used to own PS Audio PowerPlants. 3 different models. They did nothing for my system, except for one model which had a surreptitious fan underneath it which made noise in my listeyroom until I discovered the source of the noise. I sold them all and get upper end power conditioners. Much happier. I do not recommend powerplants.
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@dcaudio You don't mention which PP you are using. 1000 watts is roughly 8 amps, so I'm guessing it's the PP 12, which should be able to deliver 8 amps of constant draw. That's not a lot, but many systems will only draw 3 - 5 amps while running, leaving a little room for spikes in the draw. Running the front end equipment and plugging your amps directly into a separate dedicated 20 amp circuit would be a solution. You're giving up protection against a catastrophic power surge, but there are ways to protect against that as well. It could be argued that 8 amps of current is not sufficient for any larger system. Look at the actual draw when your system is running (assuming here the PP gives a readout) and decide for yourself if you need something different. If you want to go all in...........
Cheers,
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Not sure what you mean by only running 150? Does your PP have 2 sections?
Also, your turntable, DAC and pre take maybe 50 watts.
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For example, the AQ Niagara is "better" than wall (it holds a reservoir). In addition, it has the different filters, OVP, surge protection, etc...There may be other manufacturers with similar things for fans of other stuff besides AQ. Some guys feel that the AQ brand name doesn’t make them feel exclusive/elusive enough. In that case, you may need to dig a li’l deeper and hopefully investigate whether someone’s selling you a elusive turd or something worthwhile.
When you plug your expensive things straight into the wall, power anomalies in your area can damage them. You would have had your "straight into the wall dynamics" while it lasted. 😑
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PS Audio PP's are one of many polarizing audiophool boxes in this weird hobby.
The PPP for a hot minute was a "thing," then as newer products were introduced trashed as just another MIC product. I find it to be fantastic product which was purchased here, on Agon for $750 10 years ago? Sent it back for a refresh couple years back just before they stopped supporting it and its good for another 10 years.
Oddly enough, on movie night I plug in an equally prehistoric plasma TV/DVD deck in and CRANK up the volume with zero problems.
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"wisdom" to plug your amp into the wall comes from (IMHO crappy) "power conditioners" that limit current. the PSA regnerator does not limit current and the amp will certainly benefit from it. In most cases the amp will benefit a lot.
However putting 750 watts on a 1000W power supply isn't optimal. sure it will work, but it will run warmer and possible make a little noise. I much prefer to keep load below 50%. I'd buy the PS Audio P20 and plug my amps into it.
I have just upgraded my amp and it pulls more current. I'm now at about 300w on my P10 and I'm thinking of upgrading to the P15.
Of course with amps that pull 600 watts, you are certainly more comfortable than I am with electronics that run warm or even close to hot. that's a lot of power to run continuously, perhaps all day.
Jerry
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I run them together, no "interference" is observed.
Why not try it? Do you trust stranger's opinions more than your own perceptions?
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Audio forum wisdom says plug your amp into the wall.
I use an ancient Power Plant Premier and plug everything including amp without negative results.
Stereophile seemed to agree.
Simply try with and without and let your ears tell you what to do.
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There are some details missing from your question. Are your amps 600 watts each? If so, then you need to plug them straight into the wall unless you have PS AUDIO P15, at a minimum, or a P20 for optimal power availability to the amps. If your amps are 600 watts each, at full load, they may consume 600 watts or more each from your outlet and any PS Audio device. This would mean that you need at least 1500 watt power supply but you will be running that device at almost 80-90% load. Not too safe for long term use. That is why the PS AUDIO P20 is better if you want power regeneration. Keeping the sources separate on the PS Audio is fine as long as you do not run into ground loops which could create hum. If the PS AUDIO is plugged in the same outlet as the amps, provided you might be using an audio power strip to the other outlet plug in the same outlet, you should use a 20 amp circuit to provide maximum availability of power for all your devices.
If you don’t listen to full power, it may be safe to plug all into a 15 amp circuit, depending on how your amps turn on. This is related to power surge and draw at start up/turn on of the amps. With all connected and if you turn on amps and the power draw exceeds the watts/amps of the circuit, your circuit breaker will trip. That is one way to test if your circuit can handle all your devices in the same plug.
You should invest in a power/watt meter which will give you real time power usage of a device plugged into an outlet. This would be helpful to determine how much actual and real world power your amps are using. You can test one amp and then multiply by two to get the total estimated average power draw. You can measure each amp separately to get a more granular average of power draw from the amps.
Power Usage Monitor
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