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PS Power Plant or Alan Maher PE's?

I've reached the point to where my power should be addressed. However i am really lost as to what direction to take. The best PC I have is the Iron Lung Jellyfish which is really inexpensive. I have tried some more expensive cables but was not impressed. But i know that power makes a difference. I do have a dedicated circuit with an Arrow Hart recep. Not the best but not bad. So where do i go from here. Obviously i should replace the AH recep. But then what? I was set on the PS Audio power plant premier. Then I've heard about Alan Maher's PE's and other filters. The question is which is the best? I know that the power Plant separates the digital from the rest and is a regenerator which seems to be what I need. But I'm not very familiar with Alan Maher's stuff and his website is less than informative. That said, which one should i go for?
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nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
If you already have dedicated circuits, you are 80 -90% 'there'. Next, check your AC power at the wall with a cheap volt/ohm meter. If it stays between 120 VAC and 123 VAC throughout the day/evening, you really don't need a regenerator, and you definitely don't want a dynamics-killing filter (power 'conditioner') in front of your amplifier.

If you MUST spend some money, get a balanced power unit for your front end stuff ;-)

And don't fall for the 'surge-protection' scare. All the stuff in your system (I checked ;-) have built-in surge protection for ordinary conditions. If you see thunderstorms headed your way, or you're going on vacation, UNPLUG EVERYTHING FROM THE WALL! That's the only protection you can trust ;-)
elevick
2,636 posts
 
Nsgarch, theoretically you may be correct. However, one doesn't always expect a power surge or a pole transformer to blow. I'm more than willing to give up the tiniest bit of quality to make sure my system doesn't fry.

-Just imagine a great listening session one night: Nice volume, great dynamics, all gear is powered up. Then BLAM, some drunk hits a pole up the street. Internal fuses are going to protect everything. Especially from that initial "POP" when the fuses blow, your tubes blow and maybe more-

Also, if I had to unplug everything from my wall every time there was a storm: my system would rarely get plugged in and listened to. Also, many of us like to leave certain pieces on to stay warmed up? Any thoughts on that or do you like cold gear for listening?
artemus_5's avatar
artemus_5 OP
1,976 posts
 
Wow. A post disappeared. Was it removed by the author or by the mod? I didn't see anything wrong with it. Anyway, thanks for the replies so far
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artemus_5's avatar
artemus_5 OP
1,976 posts
 
Thanks for the clarification Tvad. I didn't take it as too critical. It mirrors my experience. I've exchanged emails with Alan and have come away more confused than helped. That's not meant as a slam on Alan. On the contrary, I could not understand the technicalities of which he was speaking. Thus my post here. I've heard good things about both products And as has been pointed out, I may not need regeneration if the power is steady. anyway, Thanks for the heads up on the AC thread
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