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Richard Gray's 400 Pro = Emperor's New Clothes??

Category: Accessories

I just purchased (for $800) a Richard Gray's Power Company 400 Pro. I was not in the market for an AC filter, but when I purchased a new system the dealer gave me a hard, hard sell, promising wonders. This is a reputable dealer, so I trusted him, and he gave me a week to try it out. After using the device for a week, and after ensuring the new system (all Rotel with a Rega TT) was broken in, I followed the manufacturer's instructions to demonstrate the effectiveness of the device (ie. plug the decide into a jack on the circuit and all other components into a power strip) then pulled the plug on the 400. Nothing. Despite trying a variety of source material, I could not hear ANY difference with the 400 in or out. I do not have a tin ear and have been able to discern differences with various interconnects, etc., but this device registered no change whatsoever. I'm returning it to the dealer today. Anyone else have a similar experience? Views?
robreuland
container-ef99
1 posts
 
I think you will know what power conditioner is powerful in the HIFI system
Please upgrade your present system
newmanoc
295 posts
 
Not nice, container@163.net. There is nothing wrong with a solid system that you can afford and that is still a big step up from mass market gear, which I think well describes Rotel (very good headphone outs, by the way). And Rega makes great turntables at their various price points. Enjoy your system, Robreuland.
albertporter's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
albertporter
4,949 posts
 
container@163.net.

I took your advice and upgraded my system and agree with you, power conditioners like RG 400 Pro are very audible.

Definitely made my system worse. (Not a joke).
newmanoc
295 posts
 
Albert, when you feel up to it, try a Furman IT Reference 20 (or 15). I heartily agree with your general skepticism about power conditioners, but the Furman actually works and makes a very notable difference (for the better) in my system. I know you’ve heard this sort of claim many times before, but lo and behold, someone finally delivered.
whart's avatar
whart
3,058 posts
 
FWIW, I have the RIchard Gray stuff hooked up in my video system, which is totally separate from the hi-fi system.
The hi-fi uses 20amp dedicated lines and shunyata hydra/anaconda, etc. One noise I simply could not eliminate was a electrical snapping sound whenever the air compressor for my airline arm kicked on- the compressor is located in a separate room (more like a large closet) with separate power lines. But, even after adding an expensive relay supplied by Kuzma for the compressor, the zapping noise would still appear. Almost sounded like the stylus being pulled across the record.
The solution was to plug the air compressor power cord into the Richard Gray step-down transformer, which is a big ol thing, takes 220volts from the wall and brings it down to 120v. This may have nothing to do with the quality of Gray's 'proprietary' conditioning technology, and everything to do with the use of an what I guess is simply a big isolation transformer. But, damn thing works. It is also used to power the projector and a host of tube amps, processors, etc. for the video system.
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