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Thoughts on balanced power

I have decided that my next system upgrade will be focused on AC power. I currently use a Furman Elite 15 PFi for all components except my amp which is plugged direct to the wall. I am considering balanced power and therefore have been researching Equi-Tech, BPT (which unfortunately I believe is now out of business)  and Furman. I have pretty much settled on the Furman P-2400 it, due to the reputation of Furman in the industry and price. I would like to get feedback from anyone who has one of these units. I would also like to hear from anyone using balanced power and your impressions. In addition, I am wondering about plugging an amp into this unit as opposed to direct to the wall. I am running a Plinius SA-103 which is solid state in class A/B for casual listening and class A for serious listening. I bring this topic up because my search turned up a lot of older posts but not much recent. Thank you.  
128x128falconquest
xti16
1,525 posts
 
I used an isolation transformer with a balanced output for a couple of years. I really cuts down on the common mode noise (Neutral to ground) noise by 146db. Also reduced (not eliminate) a hum I had in my system. But I stopped using it because it got quite warm whether or not any equipment was on/off or in standby. It also had a 3V gain compared to the input voltage. My input voltage jumped to 125V after some work in the neighborhood. With a tube amp and an output voltage of 128V I stopped using it and picked up a re generator for fear of a voltage surge. But while I had it it did lower the noise floor. I have since traded in the re generator and plug my new SS class D amp directly into the wall (Aavik U300) with an Ansuz MainzD8 power distribution and have the best sound I ever had in my home. With the MainzD8 my noise floor dropped even more and the sound is so much more natural and 3D.
falconquest's avatar
falconquest OP
1,108 posts
 
Anyone else care to weigh in? Thanks!
coli
291 posts
 
Equi-Tech is the real deal, worked much better than the PS Audio P10 and cheaper and more efficient. Better in every way. Gearslutz is a good place to buy them.

But with that said, if your equipment can take 240V, American 240V is balanced, and free. I use it with the Furman AC-210 and everything is perfect. Furman is also the real deal unlike audiophile offerings.
thaluza's avatar
thaluza
285 posts
 
I have the Furman P-2400. It has saved my gear from a few power surges. For example, recently a construction worker cut power to my house. When he turned the power back on, all the gear that was plugged into the Furman survived unscathed, but my dac which was plugged into another power conditioner would no longer power up.

The P-2400 is very heavy and well built. I like that it has 14 outlets. It can draw 20 amps. The Furman can handle almost any home audio system, with current to spare.  My current system only draws 3.5 amps, so there's a lot of headroom. I had an OTL amp which created a current draw of 8.5 amps for the whole system, so the Furman worked well even with my power hogging OTL amp. The only drawback is that it has a captive power cord, and the front display cannot be turned off, but it can be dimmed. I bought mine at Amazon Warehouse for a great price, more than 50% off retail. I have only compared it to a low end PS Audio conditioner, so can't comment on how it would compare to the other brands you are considering. 
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