To Equi-Core or Not to Equi-Core? That is the question!

If you get a Furman, make sure it has SMP and LiFt.  Also look into Torus.

@erik_squires  Yes I d go for the reference series. However I don't have rack space for it. I'm stuck with a power strip type in back of the rack or the EC 1800 which will fit in the available space

Fwiw I have wondered about putting the Furman on it's side in back of my rack. Any thoughts?

I own the 1800 for a few years without any problems plus it sounded better than my previous PS Audio P3. It’s a bargain for his asking price.

Artemus, at least one model of the Furman power strips includes SMP and LiFT, for around $150:

https://amzn.to/2wbnokA

You can read about how to create a multi-zone conditioner with them here:
https://inatinear.blogspot.com/2019/04/power-management-for-frugal-audiophiles.html

@erik_squires  Thanks for the links. I've been interested in making 2 zones but I figured I'd need to run another dedicated circuit. I'll check out the links. Hey, I may save some $$$ too.

@ronrags  Thanks for sharing your experience with the EC 1800.

I own 2 Equi core 1800's and both perform without issue.
Underwood Wally bought the company and I have no doubts he will be a responsible owner.
Bob

I agree the 1800 is a very good unit for the money. The few changes made make the 1800 even better. Dealing with Underwood Wally (Walter) is a very good experience, no worries...
Read: https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/perfect-path-total-contact-inside-a-power-conditioner-a-good-...

@lak . Thanks for the info. I previously read some threads about Perfect Path TC and the Omega E mat . The question I came upon is if those are the same or similar to the Bybee Qse which are less expensive. Whatever the case, I suspect I still need to address the power conditioning before the tweaks. 

I sent Walter a message asking about warranty and if the factory will provide service for Equi-Core. Waiting to hear. Very good price for the 1800.

@gdnrbob , regarding the 1800, are the receptacles isolated? Can you plug analogue and digital into the unit? And what about surge protection? 

@lowrider57 ,
Good questions. I know there is a member who upgraded his unit (and eventually sold it) who would know better than I.
But, FWIW, I plug all my equipment in-digtal and analog- and haven't had an issue.
Bob

Thanks, Bob. That tells me there's no cross contamination from digital devices.

Walter messaged me; all service will be performed at the factory in CA.

@lowrider57 ,
Please don't take my word for it. I am just one of those that doesn't get too anal about mixing digital and analog.😆
Bob

I hear ya. I am one of those people based on past experience when I was first starting out. It was a learning experience.

Very much considering a purchase of the 1800. Thanks.

I bought a EC 1800 about 2 months ago from Wally. The unit is superb. It actually is much better than I expected. I took it over to a friends house and played his system through it and the improvement was very noticeable. After 5 minutes of listening he also order one. Each outlet now wired independently instead of the previous "daisy chain". I plugged my digital devices into the same outlets and the analog into the others, never mixing the two into the individual outlet. It would seem that this isolates the signals but I'm no electrical engineer. Just my thought. Randy

Earlier this year I purchased a modded older EC 1800. The mod had replaced the"daisy chain" wiring with military spec direct wiring and a Furutech NCF IEC inlet and Furutech NCF duplex outlets. There was a definite positive difference than the EC 1200 that it replaced but not really anything big. Tim Mrock at Perfect Path Technologies offered to coat much of the interior of my newly acquired EC 1800 with a new coating that he has come up with that greatly counteracts EMI/RF interference.  So I gave it a shot and sent him the unit. All I can say is within 7 days of his applying the coating to the unit and upon inserting the 1800 in my system the sound had very noticeably improved. More so than the difference between the EC 1200 and modded 1800 and at a lot less than the difference in cost of the 1800 and the 1200..... but it gets much better. It keeps improving. Now at 58 days since Tim's work, the effects to my system is nothing short of stunning. Just extremely coherent, balanced and organic sounding. I am shocked at what a red book CD can sound like! I dont think Tim Mrock of Perfect Path Technologies advertises this but I believe he can do this process with many different power conditioners. This is so easily the best bang for the buck I have ever spent in audio. It is as if I upgraded every component in my system and cable in my system by a couple of notches. I can't tell you how happy I am that I did this. I can't begin to equate what I would have had to spend on multiple upgraded components and cables to attain this level of performance! 

@tuffy72561 

I have held off buying a conditioner after finding PerfectPath and another company's offerings (who's name I can't remember). Considering the improvement, I wonder if I might not see the same out of a less expensive module IE Furman PST-8. with the PP offerings 

Yes!  <3
Timmy  can do ANY conditioner.... his advice? STAY AWAY FROM FILTERING!  <3 
 <3 This Equi-Core is virtually a glorified voltage regulator. No filtering. It's the perfect piece. It's a nice, simple, well built unit. <3 

Anyone would wants to call Timmy to discuss their power conditioner, he's happy to help! 

@artemus_5 

 I would contact Tim for his advice on what he can recommend. I guarantee you will be giddy after you get it back and insert in your system. It was markedly better as soon as Tim sent it back to me but got so much better within another 3 or 4 days. After 1 month I was just so impressed. Then last weekend just short of 60 days I was wow where does it go from here as my system just sounded way beyond what I ever thought it could. It is like all the noise and interference is just sucked out of your system and only music is left. Greater dynamics and more lifelike timbres too.