Using Power Conditioners/Distribu with Amplifiers


Hello, I was curious to know peoples opinions and experiences on using power conditioners or power distribution devices inline with your primary amplifier/amplifiers.

Thru my own series of tests I have concluded that my current amplifier (Classe CA-201) sounds better when fed power via my Shunyata Hydra V-Ray verses being directly plugged into the wall.

When I say it “Sounds Better” using the power distribution device I would define this as less edgy, more stable (ie..relaxed) with noticeably more detail of the instruments and performers. In terms of bass, to my ears it seems to be deeper and have more texture. In terms of background noise, with the Shunyata in place there simply is none.

I do have a few questions but I think it’s worth mentioning the equipment I am using currently and how it’s connected before I jump into the question of the day.

My V-Ray is fed juice using a 20AMP Shunyata Python power cable and a PS Audio AC Wall plug which is then wired to a dedicated 20AMP circuit via solid core 10GA wiring. This configuration basically provides me a 10GA wire from the breaker box all the way to the back of the V-Ray since the Python also uses a 10GA wiring core. Now granted, some current disruption/degradation will occur once it passes thru those unfortunately necessary wall sockets but my hope is that the $60 beans I forked out for the PS Audio wall plug will at least help minimize this to the extent possible.

My Classe Amp is fed power using a 15AMP Shunyata Taipan Alpha power cable which is then plugged into the V-Ray.

My front end components are also fed power from the V-Ray which I suspect has enough bandwidth capabilities for all these components since it supposedly has solid 7GA Buss Bars internally as a means to distribute it's power.

Based on the above information my question is this; at what power point would you feel a high current Amp would be hindered by receiving it's energy directly from an otherwise more then capable power distribution device, fancy power cables, dedicated 20amp circuit and fancy AC plug verses directly from the wall socket itself?

My current Amp is not what I would consider a power hungry monster by any means but how would this same configuration above fare if the Amp in use was something along the lines of a PASS X250 or larger model? Ultimately, I guess I will find out soon enough but I would be interested in hearing others experiences or ideas on this topic.

Thanks
eniac26

Showing 1 response by stehno

Thanks for the plug, Jamiek, as I just so happen to have a Foundation Research LC-100 for sale right now on a'gon.

I've been using Foundation Research products for the last 9 years and they appear to be at the top of the food chain. I currently have about $8500 worth of FR's in my system.

Eniac26, as you may know line conditioners are a strange sector of high-end audio where perhaps most products are not worth owning and for good reasons I will not get into here.

But to answer your question, one of the important characteristics to search for in line-conditioners is to seek for one that is passive and not active. Inherently active units will rob most any high current drawing amps of the juice required to reproduce dynamic and/or complex passages.

But of course passive (and dedicated) line conditioners alone will not solve this problem. As you somewhat elude to above, if you have a high current drawing amp you will also need a dedicated 15 or 20amp dedicated line which essentially guarantees the juice from the service panel.

But of course nothing should be shared on that dedicated line. An active line conditioner or even a 23 watt pre-amp is enough to choke a high-current drawing amp rendering it somewhat lifeless and flat.

BTW, the Foundation Research LC-100 line conditioner is capable of handling up to 100 amp current draws. Hence the '100' model name whereas the LC-10 is 10 amp current capable.

-IMO