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
I'm using a EquiTech 2Q and my findings are consistent to the group. I plug everything into it including my amps. Everything is dead quiet, blacker ... also made a HUGE improvement to my HDTV. I have 2 dedicated 20 amp lines for my sound system and the EquiTech replaced a PS Audio Power Plant Premier. It's the one component that made the biggest difference in my system. I'm thinking in getting a wall unit so I can wire several room to it.

As far as PCs, I find the ones that don't limit current and correct phase worked best. The differences are very obvious even with my low current drawing MW Transporter. All the dedicated PCs (ie. PC for digital ) that I've auditioned robbed something from the sound. I think if one is using a high quality line conditioner, why the need for additional filtering in the PCs?

When I was playing around with PCs on my 2Q, the performance between each cable on my TV convinced all my non audiophile friends that cables make a difference. With the non current limiting PC, the picture was more vivid, less grain, brighter ... They can't use the argument ... my hearing is bad so I can't hear a difference :-)
I agree with all including Stingreen that PC's make a big difference. Detail, power, Soundstage...and how relaxed the sound can become...less like reproduction and more like someone just in your room playing. But these differences and benefits became dramatically more apparent after the Nordost went in. To Stingreen's point, I want to wait more and listen more before I decide whether the amp will stay in...but after 30 cd's...I am pretty sure I will. Thanks to all for sharing experiences...I learn something often when I read on this site.
I've gone from Hydra 8 to V-ray and then Sound Applications RLS.

My experience is that the Shunyata products are very good. They help with soundstage focus, lower the noise floor, etc. However, in my experience their downfall is that they sound too thin and clinical. I should note that I ONLY used Anaconda pc's to and from their powerconditioners.

Elrod or Kubala Sosna pc's and Sound Application conditioners sound much more natural to me (in my system).

I have also heard the Foundation Research conditioners in friend's systems and will agree with pretty much everything that was said here about them. They are as good as it gets.

Good luck.