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WHICH POWER CONDITIONER IS BETTER PASSIVE OR ACTIVE WITH ISOLATION TRANSFORMERS

Looking to purchase a Power Conditioner to reduce the noise floor in my system as well as to protect my system from electric spikes. The two types of conditioners seem to be as follows:

  1. Passive conditioners such as an Audience AR-12 T4 which claims that passive conditioning with the use of chips is the way to go because their filtering is better accomplished without the use of isolation transformers. The proponents of passive seem to claim that the use of isolation transformers adds noise to the components in the chain.
  2. Active or non passive-An example would be the Niagra 3000, 5000 &7000 by Audioquest which all use Isolation transformers to accomplish the filtering. Most of the conditioners I see advertised seem to accomplish filtering with the use of isolation transformers.
  3. My question is what type is better and why? Any recommendations would be appreciated. My budget is $4000-$5000.00, would consider used, a/k/a pre-owned. 
  4. Thank you for your input. 

 

128x128kjl1065
rfauto
21 posts
 

I went down this same journey last December. I purchased a EMI noise meter to test my power and found that my electricity was actually really good. So, I decided to get something that was more of a surge protector and provided some additional outlets. My budget was $1500. I purchased an Audioquest Niagara 1200 power conditioner. After testing it I found that it actually added noise to my electricity. I returned it and bought a Furman Elite15 PFi. The amplifier outlets on the Furman brought the noise in the electricity to 0.0. The other outlets on the Furman added noise to my electricity. I use the amp outlet for my phono pre amp and power amp and use the other outlets on things where EMI noise doesn’t matter as much.

erik_squires
16,428 posts
 

I returned it and bought a Furman Elite15 PFi. The amplifier outlets on the Furman brought the noise in the electricity to 0.0. The other outlets on the Furman added noise to my electricity.

 

That's interesting.  So Furman uses LiFT, linear filtering, which is an active technology to clean up the noise.  The problem with EMI gadgets is understanding what frequency they are working at.  It's possible that LiFT is increasing noise well above audibility but decreasing it below 20 kHz.

In any event, I think what you discovered is the filtering capabilities of the series mode protection (SMP) built into the Furman which works at about 3kHz and higher.  

Personally in bad, apartment complex like environments I could hear it when my Furman was not in the system.  Everything sounded more hazy.

jfrmusic
300 posts
 

Tried the PS Audio Regenerator,  an Audioquest active Conditioner and a Shunyata Gemini 8 passive conditioner. 
 

They all reduce noise and offer a black background 

In my experience amplifiers always sounded more open and transparent plugged into the wall

Again in my system the Regenerator and Active Conditioner moved everything forward highlighting the upper midrange and lower treble  while the Shunyata calmed everything down and opened up the soundstage and added to the image depth  

I purchased the Shunyata with a Gamma power cord  

I believe I have decent power to start so no wild fluctuations but even so the Shunyata improved transparency, imaging and soundstage especially with my digital components. The amplifier however stays in the wall.   
 

 

 

 

 

rtrlover's avatar
rtrlover
45 posts
 

I have used several of the PS Audio regenerators.  Everything except my subs is plugged into it.  Very satisfied with the results, especially when I come home and it has shut everything down and the series of lights on the unit tells me why.  Can't imagine ever living without one.

jsalerno277
250 posts
 

While there are numerous theoretical pros and cons to the design consideration of either a passive or active power conditioner, the manufacturers you list (AQ and Audience) have designed their equipment to mitigate negative effects and improve SQ.  Both use high quality parts with excellent mechanical design quality.  That said, and as you state, theoretically  active conditioning can reduce peak power delivery and introduce broad band noise. I would assume from the literature that is why Nagra has both active and passive circuits in their design.  Passive filtration theoretically can introduce resistance that limits instantaneous currents demand that impacts dynamics.  The best manufacturers have mitigated the risk.  For example, the Shuntata Denali has both low current and high current outlets, where the former for maximum noise filtration and the latter for maximum, instantaneous current demand.  On a side note, the Nagra has a “current reservoir” to provide for instantaneous current demand.  I cannot comment except I have also heard some say the Nagra limits dynamics in their opinion.  For those that recommend regeneration, theoretically it is the way to go if you are in an area with line voltage fluctuations, but if not, conditioning is the way to go IMHO.  For example, at my vaca home in Vermont with large voltage fluctuations its regeneration.  In my home in the suburbs of NY where mains line noise in this densely populated area is more of a problem, conditioning is the way to go.  So, in conclusion, and I know I will not really give you an answer:

  1. The theoretical  pros and cons of passive vs active conditioning have been mitigated by reputable manufacturers like Audioquest, Audience, and Shunyata.   You cannot state factually one is better than the other.   It will come down to system integration and your perception of the improvements in SQ.  
  2. If you are in an area with large mains voltage fluctuations, consider regeneration.  
  3. While I personally prefer passive conditioning by Shunyata and Audience,  and have both in my system, it is my preference.  Please audition and make your own choice.  


     


 

 

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