Exact power.....hookup question

ABSOLUTELY NOT!
And that's unfortunate because it would be nice to enjoy the benefits Bill-k mentions. However, the EP-15A was built without adequate turn-on protection circuitry, and if you turn it on at the 'wrong' point in the 120VAC power cycle with the SP plugged into it in the on position, then the big toroidal transformer in the SP (along with any switched on equipment plugged into the SP) will put too large a current draw on the EP's internal components and fry them.

In fact, even if you have the SP in the 'off' position and all attached equipment to both the EP and SP in the 'off' position as well, fuses will blow (or worse!) as soon as you attempt to turn on the SP

I know it says (even recommends) that you can/should use them together in the manual, but in reality it's a no-no! 2 years ago when I was in touch with him, the new owner of the Exactpower name and patents talked about a bullet-proof, high capacity EP-20A, which because of the patented feed-forward circuitry would blow all other such equipment off the map. So far that hasn't materialized.

OK, if Nsgarch says it's a no-no then I yield to his experience and expertise. My recommendation was based on the manufacturer's own guidance which was provided in their documentation. Just as a point of interest Exact Power did manufacture a 20 amp version of the EP at one point, but it was almost twice as expensive as the EP-15 and physically much larger and heavier.

NsGarch and Bill_K......thanks for the posts. Looks like I will use them independently with seperate outlets. Based on what I have read it is generally better to hook up the source components to the SP-15a and my tube monoblock amps to the EP-15a.

If either of you have different thoughts on which components to either unit, let me know.

Best regards,
Dave

Based on what I have read it is generally better to hook up the source components to the SP-15a and my tube monoblock amps to the EP-15a.

Yes I would agree with that -- it's how I have my system configured. I have both units on the same dedicated circuit, so most powerline noise is at a minimum anyway. And the SP (balanced power transformer) gets rid of anything else through 'common mode rejection'.

I have all my source equipment plugged into the SP, because those devices benefit most from balanced power. The EP (which is at the front of the room between my amp and (powered) electrostatic speakers support those devices. Tube amps in particular, benefit from the VOLTAGE REGULATING capability of the EP because otherwise tube bias will fluctuate with changes in line voltage.

Neil
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My SP-15 is plugged into my EP-15, with everything except the amp plugged into the SP-15. The amp is plugged straight into the wall because its draw on start up would blow the fuse in the EP-15. Counting the previous amp, this set-up has been in place for over 5 years without any issues.