2. amps-preamps
  3. 1066739524

Power conditioner for amps

I recently picked up an Adcom ACE-515 (power conditioner with timed switching for pre/source and amp products) from a fellow Audiogon member, and while it seems to work fine, I have noticed that it tends to get quite hot and will trip the circuit breaker if I run my system fairly loud for any period of time (which I do like to do on occasion). For the record, the amps that I am running through this are two GFA-555II's (bridged mono) and a GFA-2535 (which is really two GFA-535's in one chassis).

My concern is that I am running too many amps through the ACE-515. So, I called my dealer about possibly upgrading to a larger unit. But his advice was that I should be running my amps straight out of the wall outlet, and not through any type of conditioner. He said that the ACE-515 was great to use on source and preamp gear, but that it would limit the current getting to my amps and that they would sound better with nothing between them and the wall outlet. I asked him what about spikes, surges, etc. His reply was that amps are not as susceptible to damage from such things, and that I shouldn't worry about it.

What are y'alls thoughts on this topic? Should I just plug my amps straight into the outlet, or should I get a larger power conditioner? I do like the staggered power on, power off that the ACE-515 provides.

Tom.
tombowlus
gmood1
1,251 posts
 
Well Tom I'am using a Adcom 585LE thru a power conditioner.I have no problems with a lack of power.It doesn't seem to constrict anything.Even when running the maggies hard this amp is no warmer than it is at idle. I also like the staggered on and off switch. All I can say is plug them up and see.I noticed in my house I got a bad ground loop hum with several high current amps plugged up at the same time. If it doesn't work for you buy the conditioner.Or if you can put in some dedicated outlets for those amps.

Happy Listening!
tombowlus OP
416 posts
 
Gmood1:

What kind of power conditioner are you using?

Tom.
slipknot1
1,423 posts
 
Dedicated 20A circuits w/ whole house surge protection is a route to consider. That way, your amps drink from their own source, and surges and spikes (should they be a worry to you) can be dealt with at the service panel.

Another possible solution is to run a High Current PS Audio Ultimate Outlet. This will deliver all the AC available from the circuit it is attached to without limiting cuurent to your amps.
tombowlus OP
416 posts
 
Slipknot1:

Good idea about the dedicated circuit and whole house surge. I had been thinking about that for a while. I have not heard of the PS Audio Ultimate Outlet. I will have to look into that.

Thanks, Tom.
slipknot1
1,423 posts
 
Tom,
If you have dedicateds run, try to have as many installed as you think you might need down the road. It's cheaper by a long shot to have them all done at once, rather than have the electrician come back because you need 1 or 2 more. If you have the whole-house surge done at the same time, it will only add about 200.00 to the bill. It's money well spent IMHO. I actually use both my previous suggestions to you. I have a high current UO for my mono amps on a dedicated line, and another standard UO for my source components on a line, and the surge issues being dealt with at the service panel.
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