Anybody stop using power conditioning?

I have removed all except one device, It is used to keep the DSS receiver, VPI record cleaner and Dolby Processor from interfering with my two channel.

This conditioner has four switches on the front panel that cut power to the four devices protected by it. When its time to listen to two channel, all the switches go to off. Even better than conditioning them is removing their power from the wall.

There is no conditioning on any component in the system except for described above. Power conditioning applied to my preamp, phono stage, speakers and amps have all served to reduce performance.

The best any device did was the Accuphase. It helped the digital a little and the dealer suggested I try it on my preamp. I warned about the preamp being high draw and they said "No problem, plug it in."

We did, and after the smoke cleared it was removed from the system. I have only tried the Hydra since then and have lost interest in doing additional testing.

I've had a Power Wedge, a PS Audio Power Plant, and a Hydra, and I have ended up getting rid of all of them.

Nothing in High end equipment cleans up what comes out of the wall. However not all power conditioners are created equal or do they all really condition. I would not put standard conditioners on amps. I might put them on purely digital equipment such as dvd, sat. ect. I have an equi-tech system which is balanced power and not exactly conditioning. It provides pure clean balanced power without messing up good amps with conditoning that often impacts the full range of output to your speakers.

I'm not getting rid of my Audio Magic Matrix and Stealth Mini Digital. 'tis wonderful in my system. My electric needs some conditioning, but as you will read, this is not so, in many areas. Go with your tympanics. They'll never lie to you. peace, warren