power condtioner

Husk01,

I had a Chang Lightspeed for years (very good, especially for the money). Then a bought and sold a Furman IT-Reference 20i (top of Furman's line). Great for video and HT but just did not cut it for 2 channel critical listening. Once I sold the Furman, I just went with the two 30amp dedicated lines with Teslaplex receptacles powering everything (analog on one and digital on the other) sans a power conditioner for about a year. No problems with noise, but I did notice that my system sounded much better late at night vs during the day. Overall, I thought the sound was quite good.

Following the Nordost demo at RMAF 2009 where Lars did A/B comparisons with and without the Quantum system and also against a PS Audio Quintet and Audience R6 (the Quantum products made these two sound VERY veiled and lifeless), I was seriously interested in the Nordost power system. The following week, when I inquired about buying the Nordost Quantum system, my dealer told me emphatically that the Powercell 10SE was in another league compared to the Shunyata and Nordost power conditioners (again, he is a dealer for all three).

I also heard the Audience adeptResponse AR6 with the Auricaps and the Running Springs Dmitri and they are very, very good. However, the Powercell 10SE is a totally different technology from any other (it really shouldn't be classified as a power conditioner in the traditional sense) and it differentiates itself in the way that it improves macro and micro-dynamics (especially with my monster Krell amp plugged into it) and creates a cavernous, layered, and realistic soundstage in addition to the traditional benefits of the other top-flight conditioners (very low noise floor, improved detail, tighter bass, richer harmonics, etc).

I've had a BPT 3.5+ in my system for years, following all-Monster years ago. As I've upgraded my system, I've tried Audience and Shunyata, before trying the SR Powercell 10-SE. Not even close - the 10-SE actually IMPROVES the musicality without adding a sonic signature. It takes what's already there and just opens up the soundstage. A buddy of mine was using RSA, demoed the Powercell, and never gave it back. Not necessarily for everyone, but definitely worth a try if you're in the market for better sound.

Exactly my experience, Fplanner 2000. If you want to take your Powercell 10SE to another level still, put a Galileo MPC on it and the included Precision AC power cord.

If you don't already have them, I'd recommend installing 20-amp dedicated lines first. Cheap relative to the better power conditioners, and at least you'll know you're starting with a good baseline to compare power conditioners (if you even feel you need one afterwards). I was going to buy a power conditioner but the guys here at a'gon were pretty universal in their opinion of getting the dedicated lines installed first, and I'm glad I did (also added Porter Ports). My system is overall much more enjoyable to listen to, and I think I'm in a much better position to evaluate power conditioners at this point.

That said, I was looking at Audience because they don't use MOVs that are said to potentially degrade over time in terms of power protection, but I'm also very interested in the Synergistic Powercell that seems to have a pretty happy client base here. Best of luck.