2. misc-audio
  3. 123492-2693

To Power Condition or Not to Power Condition?

OK, I’ve looked into this and the few posts I find on every forum seem to be at least 4-5 yrs old. I’m pretty sure new and probably better products have come out since then. Then there’s the issue as to whether to even use a power conditioner at all. Seems like some love it while others hate it. Whatever, the info and discussion seems quite limited.

So here’s where I am. I have a dedicated AC line with Oyaide R1 outlet. I’m running my amp into the wall and the digital into an old Monster cable AVS 2000 strip that received good reviews 12-15 yrs ago. I just installed hardwood flooring and my system sounds better than ever. But I had promised myself a toy since I did the floor installation. and was expecting the system to need help since it was voiced for carpet.
Anyway, I need a new toy. Since I don’t have a power conditioner, I keep thinking about one. My 1st thought was a couple of Oneac units from Ebay...one for analog, the other for digital. Then I considered the PS Audio Dectet. . It fits my budget and something which will fit behind my system rack. I don’t have shelf space for a P3, P5 etc though I keep thinking about the supposed benefits of regeneration. I’ve looked at other brands IE Furman. Then I stumbled across the Shunyata VENOM PS8 POWER CONDITIONER BUNDLE at Music Direct. But again, I can find very little in way of review on this item or its bigger brother the VENOM MPC-12A (which may be beyond my budget anyway)

So, I’m looking for people with experience with the Shunyata VENOM PS8 bundle with Venom Defender and PC and/ or the PS Audio Dectet and especially if you have heard them a/b’d against one another. Thoughts/experiences with regeneration and power conditioning will also be appreciated.

Thanks for your help. System is listed. The pictures have not been updated to reflect the equipment. But the list of equipment is correct
arte
128x128artemus_5
artemus_5's avatar
artemus_5 OP
1,992 posts
 
I was an early Pangea user and praised them highly on AA. I tried the AC 14 1st and then the AC 9. Then they came out with the 2nd 14 ga. Neither of the 14's sounded as good on my CDP (Theta Miles) as the AC 9 I'll surely try the new generation. I was surprised that the Pangeas worked so well. I had tried some high $$$ PC's with no improvement. The Pangeas were noticeable instantly. I also remember the great many detractors who had spent big $$$ on PC's and just would not accept that a $50 PC could make any improvement.


(BTW system is listed)
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,487 posts
 
In my experience, power conditioners change the sound, but I never heard an improvement..mostly a degradation.  You have a line conditioner now, you say.  Try removing it and relistening to your system without it.  Oyeida is good...I've been using their products and have always found them good.  Power cords can provide the most improvement...condtioners...don't work well for my system.
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,432 posts
 
Power conditioners often, being filters, limit maximum current reducing dynamics.  Most of power supplies consisting of transformer, rectifier and capacitors draw current in short peaks of high amplitude.  Any filters' impedance will affect it.   On the other hand my Furman Elite 20 PFi  power conditioner applies, in addition to filtering, power factor correction which is basically huge inductor in series followed by big capacitor in parallel (providing required peak current).  My power amp plugged into conditioner kept the same dynamics, but something else had happened. My TV (Samsung) plugged into same conditioner displayed cleaner, more vivid colors.  The only explanation I can come up with is that clean power reduces jitter, therefore reduces the noise  (Jitter is the noise).
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
Power conditioners often, being filters, limit maximum current reducing dynamics.  Most of power supplies consisting of transformer, rectifier and capacitors draw current in short peaks of high amplitude.  Any filters' impedance will affect it.  
True. That's why you have to be careful when choosing a pwr. conditioner and find one that is non-current limiting. That's also why they usually affect the sonics of an amp.

The Blue Circle Thingee FX2 is "non-current limiting," and it lowered the noise floor in a big way for my components. However, when I plugged my high-current SS amp into it, there was a loss of detail and dynamics.
I think there are very few conditioners that can handle the current-draw of an amp.

There are some power cords that are so good at lowering the noise floor, that a conditioner probably isn't needed. But you have to pay for that quality, such as Synergistic Research and Audience.
greatwhite11
26 posts
 

All I can say is from personal experience is that I will power condition all day long.

 I particularly enjoy my Synergistic Research Powercell .. and has done some nice things to my system ..   

More to discover