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Blue Circle's PLC -2 Thingee conditioner versus Transparent Audio PLC 6 conditioner???:

Looking at two power line conditioners under $400 on sale.  The Blue Circle PL-2 Thingee conditioner and the Transparent Audio PL-2 # 6   conditioner.  The Blue Circle has received a few good reviews, especially Good Sound which was impressed by the: improved sound: that is:  blacker background for music, lower noise floor, better imaging and focus. I have  found little about the .Transparent Audio conditioner which has a more traditional appearance and layout.  I have concerns about the design of Blue Circle  unit which embeds the circuits and outlets in a 5 inch metal tube that is filled with silicon for improved  isolation against vibration.  

The review claimed that the unit gives off a pungent odor because of the silicon crystal insulation.  I am not sure that is not a health hazard along with the  potential  toxicity of the silicon.    Need some feed back about the effectiveness of both products, and the bizarre design and build of the Blue Circle unit.    Thank you

sunnyjim
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,402 posts
 
@sunnyjim
Even though BC states that an amp can use the Thingee w/o any sonic degradation, I have found that is not the case. Many manufacturers say to plug the amp into their PC’s, but other members’ have found that passive PC’s affect the sonics of the amp.

I have my Thingee FX2 X0e plugged into the wall, then a Furman power strip is connected. Low-current components are plugged in; preamp, CDP, tuner, TT. (Although in many cases digital should have it’s own line).

My amp is plugged into the wall and I am using (2) BC 86 mk5 filters which plug into the same outlet. That way they clean the AC line and the amp does not run thru the filters. They really lowered the noise floor. They’re also known as Noisehounds.
BC also makes Sillycone Filters, which have higher filtering, but are more expensive.

You can contact Walt at TLP Audio if you have questions, but I like that my amp doesn’t plug into any conditioner or filter.
http://www.tlp-audio.com/powerConditioners.php
mesch
3,424 posts
 
I like the approach taken by lr57. I have my power amp, preamp, and digital components on separate lines (3 lines). I only use a  power conditioner for the digital components. I will check into the BC 86 mk5 filters. Thanks! 

sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 

Lowrider57:  Let me clarify what you said in the previous reply. I should plug my integrated amp into the wall, and not into FX-2.  I should plug all other low current devices into the FX-2   ( Keep in my I am just using the standard 2 AC wall  outlet) .  Therefore, there is no room to plug in either one or two of the BC 86MK5 filters (Why would I need two??).

I live in a apartment complex and can't replace the standard 2 AC outlet plate with one of  those angled 4 AC outlets that have to be screwed into the wall.  With my luck, I probably would get fried.  The 4 AC outlet device will not stay in place unless you secure it to the wall.  I am adverse to do that.

BTW, I  do have a device that is a multiple outlet adapter that lays flat against the wall. It was advertised on Pulse TV . Is that safe and would it work??  It does have three prong inputs. Thanks again to all who replied.


nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,653 posts
 
After reading up on this thread I decided to try going straight into the wall with just my integrated and it is definitely better that way. When I first got the Thingee, I had different ICs and SCs and speakers that were 95db efficient compared to my now 85db speakers and the difference in what I'm hearing is not subtle. More like night and day. 

I'm listening at levels with 2-4db less attenuation and getting better dynamics, structure, and air with what seems to be a deeper and tighter base. And it all sounds more effortless. It's immediately evident and I feel like a bit of a dunder head not realizing that with all the changes mentioned I'd overlooked this one.

Thanks Lowrider57 for the heads up. Now I have to decide if I need to get a longer PC to reach that other outlet or completely rearrange my rats nest of PCs behind the rack.

All the best,
Nonoise
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,402 posts
 
You're most welcome, nonoise. When I got my Thingee, I plugged everything into it, including my high-current amp, due to it being called a "non-current-limiting" device. Sure, the noise-floor was lower, but there was a loss of dynamics and "air."
   I knew to plug the amp back into the wall due to all the comments made by Agon members who had previously experienced this with power conditioners.

@sunnyjim,
Let me clarify what you said in the previous reply. I should plug my integrated amp into the wall, and not into FX-2. I should plug all other low current devices into the FX-2   ( Keep in my I am just using the standard 2 AC wall  outlet) . Therefore, there is no room to plug in either one or two of the BC 86MK5 filters (Why would I need two??).
Jim, I'll clarify my statement regarding the amp. In order to accommodate the BC86 filters, I'm now using a Furman power strip into the wall receptacle. Then the amp and filters plug into the strip.
I use 2 BC86 mk 5 filters because it is double the filtering. To my ears, it's like adding another power conditioner that doesn't restrict the sonics of the amp.

I got advice from Blue Circle before I made my purchase and 2 filters were recommended. The BC86's were very affordable and at that time they did not make the Sillycone Filters.

I wouldn't trust a multiple outlet adapter. It's build quality may not be as good as a duplex outlet and may not provide as good a connection. Can you provide a link of the device?

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