Amp ac cable connection


Does anyone have an opinion on whether or not the 20 amp power cord form my amp should be plugged into my synergistic research conditioner or directly into the wall?  Hearing mixed reviews
128x128psinyc
Post removed 
Not everyone agrees that power line noise is not problematic and therefore not in need of attention, including equipment designers, with some form of line conditioning built into at least some high end amplifiers (one example: http://www.stereophile.com/solidpoweramps/407ayre/index.html#C4GXsiFsx3lHdP7s.97). Perhaps why at least some high end systems are better able to navigate potentially dirty hotel power relatively unscathed in demonstrations, dunno. I will say that I have seen power line conditioning included as part of some very good sounding demo systems - maybe that was the Shunyata room;-)

But the fact remains that some audiophiles actually prefer the sound of their gear in their home fed from power conditioners... even their amps. Listening and preference are profoundly subjective. That is why there is a market for different audio solutions, with different tube and solid state amplifiers highlighting different aspects of performance, some on the soft and warm side and others on the crisp and fast side. And as described above, different conditioning products have different approaches and produce different results.

I agree with many here that power conditioners change the sound of their gear, and perhaps especially their amplifier. I also agree that that change is not always for the better. I disagree that power line noise is not a potential problem in some instances. The most important point is how does your system sound to you, and what sounds more like a real performance in your listening environment. While experience and advice given here are all valuable data points, the definitive answer can only be determined in the end by the individual listener in their listening environment. A very long winded way of saying try your amp with and without conditioning.

Some basic information on power line and common mode current noise for interest.

http://www.arrl.org/power-line-noise

http://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1274125

http://m.ecmweb.com/content/troubleshooting-electrical-noise-0

and for fun, if you want to try to detect noise yourself:

http://www.w8ji.com/power_line_noise.htm




benjie,

I think knownothing said it best. Hopefully you will understand that one.

I will add that of reviewer friend of mine asked some of the proprietors of top equipment companies at RMAF (that did not offer power enhancement products in their line) why they did not use power enhancement products in their show systems and they told him that they felt that it was more truthful to show their equipment sans power enhancement gear so as to not mislead potential buyers regarding the sound quality of their gear. All polled agreed that the best power enhancement products would further improve the sound of their equipment had they used them.

The last year I attended RMAF (2012), the Synergistic Research room won the "Best Sound" award from The Absolute Sound and the "Best of Show" award from Marc Michelson plus a very favorable mention from Stereophile.
   
Dave  
I agree with ebm that the Audience unit he has(so do I) isn't limiting anything on my Agostino amp. Just sounds fantastic. I'll leave the science to others. 

benjie.....   I've never had any luck with conditioners either.  They all change the sound but include warts I can't live with