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Power Cables and Power Conditioner

I bought my first PS Audio (PSA) outlet as well as a PSA power cable.  I had intended to use the power cable to go from the new wall outlet to the conditioner but when I got home I realized the Furman ELITE-15 DMi has a fixed power cable.  I thought dang it and was going to return the PSA cable but then decided to give it a try.  So I ran the PSA cable from the Furman to my Rogue Audio Preamp.  I swear I think there was a moderate improvement to the overall image.  But of course this could be placebo and I have not done a bunch of with/without listening but am happy so far.


I assume the Furman filter is doing its job and adding the PSA power cord to the Pre is preserving this current as best it can. I would like to add another cord for the DAC and the power amp. But thought I would float this probe to see what other people do in similar situations as this.
jbuhl
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
you can test to see if it is a placebo effect or not - use best imaged recordings (or your most difficult ones...)

I would explore use of an isolation transformer

but if noise is the problem it is likely not in the AC line (despite the huge $$ some spend on that) - more likely it is in the components themselves (if not in fl lights, CFLs, and maybe some cheap LED bulbs)

eventually, I expect audiophiles will install solar panels and run components off of straight DC...
sfall
346 posts
 
" eventually, I expect audiophiles will install solar panels and run components off of straight DC..."

I don't see that happening. Electric eel power re-generators sound way better than solar.
dragon_vibe
430 posts
 
If you want a Power conditioner which will perform well above any Audiophile grade Gimicks, look at the Reconditioned Version of the Elgar 3006B  3000 Watts Lab Grade Conditioner. This is approx. 20 years old reconditioned unit still faster then the fastest power conditioner built today. Ralph Karsten at Atma-Sphere reconditioned them and resells them off.

You wont find anything to best this under 30K, the price they go for about 4000-5000K fully re-conditioned to work for the next 10 years.


lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,418 posts
 
Which PSA power cable are you using? Usually 12 gauge is sufficient for a component like your Rogue preamp.

You may not be experiencing a placebo effect due to the fact that an aftermarket PC such as PS Audio will have a sonic signature just like each manufacturer’s interconnects or speaker cables. Compared to a cheap stock PC, you probably will hear a difference.
A well designed PC will use a high quality conductor, shielding, etc. and lower the noise floor. However, since you are using a PSA receptacle and a power conditioner, it’s hard to say how much your cable is contributing to the overall sonics.

Part of upgrading your power conditioning should include the installation of a dedicated AC line to the circuit box.
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