Am i missing something without a power conditioner?
Didn't read all the posts so hopefully I'm not repeating someone. If possible, I would add another dedicated line just for the amp. While you are at it, I would have a separate line for your analog equipment and a separate line for your digital equipment as well. Then I would decide about the power conditioner. That being said, I have always found power conditioners to help in my room, but the separate lines will make a huge difference on their own. Good listening |
Power conditioning (AC voltage regulator and RF noise eliminator) is a good thing to have provided: 1- the AC power your utility supplies is not stable and not clean; 2- it must have capability to supply at least double (more is better) the current your system draws during listening. How do you know if the power supplied is stable or not? I use a vintage analog meter made by WIZ (Power Line Monitor) whose needle will tell me how the power is being supplied. This one here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/RCA-WV-120A-AC-POWER-LINE-MONITOR-METER-Vintage-works-perfectly/15301646919... When the power supplied from your wall socket is very stable, there is no detectable benefit by using a power conditioner. Important: the power conditioner I use not only supplies very stable AC voltage (1% regulation) but also have a very good RFI eliminator. How do I know whether there is lots of noise coming from the power line? I use a noise sniffer like this one made by Audio Prism. http://www.audioprism.com/noisesniffer.html Regarding the capability of the power conditioner, in my case I use one capable of supplying 50A while my system draws from 8 to 13A while listening. Also, my electricity is supplied by a 3 phase system and I use one phase to plug refrigerator, microwave, washing machine etc. The other phase I use for air conditioning and the third phase for my audio system and lightning which are all using LEDs now. How do I select the phase for my audio system? I plug the analog meter and watch for some time which one is more stable. So, the question is do I notice any improvement by inserting the power conditioner in my system? The truth is, I don't, since the power I get from the utility is very stable. But I leave it there anyway since it protects my system when there is an over voltage situation (very rare) or under voltage situation (also very rare). Also it cleans the power from noise coming from the power line and that is good. |
Re-read what Atmasphere said. He is an expert, and electronics is his field. Industrial is always better than commercial, and commercial is always better than audiophile. Tradeoffs are cost, convenience, and noise. I installed overlarge Plitron medical isolation transformers. They sell to the public. I compared four conditions: (1) factory power cords into dedicated 20 amp lines; (2) factory power cords into isolation transformer; (3) exotic power cords into dedicated 20 amp lines; and (4) exotic power cords into isolation transformer. (Statisticians will recognize a 2x2 factorial experiment.) Results were: (4) = (2) > (3) > (1). That is, an isolation transformer is better than an exotic power cord, and further, eliminates the need for one. When the electrical inspector came to examine my installaton, he said that he had never seen cleaner power, even at a power station. That said, if I didn’t already use overlarge medical isolation transformers, and power supplies full of heavy iron (100 kg of chokes, actually), I would immediately go out and buy an Elgar, based on Ralph’s recommendation. But of course, you can spend your money elsewhere. |
@tattooedtrackman - I have my power amp going directly into the wall too. Shunyata claims that their conditioners will not restrict power, but I've found that many amps sound better 'straight into the wall' than they do connected to a variety of A/C conditioners. However... the Shunyata folks tell me that thee is a 'proximity effect' so that an amp plugged into the same duplex as their conditioner will also get cleaner power. True? I honestly don't know. Happy Listening! @billshenefelt - Good A/C cords protect your components from noise being generated by the other components in your system (and PCs, refrigerators, etc.) moreso than that coming into your house. It's not the 'last 3 feet'. It's the FIRST 3 feet. I understand your skepticism. Just audition a high-end A/C cord, say on your CDP, and listen. You won't care WHY it sounds so much better. @ieales - If you meant me, I'm writing directly to the poster, giving him my best input on his question. I don't care about your argument w/ @uberwaltz about cassettes. Cassettes?? |
Yes, you do. An Equitech 2Q; A Symetrically Balanced toroidal transformer is what I suggest you audition as an excellent ‘long term’ investment in your listening pleasure. Incredibly simple and efficient with science that forms an absolutely sensible approach to AC power noise reduction. Take some time in their website and learn why some of the most demanding and refined research labs;as well as recording,mastering and production facilities and live music and theatre venues use Equitech. They can sometimes be found used however most purchasers keep them as their effectiveness, efficiency and rock solid durability are legendary. |
