2. misc-audio
  3. 161398-74203

Power Conditioning / Surge Protection

I am looking for some advice on power conditioning and surge protection.  I have a dedicated circuit for my two channel system with eight outlets. Years ago I was talked into buying a couple of Richard Gray Power Stations which I still have in the system. Because of the logistics of my system they have served as additional outlets when power cords weren’t long enough but honestly I don’t know a damn thing about power conditioning or surge protection and whether I’m doing harm or good to my system.  I have a turntable, phono stage, music server, streamer, CD player, integrated amp and dual powered subs so I have a lot of need for power. I’m interested in protecting my equipment but I don’t want to muddy things up either. I’m willing to scrap the Richard Grays and either replace them with something else if there are better options.

I would greatly appreciate any advice from those who know about these things. I’m very happy with my equipment but feel the power issue is lacking or, at best, not well thought out. 
puppyt
audio2design
1,351 posts
 
I go with cool meaningless name for "balanced surge protection". Whole house is the way to go. Better to have the surge protection as far from the equipment as possible.

Does it really kill dynamics? Unless you are clipping what is the mechanism by why "dynamics" are reduced? How would it be different from the normal line voltage variation from say 120-127?

Wouldn't that resistance make the spikes smaller and reduce noise and distortion?


The problem is that filtering places resistance in series that causes big voltage drops and kills dynamics.

kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,475 posts
 
audio2design, Let's assume that amp draws from mains 1A during music peaks.  It will likely be drawn in spikes of amplitude reaching 10A.  If filtering coil has 1 ohm resistance it will cause voltage drop of 10V equivalent to 20% of max power loss.  In addition inductor in series supposed to filter out high frequency content (electrical noise) while normal current (narrow spikes) also has high frequency energy.  Of these two factors I would guess that inductive reactance of the coil will have bigger effect, unless inductor has high resistance (thin wire).  Such power loss might only limit maximum output peaks in well regulated amplifiers but might still be audible at any output power in less regulated amps (zero feedback etc.)

My amp has the same dynamics plugged into Furman or the wall.  Many people reported loss of dynamics with conditioners and that's the only plausible explanation I can come up with.
audio2design
1,351 posts
 
Sorry but your example is too simplistic to be realistic. That 10V drop assumes the capacitors never charge. They do of course.


As well if there was 1 ohm resistance the spikes would not longer be 10A since current would be limited by voltage drop across the resistor (see charged capacitors above).

How would this potential loss be audible in a "poorly regulated" amplifier?  That would require you justifying that there would be more noise with higher resistance. You have not done that yet.
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,475 posts
 
Capacitors charge in narrow current spikes, but they cannot charge to the same full voltage when there is voltage drop on impedance in series.

Perhaps spikes would be 1/12 less since we drop 10V of 120V.   It doesn't change anything.

I did not say more noise.  I believe that amplifier with less regulation will be less linear with changing power supply voltage.  Less linear = more distortions (like loss of dynamics).
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,531 posts
 
Jeeeez    I tried Richard Gray and they were awful in my system. 
More to discover