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. 
Ag insider logo xs@2xpuppyt
Ag insider logo xs@2x
puppyt OP
97 posts
 
The irony of a company whose very reason for being is the pursuit of pure power using a crappy stock power cord in its products is rich.
john_g
81 posts
 
After reading this paragraph from the Stereophile review of the Richard Gray Power Stations, it's not hard to see why you never see them advertised in the magazine.


Audio Line Source lobbied hard for a review. Here it is....

The Richard Gray's Power Company 400S manifested the same voice or coloration no matter how I used it. It sounded like your windshield looks after a big rig blows by in a rainstorm: The first swash of the blades cleans things up, but the view remains rather obscured. Unfortunately, sweep after sweep, the view remained the same, as through the window of an old, abused New York taxi. Another analogy: Drop your forearm into a sandbox and sweep it broadly across the surface. That's what the 400S sounded like.


vinylvalet
902 posts
 
I think it makes most sense to provide surge protection, waveform correction and power conditioning to everything in your home by having an electrician install an Environmental Potentials EP-2050 in your main circuit box. If you have a dedicated circuit to your audio system, add their EP-2750 ground filter in series with that circuit's safety ground.

We had the EP-2050 in our home in Costa Rica where the AC was terrible; power interruptions all the time. Also heavy lightning during the rainy season. Our neighbors had appliances blowing up all the time. We never had an issue over a five year period.
Post removed 
vinylvalet
902 posts
 
You're welcome tvad. It made a nice difference in my system.
More to discover