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Power conditioner some say yes and some say no.

Depending on who I ask a power transformer conditioner can have a good effect on the sound while others claim they inhibit the dynamics of an amp. I don’t have serious power problems as far as I know but I enjoy my sound most of the time. I currently use a Hydra 6 for my entire system except for my amp where I use a Hydra 2. Would it make sense to invest thousands on a power transformer conditioner or would my Hydras be enough by isolating the components from each other. I was waiting for a Keces IQRP 3600 to try but the dealer I was to get it from died from Covid-19 before arranging my Keces to be shipped. I am out $4000 and am not so fast to drop another $4000 on the Keces. Perhaps in the future if it makes sense. I find that not many use transformer conditioners due to the dynamics limitations of the amp. Any help would be appreciated.
128x128mitchb
ajcrocker1
31 posts
 
With sryeager being an exception, in general here are steps I find helpful.
1. Breaker box should be updated to move your room away from air conditioners, blowers, and other high draw breakers
2.  Add a whole house surge protector
3.  Put your equipment on an isolation transformer https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00008YMZO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
4. Use shielded power cables https://www.mouser.com/Wire-Cable/Cable-Assemblies/AC-Power-Cords/_/N-bkrhnZ1yzvvqx?P=1z0t1rp
5.  Stay away from Blue tooth and unplug wall warts.  Both generate high frequency noise which most linear power supplies are not designed to filter 
6.  If your equipment has rca and earth ground connected each component going to earth ground creates a ground loop
ajcrocker1
31 posts
 
If you buy the isolation transformer and find it hums  too much open it up and install rubber vibration absorbing feet from parts express between the transformer and the case to help keep it quiet.  Setting on an inch thick cork pad from Amazon also helps.
eastendhifi
19 posts
 
We obviously are dealers, so you can take what I say with a grain of salt…but isolation transformer based power conditioners just plain work!  Take out of the equation, the fact that they might improve the sound of your system and let’s just look at the fact that they will absolutely protect your valuable electronics. Here in New York in the summer, we have many many brown outs. These brown outs are milliseconds in length, but can do significant damage to your system because of the massive current that occurs right after the brown out.  One summer, we blew out four transformers from a pair of mono block tube amplifiers from two different manufacturers.  Since installing an Isolation Transformer six years ago, we have had zero issues.  By the way, it also improves bass response, and gives blacker backgrounds.
three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
@eastendhifi   

+1 on isolation transformers...and I greatly appreciate your dealer disclosure which is refreshing these days.  These products are indeed great regardless of the brand.
emergingsoul
1,125 posts
 
Mega rabbit hole with no bottom.

mcintosh says to connect their amps to the wall.  Conditoners steal away power. 
Clean up power hitting an expensive tv with conditioner, makes sense.

dont forget value of a surge protector. 
God help us to figure all this out
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