2. misc-audio
  3. 176664-4947

Power amp in conditioner bad for other components?

I recently replaced the combination of a 2-outlet BrickWall strip and a 4-outlet Richard Gray unit with an Audience aR6. I have a Benchmark AHB2 power amplifier, a Benchmark HPA4 preamplifier (frequently use headphones), a phono preamp, a CD player, a DAC, and a streamer. Benchmark recommends against plugging the amp into any power conditioner. One reason given is that the current draw from the amp can rob the other components of power on peaks. I have a single duplex outlet on a dedicated line. What is puzzling me is how, given that they are all on the same circuit, with a passive conditioner, plugging the amp directly into one of the two outlet sockets vs. into one of the aR6's sockets would result in less robbery. Thanks for considering this possibly stupid question. I'm not an electrician, electrical engineer, etc. I've tried both, but not in a blind test. There's probably not much point in reporting my subjective, sighted impressions of the perceived differences. Unless someone really wants to know. The power cord on the amplifier is an Audience f5, as is the power cord on the aR6. I will say that replacing a DIY Belden power cord (made long ago by Bolder Cables) on the amplifier with the f5 cord resulted in a noticeable (non-blind, etc.) improvement in dynamics, etc., either direct to the wall or into the aR6.

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erik_squires
16,478 posts
 

Benchmark recommends against plugging the amp into any power conditioner.

Can you please point me to a link for this?

One reason given is that the current draw from the amp can rob the other components of power on peaks.

There's no difference in whether you do this from a power conditioner or wall outlet.  What I mean is, if the amplifier and your DAC/preamp are on the same circuit, you are going to have exactly the same amount of voltage drop problem. 

The voltage drop is usually related to the distance to the main panel, the current, and thickness of the wiring.  A surge protector isn't magically a worse choke point than the rest of your wiring.

Personally, living in a lightning prone state (South Carolina) I wouldn't plug anything delicate I wanted to keep directly into the wall, and use a whole house surge protector as well for everything else.

map OP
25 posts
 

"Can you please point me to a link for this?"

The recommendation against plugging an AHB2 into a power conditioner came in an email reply to me from Benchmark. I was considering a PS Audio Power Plant 12. The recommendation was against plugging an AHB2 into a power conditioner or regenerator in general.

erik_squires
16,478 posts
 

Ah, a Power Plant 12 is another animal. :)

It is basically an audio amplifier with a fixed output voltage.

 

The Benchmark wants up to 8A of power, which is almost exactly that power plant’s maximum continuous load. I agree with them. The PP 12 is too small, and that the power supply in the Benchmark is probably much better without it.

And while I hate to quote ASR, their video on the actual performance of the new generation of PP wasn't the best.  I trust Benchmark's power supply capabilities a lot more than PS Audio here, but unless they have great surge protection built in, I'd use a Furman before any amplifier in my house.  15A though. :)

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