Power Conditioners Suited to Digital Front End

I would not use the Power Plant 300; had one, too noisy, and blew fuses too often. For my digital front end, in two systems, I now use Ensemble Isolinks. I have one Isolink Duo, which can handle two components; and several single Isolinks which handle one front-end component apiece. This power conditioning provided the single best improvement I've ever made to both my "big" system and my living room system. I bought the Isolinks used on this site and they are a great great addition to my two systems. I also use Ensemble power cords with them, and Ensemble interconnects as much as possible in both systems. I have tried many brands of cables but Ensemble provided the absolute best value and sound for my wallet and tastes. They are a Swiss company and their products are built like one would expect from the Swiss! Perfectionist.

My vote goes for Sound Applications, check out their web site and then do a search, there is a 12-XE available for under $1500 and well worth it. Workes for me. Six digital sockets six analog sockets. Keeps everything separate. YMMV

If you want to spend the money try Running Springs. I have a Jaco and replaced a Monster and can only say I think I am done with that end of my system.

I do hear about complaints with certain aspects of the Power Plant - noise from the fan being one of them. The idea of a pure 117V, 60 hz current sounds appealing, but I do wonder if there is a price to be paid for all the "processing" of the current - but I just don't know. I'm going to take a look at the Audio Excellence and Ensemble products and learn more about them. I find this product category difficult to hands around, and where there is generally little consensus. Thanls for your input.

Pubul57: With just a transport and DAC you will barely be using 50-80watts on a Power Plant 300 and will not need the fan.. if you get over about 160watts you will need the fan which can be replaced with a quiet bearing computer fan. Some tube DAC's use more power, but I haven't run into that problem running Wadia, EAD HT processors, Meridan, Gamut, Theta, etc.. I have never had any problems then again I have never had mine over 120watts over since I bought it.

There are three camps... and these are my finding as I own all three styles.

Regeneration: PS Audio (PS Audio can also increase the volts to 120 which add some slam and dynamics to your digital front end and of course the noise floor drops in a huge way.) If your system is bright and overly dynamic this might not be the answer for you. Exact Power makes a quasi Regenerator that only regenerates the difference of good to bad power using Class D amplification so it can run 1300watts, but doesn't offer the texture differences that the PS Audio Multiwave (I,II,tubewave, etc..) provide. Regenerators are awesome for Plasma and Projectors!!!! PS Audio Premier PowerPlant supports up to 1500watts with their new amplification but can only correct -5 volts (I have 125-126v at my house which causes transformers to hum in most gear unless it is on a regenerator)

Balanced Power: Exact Power (other model), Platinum Power PP1, BPT ,etc... - Sound quality is silky smooth and a little more delicate on balanced power (some preamp can't be run on it especially tubes depending on the design (Aestheix, etc..)) Usually they can't power amplifiers (except for the Platinum Power PP1 which has huge transformers and 20 amp input, The large BPT might also)

Passive Filters: Running Springs, Sound Applications, Shunyata, PS Audio Power Director's, PS Audio's Ultimate Outlets, Tice - if you have good power coming in and dedicated outlets you might be able to get away with the least amount of filtering... the less is more crowd. Once again most filtering works best at dropping the noise floor (video term... black than black settings). Also Isolating digital contamination from analog devices is critical in all the above designs.

First spend money on making sure your house is grounded correctly, Drop in at least 2 dedicated 20amp lines with an audiophile outlet (20amp hospital grade at least), and then finally look at conditioning. Then get crazy with powercords when your done...
Chris