Power Conditioners Suited to Digital Front End

Pubul57-

Cytocycle has given you some great advice:

First - run at least one to two dedicated lines with grounding
Second - power conditioning
Third - better power cords

For me, my system benefitted the most from the dedicated lines that were grounded. The power conditioner was next in offering the most benefit. Lastly, the power cords offered a small amount of benefit.

Great advice from Cyto- also agree 110% with sc53- bought my Ensemble Isolinks years ago, and for digital front-end only, I have not found better. However- note- I had some small issues when 'daisy-chaining' them into a larger blaanced power unit (BPT 2.5). They seem to like being fed from a passive strip better- perhaps some issue with too many transformers in the path.

Ngjockey: I used some APC and Tripplite computer voltage stabilizers and battery backups with horrible results... the sound stage completely compressed and folded in... I would recommend staying away from anything computer grade. Plus the Triplite flamed out the powerswitch after 3 years (that wasn't fun)

Cytocycle, thank you for an excellent assessment and analysis of the power product landscape - it is real helpful in clarifying the issues. I have dedicated lines and Virtual Dynamics power cords that I believe are good enough. I need two outlets for my transport and dac that will isolate their "digital noise" from the rest of my equipment without doing any harm. I'll look into the isolation transformer products - I don't even know what they are at this point. I have CAT amplifiers and was told emphatically that they should be pluggued directly into the wall. Thank you all for your repsonses so far.

Pubul57 - look for Topaz/MGE or Xentek isolation transformers. If you're patient you can get them cheap on eBay, but for a reference follow the link:

http://www.surplussales.com/Transformers/IsolationXmers-2.html