Should Amps be plugged into a power conditioner?

Prior to purchasing the Shunyata Everest 8000 and a bank account’s worth of power cords, I spoke with various people and researched the topic of plugging power amps into the wall.  My integrated amplifier, the MA12000 at 300 watts per channel of not class D power had a definite McIntosh recommendation of plugging it directly into the wall.  My MA12000 and two REL S812 subwoofers each plug into their independent circuit on my Everest and I’ve never found anything but benefit from using the Shunyata.  Take a look at this review with reference material and components used at the end of the review.  I’m not suggesting that you do the same.  In fact, as previously mentioned, I purchased these with a ninety day guarantee of 100% refund if returned.  I fully expected to return the Shunyata and their Midas power cables.  I didn’t…

I've been very happy with my 200 watt amp from Spectral plugged into an Equitech 2Q which is a "balanced power" unit.  I use very high level MIT Cables power cords to and from the Equitech and found a benefit with these MIT pc's. I would not be without the 2Q. My cities power is not excellent; as many others are not either. YMMV. I decided to buy the 2Q by an in-home trial. It was a no brainer on listening; but not cheap. 

Definitely directly into the wall… and preferably into a dedicated direct line. Perhaps some very unusual  amp / terrible power situation it would be better… but I have not experienced it or heard of it. 
 

My dealer recently brought over a conditioner specifically designed for just the amp. I wish I remembered the name… it was high end, you’d recognize the name. The audition lasted about a minute… although I spent more time with it. Definitely restricted dynamics. 

One of the most respected power conditioner and cable companies, Shunyata, specifically designs the Denali and Everest lines with both high current and low current zones. The high current zone is designed for pre and power amps.  The low current zones for digital components.  I use a Denali and plug my integrated amp into the high current  zone and do not get hum.  SQ is improved over directly plugging the integrated amp into the wall (quieter background, more detail, better bass definition, timbre,  imaging and staging). I do not hear any reduction in transient speed, leading edge, and there is better impact.  Well designed conditioners like Shunyata, Audience, Nagra, Etc. will bring improved SQ to high current components.  I would not chance plugging in any of my components directly into the wall and chance damage from surges.