Power Help - What Conditioner - WHERE?


I have a large HT/Audio system and have accumulated a good number of power devices, but want to use them for maximum effect and ask for your thoughts.  Here is a list of my Conditioners:

1) Emotiva CMX-2 (Thought I had DC issues a few years ago, only has to outputs)

2) Sound Application XE-12 (not used currently, but many outlets labeled analog & digital)

3) BPT BP-2 (I have one of the originals with 8 total outlets (1500va I think)

4) BPT BP-3.5ish (Chris Hoff built this as one of his final builds using a 3000 or 3500 va transformer)

5) Various Power Strip for connection of wall warts etc.

I need to connect the following (long list). I have a dedicated 15a and 20a circuit to my rack.

a. Emotiva XMC-2 Processor/Preamp

b. Oppo BDP-203 MultiDisc Player

c. Rega P8 Turntable (Wall Wart)

d. Musical Surroundings Nova III Pre w/Linar Power Supply (Wall Wart)

e. Apple Mac Mini (Std 2-prong power cord)

f. Western Digital (2) USB HD to the Mini (Wall Warts)

g. Drobo Raid HD (2) to the Mini (Wall Warts)

h. Eversolo DMP-6 Streamer (IEC)

i. XBOX (Std 2-prong power cord)

j. CableBox (Wall Wart)

k. Adcom 7300 5-Channel Amplifier (Powers Rear 4-Speakers) - IEC 

l. EAD PowerMaster 1000 50Channel Amplifier (Powers Center Only) - IEC

m. Parasound 2125 v2 Stereo Amplifier (Bottom bi-amp of Main) - IEC

n. Custom 60w Tube Amp (Top bi-amp of Main) - IEC

o. Router/AP for Basement - Wall Wart

p. 8-port Network Switch - Wall Wart

q. DIRAC Network - Processor box (Wall Wart)

r. NHT SA-3 Subwoofer Amplifier (IEC)

If you are here - THANK YOU for reading. How would you suggest I connect everything? Should I only connect via the 20A circuit, or use the misc (Network etc) connections to the 15a service/circuit. What would you connect to each other. Redoing my rack is a HUGE task, and I would like to get power - RIGHT. Thanks for your help.

 

Jeff in Detroit

drdetroit

Basic set-up 101:

- Plug the digital components into the BPT 3.5 balanced power conditioner.   Plug this conditioner into the 15amp circuit. The digital components don’t draw much load. 

- Plug the analog components into the XE-12.  Plug it into the 20amp circuit. 

- The XE-12 does not appear to be current limiting.  It should easily be able to handle the amp.  Listen with the amp plugged into the XE-12 and then listen directly into the wall.  Be sure to wait at least an hour before critical listening.  A quick A/B comparison means nothing.

- If possible, put the cable box/modem/router/switch on a completely different line and/or room. Plug these into the BP-2 power conditioner.   Or - temporarily run a heavy-duty extension cord from a 3rd circuit in a different room for these digital units.   This experiment will give you an idea if it’s improving the SQ.  Make sure that the 3rd circuit is actually independent - and not shared by the same leg on a common wall.

- - -

After everything settles in for a few days, unplug only the HT gear completely.   Critically listen to the 2 channel audio only for a few hours.  Then start plugging in the HT components one by one - and turn each on.  You’ll hear how the SQ changes.

- - -

Isolating analog from digital is very important.    And isolating digital from digital is also important.   Digital components regurgitate noise back into the system circuitry which affects the other components - both analog & digital.  It’s a cumulative effect.

Synergistic Research PowerCell is outstanding.  You can shop for a PowerCell 10 FET/UEF, or the better PowerCell UEF SE.   An older version for less cash is the Tesla PowerCell 10se MKIII.   A newer one and better than the others is the PowerCell SX.   The power cable connection is a Neutrik bayontte PowerCon, so it is a special termination on the PowerCells.  Scott Walker Audio or usaudiomart are excellent places for good prices too.   good luck.   

@drdetroit if you have not already done so, pay attention to your grounding strategy in order to determine the effect of your power conditioning. Puritan for example make the 156 power conditioner that can also be easily grounded using their City Master plug in device. Not horribly expensive. Hope this helps.