Is a high priced Line Conditioner needed

A good power condition can really be a marvelous improvement.

Most of them I have seen in high end audio do more harm than good, unless they are operated well below 50% of their ratings. This is especially true if you have a high power tube amplifier!

I have seen AC conditioners that can run at their full ratings but none of them have been high end audio devices- they have all been commercial/industrial. I find it puzzling that high end audio can't seem to get its act together in this regard!

Here is an example of a conditioner that will knock the socks off of any high end audio unit:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Elgar-AC-Line-Conditioner-Power-Supply-Unit-6000-Series-6006B-/111408675313?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19f07979f1

A PC is a filtering appliance to be inserted only if you need it .

Many high -end electronics mfgs (and their dealers) discourage their use if they can be avoided ... and use them only as an item of last resort.

With proper dedicated power lines, upgraded wall receptacles (minimum hospital grade or preferably even better grade ) and audiophile grade power cords, unless the power feed is erratic (eg old apt bldg) why insert another filter?

The dealer twigged me into this with an actual A-B demonstration in my own home. By jeezuz, he was right ... Plug the amps and source directly into the wall plug and a subtle veil evaporated.

The PC was left out permanently.

I have 3 dedicated 10 gauge lines for my 2 channel audio system.

Markus1299, I feel like I'm ready to purchase Boeing 777 for my personal transportation needs!

Akg_ca, I don't think I agree entirely with your post. Certainly additional filters can add up to current restrictions. And most high end audio conditioners don't do much more than that.

But the one that I linked to in my earlier post is not a filter and can produce an undistorted sine wave at full capacity (15 amps) without distortion or noise on the AC waveform, and can regulate the line voltage as well.

They made a bigger one that could handle 29 amps at full capacity! They do tend to be mechanically noisy so you usually have to place them near your breaker box, and run the audio room wiring off of the conditioner. But unlike the ones your dealer demonstrated, this kind actually works. The Elgar at the link has not been made in some years, so you have to jump through some hoops to use one, but having seen it first hand I can say its worthwhile. And this is coming from a manufacturer who normally does not recommend power conditioners for precisely the reasons you described.

Atmasphere,

I have your S-30 power amp -- a truly great amp. Here is what I do to optimize my front end. I use a medical grade isolation transformer into the wall and a Shunyata Triton into the isolation transformer. Then I have a Monarchy power regenerator for my front end (transport and DAC) plugged into the Triton. Shunyata says they do not recommend using any other technology with their Triton. But there is no question that the isolation transformer greatly improves its performance.