Line Conditioners or Power Filters?????

grab that baby. Just don't put your analog and front end into the Stealth. I'd go with your source until you can get another mini for your amp. peace, warren

I suggest you take your time, search the archives here and in the Asylum. There is plenty of information for anyone with IQ above 90 to make his own informed decisions. That is, unless you're looking for someone to give you predigested anwers...

Psychicanimal make a good point. Except that his pre-digested responses are typically more detrimental and potentially misleading than other's if not for the mere fact that his pre-digested responses often times infer (as in this case) that he has none.

Finally, one's IQ should never be deemed as a justifiable excuse to indulge in self-deception. These acts simply render others helpless or give the sense thereof.

-IMO
(all those who believe in telekenisis, please raise my hand)

It's called Zen, high priest! In power delivery/noise control there are NO correct predigested answers. This subject is extremely application specific and--as usually--budget constrained. More so, usually the most cost effective aproach is related to what one can find in the used/surplus market. For a direction in which to head, a 220V/110V Topaz isolation transformer wired for balanced power will blow away just about everything commercially pre packaged, dollar for dollar. I went a different route, being able to get a hold of three Clear Image T4 quad isolation transformers/filters for less than $800 (shipping incl, $4,800 retail), a 2.6KW Xentech extreme 220V/110V isolation transformer for $80 (w/ shipping) and a 3.0 KW ONEAC CB 2338 220V/110V transformer/filter for $100 and an Audio Power parallel filter for $29.95.

Read a lot, think and be patient, is all I have to add.

Psychicanimal, it sounds like you have some experience in industrial power systems, or something similar. As you mention, there are a ton of ways to address providing low noise power to an audio system, and some of the ones that are marketed specifically for audio applications either do nothing, or do more harm than good.

However, there are also some that are excellent. As Warrenh says above, some type of power conditioner/noise filter/isolation device is almost mandatory. A good option that has not yet been mentioned would be a PS Audio Ultimate Outlet. The UO is non-current limiting, and provides noise suppression, isolation, and surge protection.

A step up from any power "conditioner" is an AC re-generator, such as the PS Audio Power Plants. These devices take AC line power, convert it to DC, then re-generate AC, free of harmonics and noise. No passive device can do all of the things that a re-generator can do, at any price. The down side is that this solution is best suited for low power devices, such as pre-amps and sources, because regenerators large enough to power big amps are as expensive as the amps themselves!

Whatever you decide to try, give it a good listen and make an honest judgement. I can honestly say that every change I have made to the power delivery to my system, including changing out stock power cords with home-made cords, has made an immediately audible difference. If you add a new cord or conditioner, and after a couple hours of listening you don't think that you can hear any difference, then there probably is no difference. Yank it out, sell it, and try something different.

As a final thought, I doubt there are very many of the 90 IQ crowd reading the forum on A'gon, and anyone who plans to take the DIY route for building a power delivery system for their Hi-Fi rig better be closer to the 120 range or above. Electricity can do wonderful things, but it can also destroy your gear, kill you, or burn your house down(not necessarily in that order)if you screw up. If you don't have the background to roll your own, buy something pre-packaged and follow the directions. Good luck,

Mike