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Opinions on Power Regenerators and Tube Amps

I have a Mesa Baron tube amp plugged into a dedicated 20A circuit. Turntable, CD player, Preamp, and periferal stuff plugged into a dedicated 15A circuit. At a very high listening level, there is a small buzz in the speakers. I only notice it when there is no music playing and I get close to the speaker. I would like to know your experiences in using a power regenerator with a tube amplifier, and whether this is even a good idea. I guess the expanded question is, in your experience, where in your system are you using regenerated power, and is there really a sonic improvement.
240zracer
240zracer OP
121 posts
 
Here's the thing. Can't use active cables anywhere in the phono area. I don't know if that is normal, but with that active cable from phono stage to preamp replaced, and the shielding on for everything else, the hum is very small....and I would never listen at that high volume level. I'm a little confused about active shielding now and in saying that I have probably highjacked my own thread for the third time. Thanks for the ideas though.....I was not even thinking about the cables, obviously......I was thinking about power regenerators.
electroid
283 posts
 
I love regeneration for sources and as I said wouldn't do it w/power amps. I reread your post. Do you get the hum through the spk w/ only the power amp on or when the pre is on and is set to phono? Thats a minimum of four gain stages if the latter and you will hear a little hum. Especially due to all gain needed for a phono cart. Back to your 120HZ question - it is wonderful and I have not met a piece of gear that can't handle it......unless you have an older TT w/ an AC motor that gets it speed calibration fron the AC frequency. As to N's comment on the lowish power output P-300(300 watts max, I never use but 60-70%of it as I said) it was made to drive sources not big amps. They had a 600watt and 1200watt for larger draw gear. Often a pre,phono,CDP and tuner wont draw but 100 to 200 watts total. In fact the process of turning the AC into DC, cleaning it and then turning it back into AC is what makes it so good. Then setting it to pulse 120 times/sec instead of 60.....well judge for yourself. Don't take our word for it, find a dealer that loans gear for home demo before you buy.

ET
herman
2,282 posts
 
Think about what you are trying to achieve, which is great sound at your listening position. If you can't hear it at all from your seat, and it otherwise sounds as you wish, leave it alone.

If you stick your head in the corner of the room you will hear boomy bass but nobody considers that to be a problem since it sounds fine at the sweet spot. Why does a slight amount of noise that can only be heard near the speakers bother people so much?

There are ways to make a system completely quiet but at the expense of performance. A system that doesn't have any noise at all when you are close to the speakers is probably pretty lifeless anyway.

IMHO you are chasing ghosts.
240zracer OP
121 posts
 
I'm good. The little hum (only with preamp set to phono and the volume cranked) is a not a problem. I will not be buying a big power regenerator in order to service my amp. That was the reason I asked my initial question. I will most likely find a way to try out a PS 300. Can't justify the price of a big one for just front end. Looked at your systems.....very impressive, especially those horns and that phono preamp. Wish I could hear a bunch of the systems I see on here. Thanks for your help......
aball
2,018 posts
 
So the buzz was a hum? That is what I had assumed. Sounds like it's due to high gain needed for phono. I would like to know if the regenerator reduces it. Otherwise, lower gain amps and/or lower sensitivity tweeters can reduce the noise to the point of making it inaudible. That is the trick since you will always have a noise floor to deal with.

Arthur
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