Using Power Conditioners/Distribu with Amplifiers


Hello, I was curious to know peoples opinions and experiences on using power conditioners or power distribution devices inline with your primary amplifier/amplifiers.

Thru my own series of tests I have concluded that my current amplifier (Classe CA-201) sounds better when fed power via my Shunyata Hydra V-Ray verses being directly plugged into the wall.

When I say it “Sounds Better” using the power distribution device I would define this as less edgy, more stable (ie..relaxed) with noticeably more detail of the instruments and performers. In terms of bass, to my ears it seems to be deeper and have more texture. In terms of background noise, with the Shunyata in place there simply is none.

I do have a few questions but I think it’s worth mentioning the equipment I am using currently and how it’s connected before I jump into the question of the day.

My V-Ray is fed juice using a 20AMP Shunyata Python power cable and a PS Audio AC Wall plug which is then wired to a dedicated 20AMP circuit via solid core 10GA wiring. This configuration basically provides me a 10GA wire from the breaker box all the way to the back of the V-Ray since the Python also uses a 10GA wiring core. Now granted, some current disruption/degradation will occur once it passes thru those unfortunately necessary wall sockets but my hope is that the $60 beans I forked out for the PS Audio wall plug will at least help minimize this to the extent possible.

My Classe Amp is fed power using a 15AMP Shunyata Taipan Alpha power cable which is then plugged into the V-Ray.

My front end components are also fed power from the V-Ray which I suspect has enough bandwidth capabilities for all these components since it supposedly has solid 7GA Buss Bars internally as a means to distribute it's power.

Based on the above information my question is this; at what power point would you feel a high current Amp would be hindered by receiving it's energy directly from an otherwise more then capable power distribution device, fancy power cables, dedicated 20amp circuit and fancy AC plug verses directly from the wall socket itself?

My current Amp is not what I would consider a power hungry monster by any means but how would this same configuration above fare if the Amp in use was something along the lines of a PASS X250 or larger model? Ultimately, I guess I will find out soon enough but I would be interested in hearing others experiences or ideas on this topic.

Thanks
eniac26
i use an mit zstabalizer hg 3 for my krell fpb 600c which is a power hungry mother. when it first got the device i used the stock cord to the wall and it did limit everything. the amp sounded muddy and thick. i switched to my mit oracle ac1 from the wall to the conditioner and it opened up. the other day i tried to remove it and went back to the amp direct to the wall and it was amazing how much better everything was with the conditioner. dark background, dynamics, detail...everything! it took removing it to really hear it all.

i just ordered a running springs jaco for the rest of my gear and am very excited to hear the result. i may consider a duke to replace the mit if the jaco lives up to the hype.
I have a Hydra8V2 feeding my JR C500 amp at 1,000wpc into my 4ohm Dyn C1 speakers. PCs are RSA Alethias, Anaconda Helix and Lessloss. I'm not sure how much more you can go past this amp power wattage but in this setup the Hydra definitely brings enough sonic benefit to the table to justify its existence. I think what you've got in power distribution is already up there and even if you move to a bigger amp it will still play the role. One thing cheap I would suggest is to try the Oyaide R1 power outlet... amazingly these things do make a difference and in my case the R1 was very audibly better than the PSaudio outlet it replaced.
Noelpastor

I do not have experience with Oyaide...but a good audiophile friend just said the same as you. Definitely worth doing.
Thanks also your own experiences...as I acclimate to what I am hearing with Gryphon going thru Nordost, it is helpful to know other people's experiences. I am still keeping the entire system running thru it for now.
I had three Oyaide R-1s installed each to their own dedicated 20A breaker. I run a Hydra 6 for source components. The Hydra 6 did not do it for me with my tube monoblocks connected. I bought two Hydra 2s - one for each amp.

I can't speak for the V-Ray, but I do know getting the amps off the Hydra 6 was an improvement for me in the areas people mention in this post.

BTW, I use 20A VH Audio Flavor 4 PCs terminated with Furutech FI-25Rs from the R-1s to the Hydras.
...and as for me.... I have never met a power conditioner that although has sometimes changed the sound for the better on some aspects of the presentation, has also injected some "nasties" which eventually I found more displeasing than the benefits. If you enjoy your power conditioner, good...as for me, I go directly into the wall. I found power cords to be very worthwhile, but not conditioners. Perhaps here in Arizona I get clean power from the wall... Don't know, although I had the same take when I was lived in New Jersey.