To Filter or Not To Filter . . .

Are you using dedicated lines? Should be your first priority....I wouldn't buy any filtration or Conditioning unless going the Dedicated lines first........

What if you live in an apartment that you are renting? I also live in Northern California (San Jose) and, like the original poster, have upgraded receptacles and decent power cords.

Regards,

I bought an Audio Magic Stealth XXX several years ago, and it made a vast improvement with regards to the background silence of my system. The results were more what was not noticed until it was gone(background grunge), than something added. It allowed me to better appreciate the detail/microdynamics/ambience retrieval/etc of my system than before. I recently replaced 120ft of 12-2 Romex running to my room, with two runs of 10-2 Romex(equiv. to 4AWG), and what a difference in dynamics/speed! If you have no dedicated power to the room, either will still present you with an improvement/both will be a revelation.

I do own my house, and will look into making dedicated lines to the room. That sounds like good advice, and a good place to start. I do hear noise in my speakers when the amp is on and no music is playing -would this be considered background noise from A/C, or just normal amp noise?

First, CYA. Get a Brick Wall surge supressor to protect your equipment from lightening strikes. Or, you can have an electrician wire a whole house surge supressor in on your main panel for under $100. Now you can sleep at night knowing the system will be there to listen to. Next, borrow or trial/demo a few line conditioners to evaluate results. I'm confident you'll here positive improvements. Lastly, when the time is right, run a sub-panel to support your A/V system and Audio system. Run dedicated lines and keep the analog on a different leg than the digital. Suggest Porter Port outlets. After the dedicated lines are in, you'll be amazed at the improvements. And the room lights wont dim when you crank it up........... Good Luck.