PS Power Plant or Alan Maher PE's?

I'm a big fan of the PS Audio P300, their first regenerator, and have two of them PLUS a Tice Power Block III. Yeah, I have a lot of sources, etc. The P300s are power hogs but after listening extensively on a before/after basis, I wouldn't be without them. And the Tice does wonders for my SET monoblocks, designed and built by a friend, who was pretty much anti-conditioner until he heard them (1) into the wall, even via my dedicated lines and (2) into the Tice.

BTW, don't overlook the effects of power cords. I think they make more difference than ICs and speaker cables, and I used to think this was nonsense. Dave

Dopogue, I have not discounted PC's but I think I should probably start at the source. I have auditioned one big name PC and I couldn't hear any difference at all. That said, I'm still not a naysayer. I used to be until i was forced to put in a dedicated circuit. Then jus for the fun of it, i replaced the std recep with an Arrow Hart (they used to be popular) and whoa. I could hear a difference with each step. I quit making fun of PC's and am at the point where I try not to discount much in the audio realm.

Nsgarch, we regularly have power outages where the power will flash off and back on in a second. It is infuriating but i guess it is the price for living in the mountains. I don't remember this amount of power outage in the flat lands

Artemus_5, it sounds to me like the first thing you should install for your system's protection is an uninterruptable power supply http://www.apc.com/products/ before you worry about anything else.

Fast cycling of (on/off) power can be very destructive to many components. That's because many employ thermistors that prevent current inrush (at first, when cold) and as they warm up, they allow full current to the component. If you cut power (or turn the component off) and then right back on again, the thermistor is still warm and won't prevent possible damage to the component from overcurrent.
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Nsgarch Thanks for your info. I do have a few questions however. How will the apc power supply effect the sound? Would I be better to not leave my amp and sub woofer on? I can't turn off the preamp because it has no on/off switch so that presents a problem,
Nonetheless, I know these interruptions can't be good for equipment. I do have a surge protector (Monster) so maybe it is keeping the equipment safe.

Artemus, it's not a great situation you're in, but what can you do? ;-) You have an all solid state system, so in theory, it shouldn't hurt anything to leave it "always on"; all of it, unless it's drawing too much current at idle, but I bet it's roughly two 100W lightbulb's worth for the whole system.

I never got that much into the details of UPS's, not even with my computers, because frankly I haven't had to. So your best source for information is the manufacturer. The trick is knowing what questions to ask;-)

I would first explain that you have an expensive audio system which you'd prefer to leave "always on." That you'd like protection from ordinary surges, but that your real problem is from momentary power outages; specifically the damage that quick power turn on can cause to equipment which hasn't had a chance to fully shut down before restart. And do they have units which address that issue; meaning units which inject full power INSTANTLY so your equipment remains on, whether idling or in use, as if nothing happened? And of course, would there be any affect on sonics, especially when the unit was just in 'standby'?

I wish I could say more, but life is all about asking the right questions, so maybe that will get you started . . .

Neil
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