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BPT 3.5, Audience aR12, or Equitech 1.5Q?

After years of ignoring this facet of my system(s), I'm finally looking into a quality power conditioner. I've narrowed it down to an Equi=tech 1.5Q or Son of Q, Audience aR12 or possibly ar6-T (little outside budget), or BPT 3.5 or 3.5 Signature. Anybody have experience with 2 or more of these? Please, let's try to keep the discussion to these units. Thanks.
eugene81
eugene81 OP
270 posts
 
Thanks for the input.

OK, maybe not *completely* ignored. I've installed a Porter Port outlet (big gains) and 2 Blue Circle BC 86 MKIII filters (less so). I'm hoping a more sophisticated conditioner will provide huge improvements given the cost. I've just felt that with that kind of money I would be better off with speaker or electronic upgrades but now I think the level of AC componentry is lagging considerably.

At this point I think it's a toss up between the 3 and I'll take whatever deal comes through first on the used market. Still, I'd like to know of a compelling reason to pick one over the others before I bite, if anybody has one.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Eugene81,
I have`nt heard 2 of the the 3 choices.The BPT 3.5 I `ve owned for 3 years and it is superb. My entire system is plugged into it and the sound improvement is substantial. Every parameter improves with it`s use and I`ve yet to find a negative tradeoff. The noise floor is much less, this allows the music more nuance,dynamic flow/ease and there`s improved 'natural'tone and dimensionality.The overall presentation is larger in scale and improves realism in my experience.

Balanced AC power has become absolutely mandatory now.
I `d think the BPT and Equitech are very similar in results. My BPT is silent and has no hum issues.
Best Regards,
zmanastronomy's avatar
zmanastronomy
738 posts
 
The improvements are not small. Bigger than a component upgrade.
raks
468 posts
 
I have an Audience aR6 and like it a lot. If you decide on an Audience, be aware that at some point Audience changed the grounding system on both the aR6 and the aR12’s. The Audience website mentions an upgrade option, and identifies how you can tell if a specific unit has the newer grounding system.
bigshutterbug
384 posts
 
I have owned both the Hydra 8, BPT 3.5 Sig, and the Equi=Tech 1.5Q over the years. My amps lost dynamics with the 1.5Q and sounded better going to the wall. The Hydra 8 did not have this problem, and sounded very good. The BPT 3.5 Sig. sounded even better than the Hydra 8, with improved dynamics, detail and 3-D soundstage.
You will find that the stock power cords for each will be a VERY limiting factor. Upgraded cords from these units to the wall make a big difference.
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