PS Audio Noise Harvester

Well, from the comments about the guy that cut one open, it is probably a parallel line filter. The usual reason for combining 3 or 4 caps in parallel is to reduce ESR (equivalent series resistance) which also changes the resonant point of the circuit. The capacitive value adds when they are paralleled (the opposite of risistors). If you really think this helps, make your own with some capacitors. It will be a LOT cheaper that way. As a starting point make the combined capacitance around 1 microfarad. If you like diy you might want to connect them across the back of the duplex outlet so you don't use up a socket.

Not having seen the inside of this thing it is also possible, since there was an inductor in it, that it is what's called a pi filter. It's called that because when you draw the schematic it looks a little like the symbol for pi. A little googling should provide you with more detail than I want to put into this thread. It's amazing how much is charged for things like this considering what simple circuits they are. There is nothing new about these filters other than marketing them to audiophiles for a lot of money.

They work because the electrical circuits in your house tend to act like antennas. The filters roll off the high frequencies (rfi). To optimize them you should figure out where the first and last outlets are on each of your house circuits (not just the ones you are using for your stereo) and place one at both locations on all your circuits.

I am trying out a few of these. The lights blink ONLY when I have a dimmer in use somewhere in the house. So I guess that is the only noise problem I have in my lines?

Drubin: That is an interesting observation that you shared with us here. Is your system on dedicated lines? Do you have more than one line, and if so, do you have your analogue separate from your digital, etc ??? Are you running any other type of power line conditioner and / or aftermarket power cords, etc ??? Where do you have the Harvester's in proximity to your system, etc ??? Sean
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I have two dedicated lines for the system and I believe the analog is separated from the digital at this time but I'll have to check. I have a Foundation Research PC/conditioner on the CDP but that's all. Rest of the system does use aftermarket PCs but no conditioning. I have one Harvester on one of the dedicated lines and the other two on outlets on a non-dedicated circuit in the same room, which my subwoofer is also on. All of the Harvesters blink identically when they blink, and as far as I can tell, it is only when I have a light dimmer engaged. They blink more rapidly the more the dimmer is engaged, which makes sense. There are lights in that same room (but on a different circuit) that have dimmers and well as dimmers in other rooms, which may or may not be on the same circuit as some of the Harvesters (I can figure that out, but don't know offhand.)

Interestingly, I have never noticed the dimmers affecting the sound of my system. It's possible they do and I just haven't noticed, and I can sometimes hear the noise the lights emit when dimmed, but otherwise no.

I can feel your mind working, Sean. What are you thinking?

Thanks for the quick response Drubin.

I asked about your AC system / dedicated lines / aftermarket PC's, the placement of your Harvester's, the use of PLC's, etc... for specific reasons. I was trying to determine not only the effectiveness of the Harvester, but also how effective your dedicated lines, PC's, and PLC's were.

Out of curiosity, is the Harvester that is placed on one of your dedicated lines tied into the same circuit as your Foundation Research PLC or is it on the other circuit? Sean
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