2. amps-preamps
  3. 192903-150037

AB testing of power regenerators?? Ever do it?

Ever since the first grade I've been fascinated by clean power and how it impacts my audio system.  During recess I would escape to a nearby audio shop to see the latest Power conditioners and regenerators.

PS Audio seems to be the dominant player in power regeneration with their mystery box for thousands of dollars.

I don't have a power regenerator (I do use a power conditioner), and sometimes the sound coming through my system is alot nicer and I wonder if it's related to electrons flowing out of the wall, and would it be better to rejuvenate via regenerater all those electrons?

With that being said has anyone done AB testing of a power regenerator which is extremely easy to do to see the difference? And what are your findings? 

 

emergingsoul

Showing 3 responses by erik_squires

erik_squires
16,469 posts
 

A dedicated line is usually substantially more voltage stable. You're not going to plug a vacuum into it because it's a dedicated line. That's the whole point.

And how often do you do that while listening?  :D

Yes, it's more stable, that doesn't necessarily make it stable.  I used to spend all my time listening and watching the voltage meter.  Seasonal variations, plus major appliances in the home kicking on and off still make it more variable than using a voltage regulator.

Anyone else who is curious should get a Kill-A-Watt meter or some other constantly running voltage meter to see how well or poorly things in their home are.  Be grateful if you find your home AC is stable all year long.

erik_squires
16,469 posts
 

For what it’s worth, there IS a middle ground between nothing and a power regenerator and that’s a voltage regulator.

The Furman conditioners such as this one with AR offers tight voltage output with high current, and don’t generate any Class D noise on the output. The SMP offers both noise filtering that starts around 3 kHz (really good) plus best in class surge protection.

If you are happy with 15 A instead this unit is almost half the price.

AR will keep your line from sagging under load as well as insulate your system from seasonal/daily variations in voltage while SMP/EVS will keep your system safe.

erik_squires
16,469 posts
 

It seems I do have very dirty electricity.  My first attempt to address the problem was to install the recommended dedicated line.  But first we rigged up a test dedicated line.  There was no reduction in noise.  

@echolane 

Yes, this exactly.  I don't know why people are enamored with plugging their amps directly into the wall and into a dedicated line, as if that solves anything.

The only thing you get is a reduction in noise from other components on the same line, but not a complete elimination of both household and outside noises.

In addition, the dedicated line is only relatively more voltage stable.  Relatively meaning if you plug a vacuum into the same circuit you'll get a bigger sag than if you plug it somewhere else, but at the end of the day you are still subject to seasonal and hour to hour variations due to HVAC, ovens, hair dryers, etc., and of course surges.

 

More to discover