Am i missing something without a power conditioner?

In 2003, we add a Panamax 5300 and without a doubt, perhaps the most significant system upgrade going back to the 60’s.

We auditioned other makes and models. Some were better but much more money and some were not so good for more and less money. Details here  http://www.ielogical.com/Audio/#PowerConditioning

As everything HiFi must integrate within a system, your mileage will vary so audition all devices. Take owner model specific advice as fan boy prattle.

Bonne chance.

@uberwaltz - 

Fan Boy Prattle?
So one is to assume that we include your recommendation of the Panamax in the same category then ieales?

Absolutely. I stated I installed a Panamax and it was a significant upgrade. Other devices were better and worse. AND the user MUST audition anything.

As I've mentioned elsewhere, systems are as individual as a fingerprint. Identical systems in different rooms can sound vastly different. ALL components MUST be auditioned in situ. Device specifics are next to worthless in an absolute context.

I forgot to mention that power conditioners often have multiple circuits fit with different filters [and manufacturer twaddle to accompany].

The 5300 has two 'Regular' and 1 'High' current circuits. One  Regular switched and the other not. The Regulars are recommended for TVs, preamps, CD, etc. and the High ostensibly for Amps and Subs.

FWIW, my PrimaLuna 5 sounds best when connected to the Regular direct rather than High current outlet. OTOH, the NuPrime ST-10 loves the High current outlet. The PL5 has a much simpler higher voltage, lower current PS than the ST-10.

Bottom line is not only will power conditioners themselves have varying effects, various circuits therein, if fit, may react in audible ways with the load device power supply.

there really is no point ANYBODY making any recommendations

Pretty much sums it. In ancient times, a recommendation from someone whose system I'd heard and judgement I trusted would carry some heft. Your system gives you a slight uptick but "Sublime even on cassette" skotches it.<vbg>

A large problem is naiveté and owner enthusiasm for the latest and greatest which they of course own. The cost of my system wouldn't cover the tax on many, but no one who has ever heard it [or any far more costly predecessor] has failed to make complimentary comments about the precision, musicality and emotion. 

A miniscule proportion of posters have any iota of a musical reference other than HiFi and even then their reference is that it sounds better than their laptop, iJunk or smartphone. Even then some play severely bitrate limited incoherent MP3s and rave about the sonics.

After decades of being an audio recluse, recent auditions of popular/well reviewed/very expensive gear has left me non-plussed. An advantage of the modern era is stores can pull down almost anything. When I cannot distinguish multiple backing vocal tracks or piano solo instrument from tracking piano in a different studio, there is something seriously flawed in the playback. These demo's are supposedly optimized in single systems rooms. A great system draws the listener into the music. None did. Quite the opposite. I just wanted to turn it off.

in evaluating, they must be as rigorous as possible in establishing baseline conditions. It's patently worthless to insert one system, play for a while, then insert another and play different source material. My recommendation is to have a library of reference tracks, note ambient and electrical conditions,  play the system for N minutes with the same 'warm up' disc while out of the room. Only then evaluate, making notes all the while. Rinse and Repeat for additional units.

The most that anyone reading here should infer is that power conditioning MAY be beneficial and they MUST evaluate for themselves in their own system, preferably with multiple devices.

@uberwaltz

assuming I obviously am tone deaf and would not know hifi if it whacked me around the side of the head!

I assume no such thing. <vbg> == Very Big Grin == Humor. Can't say I share your general taste in music but sometimes I rock out with Led Zeppelin, Queen, The Who... and sundry other retirees. Tommy "Underture" is one of my reference tracks. Next year will mark the 40th anniversary of that (TFIC) exalted status. TFIC = Tongue Firmly In Cheek.

Cassettes are terrible vis a vis almost any other media. Mechanically it cannot be otherwise. I fail to see the point of recent enthusiasm. In the studio, we referred to them as "crappettes". 

Taking parts of a post is an online hazard and one I'm willing to risk. I try to take enough so as to not change the context. What someone types is not always what they meant and the writer cannot fault subsequent users if the meaning was misconstrued.

Since we're bitching, far too often some late comer has not read the entire thread and chimes in unprimed and half-cocked.

PAX