Best value power condtioners....Used is ok

I have to both agree and disagree with Stehno. The Foundation Research LC-1 and 2 are incredible power line conditioners, and to my ears, the best available. The only draw back of the LC-1 and 2 is that the line conditioner is incorporated into the power cord for use with only one component, therefore, making it very expensive to condition an entire system. This is where I disagree with Stehno, as the original poster is looking for the biggest bang for his buck, and to that end, the Foundation Research fails. For the biggest bang for your buck, I would recommend a used API Power Wedge 114 MK2 or 116 Mk2 depending on your system size. If you are looking for the best Power Line Conditioner regardless of cost, then go for the Foundation Research.

John, I have never seen a used Foundation Research LC-1 or LC-2 on the used market, therefore, making their procurement at a discounted price very difficult. I have 2 LC-1's feeding my DAC and Genesis Digital Lens, and a LC-2 feeding my tube amp. The designer of Foundation Research, Ed Wolkow, lives in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada which is 45 minutes outside Toronto, and his products are very well known in higher end audio circles in the Greater Toronto area. For those interested in learning more about Foundation Research products can email Ed directly at ewolkow@foundationresearch.on.ca.

John, I have an excellent relationship with an audio store that sells Foundation Research products. I managed to borrow 4 LC-1s and a LC-2 for my system. LC-1's for my Transport, DAC, Genesis Digital Lens and tube pre-amp, and a LC-2 for my tube amp. All of the in-line FR LC remained in the system for 2 weeks and then I started removing then one by one. It turned out that the FR LC-1s on my tube pre-amp and the CD transport did little to improve the sound. The most dramatic effect in order of magnitude was DAC, AMP, and Digital Lens. I mentioned to my audio dealer that I experience very little improvement by adding a LC-1 to my pre-amp, but since my tube pre-amp is very current hungry, he suggested that I try an LC-2, but he would consult with Ed Wolkow first. Please find listed Ed's response...

"The LC1 is most likely the best choice for your preamp. Even high-powered preamps tend to draw well under half of the LC1s capacity. However, you will probably get the most dramatic musical improvement by filtering the line to your power amplifier(s) first with the LC2. Most power amplifiers suffer from line noise much more than preamplifiers. Good preamplifiers (like yours) have well regulated supplies rendering greater noise immunity. I have often experienced that preamplifiers are usually the last step in the noise reduction process. It's a "weakest link in the chain" approach. The highest source of noise is usually the digital source and then the power amplifier. I would recommend that you prove my opinion with listening."

My listening tests concurred with Ed's recommendation. I have owned Tice, API (pre-Ultra) and PS 300 (pre-multiwave) and the FR products are the most musical. If you like a low noise floor with a dark silent back ground to allow the music a clean canvas to paint its sonic picture, then FR products are for you.