This question has been around, and like last time, I am in disagreement. I am not knocking the Power Plants, in fact I was their biggest fan when they first were introduced. I was laughed out of my high end dealership in NC and was told, 'nothing compares to TransParent's LCs," yet 6 months later that same dealership was carring the PP. Anyway, here is a direct quote from PSAudio's website (http://psaudio.com/products/p300_overview.asp):
"The Power Plants are NOT a filter or balanced transformer. These are actual AC generators that produce perfectly clean AC power under ANY conditions, even when the incoming AC is clipped or badly distorted - something no filter, power line conditioner, or balanced transformer can do."
Now there is another place in their web site that does say it is balanced AC (at least an individual from the last thread on this subject I participated in posted a quote stating so...look for it on you own) so I think it's important to define "Balanced Power." Balanced AC reconfigures the standard Hot (120V), Netural Ground scheme to a 60+, 60- Ground scheme. The 60+ and 60- cancel each other, as well as any noise on the line, yet gives 120V. At least that's what my Cinepro Power Pro 20 was advertised to do.
If you are interested in a PP, and "Balanced AC" is a key issue for you, I would email Paul (who I hear is a real good guy) and get the info from him. I think they are great products, and I'm sure do a wonderful job...I also hear they are incompatiable with certain products (some manufactures will no honor their warrenties if connected to a PP), but I have no facts on that.
Good luck.
m-
Just found this from the website (http://psaudio.com/articles/power_conditioners.asp):
"Balanced transformers
We have covered PLC's and Power Plants, but what about balanced transformers?
Generally speaking, balanced transformers that are properly designed, are much better than a PLC. This is because a balanced transformer uses what is known as CMR or Common Mode Rejection to eliminate noise. A well designed balanced transformer (such as the Equi-tech) can reduce common mode noise by as much as 30 dB (or 30 times lower). This applies for even these lower harmonics, so a balanced transformer has the PLC's beat to all heck.
Unfortunately, the noise on power lines is not always common - sometimes it is differential - in which case the balanced transformers can't do much. In addition, the flattened sine wave you see above cannot be corrected with a balanced transformer design at all. Balanced transformers only do their job on a purely sinusoidal waveform."
