2. amps-preamps
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Good Inexpensive Multi Plug

Seeking some power advice...

Ive recently been adding some power options to my set up. Moved from a cheapo 12 outlet multi plug with filtering/surge protection to a Tripp Lite Isobar 6, and found some definite sonic improvement. Experimented by removing everything other than amp, dac and source...marginally better still. Then moved to plugging my amp directly into the wall. No contest. Taking away the current clamp really opened everything up. Sonic improvement was so good that trusting the amp’s own power supply filtration far exceeds the current compromise. But I don’t trust leaving it plugged straight in..lightning, surges, spikes etc.

Question is, what multi’s our there with a power switch do not (Significantly) clamp current? Or do I just keep doing squats until I save enough shekels for a power supply (or house panel protection) that costs more than my amp?

Thanks ahead of time 🙏🏼

System:

Creek Evolution 50A
AlloDigione Player/Transport
Airist Audio R2R dac
Harmon Kardon CD player/transport
Totem Arro speakers
Wirewolrd power cable (amp)


riccitone
10 responses Add your response
turnbowm
353 posts
 
riccitone,

I have used Furman products and have found them to be good quality. Their PST-8 uses Series Multi-stage Protection (SMP) and Linear Filter Technology (Lift). However, they make NO mention of being able to withstand repeated 6,000V/3,000A "hits" without degradation/damage, as specified by Zero Surge and Brickwall.

If you are in a spendy mood, the Audioquest Niagra 1200 ($995) offers good Series-Mode protection in an audiophile-grade package.
riccitone OP
229 posts
 
@turnbowm I’ve looked at the Zero Surge products, and you’ve been the second person here to recommend them. Surge suppression is not really my concern, just the effect that cheaper filters can have on a system. Again, straight in the wall, better than any other option I’ve tried as of late. But am really considering Zero Surge, or Brickwall. Still wondering what a quality block like the Furman could still do...either way, equipment failure is a legit concern, as you’ve verified! I think it best to have something well made in place. Thank you 🙏🏼

turnbowm
353 posts
 
Some who own big power-hungry amps have complained about reduced dynamics and bass impact when the amp is powered through surge protectors/filters but that should not be a problem with the Creek Evolution 50A Integrated Amp which is rated at 55wpc @  8ohms & 85wpc @ 4ohms.


I also have a small Integrated Amp (Bryston B60R) and it as well as all source components and a Rel T/5i sub are plugged into a Zero Surge 8R15W Series-Mode Suppressor. If anything, the sound quality of the system is better. Having a common system ground is always a good thing.

The only piece of equipment that ever failed on me is one that was unprotected. The Zero Surge unit provides protection and peace of mind..
thecarpathian's avatar
thecarpathian
4,362 posts
 
You can purchase a whole house surge protector for around $100.
erik_squires
16,056 posts
 
OP:

The best for sound quality and surge protection are the ZeroSurge/Brickwall units.  They also lack in features.

I've never had a Furman degrade sound quality, but I have noticed sound was harsher without it.

Best,

Erik
riccitone OP
229 posts
 
@cleeds

Sorry...that probably was in no way accurate. Some here have suggested that lower quality power filtering strips can inhibit those moments when an amp needs a quick burst of amperage. Not that the strip doesn’t make it available, but not at the immediacy, or overall designed with the intent to deliver that without gate. My little amp would never require some huge amount that would come close to or exceed what even a cheap strip could deliver, just that the filtering (even with just a filter strip and the amp vs just in the wall) Really does hold back/inhibit the dynamics and overall sound. Wether this is due completely to filtration? My specific amp? Or just cheap filtration? Still wondering.
riccitone OP
229 posts
 
@erik_squires 

It was actually your article here that inspired me to try separating components! So let me thank you to begin with (should have mentioned it from the start). 
What I noticed, was that when I didn’t “filter” the power on my amp  it sounded so much better. Even with it plugged into a decent filtered strip by itself (I had tried that too), it was not “quite right”. And I found it fatiguing. But when placed into the wall with Most everything else In the filtered strip, magical, sweet, dynamic, even more detailed, natural, balanced, etc. 

Do you feel the Furman’s filtering will not inhibit tone and clamp the amp? It does seem better than the isobar...

Thanks again!
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,598 posts
 
I recommend running a ZeroSurge 2 outlet into Waber PS-615-HospitalGrade's
I put a 10 ga. PC and a Hospital Grade outlet in my Zero, since I had already installed an Outside in the wall dedicated line.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
cleeds
5,947 posts
 
riccitone
Taking away the current clamp really opened everything up.
What is a "current clamp?"
What makes you think the Isobar has one?
erik_squires
16,056 posts
 
Furman. 

I wrote about this somewhat here:

https://inatinear.blogspot.com/2019/04/power-management-for-frugal-audiophiles.html
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