Has a Power Conditioner Improved Your Sound?

Hello, I have been + / - on power conditioners for years.  I now have three systems; two in my home and one in a vacation home, of decreasing cost and resolution.  My mountain home has big power outages and storms, and I had a very old Panamax unit that I was keen on upgrading.  So after reading a lot and seeing the Denali V2 at 20% off new at Music Direct (about the same price as used units, and most were selling their original Denalis to purchase the new V2) I bought one.  Since I had it delivered to my home, I decided to try it in each of my systems.  I had read all about the noise reduction, and like others, having dedicated lines at my home and fairly nice equipment, I was a 'plug into the wall guy'.

So first system #2 with MM Makua , onboard Tambaqui DAC, Audionet Max amps, Grimm MU1 streamer and Revel Salon 2 speakers:  I kept the amps into the wall and everything else into the Denali V2.  Wow.  Things sounded clearer top to bottom, more defined, more air and space. More dynamic, more resolution.  Brighter but not etched.  My wife perked right up hearing the difference.

So then downstairs to system #1 with Audionet Stern and Heisenbergs, MM Tambaqui, and YG Hailey 2 speakers.  This system is extremely resolving and I sit closer.  The Denali was again easily noticeable, but not to my liking.  This system did not need anything more clear or defined.  It was a bit much.  I went back to my dedicated lines and it relaxed into what I better liked. Maybe the dedicated lines here are 'cleaner', but I think it shows it is very system and resolution dependent.

Comparing, the Revel Salon 2's are much more laid back than the YG Haileys.  The Mola Mola preamp, is not quite as neutral as the Audionet Stern.

Finally I took it to the Lake house and I loved its effect immediately on this system. Here I plugged my Soulnote Integrated A2, and Auralic Altair streamer / DAC  into the Denali.  It sounds better and I appreciate the safety of the high end non sacrificial breaker.

I am using a Shunyata Sigma V2 HC with the Denali V2 here, and now have gotten a second Denali V2 for system #2 at home, using a Kubala Sosna Elation 20a power cord.   Both sound fantastic.

Good posts by @wokeuptobose and @fastfreight and thank you for sharing your experiences. I can’t help wondering @jfrmusic decision to go with a entry level power conditioner given rest of his system.

IMHO, a component such as power conditioner which serves as a foundation of your system, should be uncompromising in every conceivable way.

@lalitk 

I understand your comment about not going all in on a PC. However the audio quest 707 has been a great improvement to my sound at a reasonable price. Spending 4 or 5 times more may offer additional performance but the law of diminishing returns had me skeptical on how much. I believe I have clean power into my newer home and while I don't have a true direct line there is nothing else connected to the line other than my system. So right now I'm good and enjoying the music.

Power conditioner helps, but you have to wait until it’s burn in and acclimate with your system. Find the right power cable to match your system.

Lalitk, you are so correct. Getting foundational stuff correct makes everything in the system perform its best, but it is very unglamorous. It's like getting underwear and socks for your birthday instead of a new bike! I am learning that power, isolation, room accoustics, cables, tube rolling, very non-sexy stuff is transforming my system into a much more engaging and rewarding sound. Buying expensive large components is way more fun, but without integrating each component with the rest you don't get the full benefit of your investment. A couple of years ago I bought a used Vivaldi Stack. This was the most expensive investment I had made in this hobby. After I wired the money the broker suggested that the previous owner would sell me his Nordost loom for a super low price of 47K. I'm sure they would have sounded great, but I was out of my lane. I could afford to buy the component, but I didn't have the money to integrate it. I sold the stack and went with a much simpler approach that I could afford to optimize.