How do you know if you need a power conditioner?

To elaborate on my experience I was getting very good results with a Chang Lightspeed device, and I was surprised when I took it out and inserted a simple Wiremold power strip the sound actually improved. High's seemed more extended and the sound was more lively. Thus as I and others have said, experimentation is key.

Thank you all, that helps a lot. I understand now that people's situations vary and that sometimes a power conditioner may improve things and sometimes not, and that experimentation is key. Also everyone agrees that dedicated lines are the way to go.

So that leads me to another question. Although I would love to have a dedicated line for each piece of gear a la Albertporter, (FOURTEEN!!!) that isn't feasible right now. At the moment I've got only one with a dual outlet on it. I am in a private home, so let's assume for now (until I have time to experiment with a conditioner) that the power is sufficiently clean and not in need of a conditioner. What is the best way to use this one outlet? E.g. all the stereo gear branched off of that via a power strip? Or say just the one component that is most in need of clean power (amplifier perhaps?) so that it's isolated from the other components? (leaving the rest of the gear to "dirty" outlets).

Sometimes you don't know until you try.
Well for the past 2 years I thought twisted dedicated lines seperate breakers on a dedicated ground were more than enough..

Enter: Equi=tech Balanced Power. Equi=tech runs gear for large sound studios, broadcast facilities etc, and home owners.

I purchased the Plane Jane Balanced Power Transformer in a box, and ran the output line to secondary breaker box where my dedicated lines connect. This is the simplist product that they sell.

The change was immediate and undeniable, but after 3 weeks. The overall change is overwhelming. TV / Satelite / Sourround system. Music how has sparkling clarity, . CD, DVD's especially a really large improvement. The picture is sharper and crisper colours are more saturated. The bass is HUGE it has grown, expanded, got deeper, tighter, more expressive, and unbeliveably powerful. Where is this bass comming from ????? The upgrade was worth it just for the Bass improvement.

My 2 channel using Klipschorns set amps, and Vinyl.. I could describe it as more immediate with pristine crystline clarity , more low level information, huge bass improvement.. better still, the music creeps out and grabs you, sucks you into it's captivating and enthralling musical vortex: and 20 minutes later you are released from its grip yet again to flipp the dam record!!! Enjoyment level 2-300% improvement.

I would like to try their other products.. A new line conditioner just for large plasma, and Hd TV rigs.. humm...

Yah I am convinced. Hydro is dirty, Balanced Power seems to lower the floor noise, and improve the bandwidth while injecting sparkle and pizazz. oh and did I mention bass

Anolog - What Equi-tech model are you using? I have the Son of Q and am very happy with it. It's almost the bottom of their line, and I'm pleased...

I have the Q type Transformer in a box. This was listed in the clearance bin at $399. You get the q -transformer with no extra power conditioning or filtering, no ac regulation and no outlets. You have to wire the transformer into the hydro box.. and then the line out from the transformer goes secondary breaker box - (8 breakers) where you run your dedicated lines. This worked for me.. I have 4 lines with schurter connectors on the ends so they plug directly into my amps / preamps ets. (no power cables needed) I also twisted my ac lines, which helps to cancel rf, and magnetic interference.