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Is high end Power Conditioners worth the extra $$$

I am already using an audience AR6 which has given me good improvements together with a dedicated power line (with Oyaide wall outlet). I am still separating my power amps (Rowland 500) to a separate distributor to the wall.

There seems quite a number of higher end power conditioners like the AR6T, Synergistic Research 10SE, Hydra V-Ray V2, etc that are on the market. I would like to poll people who have had experience already with power conditioners and have upgraded to these units and would like to know what it brings.
dtanclim

Showing 3 responses by shellie

shellie
110 posts
 
In my system the Synergistic Powercell 10SE dramatically expanded the soundstage as well as dynamics while lowering the noise floor to what seems like ZERO with more air and enhanced detail and musicality.

BTW I went to RMAF and noticed that in the SR room they had two 1000 watt monoblocks (along with the entire system) plugged into a single PowerCell and their room sounded effortless and had room shaking dynamics. I saw no other high powered systems plugged into a single power conditioner, let alone one with such power and finesse. This suggests the PowerCell is in a class all its own. It's certainly worth an in home audition against other conditioners- that's what I did before making my final decision.
shellie
110 posts
 
Again,
All power conditioners are at least as system dependent as audio cables. That said, the SR Powercell is the only line conditioner that has not limited current in my systems (or to my amps).

Sixmoons review:
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/synergistic/powercell.html

Dagogo review:
http://www.dagogo.com/View-Article.asp?hArticle=26

Audiogon review:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?raccs&1235269101

The Absolute Sound also highly recommends the SR Powercell.

Worth an audition.
shellie
110 posts
 
Samzx12,
Yes I have tired the Running Springs (Audio Dmitri). Without going down a long laundry list here are a few impressions.

The Running Springs does a very nice job of cleaning up the highs while preserving detail and air. So too does the PowerCell 10 SE.

The Running Springs did not limit bass in my system until I added another stereo amp and auditioned in bridged mono- the PowerCell never limited bass and even added to dynamics compared to the direct wall connection, even when running amps in bridged mono.

Where the two (and every other power conditioner I have tried) differs is in the PowerCell 10 SE's uncanny ability to separate the soundstage from not only the speakers but also from the room itself. The degree of holographic realism is hard to fathom; at least that was the case for me in my system.

Power conditioners are like cables and power cords i.e.: you've got to hear them in your system for a week before you can reach any meaningful conclusions. At least with the PowerCell it’s not too heavy (in case you have to have one shipped to your home.) I’d say the top three to audition would be the Running Springs Dmitri, the Synergistic Research PowerCell 10 SE, and the Audience aR12T, at least these are the three I found to be the best of the best.
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