Least Expensive Power Conditioner/Surge Protector That Won't Worsen Sound

I'm getting my Shunyata Hydra back next week. They found no damage at all, but replaced the filtration and surge protection with their most up to date technology. Really nice customer service!

The least injurious of all the conditioners I’ve ever personally used, is a Chang Lightspeed.

I find that many will choke the current and damage fin details, and create blurring or splashiness that could be heard as ’detailed’, when it is really a form of unwanted screech, when the screech or dullness or whatever is finally heard for what it is.

The Chang units seem to strike a very good balance.

One tends to find the Chang units where one is cost conscious and does not think that throwing money at perceived problems is a good substitute for a good ear or mind being brought to bear on the matter.

Not to derail the conversation, but what are thoughts on the need for a UPS backup. Is it necessary in areas with frequent power outages?

Had the Furman ref 15i now the Puritan 156.  I'm done.

Transparent Duo

I'm hoping and assuming that Shunyata will be able to bring the Hydra back to spec. If not, I'll need to find a unit which will allow me to use the Python Alpha power cord with free C19 end.

Remind me to turn off spellcheck. Some stray character turned into cnn - I wouldn’t touch that propaganda with someone else’s eyes. Mobile page doesn’t allow editing ✍🏻 

I’ve had one CNN of these over two years now for my system. Works fine. Have similar smaller units for computers in two rooms, a larger one for TV/audio in another room. Output is clean, to keep rfi/emi off input I use simple clamp-on ferrite chokes - works for my ham radio equipment.

you did specify inexpensive.

APC UPS 1500VA Sine Wave UPS Battery Backup, BR1500MS2 Backup Battery Power Supply with AVR, (2) USB Charger Ports https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GRY1W93/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_DT698HR0MVRKADDH5ASB?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

@kellyp Could you explain? 

@analogj, no I wasn’t suggesting that only the power cord is critical in helping any systems SQ. The power cable in conjunction with a good power conditioner should work together to help keep the electricity running through your mains clean. A lot of what will work best in any system can depend on system synergy, the compatibility of different components to work together for the most optimal sound.

     For example @markiew commented that for him the Puritan 156 did more than an AudioQuest Niagara 3000 and an AQ Hurricane power cable in his setup. 

For surge and lightning protection they are a good idea, but higher frequency noise is better removed by anti-ripple filters in the power supplies where capacitors and inductors become proportionally more effective with higher order Fourier harmonics for distorted 60 Hz wall outlet power up to radio frequencies which audio vacuum tubes cutoff.

noticed there was no mention of Monster HTS 3500 & 3600. which I have not sure if they protect, but it gives me ten outlets which are full.

Got one as an open box and another at a yard sale, and the guy had  no idea what it was, got it for fifty bucks, there was a rebate coupon for $50, old, sent it in, and got a check for $50. are they any good or am I going to get bet up?

Tom

Personally if it sound quality based buy the best furutech receptacles and wire them into your circuit and if directly into them.  Years and years ago I bought a panomax and I could not get rid of it quickly enough. Between myself and a friend we have tried a bunch of them and none of them are any good. Make some things better and some things worse. That is the way they all seem to work the bass is better the top gets bright. Or the tone is better and the mucicality is go e etc etc etc. They all seems to work that way we have tried a great number of them up to about a five thousand dollar price.  The furutech receptacles replacement just makes the sound quality go up. Doesn't seem to make anything get worse. 

Regards

Even at full retail price its still a better deal than the Niagara 3000.  See if you can demo one and make up your own mind

@markiew Well, at $2300 US it better do something right. 

Part of the issue is that I'm still officially auditioning an integrated amp. And the Panamax is making it sound considerably worse than what I heard through the Hydra 6 w/Python Alpha power cord. 

Another vote for the puritan 156 here.  Better than an Audioquest Niagara 3000 with Hurricane cable

Puritan psm 156.  20amp socket.

I use a Furman power strip RF / voltage limiter with a Tripplight isolation transformer / voltage regulating power filter.  When compensating for low or high voltage gas never affected the sound. 

I'm learning.

I realize that the Python Alpha power cord I've been using with the Hydra 6 has a c19 female connector. Other than Shunyata, what other brands of power conditioners use that style of connector so I can use the Shunyata cord, if needed be?

it probably makes sense to try (take for a couple of days) something from Furman products ... or find a studio isolation transformer

@adasdad So what you/he are suggesting that only the power cord affects the sound quality? I can absolutely attest to that power cords can vastly improve the sound of a piece of equipment. But is the grayness of the tonal color I'm hearing using the Panamax only related to the power cord I'm using? I'm unable to use the Panamax with the Shunyata Python Alpha cord I use with the Hydra. The receptacle in the back of the PM is too small for the Python Alpha cord.

@analogj, I appreciate the question. To give you a short answer there isn’t anything or difference that you’re going to be able to hear because a good power cord and conditioner doesn’t add anything. All it does is take away RFI and EMI that will hinder your ability to enjoy recorded music. Here’s a link to a short YouTube video where Garth Powell explains the necessity of having a good power cable. Just search Garth Powell AudioQuest and he’s got several very in-depth and detailed videos where he explains much better than I can the science behind how he designs power conditioners and cables for AudioQuest. 

@buddyboy1, to my understanding there is no difference structurally between the old Niagara 1200 and what is on the AudioQuest website now other than AudioQuest having raised its prices this year. 

@adasdad But I'm wondering if you could elaborate as to what you heard regarding the difference between the two. I understand how they're marketed, but in terms of rubber meeting the road, what differences did you hear, if you articulate them.

By the way,  I thought I read that Garth did design the PQ2 and 3 as well. 

I can say this much that thus far, after a few days, that the images, running through the Panamax m5400-pm, are clearly less juicy. This may improve with break-in. I wouldn't be happy if it stayed at this sound quality.

For a few hundred dollars less than the Puritan PSM156 is the PSM136 - which also works wonderfully.  I doubt you'll go wrong with either model.

U.K. produced Puritan PSM156, it works and is much better value than anything else.

@adasdad ...you probably know the answer to that question....I'm interested in upgrading from the   PQ2

Does anyone know the difference between the Audioquest Niagara 1200 @ $999 and the LOW-Z version @ $1299

I took erik_squires advice earlier this year and got a Furman unit with LiFT and SMP. No degradation of sound, in fact the sound improved.

@analogj, the PowerQuest2 to my understanding was not designed by Garth Powell. For me it acted as a really good surge protector with some adequate noise filtering that made it a much better choice for an audio or home entertainment system than your average hardware store power strips. There really is no comparing it to the AQ Niagara series of power conditioners because the Niagara’s are audiophile grade units for dedicated hifi systems. The price of the PQ2 makes it a good place to start as you build your system or if you just want to have piece of mind protecting your audio gear. 

@adasdad How was the PQ2, and what was the SQ leap from that to the Niagara? Both are designed by Garth, right? I've read mixed things thus far about the PQ2 and PQ3 in terms of sound.  

@buddyboy1, oh god yes, I immediately noticed an improvement in sound quality when I got on board the Garth Powell from AudioQuest’s clean power train. Powell designs all of the power conditioners and higher end power cables at AudioQuest. I noticed a much crisper and more clear sound from my system, with a much blacker sonic floor and greater detail and instrument separation in the music that I listen to. I use an AudioQuest Thunder power cable to go from the Niagara to the wall socket. Honestly if I had more money I would’ve spent at least twice as much on the power cable and conditioner because I feel that they quantitatively improved the SQ in my setup by at least 20%. 

My question is whether some units/designs might actually worsen the sound from source equipment. Theoretically, reducing noise in the electricity would improve blackness of background, exposing finer detail, as well as improve dynamics. Might it also color (or discolor) the sound in some way, i.e., brighten, gray, dull, or flatten the 3-dimensionality of the sound?

Again, I'm just asking about source equipment, including phono preamplifiers.

@analogj , your question has merit. I've tried a couple passive conditioners for my sources that coloured the sound: eg, added warmth instead of remaining neutral, restricted dynamics, removed that sense of "air" and sense of space. They lowered the noise-floor, but at too great a cost.

These were name-brand products, but used too much filtering which affected sonics. I found many more conditioners at the same price-point which used different technology to achieve better results. I now use balanced power for the majority of my sources and a Brick Wall for a couple digital devices.

Hello!  For most of my life, I’ve been involved in the medical imaging (think x-ray, CT, MRI, etc.) world…first as a user/operator, now in sales.  One thing I learned from being in those environments is that Tripp-Lite makes a damn fine, no non-sense product; a lot of imaging systems came with their stuff to protect computer consoles, servers, etc.  

I’ve been using a Tripp-Lite LCR2400 for the past 7 years and have been very happy with it.  It provides voltage regulation, monitoring and line protection…nothing more, nothing less.  I haven’t noticed any sound difference between having it in my system versus direct into the outlets (a good thing!), but feel much better knowing it’s there protection-wise.  It gets great reviews, is pretty much bullet-proof and just plain does what it’s supposed to.  The other thing going for it is it’s very cost effective…I bought mine from Office Depot for under $400.  

Only negative for me is that this unit is known to have a very faint buzz to it…in a totally quiet room, you can barely hear it, but it is there.  Obviously, once the music plays, one doesn’t hear it.

If I ever get the itch, I may get a true-audiophile unit from Shunyata, PS Audio, AudioQuest, etc…but, really, the Tripp-Lite meets my needs perfectly.

https://www.tripplite.com/2400w-120v-3u-rack-mount-power-conditioner-automatic-voltage-regulation-avr-ac-surge-protection-14-outlets~LCR2400/

Good luck…Happy listening!

Arvin

I've only had the Panamax m5400-pm for a couple of days. I imagine that it will need a break-in period, as most equipment seems to need. But compared to the obviously well-broken in Shunyata Research Hydra 6 (which is on its way back to the factory for refreshing), individual instruments and voices are not as well individually defined in space. They're a bit muddled together. The Pathos Classic Remax integrated, which is plugged into the wall,  that I have been auditioning, renders a terrific sense of air and space, and well as individual definition. I'm missing that having swapped the Hydra 6 out for the Panamax.

Yes, @lowrider57, that's my hope.

I think it's generally been in agreement that for power and integrated amps, the sound is best when plugged directly into the wall. Whether that's smart for the ultimate health of the piece of equipment may be another argument. Is it worth the gamble?

My question, though,  is more related to the use of a PLC with non-power amp equipment. Ostensibly, a PLC cleans the electricity of noise, and some units may help provide consistent voltage. My question is whether some units/designs might actually worsen the sound from source equipment. Theoretically, reducing noise in the electricity would improve blackness of background, exposing finer detail, as well as improve dynamics. Might it also color (or discolor) the sound in some way, i.e., brighten, gray, dull, or flatten the 3-dimensionality of the sound?

Again, I'm just asking about source equipment, including phono preamplifiers.

If not, is the spending money on the better PLCs mainly for the purpose of better protection and being able to use them with power amps?

I was looking at a Panamax provided chart of their PLCs, and saw that their models reduce noise anywhere from 50dB to 80 dB depending on model. Okay, I can potentially understand the benefits of greater noise reduction, but are there other factors which contribute to how well a PLC will affect the sound?

I haven't used audiophile conditioners. You can get medical grade used isolation transformers from ebay, or you can find a ups that takes in AC, converts it to DC, then inverts it back to AC. I think that this is increasingly common. They used to send the AC right to the output, and would tap off of it to charge the battery. If power dropped, a relay would drop and switch the output to the battery powered inverter. Electronics running at slower frequencies, older computers and such, would run fine during the transition, but today's gear will often shut down, so the ups' commonly run off the battery constantly, but check to be sure. They can be had for a few hundred dollars. It needs to be able to supply sufficient current to run for amp at full power though.

What's the least expensive power conditioner/surge protector that won't worsen the sound? 

It sounds like you're hoping to get the Shunyata back. I agree with your thinking, find something for the mean time, then go back to the Shunyata or replace it.

PI Audio UberBuss sans surge.

Richard Gray 1200 Custom with surge. 

@adasdad.....Do you notice a difference in SQ w/ the Niagara..........

@buddyboy1, +1 on the AudioQuest PowerQuest 2. I used one for over a year before I got an AQ Niagara 1200 power conditioner, and I still have it. 

The first sentence of you second paragraph is the reality of it, the rest had to deal with insecurity.

@carlsbad +1

I suggest a Furman PST-8D. Been using one for a year without any issues in a headphone system. Didn't have a long/tumultuous break in like other power conditioners, while it also had a smaller effect on sound. I don't know how it compares to its AudioQuest competitors at its price.

AudioQuest Powerquest 2  at Audio Advisor  $200....Really sweet. Better than my $600 PS  Audio.

Ah, a Derecho.

That, is in a whole other league. 

Stay safe.

Mr Carpathian,  I beg to differ.  Here in Iowa we have 140mph Derechos.  Took out 70,000 or more trees in Cedar Rapids alone.  South is getting lots of storms this spring.  Good luck and enjoy the music.

There were some good comments from atmosphere(Ralph) about what power conditioners need to do and not do recently.

I use a Nordost QB8 with surge protection in a dedicated sub panel. 

+1 Brick Wall (same design as ZeroSurge). I own the 8 outlet unit for use with source components, noise-floor is greatly lowered. Circuit breaker, RFI/EMI filtering, series-mode, no MOVs 

However, this conditioner/surge protection will limit current to amps.