Line conditioner - how much power do I need?

Check this out, looks like I was wrong.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?htech&1115399501

Alex,

The theoretical limit of class A is 50%, of AB push pull around 75%, but that is just for the output stage and ignores power consumed by the rest of the amp, so I used 50% as a rough guideline. Some amps will do better. I agree that a device, regulator or regenerator, that can provide 600W should be fine.

Herman, are you sure they were talking about Class A amplification?
Aggielaw, voltage regulator is normally not a good idea, but in your case you probably should use it. Unless you are using your amp at very high volume even 600V should be fine.

Tube or SS doesn't matter. There are low power demand and high power demand devices in both camps and 500W is probably not enough for what you have. For a rough estimate a typical power amp is at most 50% efficient. To put out 200W (100W x 2) would require at least 400W from the line. The sub probably has a more efficient type of amp, but if you figure 100W for it, 25-50W for the CDP, and another 25-50W for the preamp you are over 500W.

600W might do it and 900W probably would. A better way is to take a look at your equipment on the back somewhere near the power plug. It should say how much power it needs. It may be listed as VA instead of watts but for your purposes it is the same thing. Add them all up and that's the minimum you need.

Since the 120VAC lines in your home come directly from the 240VAC lines, if your 120VAC lines are sagging (brownout) then the 240VAC lines are sagging right along with them. Hooking up a 240-120 isolation transformer won't help your situation at all.

Maich, using the same 50% calculation above, 6000W of amp output would require 12,000W of input power. That's 100 amps on the 120 side and 50 amps on the 240 side. That probably exceeds the ratings on the transformer and the lines. However, since you probably don't use all the power and it would only draw that much on maximum peaks you are getting away with it. It may be restricting your dynamics though.

If you have access to a 240v line, it will provide awesome power, plus dedication. You will need a step down isolation transformer. There are more than 6000 watts of amplifier power plugged into my single unit.

Hi, Aggielaw:
Are your amp and pre-amp solid state or tube? If solid state, a PS Audio P500 will be plenty. The tube components are what demand high continuous watts.
Best wishes.
Jay