I recently purchased the PS Audio Powerplant P3 and have been astounded at the improvement it had on my system. To me, power needs to be the very first thing you consider before spending money on a component because without consistent, clean power you will never hear what the component is capable of.
My first power conditioner - positive experience
Just wanted to share my first experience with a power conditioner, coz I have to say it was positive.
My system:
Modwright Transporter streaming 16/44 and 24/96 content
Theta Digital Data Basic ii and Ds Pro Basic iii for redbook
Hovland HP-100 Pre
Pass Labs Aleph 3 Amp
KEF 103/3 speakers
Audioquest Diamondback interconnects
Pangea power cables
My music library s exclusively Jazz
The power area is the least invested area of my system, and I took a small step with a Panamax Max 5100-PM conditioner. Definitely low end at $300 retail and I paid $135 used.
I has been quite happy with my current system performance. Saw the Panamax cheap and tried it. Was pleasantly surprised that I found small but noticeable improvement.
Overall a bit more punch. Clearer instrument pacement and definition. Slightly more forward soundstage, not in a bad way. Wider soundstage. Everything jut a bit more... "there".
If you have optimized other elements of your system, think about power too. It made a difference for me even with a really low end conditioner.
My system:
Modwright Transporter streaming 16/44 and 24/96 content
Theta Digital Data Basic ii and Ds Pro Basic iii for redbook
Hovland HP-100 Pre
Pass Labs Aleph 3 Amp
KEF 103/3 speakers
Audioquest Diamondback interconnects
Pangea power cables
My music library s exclusively Jazz
The power area is the least invested area of my system, and I took a small step with a Panamax Max 5100-PM conditioner. Definitely low end at $300 retail and I paid $135 used.
I has been quite happy with my current system performance. Saw the Panamax cheap and tried it. Was pleasantly surprised that I found small but noticeable improvement.
Overall a bit more punch. Clearer instrument pacement and definition. Slightly more forward soundstage, not in a bad way. Wider soundstage. Everything jut a bit more... "there".
If you have optimized other elements of your system, think about power too. It made a difference for me even with a really low end conditioner.