Not sure for power conditioner my amp or not.

IME even for balanced power, the transformer ought to be pretty massive in order to not have it sound like it sucks the life out of the music.

I have a BPS (toroid at 2700VA) weighing approx. 80 lbs and it still pulled down my various power amps...

YMMV

@facten 

I have had the opposite experience. in both of my systems I have found having the amps plugged into power conditioners improved the sound. May be it is the case due to the  "quality" or lack thereof of our local power.

Agreed.

It may simply depend upon the specific conditioner in question. I use an AC balanced isolation transformer/ conditioner. Unquestionably the sound quality of the amplifier and every audio component is improved via it as compared to direct wall outlets (20 amp dedicated circuit). I believe that balanced AC power is a step upward.

Charles

Agree that power conditioners aren't good for amplifiers.  However, balanced power supplies are good for amplifiers.

I have had the opposite experience. in both of my systems I have found having the amps plugged into power conditioners improved the sound. May be it is the case due to the  "quality" or lack thereof of our local power.

@bikeboy52  I have a whole home surge protector and my electrician told me that it is advisable to still have surge protection units at critical equipment. Good advice as I have had lightening take out whole home protectors twice which you don't know has happened unless you take off the panel cover and check them every now and then.

@smoorenc I too use a Torus RM15. When advised by @ghdprentice in fact not to run my Prima Luna evo 400 through it and go directly into the wall outlet, there was an immediate improvement,like night and day in fact. I also was concerned about protection however after doing so though so I added a whole house surge protection breaker.Subsequently I have been learning that that breaker addition is not the end all solution,but it makes me feel a little better anyway. Also yes, beautiful amp!

I’ve noticed this too with power amps.

So amp direct to wall socket and source components and PREAMP to conditioner

VTL amps don't have internal protection and will go FLAMES if surge happens.

The short answer is Better safe than sorry. That means I wouldn't even have second thought in mind considering where I live.

Sounds unanimous! Thanks!!

I've always heard a difference and prefer direct into the wall. My instructions for the Van Alstine Vision SET 120 power amplifier directs me to plug directly to the wall.

ghdprentice  Thanks! I will move the amp to the wall. I don't think I can change to dedicated line without tearing up my walls though.

Tony, I built and had powder coated the same my pre-amp I made from VTA. I really am happy with both products.

@smoorenc 

Beautiful AMP !!!

I have tried many power conditioners in several homes in different geographical locations over about 40 years compared to the wall. The wall has always sounded better for amplifiers. I even tried a high end power conditioner made for amps… also worse.

The best quality sound with few exceptions is to have the amp(s) connected directly to an outlet with a dedicated line and the other components through a power conditioner powered from another dedicated line. There are rare exceptions where the power conditioner to the none amp does not improve the sound. This is rare and thought to be the result of living in an area / house with exceptionally clean power.

Typically the difference is pretty easy to hear.