Power Conditioner Architecture. Discuss Differences?



Audiophile

 

Posts: 520
Joined: September 21, 1999



   
From the way I see it there are three basic types of power conditioners in our hobby. At least the serious ones.

1. Isolation Transformers. Perhaps the most common and have the possibility of being current limiting.

2. Capacitive ones, or large banks of capacitors. Blue Circle incorporated this, and the advanate is non-current limting

3. Regenerative tpyes, PS Audio Power Plants. The new Class D based ones offer the most output, but its essentially an amplifier so it has a theoretical limit of output and current.

What would you consider the benefits or each type and their greatest limitations? If you were to select one, which would it be?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.
neonknight

Showing 1 response by glennewdick

-regenerators add distortion to the line. basically an amp for your amp. limited to what that amp can output. They are also current limiting, if that's actually a thing. 

-isolators add inductance to the power factor.

-caps add capacitive loading also effecting power factor. 

-your outlet-wire-breaker is current limiting as well. 

nothing perfect. probably best to have a dedicated line run from your panel. 

oh your equipment has many of these already in them as well. 

no one talks about protection though that is more important to me.