Power conditioner some say yes and some say no.


Depending on who I ask a power transformer conditioner can have a good effect on the sound while others claim they inhibit the dynamics of an amp. I don’t have serious power problems as far as I know but I enjoy my sound most of the time. I currently use a Hydra 6 for my entire system except for my amp where I use a Hydra 2. Would it make sense to invest thousands on a power transformer conditioner or would my Hydras be enough by isolating the components from each other. I was waiting for a Keces IQRP 3600 to try but the dealer I was to get it from died from Covid-19 before arranging my Keces to be shipped. I am out $4000 and am not so fast to drop another $4000 on the Keces. Perhaps in the future if it makes sense. I find that not many use transformer conditioners due to the dynamics limitations of the amp. Any help would be appreciated.
128x128mitchb

Showing 2 responses by flembo

I should add I'm kind of a 'budget' audiophile -- what I have is what I could afford.


In my case I have to use one -- one of those old Tice units (badly reviewed sometimes) and the big old "power block" storage device. 

I bought the set simply because my house is wired is at 30A, my power-amp if used at higher volumes caused the lights to dim and if we were also using the air conditioner and/or washing machine we'd trip the breakers. The conditioner/power storage set eliminated the problem.

I thought I heard some reduced dynamics when I first plugged them in, but I had just gotten through reading someone who said the Tice units "stangled" the sound of his system. I don't hear it now. I don't know if my initial impression was biased from his comments, I've gotten used it or what. I will say I enjoy the hell out of my system and until I move to a place with more robust wiring, I'm stuck where I am and it's not a bad place at all -- I like being able to "open it up" without fretting about the breakers.