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Any & at all price points. I have minimal experience w/ them & want to hear people's thoughts on my questions.
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Jon
this topic has been explored many times on this forum. Everyone will have a different opinion. Bottom line is it depends on your equipment, power source and most importantly your ears. There are many ways to approach power conditioning and plenty of folks don’t like to use any power conditioners.
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I own a PS P10 and could not go back. Hard to explain, but a layer of hash or grain is removed, a bit like polishing a window, and a sense of ease is imparted to the music. Be careful to only use components that have a peak power consumption that is within with the conditioner’s power envelope if you want to maintain dynamic capability. Using components which may seem to have moderate power consumption, but which require surprisingly high peak (transient) current, is I believe, the most common cause for dissatisfaction with power conditioners. Plug these into the wall instead.
Also own a couple of industrial 1KV 240:240V transformers that I picked up insanely cheap which do a splendid job on anything digital and phono/linestages. These were the real surprise package, as I have used other transformers before which squashed dynamics. These babies just let everything rip and really help clean things up a lot. Keep an eye out on the trade classifieds for bargains.
I don’t live in a particularly hostile AC environment. Hope this helps.
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op
they are very situation and component dependent ime
there is a lot of snake oil in this category
so i think the best advice is to try in your own system with a right to return for full purchase price
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after you get one to try,.....a week later, remove it and listen. I dumped lots of them after hearing that the best one is none.
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I tried three different models and I couldn’t hear a difference. The only thing I do here occasionally is laughter from my electrician, that I asked if these things made a difference.
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there is a lot of snake oil in this category
I remember the Shunyata Hydra’s “7 element Venom Filter”
= 1 Littlefuse TMOV20R130E metal oxide varistor + a 70 cent capacitor soldered across each AC socket
not bad for a power strip they sold for $1995 - roll your own for $120 - $250 with premium outlets. I personally feel that varistors screw up the sound (squash dynamics) and that the protection they afford is not worth the degraded sonics.
and the beat goes on, la de da de da…
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The only thing I do here occasionally is laughter from my electrician, that I asked if these things made a difference.
electricians believe the universe begins and ends with ohms law.
would you ask yours to design your amplifier?
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I estimate about 90%+ audiophiles have positive results with power conditioners. Over the last 40 years I have. Even though our power is underground and I have two direct lines to my audio system… the system sounds best with all components plugged into the power conditioner except for the amp… the amp goes straight into it’s own direct line.
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Best advice is to listen, evaluate, and determine for yourself.
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you and the “power regeneration - ” thread guy may wish to combine as you are doubling up a lot
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The Best power conditioner I ever used was NOT having one! Yuk.
Matt M
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Not for amps, quash dynamics, at least for demanding high current tube amps. This is one of those you have to try for yourself deals. I prefer conditioners on everything but amps. Battery powered components or powering with batteries another scheme I've used.
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I haven’t had much luck with amps into conditioners. Sound is restricted or a little thinner and harsh. For reference, I have used Isotek, Audience, and Equicore 1000. So not a ton of experience but none of the 3 work well with amps as opposed to in the wall.
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The best power conditioner I have ever owned/tried is the AudioQuest Niagara 7000.
Amps, subs Dac everything can plug into it with NO loss of dynamics!
ozzy
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I find the best is none and having dedicated lines for all 4 outlets in my listening environment. I have tried them all AQ Niagara’s, Furman, Nordost, they seemed more restrictive than beneficial.
Just my experience and I do hear the benefits of better cables and room treatments.
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jerryg123,
I also have 3 dedicated lines. One for the Niagara 7000 which powers my main stereo system. Another line (Niagara 1200) for my subs and the last one (Niagara 1000) for my home theater equipment. I have had all on the one Niagara 7000 with no problem. But it is more convenient using the multiple dedicated outlets.
I’m not sure what type of amps you have but my 350 watt per channel tube mono blocks and my JL Audio F-113's had more dynamics plugged into the Niagara equipment.
ozzy
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Well we know the rating on those Carvers is debatable.
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I have a Transparent Powerbank 6. I get some hum when I turn on the low voltage lights in the room since upgrading the turntable and cartridge to a TA Zeus MC from a Grace F-9 MM.
I just bought an old Furman Elite 15 DM to see if there's any improvement? First of all, I'm not sure the Transparent Powerbank 6 is a true power conditioner or just a glorified surge protector?
I'm going to have to do an A/B comparison between the two. I'm listening to the Furman now and things sound great but they also sounded great with the Transparent. It's just such a pain to disconnect everything and reconnect!
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