Everyone - thanks ! As many have pointed out - there are no answers ! It's hard of course to compare units side by side. Maybe I will buy a Shunyata and try though, and then sell the unit that is not as good. Thanks again ! |
Musicnoise: I'd say it's because the PS power plants are not perfect. |
Markny, all that being said . Upgrading the power cord from the wall to power conditioners usually improves the conditioner output. The PS which I had owned is nothing more than a power conditioner with a differnt approach to the method of power conditioning.
Example: Of improvements .
I have a Hydra 8 that I use for my Video only.
When I began using a Virtual Dynamics Revelation 2.0 power cord into the Hydra 8 the video improved greatly.
Whats that phase we all like to use," garbage in garbage out".
In other words, give the conditioner the best possible AC to work with .
But, I personally run my Audio (CD,Preamp and Power Amp) directly from 3 dedicated circuits with power cords that complement the quality of each component. I find that though the Hydra 8 and other Conditioners clean up the sound a little , running direct into dedicated circuits has more dynamics. |
Markny said "If the PS unit is producing new power from its battery - why do they recommend that I upgrade the power cord from the wall to the unit ? It would seem to not matter what is going in since it is totally re-created as new power from the battery. Any explanations on this one ?"
Assuming that the power cord from the wall to the unit is rated for the current requirements, there is no robust technical explanation for replacing the power cord. If the company recommending the power cord upgrade is also selling power cords, then the explanation is that it will benefit the seller if you buy a power cord from them. |
Magfan, yes Powerplants are essentially amplifiers generating 60hz. Markny, It does not output power from a battery. Ncarv, yes, the perceived benefit of regeneration vs. conditioning depends on your equipment and tastes. I've seldom seen a product category that generates such diversity of opinion as this one. Anyone who thinks they are going to get a definitive thumbs up or down on this question is going to end up more confused than enlightened after the forum dust settles. For instance, Jeff Dorgay, the publisher of Tone Audio magazine, can't stand any of the Powerplant regenerators. He's listened to many of them and dislikes every one. (Read his recent posts about this at Audiocircle if interested.) As mentioned earlier, he thinks they suck the life out of the music. However, for every detractor, there are plenty more who love the regeneration route. I've been reading reviews and posts about this product category for many years, and every single product has it's detractors and enthusiasts. You'll just have to try for yourself. |
Wouldn't the effect of any power conditioner, including these, depend upon the mix of components in your system? |
I may have this wrong, but it sounds as though the PS regenerator is an amplifier which puts out 60hz.....
You could run an AC device from your amp, if you had a 60hz signal generator to the input....and were careful on the power limits and it would put out 110v.....(less than likely) |
"What could possibly be wrong with 20 amps and 200 watts of virgin AC newly created from DC?"
Im sorry, that should have read "2000" watts. |
"If the PS unit is producing new power from its battery - why do they recommend that I upgrade the power cord from the wall to the unit ? It would seem to not matter what is going in since it is totally re-created as new power from the battery. Any explanations on this one ?"
"The better the input, the lesser the dirty work the PPP has to do and the better the result. You can add on other tweaks to make it sounds better as well."
I don't get this either. It seems to me that the difference between power conditioners and AC regenerators would be akin to the difference between water purifiers and distilling water. In the first method I can understand the influence of the source, but not the second.
Since I can't have dedicated lines in my apartment, I've been trying to research the "Audiophile APS Purepower 2000" as an AC source for my 200W mono-blocks. Again, I'm reading that one has to be very cautious when dealing with high current amps, but I don't understand that caution...What could possibly be wrong with 20 amps and 200 watts of virgin AC newly created from DC? |
Wow, I have yet to hear ANY reviewer describe power plants sound as white wash the music or sucking the life out of music. All of them says quite to the contrary, though I'm not sure if they compared a Shunyata to it side by side. I use a P500 myself. It's the most real, vivid and detailed I've heard. However, I haven't heard any Shunyata's, just Audience's aR1P and PS' own Quintet.
I'm not sure if battery power is the term PS Audio would use for describing the power plants. The best place to ask technical question is PS Audio's website (PS Audio), or Audio Asylum's PS Power forum (google "PS Power forum") where Paul McGowan himself and his staff members answer questions. As I understand it, Power Plants are real time + reserve in providing power (maybe battery?), hence the upstream power cable which provides for all components connected to it still determines how much power is available to them. For that cable, I believe it's always better to over-kill (just me). I think a battery must have huge reserve in order to provide for, say, a Bruckner symphony (lots of loud and long passages). The Premier doesn't look like it can hold that much to me for the claimed 1200 watt continuous power output to me. Do yourself a favor - don't starve your power plant! I have tried some cables from wall to my P500 and the difference is real. Something for you to consider.
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My experience with the PS Audio gear is that it white washes the music, essentially sucking the life out of it. I have also used the Shunyata Hydra and Hydra 2 and these are really great pieces, but they were a little muddy, slowing down rhythm and pace to much for me. The best power conditioner I have used is the Sound Applications RLS. It brings a very natural and life like sound to my system. I hope soon to get the new RLS-1. Please understand YMMV.. |
To answer your 2nd question:
The better the input, the lesser the dirty work the PPP has to do and the better the result. You can add on other tweaks to make it sounds better as well.
If you have a Lambo, it will convert the gasoline into moving power. For 87 and 94 octane level, which do you think it will like to drink?
Same old song, you get what you paid for. |
