Power Help - What Conditioner - WHERE?


I have a large HT/Audio system and have accumulated a good number of power devices, but want to use them for maximum effect and ask for your thoughts.  Here is a list of my Conditioners:

1) Emotiva CMX-2 (Thought I had DC issues a few years ago, only has to outputs)

2) Sound Application XE-12 (not used currently, but many outlets labeled analog & digital)

3) BPT BP-2 (I have one of the originals with 8 total outlets (1500va I think)

4) BPT BP-3.5ish (Chris Hoff built this as one of his final builds using a 3000 or 3500 va transformer)

5) Various Power Strip for connection of wall warts etc.

I need to connect the following (long list). I have a dedicated 15a and 20a circuit to my rack.

a. Emotiva XMC-2 Processor/Preamp

b. Oppo BDP-203 MultiDisc Player

c. Rega P8 Turntable (Wall Wart)

d. Musical Surroundings Nova III Pre w/Linar Power Supply (Wall Wart)

e. Apple Mac Mini (Std 2-prong power cord)

f. Western Digital (2) USB HD to the Mini (Wall Warts)

g. Drobo Raid HD (2) to the Mini (Wall Warts)

h. Eversolo DMP-6 Streamer (IEC)

i. XBOX (Std 2-prong power cord)

j. CableBox (Wall Wart)

k. Adcom 7300 5-Channel Amplifier (Powers Rear 4-Speakers) - IEC 

l. EAD PowerMaster 1000 50Channel Amplifier (Powers Center Only) - IEC

m. Parasound 2125 v2 Stereo Amplifier (Bottom bi-amp of Main) - IEC

n. Custom 60w Tube Amp (Top bi-amp of Main) - IEC

o. Router/AP for Basement - Wall Wart

p. 8-port Network Switch - Wall Wart

q. DIRAC Network - Processor box (Wall Wart)

r. NHT SA-3 Subwoofer Amplifier (IEC)

If you are here - THANK YOU for reading. How would you suggest I connect everything? Should I only connect via the 20A circuit, or use the misc (Network etc) connections to the 15a service/circuit. What would you connect to each other. Redoing my rack is a HUGE task, and I would like to get power - RIGHT. Thanks for your help.

 

Jeff in Detroit

drdetroit

Showing 1 response by jrareform

@ghdprentice spot on

If you don't have separate lines, then plug audio gear into your best conditioning device and everything else into a separate one, such as a surge protector etc.  Preferably they would be on separate lines but otherwise another outlet is preferable. 

If you have any nearby plugs that run on a different circuit, consider running a line or surge protector on that line with all your AV.  If this isn't an option, just do what @ghdprentice said.  I would also try unplugging your digital from your main power conditioner and see if that makes a difference sonically. 

I am not familiar with the devices you listed for power conditioning etc but ultimately the main thing is separating your audio components from the noise of the rest of your AV system.  I have this same issue in my living room.  I have a fairly high end shunyata power conditioner though and I plug my noisiest stuff into the digital side(TV, other digital devices) and my amplifiers (active subs, main amplifier) into the analog side.  This is what Shunyata instructed I was happy with the results.

If you can afford an older Shunyata unit at some point (MPC-12, older Denali units, Hydra units) I highly recommend it, although I have never used the stuff you've listed.  After using one in my studio I finally found a super good deal on an MPC-12 and pulled the trigger for my AV system and it made a world of difference.  At the end of the day, if you just follow these instructions, that's probably the best you can do.  Also last note - separate cables as much as you can.  I know it's a rat's nest but separating power from speakers/interconnects/other power cables as best as you can is important.