Power Regenerator or Conditioner for Digital Sources


Ok I'm having a difficult time deciding. I want to clean up the power going into my Aurender N20 and my MSB Discrete DAC. Those components seem to me to be the most sensitive to power issues. When I plug them into an inexpensive APC Power strip I get a slightly harsh upper frequency range. When I plug them into my Cullen Power Box that has no surge protection just straight from the wall power they sound much better especially the DAC which is the more sensitive of the two. However summer time power issues do have their effect

So I am considering either a quality power conditioner such as the Isotek Aquarius V5 or a PS Audio Stellar Power Plant 3 for just these two components. I need three receptacles as my DAC has two power supplies. My Amp will stay plugged into the wall where it sounds the best.

Anyone own either of these power units? Experiences with them?

Alternatively there is the Puritan 156 Conditioner at a lower price however recent reviews on Alpha-Audio where they did extensive power conditioner tests strongly favored the Isotek Aquarius V5.

 

 

 

jfrmusic

Showing 4 responses by jfrmusic

Ok got a PS Audio PowerPlant 3 today to use with my source components. After listening for several hours I returned it. It didn’t do anything better than without it. In fact I found the soundstage to have less clarity. That was the main difference. It was a darker soundstage not as wide but of equal depth. If it had been a neutral replacement with maybe a slight improvement to the soundstage I would have kept it at least for the clean regulated power. However since it was not as good as direct wall connection it was returned. The return process was very easy and PS Audio was very accommodating. It just didn’t work in my system. Others have had very good experiences with their regenerators. So it’s easy to try. I guess I have decent power from the wall and my equipment which is of high quality may handle any issues effectively.

My initial power issues I believe happened when we had 10 days of 90s temperatures. Mostly from power demand not just in my house but in general   However so far since I’ve upgraded the power cables on my DAC and Streamer I’ve had no issues. I believe I have fairly clean power. I live in a 12 year old home in a development that has all underground utilities. My system is dead quiet. It’s on right now but you would not know it. No hum, buzz nothing total blackness. As I mentioned the Regenerator did nothing. Right now my system sounds wonderfully refined and musical. So after 5 months of buying , burning in and evaluating equipment I’m just going to listen to music. 

BTW if you’re looking for beautifully recorded piano try any of Yuja Wang’s HiRes recordings on DG. Best Classical piano recordings ever. The Grand Piano is in your room. Recording Grand Piano is very different to get it right. Also a good test of your system if it can recreate that sound. 

@steakster

Absolutely none of those issues you mentioned. Quite the contrary. Smooth, liquid and refined sound. Sounds like real music. Voices natural and in the room. Reverb trails are clearly heard   Strings very natural and smooth. Brass warm and natural. Soundstage depth the best I’ve ever had. Pianos especially on well recorded material sound in the room especially the upper octaves. I’ve really got no complaints so nothing I’m looking to fix.