Power Regenerator or Conditioner for Digital Sources

@kennymacc Would you mind further explaining that to laymen like me?

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.

FWIW, I recently home demo'd a Torus Tot MAX Isolation Transformer with great results.  The gent who had the demo unit before me ended up ordering one to replace his PS Audio PP 12.

Both my digital side (DAC/Streamer and Master Clock) and analog side (Phono Pre) benefitted with a blacker background, more detailed, deeper 3D soundstage, and a deeper, clearer low end.  Also had my Preamp on the Torus.

I ended up ordering and inserted the Torus RM 15 (color, dimensions, more outlets, built-in SMSS).

l also have a dedicated 20A line for the audio system and keep my amplifiers plugged into the wall; haven't yet tried them into the Torus RM 15.

Anyway, you may try a Torus if you can demo one...

@vinylcat, best leave the amps plugged into the dedicated line. The current draw by amps is non linear, and is in pulses rather than a continuous draw like from a heater. If a transformer (or any type of inductor as found in many power conditioners) is installed, the 'high' impedance of the transformer can slow the current pulses, creating that loss of dynamics that people report.

Even large transformers like 15kVA over at what's best still does not provide the correct solution either, so the best approach is direct as you can get to the street supply, where the impedance is super low.

After a steady use of over 10 years or so my Equitech 1kva transformer is starting to buzz. At the moment it feeds sources only, the pre-amp and amps are direct into the wall (dedicated circuit coming). As a replacement a Denafrips BIC500 is on its way. Rating is only 500VA, for sources should be just fine. It uses the same principal as the Equitech Voltage-0-Voltage balanced output.

The buzz was explained by Equitech, it's not a matter of mechanical issue, rather the noise from the load harmonics are transferred to the primary. The cure for that is to add an inductance on the primary, another isolation transformer, which is a bit messy, so will try the BIC500 first, see what happens.

It may be worth getting an electrician out to do an assessment if you feel the issue is significant.  They can relocate circuits to rebalance and minimize the impact of your A/C kicking on and diagnose other issues, such as worn breakers. 

In my case, I had an electrician come out and upgrade my panel.  I still have a slight hum on the line I haven't been able to completely eliminate so using a Furman IT-Reference-20i with excellent results (so much so I'm looking at upgrading to an Audioquest 7000 in the future).  The Furman's balanced outlets have a noticeable improvement on my pre and DAC and plugging my amp and other high current devices into the high amperage outlets doesn't have any negative effects.

I have a SurgeX SEQ and had a similar experience with it affecting my highs.  I also have a Furman SPR-20i and was able to speak with its designer, Garth Powell, which convinced me its unnecessary in a residential setting so have since just been running the IT-Reference-20i alone and haven't noticed the negative affects of summer power.