Power supply to Amplifier

If the power supplied by company is really dirty , then why not regenerated power ( from home power plant like P300) which would be much purer ? Why would it not be good for power amp ? Any conflict between oscillator of regenerator and transformers of power amp?

Some people report that the dynamics of the music seem to be compromised when regenerators are used. Others use them successfully. But no, it's not a matter of a conflict between the oscillator and the transformers, or anything else that may be unhealthy for the amplifier.

I don't think there is one right answer that will always be sonically optimal. It depends on the design of the amplifier and on the characteristics of the AC. For example, with a class A amplifier, which draws essentially constant current all of the time, I don't see why a regenerator would compromise dynamics. On the other hand, it does perhaps seem understandable if the amplifier is class AB or class D, where the current draw fluctuates widely with the dynamics of the music.

Personally, I wouldn't want to be without some sort of surge protection between my amp and the wall outlet. I use this Brickwall surge suppressor/line filter, and I've been pleased with the results. My amplifier is class A, and I live in an area that has no nearby industry or commerce that might pollute the AC.

Regards,
-- Al

Not sure why a couple of the responses seem to assume that the only source of potentially harmful power surges and voltage spikes are nearby lightning strikes.

From this article:

The most familiar source is probably lightning.... A more common cause of power surges is the operation of high-power electrical devices, such as elevators, air conditioners and refrigerators. These high-powered pieces of equipment require a lot of energy to switch on and turn off components like compressors and motors. This switching creates sudden, brief demands for power, which upset the steady voltage flow in the electrical system. While these surges are nowhere near the intensity of a lightning surge, they can be severe enough to damage components, immediately or gradually, and they occur regularly in most building's electrical systems.

Other sources of power surges include faulty wiring, problems with the utility company's equipment, and downed power lines. The system of transformers and lines that brings electricity from a power generator to the outlets in our homes or offices is extraordinarily complex. There are dozens of possible points of failure, and many potential errors that can cause an uneven power flow. In today's system of electricity distribution, power surges are an unavoidable occurrence.

I would add to that list the possibility of "inductive kickback" from things like power drills or other motor-driven heavy duty electrical equipment, that you or your neighbor or a service person in either house may use from time to time.

I recently had a high quality Corsair power supply in one of my computers, which had been working reliably for several years, fail on the same day that a plumber had used a high powered piece of electrical equipment in the same part of my house. That was despite protection from a Home Depot-type surge suppressor.

Concerning surge suppression that may be designed into audio components, I would not count on it being either present or adequate. And if present, and it were to stop a voltage spike from doing harm, what basis is there to assume that its capability would not have been degraded to the point where it would be unable to do so the next time?

Regards,
-- Al

07-27-13: Radni
Is there a technical problem to use Regenerated power ? Elizabeth surly says not to use Regenerated supply. Some say it will compromise Dynamics ! Al says he does not see how , and I tend to agree with him .

Hi Radni,

Note that what I said was:

With a class A amplifier, which draws essentially constant current all of the time, I don't see why a regenerator would compromise dynamics. On the other hand, it does perhaps seem understandable if the amplifier is class AB or class D, where the current draw fluctuates widely with the dynamics of the music.

In the case of a class AB or class D amplifier, I can't precisely explain why there might sometimes be a perception of reduced dynamics when a regenerator is used, but intuitively I would not rule it out as being a possibility.

Regards,
-- Al