@justjames72 McIntosh separates are certainly considered more ‘hi-fi’ than a HT receiver. And over $10k in separates would generally be though of to out perform a $2k all-in-one, so class and price-point would say yes, but I don’t know. All I know is the 156 is beating out a few of the top $5k+ conditioners for more than a few owners with over $50k systems... Its just not fair to bash a distributor when/if a piece doesn’t work well in your system, when there are to many other variables to consider.
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Receivers aren’t exactly known for being audiophile level cleanness of signal, no matter what the brand. What’s your amp @merlin66? Your systems components, as good as they are in their lane, just arent inherently clean enough to show the difference, as there are many users with much more $$/cleaner-signaled systems that are very happy with this product.. You’re probably audio and video in one system, and video is another big source of noise for clean and quiet hifi. Try separating a pathway for stereo music listening only with a good quality, quiet 2ch preamp (tubed if your so inclined) with HT bypass function and a separate stereo amp for front L & R... But the Puritan 156 is fitting into 50k+ systems. |
@merlin66 Thanks for your first post on this site. I overlooked this thread when I created a similar thread about the Puritan 156, which I had found transformative. For further opinions, I suggest you consult the Puritan 136 thread over on Audio Circle. It's regrettable if you had a bad experience with the US distributor. I know of one other member on Audiogon who very recently had good and very speedy service from Pro Audio. |
I bought a 156 after getting a "best bang for the buck recommendation" from an Audio shop owner. We went over Audioquest, PS Audio power plant...etc. It was no better or at least noticeably better than my Furman 15 pfi power conditioner for both audio and video tests (plugged and unplugged equipment which is not the best way; best method is to have an a/b switch to see/hear right away.) I provided feedback to the US Distributor, Brian Tucker/Pro Audio, who did not care. His response, "well, you have your opinion and I have mine...I’m trying to sell this...." He came off as a jerk, quite frankly. Bottom line, despite all the positive pro reviews, I do not recommend because it was not better than something 1/3 its price. Equipment used: Audio - Focal 1027 Be speakers, Rotel RSX-1067 receiver, Marantz 6006 CD player, 2 Veloyne Optimum 10 subwoofers, Kimber Kable Monocle XL cables and Audioquest interconnects. Video - Vizio P65-F1, Paradigm Soundscape sound bar |
chazzzy007You have a long way till broken in completely. When it's finally done, it will sound better than your first listen which you loved. Every tube is different and goes through different periods of worse/better. As an example... My Reflektors sounded great on 1st play, got better at 50 hours, again between 75-100 hours, slight improvement at 150 hours, and opened up 1 last time at about 200 hours. YMMV. :) |
I can't speak to the ups and downs with the Puritan, but with the Niagara 1200, the top end wasn't as resolving of the faintest swirls of air in the high end until about 4-5 days of use. After that, going directly into the wall proved no difference in that respect. My test track for that is the Main Theme music for The Revenant, where between the mass strings, the ghost like winds that blow and swirl between them are a great test for that. Everything else improved as well, exposing more and more detail and nuance. I really can't detect anything else since. All the best, Nonoise |
Typically tube break in can take 200 hours or more.chazzzy007 I know tubes need a break in, I did not know they can sound better, worse then better. I thought they just get progressively where they are going. I have only 20 hours on the tube. Maybe I will leave it on during the weekend to see what happens. Thanks for the heads up. Andy |
Chazzy007, Thats what started this whole power conditioning thing. I was able to purchase a Phillips 5R4GYS from someone on Ebay. The day I installed it into the Modwright power supply for the Oppo 205, I was blown away by how quiet and amazing the sound was coming out of the speakers. Really blown away. I could not believe that this tube was able to do this. Well, it lasted for that listening period. Ever since then it has gone back to where it was before installing this tube. Don’t get me wrong, still very good, but not like that. I have since checked the tube with my tube tester and it tests great. I can only assume that this great sound was due to a lack of noise, perhaps AC noise. Maybe even the time of day. So that one short period of time started me on this AC noise journey. I am currently using a Furman, I believe its a 20 PFI. Thanks, Andy |
@loganfan Amazing conditioner. Dead quiet, neutral sounding, with excellent current delivery. Powers my 5 channel VK-6200 for HT/2channel with no stifling or shrinking of the Soundstage in any dimension. I have 2 in my system. Puritanlabs have since come out with a 12 outlet model, the 1512, which = 2×156 in 1 chassi. How are you enjoying your Modwright 205? |
I considered getting one but the price you pay here is more than if you bought it directly, which I don't know if you can as there's a stateside dealer. I went for the Audioquest Niagara 1200 and couldn't be happier, at what would amount to around half the price. Here is a very favorable review from 6moons: https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/puritan/ and one from Paul at The Audiophile Man: https://theaudiophileman.com/psm-156/ and one from Stereo Times: http://v2.stereotimes.com/post/puritan-audio-laboratories-psm156-power-conditioner/ Hope that helps. All the best, Nonoise |