Puritan PSM156

@tthelen64 

The holes aligns perfectly, just grind a little at a time...

Yes, I'm FI-52 NCF on Furutechs DPS and it's a wonderful combination and just love it.😊

Wig

@wig 

Thank you for sharing! I assume the screw holes align with no rework?

Are you by chance using the Furutech FI-52 NCF c19 IEC on the Ultimate PC? If so, does it provide any sonic benefit? 

@tthelen64 

I added a Furutech NCF Inlet to my 156 a few years ago and it only required minor grinding with a dremel to get into position; a worthwhile sonic upgrade.

Wig

@jriggy Thanks! I'll give the furutech FI33 inlet a try provided it does not require major modifications to the PSM 156. Can anyone tell me if I need to enlarge the inlet hole on the back of the panel or need to drill new screw holes to align to the new FI33 inlet? Looking for a little guidance before ordering the inlet.

I have also heard that a rhodium to rhodium contact is a good idea and can make some sort of sonic betterment over not matching. 

@wig 

I'm ok with waiting another 2+ weeks as long as the overall presentation continues to improve. Generally I really like the overall impact of the Ultimate cable with Rhodium IEC. Was looking for guidance on whether a Furtech rhodium inlet on the Puritan 156 would be beneficial having matching metal contacts.

@tthelen64 

You're in for a long ride as rhodium will go through drastic changes until it settles down near the 500 hour mark...

Wig

@Jerrybj, curious what is involved in adding the Furutech FI33 inlet to the PSM 156? 10 days ago I added the Ultimate cable with Viborg Rhodium C19 IEC with great impact to soundstage, mid bass, transparency and stunning clarity and saturation on the TV. The bass is less impactful than what I was hoping for and thought adding Rhodium inlet where the metals are matched would provide better results. 

@tthelen64 

I'm unable to email. Have rejected my payment method for message replies as well.

Can connect on

theaudiostandard.net

@jerrybj 

I sent you a private message.  

@tthelen64 

Trying to reply to your question.

@bluethinker the Ultimate is a killer cable for the price. It’s cleaner and clearer than anything at its price that I’ve heard. But the ZenWave “adds.” It has noticeably better / more realistic tone. And everything a little bigger. Not sure what else I could say other than to point to the fuller, richer and more real tonally. The thicker gauge also adds to bass performance. But it’s also over double the price. 
Sorry I can’t think of how else to say it, as those are the words it’s doing —lol. 
But I also believe what Wig says here, as he has indeed tried a lot. 

Furutech DPS PC with NCF plugs are the best cables I have heard and I've heard a lot and much pricier but the DPS is something else... Make sure you burn-in on your refrigerator for a month before implementing in your system.

Wig

@jriggy - I'm very intrigued by your experience: 

"The full and rich tonal changes and realism from going from the Ultimate PC to a ZenWave PCR14 (actually PCR 11) was amazing. Stage size grew bigger, too." 

Would you be so kind to elaborate on the above? I'd be open to upgrading if the improvement to a ZenWave cable brought even more full and rich tonal realism. Could you provide a bit more detail on the transformation in your system? Thank you in advance! 

jriggy - Thank you for the responding.

@maxima95 oh sorry, it was indeed the thicker gauge. And it does have the 50 NCF connector. I was off because this one was a little short and a used trade-in from Dave at the time. 

jriggy - What caused you to select the PCR 14 in lieu of the larger gauge PCR 11 for power conditioning duty? Apparently it works just fine.

Also, what connectors were on your PCR 14?

Thanks 

@mclinnguy ZenWaveDave is a great guy. I also use his PL-11 on amp and source. The bass performance with the PCR14 is something! 

Agreed @jriggy . That was another cable that was (still is) on my list to try. I think I may be a power cable slut. 

One Ultimate power cord for sale if someone is interested. 

The quality of the Mains power cord, wall to filter, is very important and can transform a system. The full and rich tonal changes and realism from going from the Ultimate PC to a ZenWave PCR14 was amazing. Stage size grew bigger, too. But it’s at double the price.. With that said, the Ultimate is a bargain for its performance. 

@willywonka Their advice would be bad advice in my case. I just upgraded my Ultimate power cord to one that retails for 3x the price, and I can confirm it is definitely worth it. It may be just as big a jump as going from the classic cord to the ultimate cord. 

I've had the 156 with the Ultra power cord for a week now. This is the real deal. 

At the last AXPONA show the Puritan company had a table (Not a vendor) and I asked them if they thought I should upgrade my power cable from the stock cable to a better one and they said it probably wasn't worth it. I took their advice!

@ihmeyers I just ordered an interconnect from Mike. He responded to emails on a Sunday. Shipped the cable this morning. 

I purchased a 156 and a 106 DC-11 from a great dealer, Mike Kay of Audio Archon.  They 106 provides power to my 3-amp home theater setup as well as a Marantz surround processor.  I'm using the 156 to clean up power to my network (router, modem, switch, fiber/ethernet converters, etc.) that feeds my 2 channel systems.  They've only been plugged in for 48 hrs but have made a tremendous difference.  The 2 channels systems have a blacker background than I've ever had in this setup and produce powerful dynamics.  The noise riding on the network was bad despite me having spent a fair amount of time and money optimizing them before this (audiophile cables, sbooster linear power supplies, etc).  I can't wait to hear them after they've got some more time on them.  Now is a $2400 power purifier used strictly for network hardware overkill?  Maybe to some, but given the investment I have in my 2-channel systems I don't think so.  I'm happy I got them and recommend them as well as Audio Archon without reservation.

Thanks @jerrybj, appreciate the update and info. I'm also in the UK.

To complement the FI-33 NCF(R) socket, I replaced the Puritan Classic+ C19 connector and mains plug with
Oyaide C-237 Rhodium/Silver plated 20A IEC plug, C19
Furutech FI-1363R NCF UK Mains Plug (90 degree)

respectively.
The Oyaide is also a nice piece and far less expensive than the equivalent Furutech FI-32, however the Furutech parts are of better construction.

Apologies to the OP for the digression ...what's your thoughts on the EtherRegen? I've read mixed reports.
I've not come across the Acoustic Revive part specifically, will look it up.

@protegimus 

I realised I hadn't answered your questions.

Since I ordered everything from the UK, I got them all at once. PSM156, Ultimate power cable, and Ground Master City.

My modem/router are plugged into an iFi Powerstation, and powered by a Plixir Elite dual power supply. With the EtherRegen on the system end, my other switch can go on the dirty end.

One of the DXE Iso Plus will go by the modem, with an Acoustic Revive RLI 1Gb Triple C Lan Isolator. From modem to switch and to router.

@protegimus

I had to rework the panel as well.

Haven’t had a listen yet. Lent my USB cable to someone in the UK.

Since my system is down, also lent my DDC, I2S cable and USB reclocker to a friend who lives close.

System will be back up and running at the end of the month. With the addition of the Furutech IEC, I’ve also added some SR Orange fuses to my power supplies, a new coax cable to my modem, some Stack Audio Auva 50 under my rack, a new wifi router, a couple of DXE Iso Plus, another Meicord Opal ethernet cable, an EtherRegen, and an Innuos Phoenix USB reclocker. These should add small/reasonable improvements, but hopefully added together will be a nice step up.

Hi @jerrybj I also fitted a Furutech FI-33 NCF IEC inlet to my Puritan PSM156.
It took a bit of a rework on the panel due to the different shape as compared to the stock inlet. Very nice piece once done though.
The power cable for the PSM156 is a Classic+, I might consider getting hold of an Ultimate. Have you had both, or did you go with Ultimate from the start?

Do you have a Ground Master and Route Master?
I installed a 2.4m copper grounding rod with Ground Master to the PSM156 and Ground Master / Route Master to my streamer, CD player and amplifier.
Very worthwhile as I live <35m from power lines. Perhaps something to look into.

I also put a Ground Master City on my router.
It also has the ATL Audio Ltd. DC Blocker & EMI/RFI/Common Mode Filter that previously served the front end components (very good for such an inexpensive unit).

Furutech IEC ncf fi-33 arrived today.

Looking forward to installing it.

I have PSM156 conditioners in three stereos and one home recording studio. I have plenty of experience with the Ultimate PCs and recommend them.

I think Puritan should market to the pro crowd, as the improvements that these units impart in the studio, to me, are far more obvious that in my consumer stereos. Probably, in part to the fact that I am very familiar with the sound of my instruments, especially the Hammond/Leslies (several models and combinations), so degradation due to compromised AC are more obvious there than the difference in someone else's recorded Hammond on LP, CD or streaming.

I now have Puritan filters on both of my systems. Without question, both units improved the clarity of each system. I am plugging my amps directly into the Puritan, along with all upstream components. 

When funds allow, I’ll purchase the ultimate power cord and see how that impacts my primary system as a test. 
 

I guess it is system dependent, but do want to report I am a happy customer. My enjoyment of music has gone up since adding the 136 (first) and now 156 device. 

If anyone is curious and wants to get more details, hit me up on PM. 
 

I have the same experience, the PSM156 simply offers much more dynamics than I have ever experienced before. Sometimes I am suddenly startled by an unexpectedly loud passage in music I know very well 😁

I also recently purchased the PSM156. I also have my high current power amp plugged into it and don't notice it restricting dynamics at all. Very happy with this purchase. The only negatives I have found was the 20 Amp power socket (Can't use my other 15-amp power cords) and I wish it had 8 power sockets in the back instead of 6. 

Loving what my Puritan PSM156 and Ultimate power cable have done to my system.

questforhifi: "Not really my goal to sell you on another more expensive conditioner, but rather just point out the puritan restricts dynamics."

I've found the exact opposite, especially since I bought one, and it has over 1000 hours of use.

After reading so many positive reviews and experiences, I finally bought a PSM156 myself (with upgrade to Classic plus power cord) to replace an Audio Quest Niagara 1200. My set already sounded quite nice, but probably caused by mains fluctuations and external influences from power supplies and electronic devices in the area, it was a lot less pleasant at certain times. It just wasn't consistent in sound quality. The Puritan almost completely solved that problem right out of the box. But moreover, even if it wasn't properly burned in, it improved the SQ in several aspects already. 

I experience a (slightly?) deeper sound stage, it is less cluttered, less chaotic, especially with orchestral music. In addition, I hear a deeper and more tightly defined bass and there is more spaciousness: the acoustics of the space around the instruments are displayed better and more beautifully. Any sharp edges in the high tones of some instruments have also virtually disappeared. All in all, it has undeniably brought more calm and tranquility to the music.
As you can imagine, I am already very happy with it!

By the way, my set consists of a Cambridge Audio CXN V2 streamer, a Matrix Audio X-Sabre Pro dac, a (vintage) Marantz CD 17 KI Signature SACD player, a Cayin A88T MK2 tube amplifier and finally a set of Martin Logan's Ethos hybrid electrostatic speakers (with active subs).

@audphile1 - Using their classic cable that came with the unit. I'll upgrade when funds allow. 

@mclinnguy - Thanks for those estimates. Sounds about right! 

Update - I guess I'm about 30 hours in with burn in. I continue to be impressed with Puritan products. It's possible my ears have adjusted... or it's psychological... 

But my second system in my office sounds better than it ever has. I'm just hearing way more of the music. And the soundstage has increased. The Luxman 590axii has never sounded so good before. 

This is my second Puritan product. Continue to be impressed with the value of these Puritan products. 

@bluethinker I don’t recall a radical change with the PSM156 throughout the break in process.  But that was with the Classic power cord. When I got the Ultimate power cord, it took about 200hrs to settle. Which power cord are you using?

I honestly don't remember so much with the PSM156- it sounded pretty darn good right from the get go, and I don't recall a large downturn, or a huge upturn after the fact. The Furutech outlet I just went through on the other hand had a much greater variance in sound quality and burn in character than anything else I've had before. 

Typically it is around 200 hours for cables, and I assume you are using a new one that came with that unit right? so that would be my guess. 1 week of constant playing is 168 hours, I would say that is a good minimum. 

Finally purchased my second Puritan unit, the156. I'm currently burning it in on my second system in my office.

Such an odd journey this world of audio equipment takes us on. On classical music, the 156 has immediately improved the sound top to bottom. When I play electronic music - house or ambient - it sounds muddy and veiled. Why it sounds so different based on genre of music is a mystery to me.

I'm only about 15 hours in. From my experience with the 136, I have confidence things will improve. 

Can anyone remind me what the typical burn-in period is? 100 hours or so, right? 

Thinking about getting a transparent power isolator. The puritan is a conditioner which I’m not sure isn’t restrictive. It's a glorified Power filter

@questforhifi you have tried a Puritan PSM156 in your system? And you found it restricted dynamics? 

I dont trust any power conditioner that people dont plug their power amps into (which is almost all of them)

found the synergistic research series of PCs with upgraded cord and tuning modules, my search is complete. Not really my goal to sell you on another more expensive conditioner, but rather just point out the puritan restricts dynamics

@twinski66 Congratulations 👍 Your findings with the 156 mirror mine. My system is deathly silent with the 156, but it doesn't subdued dynamics at all.

I later added the Ground City, but if I'm honest, I can't say there was further improvement. I guess the benefits from the Ground City will depend on the power supply where you live

Update:  I’m keeping the unit.  I don’t ordinarily buy into component break in…but this unit has transformed and/or settled in since the initial week of using it.  All of the various low level noises that I heard are now gone.  The unit is also transparent.  It does what it’s supposed to do while leaving the dynamics in tact with a blacker background.

@jriggy I have ‘til the 31st to return it.  I’ve plugged the unit into a 20 amp dedicated circuit socket & it sounds better to my ears (albeit subjectively so as with anyone).   I’ll continue to demo it and make a decision from there.  If I don’t keep it I don’t know if that’s reflective of the unit itself.  Likely just a personal preference based on what I’m hearing in my set up.

 I can say it appears to acclimate with continued use or my ears are adjusting to what it offers through continued use.  In that regard I may be premature in my early assessment of the device.

which would be the better upgrade, ultimate cable or groundmaster city?

I’m going to finally get the Puritan 156 for my reference system. I’ll then move my current Puritan 136 into my office system.

@jriggy - Thanks for the recommendation on Ultimate cable. Eventually I’ll also pick up one for my reference system to go along with the 156. 

@twinski66 if this unit is new —and if the power cord being used (Puritan Ultimate?) is also new— PLEASE give the unit or the pairing at least 10 days of on time before deciding… But I do agree with you, that this device may be system dependent, as it seems to show some tonal weakness in some, to one extent or another ‘lesser’ gear, that people then end up not preferring. Some noise and/or distortions we can be so used to (and perceived as warmth, musicality, etc.) that when they are gone the system is not preferred. I’ve seen the 156, in general, being favored in systems costing more than the ones where the unit is not favored.   

I’ve had the PSM156 for a few days. I had a 20 amp dedicated circuit installed. Between the two…I think I prefer going directly into the wall with the dedicated circuit. The sound without the PSM156 is un-tweaked. I think the performance of the PSM156 may likely be system dependent. I can say the build and design is nice…the socket clamping force is marginally lean (could be tighter for my liking). I experienced some elevated noise with my Sony TV plugged into it. So…it may be that it’s designed for audio only not necessary AV set ups. I have 30 days to return it….albeit I just placed it into my rack I don’t know that I’m compelled to keep it. I may just get a power distribution box by Voodoo Audio…& call it a day. It may be mind over matter…but I think it’s doing something ever so slightly to the overall sound of the system and I prefer my system as is…just seeking a blacker background and the dedicated line’s come notably closer to achieving it. I barely hear any audible noise with my ear placed right against the speaker. Lumin U2 mini>Line Magnetic 32 DAC>Sugden A21SE.