Review: EXACTPOWER EP15A Tweak

First of all, I must begin by stating that I'm not a sales person nor a dealer for Exactpower. I just recently upgraded from a Lexicon DC-1 (Auditioned the Lexicon MC-12 Balanced unit) Pioneer DVD-47, Adcom CD player, and two ATI amps (1505 and 1502) and a AudioPrism Power Foundation 3. My new equipment after back to back auditioning is now the Integra Research RDC-7, Integra Research RDV-1 and the Integra Research RDA-1 seven channel amp (BAT design). I'm using a Velodyne F-1500 powered sub and my speakers are B&W CDM 7 SE's for frnt L&R and the same for the backs L&R. I'm using B&W Bi-poles for the sides and the B&W CDM center. Mitsu 50" T.V. Like everyone else, I wanted to see if I might get more out of my system by adding a tweak or two. My system by all standards in the begining was pretty awesome. I started reading posts and doing in depth research on this and other sites concerning power conditioning and power regulation. The Monster AVS 2000 was too big and made a clicking noise as it corrected for power. The PS Audio stuff was also too big (expensive) and from users reports, was hot. Richard Grey, Tice, Panamax, Furman and others didn't even come into play after my research and needs were explored. I'm sure these units perform well. Then, I started seeing these adds, "exactpower, blows everyone else away". So I contacted this Anthony guy from NY and after a few minutes of talking I ordered both the EP-15a and the SP-15 units. The SP-15 balanced unit arrived today AND I THOUGHT my system was pretty awesome.... out of the box, the soundstage opened up, instruments were much more localized and clear, and the dynamics improved considerably...SH--! Joe Walsh's guitar on Take It Easy (Hell freezes Over DVD) came alive and sounded much clearer. It was like my system became alive and much more focused. More dimension, depth. After talking with Dennis at Exactpower, the Exactpower EP-15 is the unit THAT when added to the SP-15, will send my system into yet another dimension! Cannot wait for that baby. $2190.00 for BOTH units (SP-15 is HALF PRICE!) and FREE shipping, runs cool, very efficient, voltage regulator with surge protection, line filters, looks top shelf and balanced power to boot....it's the best INVESTMENT I have made since my upgrade!!! I wish I would have looked before I upgraded....maybe I wouldn't have had too. AWESOME DEAL, AWESOME CUSTOMER SUPPORT AND THANK YOU DENNIS, THANK YOU ANTHONY!!! FAST SERVICE ANTHONY>>>THANKS AGAIN!!!

i also use the EP-15A. when you first listen to your system with it, you notice a lack of background noise.
i dont know when you recieved your units, but exact power has improved the top cover for these units. i have the silver faced unit with the silver top. these units had a rounded screw head to hold it down. i wanted a black cover to match the silver / black theme of my system. when i recieved the new black cover, it was a heavier gauge metal, and the screws are now philips heads that are longer. you can feel how it draws the cover down tighter and has less noise when tapping on it. you cannot use the longer srews with the older top covers. they round out the holes on the new ones so the screws are now sitting flat, instead of above the cover. if you call for a new top cover at EXACT POWER, let them know you bought if from ANTHONY. they know who he is. it will help in getting a new lid at a very reasonable price. i think the new lid is worth the few dollars to improve the stiffness of the chasis.
regards

bill

Where can I get my Exact Ep15a fixed

The ExactPower EP15A is a great unit, but there was a design flaw in the power supply section of the control PCB. The electrolytic capacitors specified and supplied in ALL EP15A units were undersized relative to the load imposed on them. This causes the capacitors to fail prematurely and the regulated voltages on the control card to drop out of regulation, resulting in lower-than-specified output voltage with LOTS of nasty ripple. So robust was the controller circuitry that the unit still works until the capacitors have completely failed. The cure is the replacement of the factory caps with correctly-sized (much larger and higher quality 105C low-Z) caps. This entirely fixes the problem and prevents its re-occurrance. I recently tested a new-old-stock, never-used unit and its voltage regulators were not working correctly out of the box due to this problem. The primary symptom of capacitor failure is the inability of the unit to sustain full load current and it buzzes loudly as it tries. If you own an ExactPower EP15A and have not had the control board caps replaced and upgraded with larger values (2 x 100uF in original for example on the positive 12V regulator to over 1000uF in the modified unit) then your EP15A NEEDS this fix. If your caps haven't failed completely yet, then they WILL soon. As the caps deteriorate, the performance of the unit slowly deteriorates over time, until it fails completely. Tragically, this slow deterioration of the unit robs the user of the full benefit of the ExactPower EP15A. Recapping the unit gives it better than new performance.
I routinely do the recap of the control PCB and the meter PCB and I am equipped to re-calibrate the unit to factory specs. Email me for details if you would like further info.
BTW I understand that Middle Atlantic (who now owns the ExactPower product line, has been repairing these units, but I believe that they are replacing the defective 100uF caps with new 100uF caps. These replacement caps will fail prematurely just like the old ones. They must be replaced with caps with larger value to prevent recurring failure -- especially the +12V filter caps, which are dreadfully undersized.

Thank you Steve.

I have used EP-15A and SP-15 for 5 years now. Nothing goes wrong so far.

Can you explain in details how to recap the 2x100uf to 1000uf you said? Is there enough room to put the big 1000uf caps?

Thank you
Sam

Steve what's your contact info??? Thanks Sam

Steve, I'd like to get more info about this upgrade as my caps just went. How can I get a hold of you?

Steve, I am another person who is experiencing a loud "buzzing" from my Exactpower EP15A. I see that you haven't replied back to other members' posts. I'll try to PM you.

My EP15A is starting to make some funky noises, too. Has anyone had their EP15A recapped? Can you snap some pictures of the insides so that I can do a visual comparison? (I've also sent a note to stevehogan, but no reply so far...)

thanks!

His phone number is available on his website. I've found he's responsive that way. If you can't find it PM me and i'll provide.

Oh -- he has a website? d'you have the URL handy?

thanks!

Search for The Sound Steward and you'll find it. Tried to post his number here but mods rejected that.

thanks so much! Found it!

Tortilladc thanks !!

 has anyone replaced the capacitor's that Steve age is talking about? Or has anyone had any luck getting a hold of him and or getting a schematic? I emailed him through his website but have not received a response.  he mentions  two 100 uf caps in the 12 V supply. The only 100 µF caps I could find were eight of those. I cannot see which two he has specified. I guess I could replace all of the eight but  I am worried that I might mess something up if I oversize them by a factor of 10. Any feedback and or tips from anyone who has modded these units?

I sent my EP15A to him couple years ago and he did a great job. Unfortunately something went just two weeks ago. I’ve since sold it as a malfunctioning unit.

I can give you his contact info if you want. (privately of course).

That would be great!

Hello,

I am having the same problems with my 10 -12 years old unit.
I need the schematic and info for caps replacement.

Thanks,

BuRKuT

Resurrecting an old thread...

Does anyone still have contact info for Steve Hogan (from the above messages)?

My unit has failed and my preference is to find some schematics so I can fix it myself. Short of that, I’d be willing to send it to someone who can fix the unit.