2. amps-preamps
  3. 175818-20609

Sound Better w/Amp Directly Into Wall Then Thru Zero Surge

I’ve been breaking in a Pathos Classic Remix. It’s lovely at small things, but when things got complex, the soundstage flattenned, the sound compressed, and the top end got sort of hashy.

 

When my last amp and speakers got fried from a surge, even when plugged into a Shunyata Hydra, I decided I needed some more serious surge protection. I was directed to a Zero Surge brand protector. I have been plugging the Classic Remix into the Hydra and that into the Zero Surge.

 

My previous amp, a Unison Research Unico was quite improved going through the Hydra in terms of the sound, but, again, that was going into the wall.

 

With the Classic Remix plugged into the Hydra (and the Zero Surge), I decided to plug the Classic Remix directly into the wall. Immediately there was an improvement with the dynamic bloom and lessening of the harshness when the music got big.

 

I’m wondering how much the Zero Surge was reining in the dynamics? I need to try comparing the Hydra directly into the wall with the Pathos plugged in, as well as trying to plug the Zero Surge directly into the Zero Surge. But, boy, it seems as if something was limiting the current to the Pathos.

 

But I have heard that some manufacturers say to plug their apps directly into the wall. How do I protect my equipment (without going to crazy expense)?

 

One other thing - I called Zero Surge and Jim, the guy I spoke to, told me that there's nothing in the Zero Surge that would cause it. "It's just wire", he said. 

analogj

Showing 1 response by pesky_wabbit

pesky_wabbit's avatar
pesky_wabbit
1,183 posts
 

the Hydra contains metal oxide varistors, which were promoted by Russ Andrews in a couple of his products in the early 80‘s. At the time quite a few enthusiasts obtained these components individually and inserted them in mains plugs to ascertain whether they improved the sound as Russ claimed. While the sound did change in a manner that some may call an improvement, there was an almost universal view that their inclusion lead to a constriction of dynamics. My own experimentation lead me to concur with these conclusions. The effect is most marked in amplifiers with high current demands.

It must also be borne in mind that varistors do wear out, and cease to be effective after providing a certain amount of overload protection. Their performance in failure mode can be unpredictable.

They are very cheap to buy and you can easily observe their effect by inserting one across the live and neutral terminals inside a suitable mains plug.

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