The Power Plant Regenerator debate drags on


I have seen a lot of videos on this topic and read a lot of threads. Do AC regenerators work -- in the sense of actually contributing to the improvement of a system's sound? This, of course, assumes there is a problem to fix, but if there is, it's an interesting question.

I know ASR did a couple videos about the PS Audio Powerplant in 2022 and there was a lot of discussion around that time.

It was surprising to see Paul McGowan raise the issue just a month ago (Dec. 2024) on his channel, here: https://youtu.be/wAywgassj1Q?si=6PqP7Y1jP2IebxE1

It's a pretty predictable "objective measurements" vs. "subjective listening" issue, but there is some discussion of placebo effects in Paul's reply.

Anyway, possibly of interest. Or not. Just weird to see it come up again after a couple years.

hilde45

Showing 1 response by toronto416

I have crappy power with THD often at 8 or 10%.  Using a PS Audio PP12 regenerator made a huge difference, and then I moved on to Accuphase PS-530 and PS-1250 power supplies that eliminate THD and produce a perfect sine wave from the distorted wave coming in from the grid.

The impact on my audio system sonically is not subtle - it makes a significant difference in blacker backgrounds, resolution, dynamics, musicality and bloom.  I have a solo piano recording (Schubert sonata) made in an old stone church in rural England, and in the quieter passages you can hear the birds chirping outside.  I only heard those birds after installing the power supplies in my system.

The Accuphase power supplies are massive and built to much higher standard than the PS Audio units, and they are silent and free of transformer hum.  They are also at  different price point, but worth every penny.