2. misc-audio
  3. 123492-2693

To Power Condition or Not to Power Condition?

OK, I’ve looked into this and the few posts I find on every forum seem to be at least 4-5 yrs old. I’m pretty sure new and probably better products have come out since then. Then there’s the issue as to whether to even use a power conditioner at all. Seems like some love it while others hate it. Whatever, the info and discussion seems quite limited.

So here’s where I am. I have a dedicated AC line with Oyaide R1 outlet. I’m running my amp into the wall and the digital into an old Monster cable AVS 2000 strip that received good reviews 12-15 yrs ago. I just installed hardwood flooring and my system sounds better than ever. But I had promised myself a toy since I did the floor installation. and was expecting the system to need help since it was voiced for carpet.
Anyway, I need a new toy. Since I don’t have a power conditioner, I keep thinking about one. My 1st thought was a couple of Oneac units from Ebay...one for analog, the other for digital. Then I considered the PS Audio Dectet. . It fits my budget and something which will fit behind my system rack. I don’t have shelf space for a P3, P5 etc though I keep thinking about the supposed benefits of regeneration. I’ve looked at other brands IE Furman. Then I stumbled across the Shunyata VENOM PS8 POWER CONDITIONER BUNDLE at Music Direct. But again, I can find very little in way of review on this item or its bigger brother the VENOM MPC-12A (which may be beyond my budget anyway)

So, I’m looking for people with experience with the Shunyata VENOM PS8 bundle with Venom Defender and PC and/ or the PS Audio Dectet and especially if you have heard them a/b’d against one another. Thoughts/experiences with regeneration and power conditioning will also be appreciated.

Thanks for your help. System is listed. The pictures have not been updated to reflect the equipment. But the list of equipment is correct
arte
artemus_5

Showing 4 responses by knownothing

knownothing
1,661 posts
 
I saw the Venom package from Shunyata and was intrigued too. I am using their Defender in a simple Wiremold power strip and find that it seriously quiets my analog front end that consists of an old Thorens TT, Grado Platinum cartridge and Grado phono amp with a hulking wall wort power supply.  

Also Plugged into this strip is TV cable box (SMPS), Samsung BDP that doubles as CD transport (surprisingly good for raw PCM out) and Arcam irDAC which had stock SMPS but now has MCRU linear supply.  

Once fully broken in, the Venom Defender definitely tamed this hodge podge of analog, motors, unshielded cartridges, digital components and SMPS', reducing noise and improving PRAT of analog front end while lowering noise floor and relaxing digital presentation without limiting punch and speed (of digital audio and video components). The Defender in the Wiremold made a positive gain for all these components on the same strip.

For my Arcam AVR400, not so much. The receiver lost some zing and punch when adding the Defender in the first outlet of the Wiremold. Maybe it was current limitation of the Defender in the Wiremold strip which only has 14AWG fixed cable. Plugging the Arcam directly via Shunyata Diamondback cable into medical grade wall outlet fed by 10AWG/20amp dedicated line provided much better performance. Currently determining best outlet for B&W sub, wall vs strip.

Reason for my interest in the Venom strip and supply cord to replace Wiremold is that it might address potential current limitation of Wiremold, continuing big gauge wire from wall to strip. Outlets are likely higher quality in Venom strip as well, providing more secure connection, more current, less noise, etc.  At least in theory.

A word about potential mismatch of Venom supply cable sold as part of the Venom package to components downstream as mentioned in previous post above.  I look at the Venom supply cable as extension of the Romex cable in the wall out into the area around your electronics. The hope is you provide as much current as possible to the power strip without polluting electrical fields around your other gear, and vice versa. You can customize your specific source cables from that point as needed, fwiw.

kn
knownothing
1,661 posts
 
artemus_5, did you buy the Shunyata Venom package, or did you go a different way? Curious how the Venom strip and cable worked for you or others.
knownothing
1,661 posts
 
nutty, the standard 8 place Wiremold has worked well for years for me, but I wonder about the current limiting part. Yes, no limiting from geometry and lack of conditioning or switches in the line.  But the Wiremold's fixed supply cable is 14AWG, and when I have 7 different pieces hooked up, with no less than five powered up and drawing some current at all times, I wonder about current limiting during intense passages.  Hooking my receiver directly to the wall outlet and 10AWG dedicated supply line from the breaker seems to increase dynamics over running it through the Wiremold, even with the Venom Defender disengaged.  Why I am interested in Shunyata set up with heavy duty strip and twenty amp rated supply "HC" cable.  Even if I keep the receiver connected to the wall, peripherals might benefit from fatter pipe. Will investigate Wiremold's current offerings.
knownothing
1,661 posts
 
Thanks for following up nutty.
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