All amplifiers work with DC. AC is converted to DC inside all amplifiers thru transformers, rectifiers, hi freq filters and smoothing capacitors. Lower wattage power amps may also use regulators. Because of this, the quality of the mains AC has virtually NO effect on the sound (the DC) if the amplifier is properly grounded and there are no ground loops.
ALL the necessary design to make the DC as smooth as possible are ALL included in the amp itself. Noise reduction, CMMR, smoothing, ripple reduction and transient current capability are ALL included in the power supply of the amp itself.
Where you need a good quality clean AC is if you are using AC motors, like synchronous and induction. These may be driving your turntable and their rotational stability is directly affected by the quality of the AC. Even then, most turntables these days internally synthesize their own AC thru precision electronics if they are using an AC motor.
Therefore, power conditioners are therefore a complete waste of money for amplifiers. The only (maybe) possible use they have is for safety against over voltage spikes (lightning ?).
The reason that most people "feel" that tubes sound "better" is most likely due to the 2nd order harmonic distortion that tubes inherently introduce. Essentially they are listening to distorted music. It is an irony that audiophiles claim they want to listen to the exact reproduction of the sound (which the SS gives you) but then again they prefer the tube sound (distorted).
For any device costing over a few thousand bucks, the sound preference is more of a personal choice rather than "quality" of the amplifier.
ALL the necessary design to make the DC as smooth as possible are ALL included in the amp itself. Noise reduction, CMMR, smoothing, ripple reduction and transient current capability are ALL included in the power supply of the amp itself.
Where you need a good quality clean AC is if you are using AC motors, like synchronous and induction. These may be driving your turntable and their rotational stability is directly affected by the quality of the AC. Even then, most turntables these days internally synthesize their own AC thru precision electronics if they are using an AC motor.
Therefore, power conditioners are therefore a complete waste of money for amplifiers. The only (maybe) possible use they have is for safety against over voltage spikes (lightning ?).
The reason that most people "feel" that tubes sound "better" is most likely due to the 2nd order harmonic distortion that tubes inherently introduce. Essentially they are listening to distorted music. It is an irony that audiophiles claim they want to listen to the exact reproduction of the sound (which the SS gives you) but then again they prefer the tube sound (distorted).
For any device costing over a few thousand bucks, the sound preference is more of a personal choice rather than "quality" of the amplifier.