Review: Allan Maher Power Enhancer AC filter

Nice review, Ozzy. Supposedly,after the PE is placed in an outlet, it takes up to 10 days to fully break in that particular outlet. I'm confused a bit as to how the PE works. I initially thought that the PE had to break in itself, but now I read where Alan's wife says that the PE doesn't break in but the outlet circuit which the PE is plugged into does. Fortunately, according to a follow-up by Alan himself, after 15 min. in whatever outlet you choose, you'll know whether you like it there or not, so you don't have to wait out the 10 day break-in period to decide, unlike cables, etc. I also have found the PE to sound the best in an outlet which is in the same circuit, but further away from the outlets where my system is actually plugged into. I am contemplating getting another PE to hear if there are indeed further benefits. So far, I'm really enjoying the one only PE in the room. if anything, my bedroom system on the other side of the wall could probably use a PE. One thing that I've found is that the Electroclear QRT-1 and the PE don't like each other. The PE is far superior. In fact, I have removed the Electroclear completely. Anyone want an Electroclear QRT-1 dirt cheap?

Jen is correct, the PE does not break in. The leakage from the PE charges the magnetic field along the length of the in wall wiring, and changes the harmonic ringing character of each duplex wired on the circuit, component power supply, etc. At the same time the PE rings to control the harmonics on the line. In some cases it cuts off the heads of peak harmonics, and in other cases it fills in the gaps of dip harmonics. In order to experience the ringing enhancement, the PE must be placed in series with the audio / video system. That means any location wired prior to the a/v system on the circuit or sub panel. Series filtering will provide a very dynamic and extended reproduction. Parallel filtering, anything wired after the system duplex or circuit, only provides CMR and RFI/EMI filtering. You loose the harmonic ringing enhancement. In parallel the PE will sound warm, lifeless in some applications, maybe subtle, or nothing at all. The Parallel application is still useful for noise rejection, but a series filter should be added to balance the harmonic ringing of that particular circuit. You might also discover the distance in a two PE application plays a small role. Think of each duplex outlet in a daisy chain as a power cord ringing node. That is exactly what the in wall wiring is, one giantic power cord. Do you remember those devices you slide on the cable back and forth to alter the ringing character? That is what you are trying to achieve with the PE. Each duplex outlet, including the system, has a different ringing frequency in the grand scheme of the electrical circuit. The PE can be used to spot test and correct the ringing frequencies if the user takes the time to test each location. The PE is no different than any other parallel device. They can all sound good if the user takes the time to test each location. Locate the outlet with the brightest sound quality on the a/v circuit or sub panel if you have a dedicated circuit. This is excellent advice for a 1 to 3 PE application. As the PE's start to increase in the home you will discover spot testing is no longer required. Each PE filter will couple to the other on the same phase and will work in concert with one another to increase S/N ratio and allow the user to dial in the ultimate PLC at the sub panel. I have clients with 25+ in their homes that continue to purchase more. The uses of the PE are unlimited if the user takes the time to tune the PE's location.

With all that said, each time you disconnect the PE from the wall you will disrupt the magnetic build up along the house wiring. Allow the PE 5 minutes to first establish the new location. Next, allow the PE 10 to 15 minutes to set up the ringing node of the circuit location. After you decide which is the brightest location on the circuit, allow the PE 4 to 5 days of a roller coaster ride of harmonic swings as the magnetic field in the wire sets up. The field will expand and collapse over that time until it becomes stable. Once the swing stops and the sound quality snaps back together, the circuit can take up to 2 weeks to refine. Everything from the size of in wall wire, to the length of the circuit, to the amount of staples used per beam to hold the wire in place will determine how long the refining process will take. Keep in mind, each staple that pushes against the wire to hold it in place is another harmonic frequency that needs to be addressed. I have never experienced anything past 2 weeks, but there is always a first time for everything.

If any client requires assistance, I will be home as of the 14th. E-mail me at: alanpmaher@alanmaherdesigns.com and I will try to answer each question as quickly as I can. I have a bunch of orders to fill, so please allow me a day or so when I first get back.

Take care,
Alan

Alan, Thanks for the extra instructions, they were surely needed.
At the present time I have removed all the Alan Maher and Noise Destoyer units and everything sounds better. Better dynamics and high frequency.

I will print out your guidlines and see if I can follow them at a later time.

Question. If I only have one item on one dedicated circuit and your unit sounds bad placed on that outlet, do I look in the Circuit breaker box for the circuit above that breaker to try the PE on that circuit ?

Ozzy,
Have you tried taking the Hydra 8 out of the circuit and experimenting with the PE by itself? That would be an interesting experiment.