So you think large spikes every 120th or 100th of second causing large voltage spikes with high harmonic content is going to create less noise and distortion than a slowly changing voltage at the same frequency? What is the music peak is at 180 Hz or above?
Power Conditioning / Surge Protection
I am looking for some advice on power conditioning and surge protection. I have a dedicated circuit for my two channel system with eight outlets. Years ago I was talked into buying a couple of Richard Gray Power Stations which I still have in the system. Because of the logistics of my system they have served as additional outlets when power cords weren’t long enough but honestly I don’t know a damn thing about power conditioning or surge protection and whether I’m doing harm or good to my system. I have a turntable, phono stage, music server, streamer, CD player, integrated amp and dual powered subs so I have a lot of need for power. I’m interested in protecting my equipment but I don’t want to muddy things up either. I’m willing to scrap the Richard Grays and either replace them with something else if there are better options.
I would greatly appreciate any advice from those who know about these things. I’m very happy with my equipment but feel the power issue is lacking or, at best, not well thought out.
I would greatly appreciate any advice from those who know about these things. I’m very happy with my equipment but feel the power issue is lacking or, at best, not well thought out.
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- 67 posts total
Why do you keep talking about noise and voltage spikes? The problem is in narrow current spikes (pulses) charging capacitors that increase power losses on any impedance in series. During orchestra forte voltage on power supply caps drops. It is because of capacitor ESR, but also because of voltage drops on on transformer windings (copper losses) and any other impedance in series including power cord, house wiring, conditioner coil etc. Simply, power supply is not load regulated (voltage vary with load). Some unregulated supplies are better than the others often because they have oversized transformers. Increasing capacitance should also help, but creates another problem - lower voltage ripple that results in much narrower and much higher charging current pulses, that will create even more power losses (including core losses for hysteresis and eddy currents because of high frequency content). |
Regardless of what you do have a whole house surge protector installed! Please. There are so many reasons to do so, too many to re-list here. I use an Audioquest Niagara and can’t hear any difference verses when the Amp is plugged into the wall. As for the wall; do you have beefed up hospital grade plugs or better? I can’t recommend that enough. Seriously. |
For those with a technical "thirst", the following are a worthwhile read.... https://www.audioquest.com/resource/1138/Power-Demystified-whitepaper-8-23-18.pdf https://shunyata.com/technology-guide/ |
- 67 posts total