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  3. 170057-13272

Yet Another Post About Power Conditioners!

OK, OK, so I know there are eleventy billion posts about what power conditioners are better than others. I've read them all...yes, all eleventy billion! But, I am still wondering which one I should chose.

Here's the backdrop: I have four dedicated, 20-amp outlets. There's a bunch of noise on them. So bad I can hear a local hip hop station clearly playing through my Greenwave Dirty Noise Filter w/speaker. I use an assortment of very high-end, and expensive power cables,. I use very expensive, high-end outlets. My system consists of a Mobile Fidelity Ultradeck, a PS Audio GCHP phone stage, an AudioLab 6000CDT transport, a Burson Audio 3x Reference headphone amp, and Focal Clear headphones. Everything is connected with really good interconnects, most of which are balanced. Having downsized from a much larger, much more power system, these nuggets suit my current needs just fine.

Still that AC noise. Given the size of my system, it's silly to spend mega-bucks on a regenerator, or the expensive balanced isolation transformer PCs. Based on my research, I've narrowed my choices to these in the $1500 and under price range:

Furman Elite 15 or 20 PFi (used)
AudioQuest Niagara 1200
PS Audio Dectect
Core Power Equi=Core 1000 or 1800 (no return policy, ugh)
Shunyata Hydra 8 (used)
Decware ZLC (10-12 month wait, ugh)
NuPrime Pure AC-4
Toroid BTE500E or 1000E Balanced Transformer
Tripplite ISO500 or 500HG Isolation Transformer
Torus TOT Mini Balanced Transformer

Yes, that's an extensive list, but my search reveals these are the top choices by many folks, as well as a few, little-known contenders.

If you have actual experience with any of these--and have compared them to other PCs, your opinion or recommendations would be appreciated greatly. You're welcome to suggest others, too, if you've done hands-on comparisons.


output555
jea48
4,313 posts
 
@ lowrider57

The Entech Broadband Noise Analyzer is what @output555 used for his test.


An earlier post of mine:

jea483,683 posts   

10-17-2021  
 2:20pm 

output555 OP Said:
The EMI noise and RFI are being measured straight from the outlet. The system behaves nicely.

@ output555

What type of meter did you use to measure it?


@output555 response:

output555 OP75 posts   

10-17-2021   
 5:43pm  

To jea48: The Entech Broadband Noise Analyzer.


@lowrider57,

If it were me I would hire an electrician and have him check out the "dedicated" ground rod the electrician installed 25 years ago for the audio system. If it is a dedicated ground rod that is connected directly to the duplex receptacle outlets, (equipment ground contact terminal), that could very well be a source of electrical noise.

output555 OP
120 posts
 
To lowrider57: That makes sense. Although @ $150/hr. I'd spend well over the cost of a PC for someone to test and replace the dedicated lines. For under $230, a Tripplite IT cleans almost 100% of the noise and RFI. A basic bandaid perhaps, but effective.

The reason for my post is not to dig into my AC lines, but rather to find the best band-aid for under $1500. Some may think that's stoopid, but I'm content in my willful ignorance. :P
output555 OP
120 posts
 
To rudyb: Definitely an issue with the cheap copper in rubber tubes. No radio station in my components, it resides deep inside my walls. As I've mentioned, a cheap-o PC cures my woes. Now, I'm just looking for a really good one, that's not so cheap-o.
jea48
4,313 posts
 
@output555


**IF** the dedicated ground rod is all the electrician used for the ground for the duplex receptacle outlets then there is not a safety equipment ground connection back to the electrical service electrical panel equipment ground.
What you have is no different than using ground cheaters at the wall outlets that your audio equipment that use the equipment ground for electrical safety.


Actually if that is what the electrician did what you have is worse than just using ground a cheater to lift the safety equipment ground at the wall outlets.


If you have a multi meter set the meter to auto AC volts. measure for voltage from the neutral contact to the equipment ground contact at one of the wall outlets. If the branch circuit wiring equipment grounding conductor is connected to the ground terminal on the outlet you should measure zero volts nominal. The reason the voltage should read zero volts nominal is because the equipment grounding conductor is connected to the grounded electrical service neutral conductor. That is the common ground point for the building structure.


bslon's avatar
bslon
2,068 posts
 
Of the units on your list I’d go with the Hydra 8. I preferred it to the Equi=Tech balanced unit I demo’d because it sounded better in my system, it sits quietly doing its job without any noise or hum and has no indicator lights or meters.
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