Power cords or power conditioner


I’m at a cross roads and I’m looking for some advice from those have have gone down this road. I recently added a 2 channel integrated amplifier to improve my 2 channel performance. I had been using my Datasat LS-10 for music and while it sounded really nice, it was missing the depth and clarity that I know my speakers are capable of. My speakers are KEF Reference 3s, rest of my 2 channel set is is as follows:

Luxman L 509x

Luxman D-03x

Roon Nucleus Plus

Lumin U2 Mini

Transparent Audio Super speaker cables

Nordorst Red Dawn XLR, Blue Heaven USB

Wire World Platinum USB

All power cables are DYI using Oyaide Tsunami V2 cable

So what I feel I am missing is that 3D holographic sound stage. It was there with the Luxman 509 when I demo’d it, but I am unable to get that experience at my house. I feel that majority of equipment is up to the task but I am curious if I should ad a top shelf power condtioner like a Shunyata Triton or Torus AVR20 into the system or replace my Intergrated’s power cord with a Shunyata Alpha NC? I’m getting tapped out, so for now it can only be one or the other.

Or should I skip the above and focus on room treatments?

wheelndeal1099

The power cord to your amp will likely have a large impact. Given what you are attempting, I recommend trying an AudioQuest Hurricane. I would borrow or rent. These have become extremely popular because of their ability to add transparency and detail without negative impact of the bass of changing the tonal balance. They had a huge impact in my system.

 

A power conditioner is going to be more challenging for you with an integrated. Almost all power conditioners have a negative impact on current flow… so amps are usually not plugged into the power conditioner… but straight into the wall (direct line will also help). But the preamp and all other components plug into the power conditioner. Without the preamp plugged into the power conditioner you will not get as big a position effect from a power conditioner.

 

But to address your problem. Each of the things discussed will make a difference. They are additive! This is key. You may have to do all of them and slowly work step by step to get to where you want to go.

You want direct line/s

Top of the line power cord to amp

Power conditioner

You will get greater transparency through Transparent Ultra… although at greater cost. The new generation are better than older.

Careful running of cables… 90 degrees at crossing. Cable lifters.

 

I would pe patient… just slowly work one thing at a time and get it right. It is very likely you will get there.

 

 

My money is on a exhaustive speaker setup/sitting.Nail that and the rest is the easy part.Should be able to achieve some level of what your desiring.I went through this last 2 week’s,I havent had a power conditioner for years.Cd and amp straight to wall socket.It has produced some great results.I have a great sound stage before the addition of conditioner...as George said it just add’s that element of a "cleaner" signal... and fwiw mine will stay in for now i believe

Thanks guys!  I have DYI power cords on all my two channel equipment.  I used Oyaide Tunami V2 for the cable.   Not the best but far from the stock wire. So my power wires are not bad, just not up to reference level, if that is needed. 

As to speaker placement, trust me, I'm been playing with the placement for a year.  I've got them where they sound pretty good.  I did pull them out another foot from the wall today.  It did help give more dimensionality to the sound. 

I have an 80" TV in the middle of my sound stage so I tossed a thick blanket over it and it helped.  My center channel KEF Reference has a large aluminum face so I tossed a blanket over that next.  Helped a tiny bit more.   I think I'm on the right path!  😂 Total spend for improvements today- ZERO. 

wrong a good power conditioners only afecting noise the right power  conditioner can dramaticallyimprove systems soundstage width and depth we run dedicated lines and the addition of a good power coproduced far. superior results out of our reference systemfurmans are a joke good units audience isotek audioimagic

 

we have tried most of these kinds of devices

 

Dave and Troy

Audio Intellect nj

dealer for audience isotek audio magic

I've had good results with power cords, but not with conditioners. Easy to return a power cord if it doesn't work for you, so really no risk...