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Audioquest Niagara 1200

Hi all.  This is my first post on the forum.  I need some advise. I just purchased an Audioquest Niagara 1200 Power Conditioner and power cable.  I also purchased a EMI power line noise analyzer. I just got the Niagara 1200 plugged in. On the high current power banks of the 1200 the line conditioner did virtually nothing to reduce emi noise. On the linear noise dissipation outlets the Niagara actually created substantially more emi noise than just the standard electrical outlet.  My power is relatively clean without a power conditioner about 14.0 mVpp on the low end 40.0 on the high end. I was hoping that I could get any emi noise out of my electricity.  I have watched several YouTube video reviews of people using the Niagara 5000 (currently out of my budget) and they seem to work wonders.  My question is there a power conditioner that is around the same price as the Niagara 1200 that is more effective?  I feel like I just bought a $1,000 surge protector.  Any thoughts?

rfauto
bigtwin's avatar
bigtwin
1,129 posts
 

Is this noise you can actually hear in the music or just a reading that bothers you because it's there.  I ask this in all sincerity as I think many of us get all caught up in things that don't really matter?  Having said that, I've read a lot of good things about the Puritan PSM 156.  For what it's worth.  Cheers.

http://www.puritanaudiolabs.com/products/master-purifiers/psm156/

arafiq's avatar
arafiq
1,599 posts
 

I had the same issue with Niagara 1200. Although I didn’t measure anything per se, the degradation in SQ was noticeable. Music became flat and lifeless. Returned that sucker within 2 weeks. I’m now using Gigawatt Powerprime with good results. I’ve also heard good things about the Puritan PSM 156. Good luck.

rfauto OP
8 posts
 

Thanks for the input. I initially jumped down this rabbit hole because I had a buzz coming out of my phono preamp. Since then I upgraded my electrical panel and added a dedicated 15 amp hospital outlet. Problem solved. I suspect I had a bad ground. I guess I’ll continue using my Furman power strip.

lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,393 posts
 

Why don't you let the Audioquest break-in and listen to some music? 

nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,572 posts
 

My Niagara 1200 performed the opposite of what's been described. Quieter background, no restrictions in dynamics, lower noise floor, a very slight film/hash removed that I didn't notice until it was gone, resulting in a smoother, natural flowing sound. 

I believe it's completely passive as there's no transformers and provides surge protection as well. If anything, it sounds like it past on the troubles you had up the line that were beyond it's passive design.

All the best,
Nonoise

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