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Power conditioners around $500

Does anyone have any thoughts on power conditioners in the $500 range (new or used)? For years I've been using an old Panamax 1000 and I think it's time to take a step up.

A few months ago I borrowed a PS Audio Quintet and I didn't like it at all. It etched the instruments razor tight, which seemed to deaden the air around the instruments and also seemed to exaggerate the separation between instruments. It seemed to suck the life out of the music. The Quintet had been on consignment at the local shop, so I am just assuming that it had been properly run in, but that might not be true.

I read a review of the Shunyata Guardian on Positive Feedback, and the reviewer mentions the same etching effect. PS Audio Power Center 3000 looks nice on paper. So does Furman. Does anyone have experience comparing these machines? I'm not running power-hungry equipment, just an integrated amp, DAC, and CDP.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
rfprice
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,581 posts
 
Here's another vote for the Blue Circle Thingee.
srosenberg's avatar
srosenberg
209 posts
 
if you can find a running springs haley in your price range, they would be worth checking out.
listener57
730 posts
 
In your price range there's really no compromise if you use Mapleshade Records power strip/power conditioner accompanied by a Machina Dynamica Flying Saucer (crazy name, great benefit) plugged into the unused adjacent AC wall socket, and a few other unused AC wall sockets in the listening room.

The resulting upgrade is full of life and texture, as well as illuminating fine detail.
bo1972's avatar
bo1972
2,789 posts
 
The ons who are mentioned are doing just a little. Fisch Audiotechnik has a few which are superior to these. I compared them. I am not sure if it is available in the US. With those PSAudio you never will win any war, that's for sure!!
srosenberg's avatar
srosenberg
209 posts
 
Bol1972... can you elaborate on the comparison you did between the Running Springs conditioners and the Fisch Audiotechnik? I am curious what advantages you found in favor of the Fisch. I am in no way questioning your findings, but rather am genuinely curious, as I have not had the opportunity to try a Fisch Audiotechnik piece but found the Running Springs EXTREMELY good in my system.
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