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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
srosenberg's avatar
srosenberg
209 posts
 
Bo1972 - thanks for the additional information. So then have you not personally auditioned the Running Springs power conditioners? Again, not questioning your findings, just really interested in the Fisch line if you found it superior to the RSA gear, as the RSA remains the best I've heard to date.
bo1972's avatar
bo1972
2,789 posts
 
I don't know the RSA, so I cannot Judge. It is that simple. I love the Fisch for there price. I am Always looking for the best quality for each price for my clients.
vladimir
346 posts
 
Check Cullen Cable Power Box, only $219.
pauly
1,012 posts
 
RF, can you swing a soldering iron?

I have built a number over the years. I can honestly say that with the exception of PS Audio PS300 on some source gear, it will match anything out there ... and it's dead easy to do.

Attached a URL of a very easy filter. Easy as pie, 3 resistors, two inductors, a cheap project box and any hospital grade power cable. Done.

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze22yzp/id11.html

And yeah, I have open a few boutique units. You'd be horrified to see what in them.

Regards
Paul

Note, I don't know the author of the article nor do I endorse anything on it. I happened to have built similar units with good result. YMMV.
singleendedsingle
664 posts
 
Ps audio makes outstanding conditioners for the price. In the past, my experience with the Duet and Quintet was remarkable..sonic improvements were noticeable.
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