Power conditioners: Do they make a difference?

Please share your experiences regarding adding a power conditioner to your system. Does it really enhance performance of your system? Did you notice a night and day difference or did you feel like you just wasted $500 on a fancy power strip??

 

I also have had a good experience using a line-conditioner as I live in a rather old apt. building. Try and find a circuit with nothing else on it in my place. Impossible!

Hmmm, my 7000th post helping prix. Very interesting.

 

Right on, Dave!


Could you gentlemen be specific in terms of the things you noticed in terms of improvement? Also, feel free to recommend your favorite power conditioners.

 

Check my profile for the model if you like. I'm running an Inyoue. The first thing I noticed upon firing it up was the immediate cleaner sound of everything. More defined, better transparency in the mids and treble. It took some of the edge (graininess?) off of some of my CD's. The one I use is around $500.00 US. I really like it but I'm almost 1000% sure a top-of-the-line "Tyson" could make it sound even better.

 

It made a difference on my system also. And mine isn't a very good one (Monster HTS-2000). Mine lists for $200, and I bought it for $100 on Ebay. System hiss almost disappeared completely (at higher volumes), and the music became cleaner sounding (due to increased s/n ratio?).
Prix, I also recommend trying out power cords, especially for your power amps. Mine is solid state, and it made a huge difference (not sure what it could do for tube gear). It was like adding 20+ watts per channel to my system!

 

I didn't spend $500 on a dedicated audio line conditioner, it was more like $70. But I use it on both my computer and stereo, and while I didn't notice a difference with the stereo, I noticed it right away with the PC. The PC runs smoother, and the HD doesn't whirr around so much. A computer tech explained to me why this is so, but I don't remember what he told me.

 

I use an AudioPrism Power Foundation - expensive, but I noticed a difference. The things to check for in a power conditioner is if it isolates the components from each other, especially the digital sources, and if it's rated for power amps. If the conditioner is not designed for power amps, it'll limit the current your amp can draw and hurt dynamics. In that case, it's better to plug the amps directly into the wall.

 

I used an Audio Power power conditioner before... but I found the sound was changed thru the conditioner. I do prefer living without any conditioners... I only use better power chords by XLO and NBS.

 

I noticed a definite improvement, and of course subjective. I thought things sounded a little more detailed and open. I have the Adcom power conditioner

 

I felt the same way.

My guess is that if you have a power hungry system(big mono block amps, seperate preamp, phono stage..etc) power conditioner may not be good for you...just my 2 cent worth.

*p.s. I have dedicated AC power. I installed dedicated AC panel with individual 20 amp breakers for each component. I also used Wattgate receptacle and plugs.

 

Full disclosure: I sell them.

I like the Panamax 5500 very much. I have a Monster HTS5000. It looks cooler. You will hear a cleaner sound. If you have a display plugged in you will see better black level which will also get you richer color. (It is all hinged to black)

I also like the Monster AVS2000 voltage stabilizer which I use in conjunction with the HTS 5000. they all work together. I have seen a very impressive demo with the Furman line conditioner. I think it is better than the monster or the Panamax in some ways. I have also seen the Richard Gray stuff. It is different in the way it works. But it does wonders for a Display device. I think it could be used in conjunction with any of the above devices for even better results. I just can't afford to find out right now.

 

For me I have noticed that System hiss is gone entirely. In fact The noise in my system has been dissipating steadily the past 10 years. Unfortunately I have also noticed most of the bands don't use high hats anymore either.

 

Well, hot_wax, you've got about twice the amp that I've got

 

Well I hope you caught the subtle reference to the fact that I will have to get hearing aids sometime int eh next 12 months. I just don't have any highs left above 10k any more.

I had to quit live mixing because I can't hear the onset of feedback. I still know if it sounds good or not though. I can still detect harshness. I still can tell if the system is flabby or lacks snap in the low end.

 

No idea. I've never tried one, and I don't realy feel the urge to do so, though I'm mightily attracted to the Hydra, new and old. I like Caelin Gabriel. Chatted to him at the HE show in San Francisco and he reinforced the opinion I had of him. A nice fellow.

Regards,
Geoff

 

I've never used a conditioner but I'm always on the lookout for my next tweak.

What is this stuff I read about not wanting to plug your amp into a power conditioner? Is there any merit to that?

 

Check out the TrippLite Isobar 6DBS. It's very reasonably priced at around $60.00, street price. I purchased the TL from Dell for slightly less, shipped plus a 30 day return policy. It was during one of their specials. Not much to loose in my view.

A buddy with the aforementioned TL model recently purchased a $1K plus retail PC and heard no difference in his system when compared to the TL. His music system is on the decent side of the equation with AG Solos, Cary SLP-98 and Wadia 6XX.

A chap at Audio Asylum (Cut-Throat) that also owns the TL, has compared it to several far more expensive units. In his view, no difference that he could detect.

I thought I'd mention this little unit which also happens to be very well built with an all metal housing and isolated filter banks. BTW, I'm not an employee.

Regards,

Jet

 

Jason, it has to do with the amount of power your amp will actually draw from the LC. If your amp is a power-hog you will definitely be losing the said benefits of the LC. This is why the better ones that I've seen have a strictly amp and pre-amp dedicated receptacle on them and if you don't have one of these try a dedicated line socket to your fuse-box or in a pinch just directly to the wall socket.

 

Jason, I bought an aftermarket power cord, and plugged it directly into the wall. It made a big difference in my setup! My power conditioner was not allowing enough current for my amp.

 

I haven't tried a power conditioner yet, but have become interested in Bybee filters for AC applications. I may place a couple in my JuiceBar later on.

 

Bybee filters might quiet down the so called "background hisses" but it will change your tonality and shrink your sound stage(make it unnatural), not necessary for the good of your system.......I've tried them before.

When I upgraded my AC power(dedicate panel, breakers, better AC power cords, plugs and IECs) it dramatically reduced the system noise level(tube hisses), raised the signal level and the tonality got fuller. I also didn't have to turn the volume knob as high as I used to(around 8 o'clock area rather then 9) to reach the full dynamic level sound.

 

Where did you have them they positioned? From what I have read, they are best used in AC.

 

Yes, around transformer and power line.