Power strip for my new dedicated lines?

Yeah while my before/after was less than scientific I didn’t notice any degradation of sound using my various ZeroSurge products, and this was in a multitude of equipment as I use the rack mounts in three of my systems (and other non-rack ones in other systems).

 

Yeah you don't need surge protection but most the devices your looking for will already have that as a feature. I would look at units that separate and filter different units differently having separate banks for your different components. This is for noise suppression from dirty power that gets into the system. All wires act as an antena and pick up noise RFI, or even other electrical units plugged into the home power system. This noise is what your looking to filter from getting into your system.

 

The Emotiva cmx-6 has a detachable power cord, might also be a good pick:
CMX-6 Power Distribution System With Precision Common Mode AC Line Filter

 

MOV's are great devices if applied properly.
They are in parallel so no power passes thru them until surge > rating.
https://m.littelfuse.com/~/media/electronics/product_catalogs/littelfuse_varistor_catalog.pdf.pdf

All the devices mentioned will attenuate RFI
the PST8 is -40 dB at 10 kHz, that is low
The PST6 is -40 dB at 100 kHz
The lowest common RF noise source is 540 kHz AM radio, most all other sources are higher except switching power supplies.

If these don't catch it the power xfmr L will.
Nothing will get to the secondary in this range.
A small xfmr L ~ 1.6 mH
Xl at 540 kHz, 5,400 Ohm, effective choke.
Overall Z assuming 120V 5 A ~ 24 Ohm at 60 Hz, xfmr RF attenuation >- 45 dBV
Between it an the power strip filter nothing is getting thru.

Most do not deal with the real culprit, harmonics of 60 Hz, 120, 180, etc.
The filter would be huge and have varying voltage drop based on load.
In this case for 180 Hz the xfmr would offer only -9.5 dB attenuation. But since 180 THD may only be 5% of the fundamental, it is reduced to 1.7%, not bad.
What does get thru the caps will smooth even further.

 

The PST8 rated at -40 dB at 10 kHz should handle most wall wart switching power supplies, under low load some may get below 20 kHz., but usually >25 kHz.

 

But, but... if you are installing dedicated lines then WHY are you using power strips? Just have multiple outlets installed!
AND the bigger WHY is why are you using ANY filtering or surge suppression?

Ive owned a few Furmans, still do. Even a coupe of their $3000+ units. ALL of them degrade audiophile quality. I only use a Furman on gear like computers, routers, turntable... not amp, preamp, dac. They go directly into the wall. I have circuit breakers, that's more than enough! I also have home owners insurance.

Just Say'in.

 

I'm no EE, but this kinda confirms my real-world experience with these things.



I'm not sure the best approach might get one of the plug-in filters and put it on the same line with the refrigerator or whatever is noisiest.

My takeaway is that it is notable how much these may go from reducing noise to actually adding noise over time.

 

The power strips have filters and will also dampen switching surges from the AC unit and refrigerator. If you share a xfmr with a neighbor, THEIR noise is on your bus. The question is why not have them since there is no audible difference.
A $100 unit makes sense, a $3,000+?
Not so much imo.

How do they degrade the audio signal?
So even with RF attenuated by the Furman the audio signal is better without them?
How can you tell that? Do you hear 'inky' blackness? Or enhanced dimensionality?

My Furman reduced output noise at .100% volume by 50%. Measured.
Can't hear any difference.

No matter what you do to the power you can't 'improve' it unless you get into rectification and inverters, even then the THD in the power may come down but IMO you can't hear because it never gets into the signal path.

A dedicated line is still on the bus, any disturbance is reflected onto the dedicated circuit. When the AC unit kicks on V drops at ALL receptacles. A switching PS upstairs will cause line noise downstairs, hence filtration at the unit. Still inaudible imo.

All this power stuff is nonsense imo, $10,000 pyramids!? $2,000 power cords?
You want good power?
Pay the utility for your own transformer
Get your ground <2 Ohm
Add an isolation transformer SOLA
Put filters on your AC and frig
And power 'strips' at point of use

 

lol those shunyata power pyramids are hilarious

 

These devices have no impact on 60 Hz power flow. None. It is exactly the same as being plugged into the wall. It will shunt over 10 kHz and 180 V. It is all passive components.
I've measured these devices with a $20k analyzer. At the receptacle they are plugged into, with and without the device plugged in, and the device outlets. The only difference which was at the noise floor of the instrument was a few dB of RFI, uV, > - 140 dB, with or without the filter. This would not get thru the xfmr or power supply.

People can spend their $ as they see fit (obviously), but make informed objective decisions with it.

A guy in Stereophile said a genset transfer switch completely ruined his system. He would dance and laugh before (his words) and now is sad.

 

I have a PST-8, a PST-8D, and a Tripp Lite Isobar 10 all used in different parts of the house. The Tripp Lite is on my stereo system, mainly because it has the most outlets. I like all three. For a system that is going to have any digital components, it makes sense to me to go with either the PST-8D or the Isobar, in hopes of successfully isolating any digital noise.

None of mine are on dedicated lines, though. I’m jealous (just not quite jealous enough to get an electrician out to the house or have any walls torn open).

 

I am scheduled to go hear some gold note gear (pa10). I am still in the building stage, but wanted a good foundation.

2 separate dedicated lines...go BIG

With other work I'm having done to the electrical, the time was right (complete panel replacements)

 

If you go power conditioner route get right of return for refund.

I tried a conditioner in my system and it flattened the sound and micro details / micro dynamics.

not the expected outcome!

my power cables are all Cardas Clear beyond.

plugged directly into Pass and Seymour hospital grade receptacles the system sounds alive. 20 amp dedicated line.

But all installations are unique.

 

Wow! Adopt me? Way out of my reach (no judgment)

 

buy ‘em on second hand market!

and once the kids are out of the house cash flow improves

 

I'll check that out, buy no kids.. state employee salary

 

This is not true in my experience. I won't get into the power cord/conditioner debate, but it's a bit silly to say every single product from the leading company that has made all of this stuff for decades will "degrade audiophile quality."

I have the PST 8 Digital and it has been excellent, no complaints. Also OP, note that you can get one for almost $100 less from B&H Photo-Video.

 

This was going to be my suggestion.

And this seals it. What do you need a power conditioner for if you already have dedicated circuits, and whole house anti-surge?

 

@fish and @curbach make more or less the same point. I get the basic concept about interference on electrical wiring and freely accept poor wiring and local issues can make a supply sufficiently dirty to warrant some filtering / conditioning. But with dedicated circuits and anti-surge already present, it's hard to see the benefit of filters and conditioners so long as the source components themselves have solid PSUs / transformers etc. Based on the info given already, well built multi-way gangs (or outlets as suggested by others) should complete the job nicely, with no need for filtering etc.

PS: Hypocrisy alert... . I have a Tube Distinctions mains power filter. But... with most of my source components having decent PSUs and transformers AND nothing local to cause interference beyond the norm, I've taken the TD filter out of the loop for all components except a Sony disc player. So far, no audible difference. The one thing I do have is a multi-way gang with surge protection and may beef that up to a better quality gang (it won't be specialist hi-fi - there's just no need (for my setup)).

 

I was using a Sunfire 300 and an EAR 534 50W Class A. They sounded better plugged into the wall.
Now I have an Atma-sphere S-30 and my power conditioner is an EquiCore 1800.

 

The guy in Stereophile has a separate utility transformer, 2 x 30 A dedicated circuits with hospital grade receptacles.
He said his system was dramatically better with a $8,000 power strip and $8,000 in cords.
fwiw

A dedicated circuit means NOTHING. It is not ISOLATED. It is no different than any other circuit in your home. It is a common bus. Your AC unit surges will be on the dedicated line. When you have a brown out, the dedicated circuit will too.

You are better off with a shared circuit and a decency filter/surge strip than with a dedicated circuit. Better with both. Audible with neither.
I cannot fathom why people think noise will not be on the dedicated line.

Or why they think there is any difference in power flow at 60 Hz when on a power strip vs. directly into the wall. They are identical, differing only by the R of the cord and receptacle. Moot, considering the Romex, service drop, equipment cords.

Granted, my knowledge is limited in this area but the power is audible argument does not pass the sniff test.

Plug all the low power stuff into a strip, amps into the wall, not that it makes any difference as long as the strip is rated for the VA.
Also, a whole house suppressor will attenuate a surge from outside. Some will get thru.
It will not protect you from an internal fault or under voltage. Some strips will trip on UV, which actually may be more damaging.

 

There is a reason you never see this stuff tested, it is easily done. It's because the results would show it makes no difference.

I'm surprised some of the esoteric voodoo stuff is allowed to be sold. Do they carry a UL listing?

The Furman unit is UL listed and has OV trip and I bet UV since it latches a relay in.
I'm not sure it's worth the risk giving your insurer an opening to deny a claim based on non UL equipment. Changing a cord violates the listing.

Another advantage, no wiring mess, and when going on vacation, one switch isolates everything. Filters work both ways. Plugging wall warts into one will attenuate there noise to other devices on the strip and back into the system. The equipment GENERATES dirty power, switching PS, rectification, etc. some of that can attenuated by the filters.
But none of it is audible, only theoretical.

 

This is interesting. The linear filter is the same as the one in the PST 8. Can you hear it either way ? Imo no.

 

Panamax MR4000 $150 amazon. Best for the money.

 

Stupid question from someone just building a hi end system. For those saying to plug it in the wall, where do you plug everything in if you don't have a power strip of some kind?