ac conditioner

here's a vote for isoclean. i am using an isoclean power filter in combination with their power transformer. the differenceit made for me was incredible -- equal to a compnent upgrade, as well it should be given the price!

X250 amp is better run directly into the wall. I haven't had good luck with my X250.5 and Shunyata Hydra. For preamp and source, you may benefit from a good line conditioner.

I use the Cinepro AC Line Balancer 10 amp. WOW! My friend and I didn't want to take it home and try it but we were coaxed into it. When we plugged it in, the soundstage was bigger, impact was better, just everything increased a bit. Now, poorly made products can make your system sound worse or lifeless.

It'd be helpful to know what the condition of your electricity is. Do you live in a high-rise in NYC? Are you running a server farm out of your basement? Etc.

I have used virtually no power conditioners/filters over the decades I've been an audiofool; I have used brand-name spike-protecting outlet strips on most of my equipment. I recently had installed 3 dedicated AC lines into the musicroom, but as my system gets more resolving, I'm increasingly convinced I need to do some filtering, etc. to the AC lines.

I've been reading very positive things about PS Audio's new line of AC filters/conditioners... http://www.psaudio.com/power.asp plus http://www.psaudio.com/products/noiseharvester.asp . I plan to evaluate the Quintessence to power all my frontend gear and to use Noise Harvesters on the AC lines my 3 poweramps will be plugged directly into.

The Quintessance's 5 outlet zones, isolated from each other, sound like a great idea. Also, PS Audio distinguishes between and protects from Voltage surges and Voltage spikes, the former being of perhaps 10 - 30 Volts and the latter being possibly hundreds of Volts.

We'll see.
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