@audioman58 and others.
Finally got the AQ Niagara 1200 home and installed. But there is a back story. Bear with me.
I recently purchased a PS Audio Noise Harvester. Primarily to check it out, and to see how much noise was coming through in various locations (outlets). I took it to my local audio dealer and tried it out on various outlets, including outlets of high end power conditioners. No matter what the outlet, including outlets with power strips and multiple computer peripherals attached, the Noise Harvester had the same blinking light. Meaning it had the same amount of noise being harvested no matter the source, including when I plugged it into $5K Power Conditioners.
Then we did a test of it actually listening to music. Three of us all agreed that when we had the Noise Harvester plugged in, it was damping the sound quality and the overall depth of music clarity. Not by a lot mind you, but enough.
So I sent the darn thing back for a refund. But I wonder if it is coloring my auditory views now.
Also, at the same time I installed the AQ Niagara 1200, I also installed two
Shunyata Research SR-Z1 AC Outlets. In talking with folks, since this is just an upgraded outlet, mainly in terms of the metals, it shouldn't have any real noticeable impact on the music.
Then I connected the AQ Niagara 1200 Power Conditioner. To my ears, I am hearing less soundstage and overall distinctness of the music. Sorta that damping down of the music. Only slightly. As @audioman58 suggests, I am not at 100 hours. I am also totally willing to admit that it could all be a figment of my imagination (or ears) based on the whole Noise Harvester escapade.
My audio guys tell me that essentially the 1200 has the same circuitry as the 1000 that I was using before so it shouldn't be a difference in the way I am describing here. I'm also told that I need to use something because a bunch of folks in the Atlanta area are having system blowouts because of power surges over the summer - so I need to have some protection.
With all this said, one of the days (when I want to crawl back in the back of the cabinet) I am going to do an AB comparison - with and without the 1200. We'll see what happens then.
That is my story, follow-up, and I am sticking to it, at least for now.
Thanks for reading.