City dweller power cable & conditioner questions


I have a simple set up with a Unico integrated, turntable, and (soon) Squeezebox. I'd like to change the stock power cable for the Unico, but I'm not sure what the best way to do it would be. The units are about 10ft away from the nearest outlet, and right now I'm just plugging everything into a regular old surge suppressor--which buzzes annoyingly. I also get occasional interference from what sound like taxi cab radios (or could that be coming through the unshielded speaker wire?). I live in an apartment in NYC. I've read conflicting things about plugging the amp directly into the outlet vs. using a conditioner. What would you advise? Is it worthwile or necessary to "condition" city power? My budget is only about $300.
nacnud

Showing 1 response by psychicanimal

Here's two choices:

http://www.vhaudio.com/images/eichmannpowerstrip.gif

http://www.vhaudio.com/images/vhhotbox.jpg

Them surpus ONEAC isolation transformer /filters are really good and can be found for $35 or less in eBay, depending on size. They will beat many many 'audio grade' filters.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ONEAC-CP-PC-CP1107-120-VA-POWER-LINE-CONDITIONER_W0QQitemZ230078576483QQihZ013QQcategoryZ20315QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

My little sister uses this one with an AIWA changer as transport and Soundstream/Krell DAC-1:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Oneac-CM1103-Power-Line-Conditioner_W0QQitemZ300068163147QQihZ020QQcategoryZ20315QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

These units use a C-core transformer for common mode noise and capacitors for transverse mode noise. Kick ass...

You can also replace the outlets in those units, like this guy did:

http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/index.php?topic=4011.0

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