Cleaner AC Source for Better Sound


For me, a house renter, dedicated AC lines are NOT an option. I live in an urban area and would no doubt benefit from some time of AC "cleansing". Currently, I have my sources (TT, CD, tuner) plugged into a power strip/surge protector via one duplex wall outlet and my 250W SS amp and preamp power source plugged directly into another, separate (standard) duplex outlet. Is there an "all-in-one" product out there such that I can simply plug it into a wall outlet (given a decent AC cord) and then plug ALL of the rest of my stuff (amp, preamp, TT, CD, tuner, and a light source - 6 items) into that unit that will provide sufficient power capacity and AC "cleansing" without degradation of sound quality?
motdathird

Showing 2 responses by wehamilton

I'm using two PS Audio Ultimate Outlets (15 amp high output) and can highly recommend them for all components (including video). They will not restrict current and have the same capacity as your wall socket.

The power strips/surge protectors of the type it sounds like you are using will definitely degrade the sound. The Ulitmate Outlet cleans, protects from surges and also isolates digital components from putting any sort of interference back into the house power line that could be picked up by other components. They also have a product called the Juice Bar, but it sounds like that's more than you need for the number of components you have.
Oh, life would be sweet indeed if one high quality power cord going into the power conditioner would be all that was needed. Actually, I've found the opposite to be true. Your best power cords are needed coming out of the power conditioner (in my case the Ultimate Outlet) and into your source or other components.

A friend of mine and I used both a stock and then Mini Lab Cable going into my Ultimate Outlet and then a Mini Lab going out to the CD player. We really couldn't tell a diffference between the cords on the input side of the UO, but there was a big difference on the output side of the UO.

To make matters even more confusing, there was a noticeable improvment when I upgraded from a Mini Lab cable to a Lab Cable for my PS Audio HCA-2 amp. These amps just sip juice and don't even get warm. Yet the huge Lab Cable made a big difference in the sound. I still want to get a P300 with multiwave for the source, but that's down the road.

BTW, my same friend had a Richard Gray in his system for a month or so, and it definitely helped. He also has a Power Wedge and it basically performs the same. I just preferred the UO. Taking them out of the system and plugging directly into the wall is almost torture now. Ditto, going back to stock power cords.