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Do I need a power conditioner?

I’m in the process of dropping a dedicated 20 amp circuit or 2 into the music room.
So if I have a dedicated circuit for the amp, and a dedicated circuit for everything else,
is a conditioner useful?
I have several fairly decent systems going that I tweek and retweek.
Just got around to upgrading cables. Avoided conditioners because, in general, they dampen the presentation.
Was using a PS Audio PPP for low power components. But fell for the Shunyata spiel.
Plugged in a Hydra 4 with a Python Helix and was very happy with how it cleaned up the Zu Druids.
Seems high sensitivity speakers maybe reveal the grunge also.
Moved it to my system with the Martin Logans and the presentation seemed a bit lean and just a bit lifeless, using just copperhead cable to Hydra. (using all Pangea to get from the Hydra to other components.)
Then I put a Black Mamba from Classe amp straight to the wall and Wow! Single most significant tweek ever for me.
So I’m thinking, maybe I don’t need the Denali I ordered if I just use a couple dedicated circuits and some Shunyata power cords everywhere.
Opinions?
Thanks. :)
leotis

Showing 4 responses by randy-11

randy-11
1,913 posts
 
a conditioner is useful if and only if you have noise on the lines sufficient to distort the music you are playing

very very few actually measure the noise before wasting money on a conditioner

a conditioner is not really useful for protection - unplug everything when a storm approaches (or have a low deductible on your insurance)
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
always useful to measure and see if there is really noise on your power line before trying to solve a non-existent problem


randy-11
1,913 posts
 
a conditioner MIGHT be useful if you have a lot of noise on the line - less likely with a dedicated line but still possible

noise can be injected from your own equipment, from bad grounding (unlikely if an electrician puts in a new line), and/or from other things in between you and the sub-station, esp. things between you and the last transformer (blame your neighbors)

I would never waste money on a power conditioner unless I had measured noise levels on the line first

noise will have worse effects if your components are poorly designed

I would not worry about line noise too much until I had addressed all the major problems with SQ in the system - e.g if you have built your own listening room and spent $20k or more on the system
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
http://www.stereophile.com/content/use-balanced-ac-power-home-1
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