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Need power conditioner advice. In reference to Furman/Tice/PS Audio/Richard Gray.

I currently have a Furman Elite 20 power conditioner that I use in a daisy chain method with other power conditioning devices (the Furman is where most devices are plugged into) and would like some advice to see if it is worth it to perhaps switch over to another power conditioner. I am really only looking for comparisons between these units mentioned below at this time. Keep in mind my funds are limited for an upgrade at this time.

If I do a large upgrade I've thought about both a Furman Reference 20i or an older PS Audio Power Plant Premier as they both seem to populate the used market with enough frequency.
Between these two units which would be the better upgrade for audio, which for video?; and if you can a brief elaboration would be of help. Just assume both are in very good shape internally (I know the Premier is an older model).It would take longer to save for these units, and would take away from some money I have been looking to perhaps spend on other things or save, so while I realize this may be the best upgrade route it comes at a cost (no pun intended).

For a more lateral cost exchange I've seen Tice Power Block III Signature units (the extra 3 outlets vs. the Elite's 13 would be nice), and Richard Gray 1200's pop up often enough to get me curious. I realize the Tice units are likely nearing or over 15 years of age, but for comparison purposes let's say the internals of these units are in very good shape.How do these compare to the Furman Elite 20 (or at least the Elite 15 if that is one's best point of reference) in both audio and video performance (separately); and of course any elaboration would help, even a brief one. I've only seen one mention of comparison between the Elite and a Richard Gray and it was split on performance between audio and video, so the more opinions the better.
I am using a tube amp and headphones for audio and an hd crt (with a PC source) for video if this helps.

My devices aren't a big power drain mind you, but I'm mainly looking for performance increases in terms of filtration and such (and possible extra outlets if the Tice is good enough) and not something that can take on more power.
Thank you for any and all help.
vze2r8xz
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,368 posts
 
I put Richard Gray in my system and immediately sold it....ruined the sound.  This was a few years ago...maybe its different today, but not for me.
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photon46
1,076 posts
 
I agree with Elizabeth regarding PSA's Power Plants, too many stories of breakdowns and repair issues. Things improved for PS Audio's power product's manufacturing quality after that model however. Don't let that one model taint your perception of PS Audio's products. You mentioned video performance as an issue in your considerations. Every system is different and one person's experience is not applicable to every situation. That said, I found that PS Audio's Dectet was a phenomenal performer for my dual purpose video/second audio system. The ten outlets are just what I needed and the Dectet improved both audio and video performance ( I did not plug my power amp into the Dectet however.) A very high value proposition for $500 retail in my experience. 
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,735 posts
 
Here is another option. This video is really impressive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peDcpldHYvc
vze2r8xz OP
38 posts
 
Thank you for everyone's help so far, I greatly appreciate it.
Elizabeth, a change in outlets is definitely something I plan for the future, thank you for your suggestion. I've actually been wanting to create a thread and ask for an outlet comparison since there seems to be a lot of high end outlets out there (from reasonably priced to the very expensive Synergistic Blue and Furutech NCF outlets) and I've only seen a limited amount of comparisons. I'd like to go all out though and get permanent replacements all at once, so that would cost a good amount and I'll need to save quite a bit for that (18 outlets for all the tech in two different rooms).

That and some fuse changes on the non Furman power products and my broadcast monitor are things I've put on my to do list. In the fuse case, due to the power products and monitor I own having old fuses and three fuses needing replacement now (two dead, one close). I've been wondering about fuse comparisons as well since Synergistic, Hi Fi Tuning, Audio Magic, Audio Horizons, Furutech, and Alan Maher all make premium fuses; though I do not have any experience as to what changes one may expect with a swap since I haven't needed to change fuses on any a/v products until now. There seem to be reasonable deals on HiFi Tuning fuses though (under $40 for their premium silver ones, even less for their models down the line), so that has made me curious. I may try out a single change against a currently good fuse and then see if the price is worth it to buy something other than the generic fuses.

I think I may end up waiting until a Furman IT Reference 20i comes into a good price range used since I'm used to the Furman brand, but I'm still very curious about the other brands. Two Furman References popped up in the past few months at great prices and I waited too long to make a move, so my regret there gave me a bit of an itch on that front.

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