power conditioner for cd transport and dac?

I'd recommend getting and installing a Porter Port or Maestro or TelslaPlex and plugging your DAC directly into the wall without conditioning. Experiment with various power cords (give them time to settle in, don't A-B them back and forth like a switch... PCs need to settle down). Power cords make a huge difference on DAC sources. Doing so has made a huge difference on my system. In fact, on my most high res system, I have entirely eliminated the use of power conditioners. Careful selection of the right power cords has made all of the difference with PorterPorts and Maestros. IMHO, lots of money goes into power conditioners that is better spent elsewhere, such as a dedicated power line to the system components, e.g. isolate the digital sources with a separate line.

Just my opinion and experience (YMMV),

:) listening,

Ed

Arnettpartners

You ask a very difficult and important question.Some aren't a good fit no matter what, and some take time to finally handshake, and the most dangerous of all "fit" right away and deteriorate later. Yeah I know.

No matter what, the ultimate and decisive variable is time. If the cable is in fact broken in, let it play, turn it entirely off, fire it up, play it awhile, let it sleep...give things a day or so.

Remember that the emotional intelligence of the listener varies during the month, week, and day and all music requires emotional intelligence. If it's off, the system literally won't sound right. Yeah, I know.

Time, if it works, ok; if not, no problem, make a note of it, and try something different, such as plugging it in to the wall instead of the conditioner, or visa versa. Or try switching cables in the system; the one to the preamp to the DAC and the one to the DAC to the preamp. You'll be surprised. And the same goes for the amp cord. Try to stay simple and minimize variables. One variable I'd work on no matter what is the wall receptacle: Porter Ports, Maestro, Teslaplex... each deserves attention. One might be best suited to the preamp and DAC. Another might bring out the preamp and amp, with the DAC on different receptacle.

Sorry for the rambling response!

:) listening,

Ed

Hi Arnettpartners...

Wikipedia Daniel Goleman or go to danielgoleman.info

He's one of the originators of the emotional intelligence concept. His book, Vital Lies, Simple Truths: The Psychology of Self Deception, has some very intriguing analysis. This book, Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ, is the one to which I referred earlier.

My point was that how we feel about ourselves, other people, and things affects how we listen and what we listen to. Even what sorts of noise we have been subjected to during the day can affect our listening experience.

I have a friend who one time told me that sometimes his system sounds "magnificent" and other times like "cr#p", and over time the only variables he could find to account for this were his emotions and attitudes and moods as they varied day-to-day, week-to-week, etc.

He has an civil engineering background and is a finance/insurance professional. He's an exceptional photographer and musician as well. A very cognitive rational guy with a music system that always sounds great to me.

Just a point that some days are better for making evaluations than others...and that we should be aware of mood and attitude when we find ourselves dissatisfied or annoyed with what our hard work has wrought us.... just a thought!

For example, when I am stressed, even a trace of sibilance in my system (knowing, of course, that recording vary as to quality) will drive me nuts. But if I get some exercise, etc. whoah! A completely different experience altogether.

As to EI, check it out... it's extended its principles into some intriguing venues.

:) listening,

Ed