I've been curious about this myself, as I own two HTS3500s for the home theater and the audio system. My amps, CD player, and DVD player all have upgraded power cables. As it was explained to me, the power cords and the line conditioner do not do the same thing. The line conditioner removes garbage, while the power cord is providing power and providing proper shielding at the same time (to keep junk from getting into the line). If you had no objection to the money, I would say to get the upgraded power cords. I do not believe they are duplicating the work of the line conditioner. |
I have used various upgraded power cords with the HTS2000 and the difference that each type of power cord made was easy to hear. The trick is finding cords that you like the sound of in your system. I would try one on the CD player to start to see if it makes a difference (and hopefully an improvement) to you. |
Thanks both. Dekay, do you plug the power cord into the HTS 2000 or direct to wall outlet? If the wall outlet, then whats the point of the HTS 2000? |
Dekay is correct, plug HTS 2000 into wall and plug power cords into HTS 2000. You will easily hear improvement over stock cords that came with equipment. You can buy used here
and then sell for almost same price, or try Cable Co which has cable library which allows you to try cable first for a small deposit which is applied to purchase or any item in store. Analysis plus makes AC cords which are supposed to sound great, never see them used here. Be careful about buying cords that are too stiff, they can be a big headache.
Check out Cable Co here www.fatwyre.com
Argent you may want to try HTS 2000 also, it was clearly better than HTS 3500 for audio only in my system, several other people here experienced the same thing, you can buy new HTS 2000 for $125 at www.globe-mart.com |
I run everthing through the HTS2000, including my amps. Some people, though, find that they prefer the sound of amps run directly from the wall (without conditioning), but then they are left without surge protection (which is a risky propostion where I live in LA). I have been experimenting with using two HTS2000's in series (one plugged into the other). The amp plugged into the first unit and the digital gear running from the second one. Due to the HTS2000 having three different filtering levels (depending on which outlets are used) there are quite a few possibilities/combinations to try out. The digital outlets have more, preamp/receiver outlets moderate and the amp outlets the least filtering. Also since I have two HTS2000's I am considering upgrading (hardwiring) the power cord on one of them to see if this will change/improve the sound and if it does then maybe installing a male IEC plug to one of the units as well (which would make it easier to try different cords). Why modify a $125.00 power conditioner? Because I am curious and cheap. |
For power cord info look at the cable asylum under audioasylum.com. This should get you started on DIY: http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/cables/messages/7885.html |
Dekay: I knew I liked you for a reason! -Jerie |
Dekay, for digital and analog grounding the rule of thumb is to have the analog and digital circuits have separate grounds that tie together at one point. Therefore, I recommend you have your HTS2000 plugged into one outlet box essentially putting them in parrallel. Maybe worth a try. If it sounds better, great, if not, nothing too terribly difficult to undo. |
Liguy: Do you mean, using one (not in series) for the DAC and player and the other for the amp? If so, yes, it will be very easy to try. Thanks. |
Sorry Dekay, I meant to say plug both into one outlet box. When you do this the conditioners are in parrallel. In my origional post I should have pluralized the HTS2000. Sorry for any confusion I may have caused. Let me know if you tried it and if it made any difference? Thank you in advance. |
I'm curious if anyone has a technical reason for why the HTS2000 will sound better than the HTS3500? I thought the 3500 has even more filters in it than the 2000. Just wondering. I'm not likely to change out my MonsterPower centers, as I own two of them. They will both be moved into the home theater room once I get my next amplifier. I will then start looking for a new line conditioner for the audio room. |
I have not seen a schematic of either conditioner so I am just speculating or taking a WAG. Sometimes in the world of audio less is more. I am not a big fan of adding equipment into a system unless there is a need for it. The purpose of a line conditioner is to filter EMI/RFI and protect your equipment from those little nasties called surges and spikes. Why add an EMI/RFI filter if you do not have an EMI or RFI problem? If there is no problem the conditioner will certainly do nothing to enhance the sound. Equipment protection though is a valid concearn. There are other ways to protect our equipment besides using a power conditioner. I personally do not use surge supression because I do not want to trust my equipment to anything but myself. I simply unplug my equipment during a thunderstorm and during the summer where we may experience a power outage and surge when power comes back, I use a high power relay to control all power to my system. If I lose power I need to reset the relay when power comes back so my system can get power again. Anyway. It is possible that the extra filtering etc. is having an effect on your system and adding coloration.
Thanks for letting me hop up on my soap box. |
I own both a simaudio 4070SE amp and a monster 2000 contidioner. Jean Polin at simaudio told me his amps should be run directly into the wall, not into the monster. I've tried it both ways and he is correct. I would suggest you try a better power cord on the moon l-5...a honey of an integrated. Changing the stock cord on the 4070 for a cheap $39 absolute power cord made the amp sing like a moon3 which I've also heard and like very much....You could still plug everything else into the monster but do elevate the monster off the floor and the power cords and any wires, for that matter, especailly if you have[like me] wooden floors. For the most fun try each change, one at a time, then sit back and listen. Put it back the way it was and listen again...One way will sound more right to you than the other. That way you can hear what is,or isn't happening and go from there...have fun and enjoy the moon 1-5...regards, Bluenose |
Liguy, what is a high power relay and where do I find one? |
Is there any type of reasonably priced surge protector, that does not mess with the sound? There was talk of the Vans Ever (sp) in another thread, but I do not recall a follow up on it. I live in CA and cannot (would prefer not to) run direct to the wall without surge protection. I have tried the cheaper models, designed for audio, from RS, etc. and they all sound etched (not good at all). |
Dekay, there are surge protectors available that don't, perportedly, affect sound as do most conditioners. Check out www.brickwall.com to start, their conditioners are reputed to be benign as far as influencing sound. The two outlet 20 amp version seems the safest bet, as far as sonics go. Also, I think you can find another interesting product at www.zerosurge.com. There was a previous thread about surge suppressors that gave good info about this topic, check the archives. Will. |
Thanks Will: Both sites mentioned are new to me. |
