Power Re Generator capacity questions


I am looking into purchasing a power re generator for my surround setup.  I have heard many reviews of its benefit in a system.  I do not understand the size of the unit I would need, wattage wise, to handle the system and not get over loaded from too much being put into it.  I suppose the biggest question is does the WPC of each amp translate into the total number needed for that particular component?  For instance, I have three large load components included in my system.  I have a 2 channel and a separate 3 channel amp - each one rated 200 WPC into 8 ohms as well as a 512 watt into 8 ohms powered sub.  The combination of those 3 components would appear to mean that I need a re generator that handles approx. 1500 watts for just those 3 pieces alone.  I would then have a universal player, plasma tv, set top box, tube pre amp and a small surround processor to add in after that.  Am I understanding this correctly?  Do I need to look for a unit that handles 2500 watts or so to cover all of my gear or are these wattage numbers from my gear the wrong numbers to calculate in the first place?  Any help would truly be appreciated.

llippman

Showing 1 response by davehrab

It's very unlikely you will find a 2500w regenerator unless it is a commercial or industrial unit which will be very big .. have a noisy fan and be rather expensive 

It's very unlikely you will need anywhere near 2500w as all that equipment will not be on at the same time and operating at maximum draw ..especially the amps  

So how much do you really need  

Using the 2 channel set up ... 40w for CD player 75w for Tube preamp and about 100w peak on the two channel amp ... that makes about 215watts plus the sub if you use it in the two channel system 

The 512w sub is most likely a Class D amp which is very efficient and I doubt it would pull more than  1 or 2 amps or 240w for 2amp draw 

Total draw on two channel would be less than 500w and if you allow 10% for head room you're still well under 600w total or about 5 amps  

For the HT set up the cable box or DVD player would run about 40w as both would not be on at the same time ... HT pre pro would be about 40 or 50w (my Lexicon MC1 draws 40w) ... for the two amps .. a 2 channel for surround speaker which uses next to nothing compared to the three channel main amp  

The Surround amp would pull 50 to 75w and the Main front 3 channel amp would most likely pull between 100 to 150 watts as it will never run at 200w full bore all the time ... it will most likely approach it's 200w rating on very demanding peaks ... again add 240w for the sub and about 300w for the flat screen  

That's about 855w plus 10% headroom comes to 940w or about 8 amps 

This is why I say you don't need anywhere near 2500w (20amps) ... a 15 amp (1800w) audiophile quality regenerator will easily do the job with plenty of head room 

Some of your choices would be ... APC 15 amp .. reliability issues and poor mfger support ... (search the archives for threads on their problems and poor customer service) ... PS Audio .. their only 15 amp regenerator is the P10 at $4995 new and about half that if you can find one used and or a Exact Power EP15a  used for under $1000

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