My approach was haphazard but each step improved SQ -
- Room was already on dedicated circuit, only 15A though.
- PS Audio line filter/surge protection.
- Replaced power cords - each one made a step change improvement, currently have Cardas Clear for amp, Audioquest NG4 for filter/surge, and Acoustic Zen Tsunami for DAC. Fun to try different cords, all purchased used.
- Replaced outlet, using Furutech mid level rhodium.
- After replacing outlet, plugged amp directly into outlet, although I am not 100% sure I would be able to tell a difference in blind testing.
- Still need a cord and filter/conditioner (and outlet?) for the modem supplying the Tidal signal.
- Probably will get a second furutech outlet when I have more equipment to power.
- Thinking about one of those ISI parallel filters (Music Direct, $99, seems like a no brainer, but then I'd also need a second outlet and of course then another ISI, amazing how costs run away in this hobby).
- Also thinking about fuses for the amp.
- Mildly embarrassed that I have done the above yet never cleaned the connecting points for power supply, interconnects, or speaker cable.
- Total regeneration makes perfect sense to me, very common in industries and applications where clean power is a must, this just hasn't risen to the top of my improvements list yet.
Each step made an improvement, the biggest to my ears was the power cord for the amp and the outlet. I hear more detail including resonances (so less noise), and better micro dynamics (which I guess is also less noise?).
I have reached the conclusion that like a lot of things in HiFi, the more research time and money you put into power, the more you will benefit.
Agree that power improvements often have the highest ratio of better SQ per $.
- Room was already on dedicated circuit, only 15A though.
- PS Audio line filter/surge protection.
- Replaced power cords - each one made a step change improvement, currently have Cardas Clear for amp, Audioquest NG4 for filter/surge, and Acoustic Zen Tsunami for DAC. Fun to try different cords, all purchased used.
- Replaced outlet, using Furutech mid level rhodium.
- After replacing outlet, plugged amp directly into outlet, although I am not 100% sure I would be able to tell a difference in blind testing.
- Still need a cord and filter/conditioner (and outlet?) for the modem supplying the Tidal signal.
- Probably will get a second furutech outlet when I have more equipment to power.
- Thinking about one of those ISI parallel filters (Music Direct, $99, seems like a no brainer, but then I'd also need a second outlet and of course then another ISI, amazing how costs run away in this hobby).
- Also thinking about fuses for the amp.
- Mildly embarrassed that I have done the above yet never cleaned the connecting points for power supply, interconnects, or speaker cable.
- Total regeneration makes perfect sense to me, very common in industries and applications where clean power is a must, this just hasn't risen to the top of my improvements list yet.
Each step made an improvement, the biggest to my ears was the power cord for the amp and the outlet. I hear more detail including resonances (so less noise), and better micro dynamics (which I guess is also less noise?).
I have reached the conclusion that like a lot of things in HiFi, the more research time and money you put into power, the more you will benefit.
Agree that power improvements often have the highest ratio of better SQ per $.