2. misc-audio
  3. 1150673462

Pwr. conditioner necessary w/dedicated AC lines?

OK guys, now I'm REALLY confused. I have been using a PS Audio P300 (all of the latest revisions) as a mainstay in my system for about four years now. It seemed to always work wonders in a previous set-up, in a different house/room, which DID NOT have dedicated AC lines.

Fast forward to the present were I now have the good fortune of having a dedicated room with independent AC runs throughout. I have been using the P300 for the last 3 yrs. or so in this room. Well, on a lark, I thought I would try to run my tube CD player (Droplet) direct to the AC instead of through my power plant (which was set BTW on "tube") and WHA-LA! It sounds a LOT better! ?? What's up with this???
The dynamics spang to life and there is better extension in the top end. Again..what gives here???

The possibly scary part of this whole scenario is - what if I have been "chasing my goofy audiophile tail", all this time, swapping, changing, selling and buying gear based on an erroneous negative sound effect that was possibly brought on by my Pwr. Plant on my front-end gear?!? Arrgh!

Just to be sure that this was not a fluke isolated to my Droplet, I also tried a different CD player that I have on loan and the same effects applied (sounded better "straight" into the wall AC).

Can anyone else relate a similar effect? Advice?? Comments??? Thanks.
denf

Showing 1 response by bigamp

bigamp
219 posts
 
Good thread. I have a dedicated 20A line for my amp and another for my preamp+front end. Porter Ports on each line (thanks Albert-excellent product.)

Initially, I tried various combinations of plugging my amp, preamp, and front end into an ExactPower EP-15A voltage regulator/conditioner. The system sounded better than with no conditioner, yet constrained. So, I tried a Nordost Thor passive unit. With the passive unit, the system really opened up. There was more life.

I now plug the amp straight into the wall; use the Thor for the preamp and front end; and have relegated my Exactpower to another circuit for video components, where it noticeably improves the video quality of my plasma. Downside is the Thor's expensive. There are less expensive options.
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