Using Power Conditioners/Distribu with Amplifiers


Hello, I was curious to know peoples opinions and experiences on using power conditioners or power distribution devices inline with your primary amplifier/amplifiers.

Thru my own series of tests I have concluded that my current amplifier (Classe CA-201) sounds better when fed power via my Shunyata Hydra V-Ray verses being directly plugged into the wall.

When I say it “Sounds Better” using the power distribution device I would define this as less edgy, more stable (ie..relaxed) with noticeably more detail of the instruments and performers. In terms of bass, to my ears it seems to be deeper and have more texture. In terms of background noise, with the Shunyata in place there simply is none.

I do have a few questions but I think it’s worth mentioning the equipment I am using currently and how it’s connected before I jump into the question of the day.

My V-Ray is fed juice using a 20AMP Shunyata Python power cable and a PS Audio AC Wall plug which is then wired to a dedicated 20AMP circuit via solid core 10GA wiring. This configuration basically provides me a 10GA wire from the breaker box all the way to the back of the V-Ray since the Python also uses a 10GA wiring core. Now granted, some current disruption/degradation will occur once it passes thru those unfortunately necessary wall sockets but my hope is that the $60 beans I forked out for the PS Audio wall plug will at least help minimize this to the extent possible.

My Classe Amp is fed power using a 15AMP Shunyata Taipan Alpha power cable which is then plugged into the V-Ray.

My front end components are also fed power from the V-Ray which I suspect has enough bandwidth capabilities for all these components since it supposedly has solid 7GA Buss Bars internally as a means to distribute it's power.

Based on the above information my question is this; at what power point would you feel a high current Amp would be hindered by receiving it's energy directly from an otherwise more then capable power distribution device, fancy power cables, dedicated 20amp circuit and fancy AC plug verses directly from the wall socket itself?

My current Amp is not what I would consider a power hungry monster by any means but how would this same configuration above fare if the Amp in use was something along the lines of a PASS X250 or larger model? Ultimately, I guess I will find out soon enough but I would be interested in hearing others experiences or ideas on this topic.

Thanks
eniac26

Showing 3 responses by lloydelee21

Noelpastor

I do not have experience with Oyaide...but a good audiophile friend just said the same as you. Definitely worth doing.
Thanks also your own experiences...as I acclimate to what I am hearing with Gryphon going thru Nordost, it is helpful to know other people's experiences. I am still keeping the entire system running thru it for now.
I agree with all including Stingreen that PC's make a big difference. Detail, power, Soundstage...and how relaxed the sound can become...less like reproduction and more like someone just in your room playing. But these differences and benefits became dramatically more apparent after the Nordost went in. To Stingreen's point, I want to wait more and listen more before I decide whether the amp will stay in...but after 30 cd's...I am pretty sure I will. Thanks to all for sharing experiences...I learn something often when I read on this site.
Hi Eniac26,

I just decided to keep a Nordost Thor...I was originally using my transport/dac/pre only. I decided to stick my Gryphon Antileon amp into it just to see...so many people put big amps into the wall but I wanted to hear for myself.

For now, the big Gryphon is staying in the Nordost. I also have my Velodyne DD18 running thru the Nordost. Very surprising but all the benefits bestowed on the dac/pre/transport are increased when adding the Amp and Sub. The book says up to 2400watts...I have not done the math.

As for dynamics, on 1 out of 30 CDs, I wonder whether the visceral boom I heard at the bottom end has been lessened. The trouble with deciding is that the bass is now so much more controlled and defined that I wonder if the boom was just an indiscriminate wave of bloated bass vs the more articulate and still powerful bass notes (and decay!!!) I now hear.

Bottom line again, I am keeping everything thru the nordost.

Finally, as for powercables, I used to think the PAD Dominus from wall straight to Sub was only a tad better than PAD Aqueous. I never liked Aqueous on pre/dac but for "just bass", it was ok. Not anymore!!! With the Nordost, the difference is night and day. Keeping the PAD Dominus and not trading it in for the Aqueous (was trying to use the Dom to help pay for Thor and get lesser cable...guess not!!). Hope one person's experience helps. Good luck and enjoy!!