Richard Gray's Power Company


This is a huge inductor in parallel with the power line. It's supposed to act like an electronic flywheel to smooth out power supply fluctuations. I like the concept. Has anyone had personal experience with this device? Did you use it with the low powered front-end components, the high powered amp, or everything? What improved or worsened?
jlambrick
Sean -

Richard Gray and I have become friends, but I didn't know him when I first tried his unit. He's also a member of our local audio club - last month we met at his house. So I understand if people feel a grain of salt is warranted when Duke comments on Richard's products. The results definitely are system-dependent, and to the best of my knowledge all of their dealers offer no-risk in-home evaluations.

Anyway, back when the first production run was just coming out, one of my customers suggested I contact Richard and see about trying the unit. I'd never met Richard before, but he loaned me two prototypes (they only had one outlet each). I tried them in my system and loved what they did, so I asked if I could buy them. He declined. Over the course of the next month or so I bought six of the units from his local retailer for almost full retail, to use in my own demo system. I felt they made that much of an improvement. I couldn't become a dealer because there is already a dealer in town, so my voting with my wallet in this case was indeed sincere. Normally a dealer only sinks his money into products he can carry, since otherwise there is no return on his investment. I figured my return would be a better demo of my big Sound Lab speakers and amps to drive them, and so far so good (Sound Lab recently told me that I'm the biggest dealer they've ever had, so my demo's must not suck too bad).

Richard and I have since become quite good friends - I was over at his house until nearly midnight last night swapping lies and speaker designs. He is an absolute prince of a man. And I oughtta know - after all, I'm a

Duke
Duke, are you Irish by chance ? Between sitting up with Richard and "swapping lies" all night and the way that you phrased your last sentence, i would swear that you're full of "blarney" : )

Thanks for chiming in with your first hand experience. The fact that you are willing to recommend products that you don't carry speaks highly of you and your business ethics. Maybe THAT'S why you're selling so many Sound Labs. Either that or your demo's suck REALLY bad and people just buy them out of pity : ) Sean
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Totally negative experience with Richard Gray Power Station!My system became totally lifeless, non-involving and dynamically anemic with the addition of The Power Station.This change in life was very apparent to a couple of audio novices who have limited exposure to hi-end audio.They're expression upon removal of the Gray product was the soundstage and music came to life.Maybe these products work in video only systems, I have yet to try one on my projector.Maybe over thirty years of hi-end audio involment has jaded me against power conditioners. I have yet to find one that has improved my audio only system.Three dedicated lines,10 gauge electrical cable,separate grounds and the fact I have an ugly green electrical transformer in my front yard only 40 feet from my audio room may negate the need for any power conditioner.With all this said. Why put a band-aid on a gaping wound?Why not minimize or elimanate the problem at its source.Granted you may not be able to do all of the above basic elemental upgrades because of various physcial restraints.1200.00 dollars would first be better spent on basic wiring upgrades than on a bandage.
I know one thing for sure Duke, if I'm ever in the market for Sound Labs or any product you sell, you're the man.

Sincerely, Will

PS My wife loves bed and breakfast joints and I really dig jazz
sean

no good old boy network here ;-)
(besides I'm a transplanted northerner)

I have met Duke through the N.O. audiophile group - nice guy

As Duke says Richard is a real prince of a man, he isn't the salesman type, and he tools around with really cool old gear.

His power companies are sold through dealers, not directly. They can be system dependent - actually more wiring/power grid dependent. But I know many companies show their best equipment using them. The detail is quite resolving. I'm still deciding between his unit and an equi=tech balanced power configuration

tom