Power Cords/ Conditioner/Surge Protectors


Do I need to add power cords/conditioner/surge protector to my system or is it product dependent.

My current system consists of:

  • Moon 390 network player
  • Moon 761 amplifier
  • Sonus Faber Sonetta V speakers

Should I use the stock power cords on the Moon equipment or look at new power cords? If new cords should be purchased let's hear some recommendations. Will the power cords change anything sonically?

Should I also add power conditioner/surge protector to the equipment? Again, does it change anything sonically? If recommended do you look at Shunyata, Panamax etc.

Thanks for your input/recommendations.

singere

I have both Taihang and Psm156. I have been using psm156 for awhile and recently added Taihang for Nas, wifi router, and network switch. These are not audiophile gear. Standard computer brands. My audiophile gear is plugged into Puritan psm156. What the Taihang brought to my digital sound reproduction is just amazing. Very dark background. Music just spreads and paints on a dark canvas. Fine details and nuances are more easily heard. So much relaxed without killing PRAT. If Taihang was built in NA it would have easily priced at $10K

One thing I rarely see on threads about power line conditioning (PLC) is whether the person actually needs conditioning in the first place. Given whole house surge protection is necessary, but whether further conditioning is needed is seldom addressed.  Some measurements should be taken before committing to purchase a PLC. A meter similar to the TriField EM100 can be used to determine how much line noise is present.  I’ve used one for years- not only for my own home, but for rental properties we own.  Some places get readings in the low 100s mV while others will max the meter out (measures up to 1999.9 mV).  

I’ve been a audio hobbyist for over 50 years and have had several PLCs in my homes (we moved twice during that time) for the last 25 years with varying levels of success. 

There are 2 areas to address. Noise coming in from your utility company (urban areas are pretty bad)= as are rural areas) and noise coming internally (appliances, fluorescent bulbs, smps, etc).   External can be addressed with a whole house protector. It’s the internal noise that is interesting.  

My current home’s receptacles were measuring 100-200mV. After reading several books on "dirty electricity" and it’s potentially deleterious effects on health (adopted kids have ADHD), I added some plug in filters from Stetzer Electric (cost $40ea). Using testnig various outlets with the EM100, I placed 8 filters about my 3000 sq-ft home.  Now my measurements are <20mV and on my system’s dedicated line the readings are ,10mV, even with the components powered up.   So, I do not use a PLC.   

I recently got a Vinshine Taihang power conditioner. I really like what it does.

I plan to get a whole house surge protector installed in the spring. 

Meanwhile, I’ve been thinking about a point of use surge protector.

I have my entire front end (preamp, turntable motor, power supply for phono stage, SACD player, two FM tuners, BT receiver) plus two subs and my pair of electrostatic speakers plugged into the Taihang (it does 60 amps through four outlets). My monoblock amps are each plugged into separate (20 amps dedicated lines) outlets, not the power conditioner. 

With all of this stuff plugged into the Taihang, I would like to put the surge protector in front of it, at the (dedicated line) wall outlet, just in case. 

 

Does anyone know of a one or two outlet, quality surge protector that would not restrict current delivery to the Taihang?