Power Distributors: Shunyata Delta-X, AudioQuest Niagara 5000, and PS Audio PowerPlant 12
Decided to start a new thread that accurately reflects my current thoughts.
We moved and the house has some electrical issues. An electrician is addressing them for use. One issue is a wide voltage swing identified by my 20 year old Panamax 5300 (98-145 volts). Wide swings happen in this area but normally between 100-140 volts. The electrician is work with the utility company to minimize this on our property. He is also installing a dedicated 20A line for the stereo system.
I have already ordered a Furman P-2400 AR (recommended by Furman) to help protect the system from wide voltage swings. The Panamax is ready for retirement.
I plan to install a power conditioner/distributor that will utilize the protection the Furman provides. I will probably run my XA-25, one sub, and maybe both Acoustat 1+1 speakers directly through the Furman. The conditioner/distributor will handle everything else.
The three models listed in the title are my short list. The Delta-X with an Shunyata Alpha-X XC cord runs $6000 for The Cable Company. The Delta-X is $4500 without any cable, and the Alpha-X MSRP is $2800. This will be my most expensive cable if this is selected. The Niagara 5000 is $6900 ($3999 from TMR with stock cable). The PowerPlant 12 is $5999 (approx $4000 with Panamax trade from PS Audio and approximately $3000 used from TMR with stock cable).
So here is the apples to apples choice: Delta-X at $4500, Niagara 5000 at $4000, and PowerPlant 12 at $3000. What are your concerns and recommendations?
If I go with the Delta-X, do I need, or want, the Alpha-X XC?
I find it ridiculous in this day and age that your power company can't provide a stable voltage. It's a third world situation. Maybe consider moving to the Congo. Seriously though there's something on your powerline that's switching on and off could be a factory or farm equipment. Let the power company sort it out. |
@lordmelton Unfortunately, this is an ongoing issue for this Coop Utility in our development. The electrician says most of the homes he has done work for have voltage swings from 105-130. The extreme is like mine. There is a balance for the coop between upgrading equipment, keeping costs low (30% under SoCal Edison), and being proactive regarding fire prevention (we are in a high risk fire area). The electrician is reworking our primary fuse box, and actually adding two new boxes, running three different dedicated lines (not just my stereo 20A line, but also two 50A lines), and rewiring some parts of the house that are not to current code (built to old code 33 years ago). There seems to be several contributing factors to our electrical issues. I plan to go overboard to protect my equipment, and our house. I am also excited about the potential upgrade to the stereo system. We love the house. Just under 3 acres, on the terminus rim of a canyon. I believe the Coop will continue upgrading over time. They get great reviews. They are also our internet provider and provide excellent fiber optics. |
@thriftyaudio Would it be possible to take your system off grid and install a 1-2 kw solar setup or float the incoming grid, using an inverter, across a battery bank? Your electrician will understand. Good luck! |
@lordmelton That is actually a really good idea. Thank you. |
The power company will be installing a new voltage regulator feeding into our development next week. It sounds like this was on their to do list long before I submitted my concerns. The electrician will install a new grounded 20A line to the specification that Shunyata Research specified (much more affordable than I was expecting) next week as well. The Furman 2400 is here, but I will not use it until the 20A line is installed. I plan to wait until the community voltage regulator is in place as well (should be completed before the 20A line is installed if their projections are correct). I am tempted to return the Furman (out of the box, but never turned on). The Delta-X will arrive in 10-14 days. Does this sound like the best plan? @lordmelton I will look into the solar solution down the road. We were considering solar anyway. The house we moved from had a 12.4 kw system for eleven years, but we did not have a battery. We will install a battery (maybe 3) in this house. Besides the house, and stereo, we also will power an electric kiln, and a hot tub with each having dedicated 50A lines. Thanks, Ralph |
