Back To Normal - A second 20 amp line with power conditioning.
BlueFox
Posts: 15,251
Five or six weeks ago, I upgraded my speakers from Aerial Acoustics 7Ts to Magico S5s. This was, from the start, a very positive upgrade. They sound great 99% of the time when I listen to classical chamber music, and are outstanding the other 1% when I listen to rock at insane levels.
Anyway, three weeks ago, while listening to rock at insane levels, I tripped the breaker on the circuit for the amps, which were on a dedicated 20 amp line. This line had two Pass Labs X600.5 amps connected via Shunyata Zitron Python cables to a two port Shunyata Cyclops power conditioner, which connects to the 20 amp outlet via a Shunyata Zitron Ananconda power cable. This setup sounded great, until I tripped the breaker. At this point I realized I needed each amp to be on its own 20 amp circuit if I wanted to rock.
Almost two weeks ago I had the second 20 amp line installed, but there was an issue. I only had one Cyclops, so, to keep things balanced, I had to plug each amp directly into each circuit with no power conditioner. Of course I had already ordered another Cyclops and Zitron Anaconda for the second circuit, but they hadn't arrived when the the circuit was installed. At first, the sound appeared harsh and brittle since the new circuit had not burned in, but as time went by it became smoother and smoother.
Yesterday, the new Cyclops and Anaconda arrived, and I installed them as soon as I got home. Once I turned everything on, gave it a few minutes to acclimate, I knew I was back to normal. The sound expanded, the background is quieter, and the overall sound is just better.
The only measurements here are my ears, and they are recording a positive improvement. Now it sounds like when I had both amps plugged into the one Cyclops on a single circuit. The difference now, I hope, is that I can crank it without tripping a breaker on either circuit. The drawback is now I have to worry I might break either the amps or the speakers when in crazo volume land. I would hate to lose 99% of my listening time for 1%, but then again being able to rock is a major reason why I like, and bought, my stereo.
The moral of this story is a Shunyata Cyclops power conditioner is a must for a dedicated 20 amp line for amps. You do not realize how much grunge (technical term) is on a line until it is gone.
Anyway, three weeks ago, while listening to rock at insane levels, I tripped the breaker on the circuit for the amps, which were on a dedicated 20 amp line. This line had two Pass Labs X600.5 amps connected via Shunyata Zitron Python cables to a two port Shunyata Cyclops power conditioner, which connects to the 20 amp outlet via a Shunyata Zitron Ananconda power cable. This setup sounded great, until I tripped the breaker. At this point I realized I needed each amp to be on its own 20 amp circuit if I wanted to rock.
Almost two weeks ago I had the second 20 amp line installed, but there was an issue. I only had one Cyclops, so, to keep things balanced, I had to plug each amp directly into each circuit with no power conditioner. Of course I had already ordered another Cyclops and Zitron Anaconda for the second circuit, but they hadn't arrived when the the circuit was installed. At first, the sound appeared harsh and brittle since the new circuit had not burned in, but as time went by it became smoother and smoother.
Yesterday, the new Cyclops and Anaconda arrived, and I installed them as soon as I got home. Once I turned everything on, gave it a few minutes to acclimate, I knew I was back to normal. The sound expanded, the background is quieter, and the overall sound is just better.
The only measurements here are my ears, and they are recording a positive improvement. Now it sounds like when I had both amps plugged into the one Cyclops on a single circuit. The difference now, I hope, is that I can crank it without tripping a breaker on either circuit. The drawback is now I have to worry I might break either the amps or the speakers when in crazo volume land. I would hate to lose 99% of my listening time for 1%, but then again being able to rock is a major reason why I like, and bought, my stereo.
The moral of this story is a Shunyata Cyclops power conditioner is a must for a dedicated 20 amp line for amps. You do not realize how much grunge (technical term) is on a line until it is gone.
Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits.
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits.
Post edited by BlueFox on
Comments
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I enjoyed reading this, thanks for sharing. 99% of the people out in the world have no idea how important power/current/electricity is to great sound.
Keep cranking -
Actually, I am now thinking this is better than normal. Much better. The new Anaconda and Cyclops are approaching close to 48 hours of burn in. Since these amps consume around 8 amps while idle, and I have left them on, the power cord and conditioner have been getting constant current. Sitting here now I am a bit amazed at the, apparently, new precise placement of notes. Listening to string quartets the violin notes are so clear in their presentation. This very moment a piece is playing that has a solo violin coming out of the extremely quiet background, plucking a note, and fading back into darkness. I do not remember the sound being quite this precise with just a single 20 amp line and Cyclops.
I guess I am going to have to stay up late tonight and continue to evaluate the new gear. It is a never ending task.
Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits.
