Power Conditioning for RI?

Alton T
Alton T Posts: 73
edited March 2020 in Technical/Setup
Hello Forum,
First, Thanks for the postings on my other post. :)

I was looking at Power Conditioners.
There are many articles/tech talk that I am ignorant about.

When there is no Signal to the Amp, I turn up the Volume to see if it there is "Noise". I can hear KSSK, a local radio station.
I can not hear that when the music is playing. But, I do know, it "Exist".
I thought it was supposed to be "Dead Silent", to be a "Good": Hi Fi System.

1) I just wanted to know if there is one with Radio Interference and clean -up capabilities.
multiple outlets, and, surge protection, if can..
and, about 200 dollars? :D
(Please, no "Good Luck" replies".. )

2) When trying to solve/prepare for " Power/Signal Cleanliness" , Is it better to start from
the Source (House Plug) to the Amp? Or, the Amp and back to the Wall? :#



On another note:
I hooked up the newly arrived B&K ST202 Amplifier with POLK AUDIO RTi A9s.
First thing I can hear is the "openness"..
Clean/clear.. and, like it had Imaging/separation between the instruments.
I listen to Jazz Trios.. Piano, Double Bass and Drums)
The McIntosh is a more full and smooth sound, and, was like a "Wall of Sound".
Both was good, but, different.
I also thought I could hear more detail..
On the Saxophone ( Eddie Higgins) , some parts, I can hear the sound of his lips on the reed.

Thanks for viewing..
Alton T. :)











Best Answers

  • delkal
    delkal Posts: 764
    edited March 2020 Answer ✓
    F1nut wrote: »
    What brand and model of interconnects are you using?

    This........you don't pick up radio signals from the power grid. I would check the interconnects (Pre to amp first). They can pick up RFI and it is then amplified. Speaker cables can also pick up a little but unless you are very close to a radio transmitter you won't hear anything. Try some shielded interconnects as short as possible.
  • delkal
    delkal Posts: 764
    edited March 2020 Answer ✓
    Shielded cables have only one end of the outer shield grounded to (usually) whatever is upstream . So they always have the directional arrow. Unfortunately just because a cable has an arrow does not always mean it is shielded. Some people / manufacturers claim cables sound better hooked up in one direction over the other. I don't want to comment on this but that may be the false claims you read about. There is a chance you Monster cables are not shielded but the manufacturer wants you to believe it should only be hiked up as marked. You need to do more research on your interconnects. If they are well shielded and hooked up correctly I have no idea where your radio station interference is coming from.

    My interconnects are all unshielded. I do not hear any radio interference in my area so it is not needed. I have some moderately priced interconnects but currently I have been using DIY cables with a thin solid core wire placed in oversized teflon tubes. I made some in different configurations with conductors in 999 pure silver or a bunch of 9's copper.

Answers

  • Alton T
    Alton T Posts: 73
    edited March 2020
    I was doing the Internet search for Power Conditioners.
    Got so many. Unbelievable.
    Even had this Small device..

    https://www.amazon.com/InstallGear-Ground-Isolator-Noise-Filter/dp/B077Y5DLBB/ref=sr_1_10?crid=15OBPW55DGMC7&keywords=radio+interference+filter&qid=1583606067&sprefix=radio++interference,aps,265&sr=8-10

    "Ignorance is not a bad word, but, it does cause a lot of problems" - Alton T.. o:)
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,542
    What brand and model of interconnects are you using?
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."


    President of Club Polk

  • Alton T
    Alton T Posts: 73
    Hello Forum,
    Hello F1 and Delkal.

    Presently,
    I am using 1980's MONSTER M1000 and MONSTER Reference A interconnects.
    I was looking for the old MONSTER Specs and description for them... If they are "Shielded"..

    I was looking at the Blue Jeans " Shielded" Belden 1694A Stereo Audio Cables.

    Those or something around that price range, or, a bit more $$ is O.K.
    :)
    An Interconnect that Polk Audio Guys find that works well with the B&K and Polk RTiA9s.

    Tony B.'s Cables ( in his system) are way too $$ for me..
    Tony B. you was right, the B&K ST202 does not run hot.
    It is amazing how much force the 3 7 inch Woofers have with this amp.
    It is like a big guy wacking the floor. Unreal..
    Amazing the speakers do not crack or tear.
    and, the A9s look awesome.
    Just like those $$$$ Towers with lots of speakers..
    Sight and Sound = LG ( Life's Good :) )

    Alton T. < soon to be a Couch Potato :)








  • delkal
    delkal Posts: 764
    edited March 2020
    Check to see if your cables have direction arrows on them.

    If they DO NOT have an arrow indicating which way to hook them up......They ARE NOT shielded.

    Start with the shielded interconnects and the Blue Jeans "Shielded" Belden 1694A would be an excellent start. (FYI-people here do not like Monster cables).
  • Alton T
    Alton T Posts: 73
    Hi DelKal,
    Thank You.
    Yes, both the MONSTER M1000 and REFERENCE A has Signal Flow arrows.
    Thanks for that explanation.
    One of the Interconnect review page I read, had Signal Flow Cables as another false "Claims". I did not think they were for shielding purposes.. Maybe them too???

    Yes, I seen sites and read about people disagreeing with MONSTER's actions..

    F1, :)
    What did you choose for your Interconnect?







  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,437
    Yes the shield doesn't connect to one end to keep it from draining gremlins into gear.
  • Alton T
    Alton T Posts: 73
    edited March 2020
    Hello guys..
    Thank you for posting.
    I really like reading the replies.
    Many do not like to post on an open forum, and state their "Insights".. but,
    if asked, are willing to share, with personal honesty, to help.
    Got to love them.. :)

    I will look buy new Shielded Interconnects.
    The Belden 1694A Stereo Audio Cables was noted as what the professional engineers use (?)..
    Maybe there is a Polk Audio listener's choice, a step above the BJs.
    Maybe a brand around that $$ or a bit more $$ is O.K.
    Thanks Guys..
    Alton T.

    BTW:
    I am very pleased with the A9s..

    Polk Audio just got some good words/observations by Danny Richie.
    There's a mod to strengthen the Speaker Frame in there too.
    About the 6:05 Minutes into the video :
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CWVxZIr5t8&amp;list=PLxSDVA3eg-Hhv-qREcpEkxE3x5NiqwJy3&amp;index=9&amp;t=0s