Power Generators / Conditioners

beardog03

I have wanted , for some time now, to get a PS Audio Power Plant and a PS 600 generator / conditioner..

am looking at 3 different units

PS Audio Power Plant Premier
http://www.psaudio.com/products/premier_power_plant.asp

PS Audio P600 Power Plant
http://www.psaudio.com/search.asp?search=ps+60

PS Audio Power Director 4.7
http://www.psaudio.com/products/powerdirector.asp

After spending some time with John (Shadow), and learning some more about things like this, I thought I would throw it out for discussion to get some more opinions

John showed me a real nice unit(s) for a fraction of the $$, but I am still looking at the units above also....

The ones that I really like are power generators / Power Conditioners



whhaaadayas Think?

Gaara

If you get the PPP make sure to get a newer one without any issues. When these first came out I was interested but got scarred off due to a slew of issues like clicking noises, loud fan noise, and units going into protect mode and going belly up. The guy I bought my BPT off of got one and had to send his back to get fixed twice within a few months of purchase.

As for the Power Director, it seems like a waste of money. I am under the impression that the PDs are just multiple ultimate outlets in one unit. Paul Mcgowan of PS Audio says the newer units with Iso-Zones have better protection and lower noise/better performance than the UOs or UPC units. That said the Quintet or Quintessence should perform better for much less money.

As for the P600, I don't know much about these as I didn't like the fact that they generate lots of heat and have a fan.

P.S. I have personally used 3 different Monster Line conditioners including their top of the line HTPS-7000SS. I have also used a PS Audio Ultimate Outlet and Duet, as well as a BPT 2 Signature.

beardog03

Thanks for your input...
I was hoping that someone , such as yourself, that has actual experience with these type of things chime in.

Not that John didn`t know what he was talking about, because he does...
He said the same thing, and gave me some info on where to get them...

I have been wanting to get a power generator that cleans up the power and keeps it at a steady output level, for some time now...
It`s just that they cost so damn much that I don`t want to waiste funds that could go to better use...

dkg999

I would start with a Panamax unit, such as the 5100ex or 5300ex. Maybe you don't need anything more elaborate. I've been really amazed at what my Panamax 5100's have cleaned up.

beardog03

I was looking to get the right amount of current also....in a steady stream..


does the Panny do that also ?

dkg999

Yes, some models will. The one's I have do stabilize the voltage, but are not regenerators.

pearsall001

I never owned a Panamax unit so I really can't comment. However, I do own an Equitech balanced power unit. I've been very impressed & now that I have one, I can't imagine running my gear without it.

beardog03

I wonder if the regenerators suck alot of wall power to operate ?

You can Probably watch the meter on the side of the house spin so fast it makes smoke !!

I-SIG

I have no experience with the units you've mentioned, but I did take the leap on a Belkin PureAV unit have been thoroughly impressed. It doesn't stabilize the voltage however the filtering and apparent reduction and smoothing of harmonics, etc. really livened up my plasma. (Yes, I may have a plasma superiority complex, but that doesn't mean it's not true, kinda like being paranoid! )

I didn't notice a significant difference in sound, however this unit seems more than capable of keeping up with my 2 Parasound amps. After plugging them into the 2 "high current" outlets on the unit, I noticed no difference in performance, even when cranked over 100dB.

FWIW, my plasma, CDP, pre, DAC, Oppo, and 2 amps are pulling 4.4 amps at 117.8VAC at 8:45PM 01/05/2008. I apparently have wonderful voltage, even at my outlets as I haven't seen anything below 116VAC on the unit, though I'll be interested in what it looks like in the middle of an AZ summer.

Wes

treitz3

Have you taken a look at the Richard Grey products? Not the thread topic, but I thought I'd throw it out there for ya'.

Early B.

beardog03 wrote: »

I was looking to get the right amount of current also....in a steady stream..

Why? Does the electricity in your your home fluctuate a lot? Do you experience lots of brownouts?

beardog03

I-SIG wrote: »

I have no experience with the units you've mentioned, but I did take the leap on a Belkin PureAV unit have been thoroughly impressed. It doesn't stabilize the voltage however the filtering and apparent reduction and smoothing of harmonics, etc. really livened up my plasma. (Yes, I may have a plasma superiority complex, but that doesn't mean it's not true, kinda like being paranoid! )

I didn't notice a significant difference in sound, however this unit seems more than capable of keeping up with my 2 Parasound amps. After plugging them into the 2 "high current" outlets on the unit, I noticed no difference in performance, even when cranked over 100dB.

FWIW, my plasma, CDP, pre, DAC, Oppo, and 2 amps are pulling 4.4 amps at 117.8VAC at 8:45PM 01/05/2008. I apparently have wonderful voltage, even at my outlets as I haven't seen anything below 116VAC on the unit, though I'll be interested in what it looks like in the middle of an AZ summer.

Wes

That`s my next choice....I think that`s the one John suggested
I may be getting a 42" Panny Plasma for my office....which one do you have?

treitz3 wrote: »

Have you taken a look at the Richard Grey products? Not the thread topic, but I thought I'd throw it out there for ya'.

Not off at all...same idea...kinda !!!
I have heard of Richard Grey, but know nothing of the products..
any suggestions ?

F1nut

The PS Audio regenerators are limited to producing only 1500 watts, I believe. You should check what the maximum draw of your 3500 is. I think you'd be better off getting a dedicated line or two run and perhaps adding a power conditioner/surge protector.

wingnut4772

F1nut wrote: »

The PS Audio regenerators are limited to producing only 1500 watts, I believe. You should check what the maximum draw of your 3500 is. I think you'd be better off getting a dedicated line or two run and perhaps adding a power conditioner/surge protector.

I agree.

I had some PS Audio stuff last year and it was always shutting off and they kept giving me lame excuses before admitting that they were having issues with their product.(Duet, specifically). I just got an over all snake oil vibe from my experience.

nikolas812

Sorry to jump into your thread with a question and no answer or opinion. But Is there a certain amount of volts one should be maintaining. I noticed on my panamax that it never saw anything lower than 119v but usuallay stayed at or around 121v all the time. In the moring for some reason it would always be around 124v

F1nut

I remember that Darla. I have to say, I'm running 3 PS Audio UPC-200's here and they have been trouble free, do what they are suppose to do and do not get in the way of the music. I couldn't be happier with them.

wingnut4772

F1nut wrote: »

I remember that Darla. I have to say, I'm running 3 PS Audio UPC-200's here and they have been trouble free, do what they are suppose to do and do not get in the way of the music. I couldn't be happier with them.

That's good. I am sure that they do make some good things that have worked. They just lost credibility with me when Paul McGowan suggested that my unit kept turning off because I needed to upgrade the stock power cord...among other silly things.:p Later he admitted it was a known problem with the unit .

beardog03

Jesse,

I know we have discussed this before, and your right....again!!

I think the dedicated 20 amp (2) lines and a conditoner/surge protector is the way to go..
The 3500 draws too much, and I may be adding another one t bi-amp with

I have been looking into this again since we last talked, and I`m comming up with the same answers...

Darla,
Thanks for your insight...
I was looking at that model also....you answered that question for me

I think the unit Shadow showed me is the ticket...
maybe a UPC-200 (or two)

Thanks for all the input everybody....

I-SIG

nikolas812 wrote: »

Sorry to jump into your thread with a question and no answer or opinion. But Is there a certain amount of volts one should be maintaining. I noticed on my panamax that it never saw anything lower than 119v but usuallay stayed at or around 121v all the time. In the moring for some reason it would always be around 124v

Do you still have the Panamax? I ask simply because this time of year I would expect to have a lower voltage in the morning when everyone is waking up and warming their house for breakfast, to go to work, etc.

In the summer I would definitely expect the voltage to be the higher in the morning when there is a lesser amount of air conditioning load.

The highest voltage should be really late at night when most people are asleep, most businesses and industries are shut down. I've seen over 124VAC at 2AM this fall.

Your voltage is dependent on the utility system voltage. If everyone off your transfromer is cranking their A/C or their heaters then you will receive reduced voltage due to the demand of the other users. Multiply this across all the transformers, on a circuit, every circuit from a substation and you could have a slightly higher or lower voltage at your outlets.

Wes

Face

I-SIG wrote: »

Do you still have the Panamax? I ask simply because this time of year I would expect to have a lower voltage in the morning when everyone is waking up and warming their house for breakfast, to go to work, etc.

In the summer I would definitely expect the voltage to be the higher in the morning when there is a lesser amount of air conditioning load.

The highest voltage should be really late at night when most people are asleep, most businesses and industries are shut down. I've seen over 124VAC at 2AM this fall.

Your voltage is dependent on the utility system voltage. If everyone off your transfromer is cranking their A/C or their heaters then you will receive reduced voltage due to the demand of the other users. Multiply this across all the transformers, on a circuit, every circuit from a substation and you could have a slightly higher or lower voltage at your outlets.

Wes

Correct. I see the highest voltage late at night/early morning in the spring and fall. Weekdays at 6-7pm and Sundays are usually the worst.