Which PS Audio power conditioner you own?

deluxman · October 2010

Folks,

I am thinking of getting a PS Audio power conditioner. At first I was going to get the AV5000 but later on I read that the Duet seems to have the same filtering capability. My current power conditioner is Panamax M5100. Do you guys think by using PS Audio power conditioner will give me some improvement or should I just stick with my current Panamax? I am just trying to justify if spending a few extra bucks on the PS Audio will give me some improvement. Also does anyone ever own the two PS Audio I mentioned? Is the AV5000 better than Duet or is the Duet good enough??

Please share your experience or comments before I spend my money.

Thanks.

playback · October 2010

deluxman wrote: »

Folks,

I am thinking of getting a PS Audio power conditioner. At first I was going to get the AV5000 but later on I read that the Duet seems to have the same filtering capability. My current power conditioner is Panamax M5100. Do you guys think by using PS Audio power conditioner will give me some improvement or should I just stick with my current Panamax? I am just trying to justify if spending a few extra bucks on the PS Audio will give me some improvement. Also does anyone ever own the two PS Audio I mentioned? Is the AV5000 better than Duet or is the Duet good enough??

Please share your experience or comments before I spend my money.

Thanks.

Hi, I use the Quintet, but if all you need are just 4- outlets the Duet is a great choice and only gets better with a good after market Powercord.My quintet is dove tailed from a soloist premier with oustanding results over the Monster 2500mk2 it replaced, both audio and video and not by a small margin. hope this helps.:D

MADGSF · October 2010

I also have the Quintet and am very happy with it. I changed many things at the same time, including the TV, so I can't say what improvement it brought. I do like the ability to use a 12V switch to turn outlets on, the ability to use a better main power cable and it's robust construction. I don't feel the need to move up to a better conditioner at this time.

deluxman · October 2010

Here are the response from Ryan at PS Audio regarding the difference between the Duet and the AV5000:

"The Duet is good, no bones about it. But the 5000 is even better.

The Duet begins filtering in the 35kHz level and the 5000 begins at about half of at. Or in other words the 5000 begins filtering the audible frequencies. It also carries over to higher frequencies.

I personally have a 9000 that uses the same filtration boards as the 5000, as well as a Duet. Having compared the two I can tell you there is a pretty significant sonic improvement when stepping to the 5000.

Besides the primary filtration benefit you also have the 5 Isozones which will allow you to isolated you component from each other, thus further reducing noise interaction."

What do you guys think? Should I go with the AV5000 or just the Duet or maybe the Quintet?

Ern Dog · October 2010

I always find it beneficial to address the weakest link in the whole audio chain including the room. Taking this approach, your money might be better spent somewhere else or not.

For example if you are focused on upgrading the conditioner, but are using a cheap dvd player as your source then it is wasted money.

What other gear are you using?

deluxman · October 2010

I am using all Arcam gears for CD player and receiver. Will go separate in the short future. Subwoofer is Velodyne, Shunyata Power Cables and Kimber Kable for interconnects, digital coax and speaker cable.

TrashyTrucker · October 2010

Deluxman,
I still use the max 5100. If you decide to take it out of line, tell me where you are at and set it outside by your door!

Matt

jayman_1975 · October 2010

I use the quintet on my stuff.

Ern Dog · October 2010

I have a Quintet and have mixed results with it. When I first got it, I thought it helped, but then retested it later and found that it took away some of the dynamics, so took it out.

I'll have to do more critical listening to tell if it helps my system sound better or not.

deluxman · October 2010

Ern Dog wrote: »

I have a Quintet and have mixed results with it. When I first got it, I thought it helped, but then retested it later and found that it took away some of the dynamics, so took it out.

I'll have to do more critical listening to tell if it helps my system sound better or not.

Hi Erndog!

I had the duet and the AV5000 and of course I did compare to my current Panamax M5100. The result is night and day. The sound through the Panamax, is bright and fatiguing. This is not just my imagination as I asked my wife to sit down as well and listen and without telling her, she could distinguish the sound is totally different. Then I plugged thru the Duet...it also sound better than the Panamax but not as clear as the AV5000. To me the Duet has a tad less filtration than the AV5000. It is not as dark as the AV5000 for the background. AV5000 produces better separation. The highs are just more laid back and non-fatiguing is the word I would say. I could not believe it myself that power conditioner makes such a difference. Of course in this test, all the power cords are upgraded ones. I used Shunyata Taipa Alpha for the receiver, Harmonic Pro AC 11 for the power conditioner and Shunyata Diamondback Platinum for the CD Player.

If anyone else, think or find the conclusion otherwise regarding AV5000, please share your experience here.......

Which PS Audio power conditioner you own?

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