Power Conditioner - Who's using one? Which one? Did it help your sound?

F1nut · February 2017

It's a lot less to do with power fluctuations, as long as they are within reason and more to do with noise. You don't know how much noise is on the line until some of it is removed and I think most that haven't addressed better power conditioning would be surprised by how much the noise floor can drop.

lightman1 · February 2017

^^^^!!!

[Deleted User] · February 2017

^^^^ on amps that you are thinking of.

Upstatemax · February 2017

F1nut wrote: »

It's a lot less to do with power fluctuations, as long as they are within reason and more to do with noise. You don't know how much noise is on the line until some of it is removed and I think most that haven't addressed better power conditioning would be surprised by how much the noise floor can drop.

But from what I've seen, general line noise is fairly easily taken care of.

My Furman has done a great job. Again, I think it depends a lot on how bad your power is.

If you have fluctuations and a lot of noise, you might have to drop some coin. But if you just have general line noise associated with residential power and little to no fluctuations, you can get away with something far more reasonable.

Again, depends on what you're starting with...

tonyb · February 2017

It's not all about price either as to which is better. My low line PS Audio kicked the snot out of Monsters top of the line for eliminating noise.

Some just do a better job at their intended function than others. Much like some cdp's sound better than others, they all do the same thing though, right ? Obviously we aren't saying throw 3k worth of power conditioning/regeneration at a 1k system.

vcwatkins · February 2017

IMO it's pretty much the same as with cables - try upgrading to see if it makes a difference in your system/room/house. It is a bit tougher to do with power because the good stuff seems to be pricey relative to other components and heavy, which restricts resale somewhat.

I was very surprised at the degree of improvement in sound quality going to PS Audio Dectets and a Richard Gray RGPC from Furman, APC, and Panamax units. I ordered a PSA P3 to try as well.

rpf65 · February 2017

Have the Panamax MR 4300, picked it up 1/2 off at BB. Wasn't expecting anything, except better surge protection than the old Monster power strip type surge protector. Think I had that one for about 10 years, can't even remember the model number.

Hard to tell where I heard a bigger difference, the Panamax or running the dedicated circuit. To me there was a big difference in everything in my HT system. Sound is clearer, and picture on the tv was even a little sharper.

Guess it's just the opposite from subwoofers. If you never heard a good sub, you don't know what you're missing. With dirty power, you won't know what you're hearing until it's cleaned up to some degree.

kharp1 · February 2017

I'd say power at my house is better than what I see many places. It's usually very steady. Never seen it dip below 117. Usually stays steady at 121, 122. That's the least of issues in the power grid. My gains were far from minimal.

doctor r · February 2017

Started years ago with Monster. Some improvement until I installed the dedicated lines and then comparing between straight to the wall and into the Monster, well the Monster found a new home. Had a chance to aquire the single outlet Audience aRp1 and ran it into a CryoParts 6 outlet box that actually improved the experience. I have since moved up the Audience line to the aR2p-TO for my VAC Renaissance and VAC amp with excellent results.

BlueFox · February 2017

I have said for a few years now that clean power and vibration control are the foundation of a good stereo. If your foundation is weak then no matter what gear you use the end result will be weak. Now get some decent power cords and be prepared to really be impressed.

tonyb · February 2017

Nobody mentioned Running Springs , I know a few guys here own them. Tad on the expensive side but those who own one swear by them.

kharp1 · February 2017

Sounds like an Indian name...feathers not dots. I've never heard of them.

gp4jesus · February 2017

mantis wrote: »

...a power conditioner and surge system, it's not designed to make your system sound better.

What it actually does is make (or allows) [your equipment] perform the way it was designed. Supplying clean, stable power, your devices all work correctly.

SPOT ON and SO to the point.

mantis · February 2017

gp4jesus wrote: »

mantis wrote: »

...a power conditioner and surge system, it's not designed to make your system sound better.

What it actually does is make (or allows) [your equipment] perform the way it was designed. Supplying clean, stable power, your devices all work correctly.

SPOT ON and SO to the point.

Others think other wise. I'm not here to argue their belief's. They can think whatever they want. It's cool with me.

tonyb · February 2017

mantis wrote: »

gp4jesus wrote: »

mantis wrote: »

...a power conditioner and surge system, it's not designed to make your system sound better.

What it actually does is make (or allows) [your equipment] perform the way it was designed. Supplying clean, stable power, your devices all work correctly.

SPOT ON and SO to the point.

Others think other wise. I'm not here to argue their belief's. They can think whatever they want. It's cool with me.

I don't think otherwise Dan, your correct actually. However by everything running better, getting fed clean power, the side effect of that is what ? Your system sounding better....isn't it ? So while they are not designed to make your system sound better, the effect of what they are designed to do will.

The rules of cause and effect apply here. An amp is designed to store power and deliver current. The side effect of that is better dynamics making your system sound....better, right ?

Power conditioners/regenerators vary in this also. While they all do basically the same thing, which is what they are all designed to do anyway like you said, the manner of which they do it varies, the build quality varies, and thus the effects you will get on sound as the side effect will also vary. Make sense ?

mrloren · February 2017

Hi there,

Please don't laugh at me for this...

I currently have my nice (to me) goodies plugged into basic mid grade surge protectors I got from Costco. SDG&E guy said that is all I need.

So should I toss one of the power conditioner on my upgrade list. If I do get one should I plug everything into (sub, AVR, TV and BD players)?

For power cords I can't see buying $100 power cord for a $500 receiver or sub. I've been using the one my equipment came with.

Try to take into consideration I am an IT Warehouse manager living in San Diego so funds are tight.

[Deleted User] · February 2017

If you like your stuff, get the best surge protection you can afford.

mrloren · February 2017

rednedtugent wrote: »

If you like your stuff, get the best surge protection you can afford.

OK, I will look into it, more reading time. The surge protectors I have now are decent.

mrloren · February 2017

better than what I currently have?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/panamax-8-outlet-power-conditioner-surge-protector-gray/9518284.p?skuId=9518284

[Deleted User] · February 2017

How old is the panamax?

I went with this;
Furman PST-8D(igital)

A bit pricey but it is supposed to drop output power on overages and
sags. Some are let thru's. It's in use on the bedroom system...
Not for amps however.

@dskip may be able to chime in here.

I used pro grade Tripp lite before an thought they were just o.k.

mrloren · February 2017

So I go to BestBuy and the dude there was telling me about how these work. he shows me this one a lot better than the one I was looking at.

https://www.amazon.com/Panamax-MR4000-Management-Protection-Conditioning/dp/B009MQTC52

He got the price down to $140 for me so I got it.

pitdogg2 · February 2017

What ever happened to the Richard Gray power plants? Those were the shiznit not too many tears ago.

kharp1 · February 2017

Still around and still building work horses:http://www.richardgrayspowercompany.com/

They are under new ownership, but, I don't think it was a major change. They sold to a group they had partnered with. Can find some good deals on them on the used market.

RamZet · February 2017

Try this
https://www.amazon.com/PS-Audio-Power-Port-Classic/dp/B001HRDMLE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487515658&sr=8-1&keywords=ps+audio+outlet

and that
https://www.amazon.com/Panamax-MR4300-Management-Protection-Conditioning/dp/B00ILH7KJI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487515712&sr=8-1&keywords=panamax+4300

I notice the biggest difference in powered monitors, if you plug a pair of Genelecs into the wall they just don't sound right, but connect them to a Panamax unit and they are different speakers. Same goes for amps and preamps.

This is another cool unit I like to use if a sub is located too far away from the rest of the equipment:
https://www.amazon.com/Panamax-MD2-Outlet-Direct-Surge/dp/B003GSLLCO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487515992&sr=8-1&keywords=panamax+md2
also great for powered monitors.

mantis · February 2017

tonyb wrote: »

mantis wrote: »

gp4jesus wrote: »

mantis wrote: »

...a power conditioner and surge system, it's not designed to make your system sound better.

What it actually does is make (or allows) [your equipment] perform the way it was designed. Supplying clean, stable power, your devices all work correctly.

SPOT ON and SO to the point.

Others think other wise. I'm not here to argue their belief's. They can think whatever they want. It's cool with me.

I don't think otherwise Dan, your correct actually. However by everything running better, getting fed clean power, the side effect of that is what ? Your system sounding better....isn't it ? So while they are not designed to make your system sound better, the effect of what they are designed to do will.

The rules of cause and effect apply here. An amp is designed to store power and deliver current. The side effect of that is better dynamics making your system sound....better, right ?

Power conditioners/regenerators vary in this also. While they all do basically the same thing, which is what they are all designed to do anyway like you said, the manner of which they do it varies, the build quality varies, and thus the effects you will get on sound as the side effect will also vary. Make sense ?

The line gets smeared a lot with the term better. Many companies make claims that their products will improve dynamic range and make your highs sound better etc etc etc. So the language is flawed from certain points of views. All support products like wire and power centers try to retain your premium performance, they don't make it better. better then what it was before you used their products IF there are issues? Absolutely. Dirty and or unstable power will rob your system of it's top performance so using a high quality power conditioner surge protector is a way to regain lost performance.
Same goes with cables, they can not and will not make your system better, better then using cables that hurt your system for sure. They just don't have the ability to make things better then what you actually start out with IF everything is running properly. A cable can't make a speaker that doesn't have good bass response by design magically give it lower and deeper bass. But they can bring out everything that speaker can play by providing all the signal sent to it.
Thats all I'm trying to say.

mrloren · February 2017

So I had to return the Panamax I picked up at BestBuy. Went to go put it in and the only place on my stand it would fit most of my power cords wont reach. bummer @ $140 it was a decent pickup.

I did wind up ordering the PM8-AV from Home Depot, used all gift cards for it.

Upstatemax · February 2017

mrloren wrote: »

So I had to return the Panamax I picked up at BestBuy. Went to go put it in and the only place on my stand it would fit most of my power cords wont reach. bummer @ $140 it was a decent pickup.

Clearly you have not been here long enough.

When faced with that issue many of us on here would just throw up our arms and say, "GREAT! Now I have to upgrade all of my power cords!". Pretending to be upset about it in front of our wives.

You made a common rookie mistake. You'll get there!

mikeyb128 · February 2017

Upstatemax wrote: »

mrloren wrote: »

So I had to return the Panamax I picked up at BestBuy. Went to go put it in and the only place on my stand it would fit most of my power cords wont reach. bummer @ $140 it was a decent pickup.

Pretending to be upset about it in front of our wives.

Lol! So true!

mrloren · February 2017

Upstatemax wrote: »

mrloren wrote: »

So I had to return the Panamax I picked up at BestBuy. Went to go put it in and the only place on my stand it would fit most of my power cords wont reach. bummer @ $140 it was a decent pickup.

Clearly you have not been here long enough.

When faced with that issue many of us on here would just throw up our arms and say, "GREAT! Now I have to upgrade all of my power cords!". Pretending to be upset about it in front of our wives.

You made a common rookie mistake. You'll get there!

lurking for 11 years, not long

Once I got it home and started in on it I wound up with 2 choices

1 cut into my TV stand that took me 2 weeks to build

2 take it back.

Considering funds are a little tight right now I took option #2 and ordered the PM8-AV with gift cards I had for Home Depot. Power strip type will mount where the current one is. On the TV stand I built I left the center open so my CSI-5 can breath.

kharp1 · February 2017

Actually, your rookie mistake was not coming on the forum and posting your dilemma before deciding what to do. There is so much life experience here that when you post a situation like yours you'll find that you get so much useful information, information like how to con your spouse, how to rearrange your house, creative financing, how to lie to yourself, how to use your kids to get more gear. The list extends much further, but, I think you get the picture. We will help you find ways to get the gear you've always dreamed of but thought you couldn't afford.

Power Conditioner - Who's using one? Which one? Did it help your sound?

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