Recent Line Conditioner

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janmike
janmike Posts: 6,146
edited February 2008 in Electronics
Just wanted to provide a few comments on a recent line conditioner (CPC) I purchased from BPT. This was purchased for my HT system.

Going into this venture I was not anticipating any real significant change in sound quality or picture quality. I thought I would get good protection for power outages and perhaps a little noticeable improvement in the sound. As for the picture, hey can it get any better than my HD signal coupled with good cables and a 50 inch Panasonic plasma.

I have always asked my wife to help detect any differences when I have purchased any new cables (speaker, power and IC’s), new speakers or new electronic gear (Amp, Pre, CDP). She has an open mind and has no idea what she is supposed to hear other than what she has been listening to in the past. Sort of my blind tester, in a positive way.

The sound improvement is phenomenal. The soundstage widened, the base became tighter, detail improved and I had to turn the volume down on the Pre. Usually for my critical listening I would have the volume at -10. I had to reduce the volume and now at -15 the volume level is identical to the old setting. Amazing. The sound actually seemed to become more detailed as playing my tester CD ( Dire Straits - Brothers In Arm SACD) was simply outstanding. I am more than surprised and impressed.

As for the picture quality my wife was the first one to notice. We were watching a golf tournament and she mentioned the improvement. I flipped around a few HD channels and sure enough it is better. I am not sure I can explain this. The Super Bowl was absolutely beautiful to watch and the sound was superb.


Going forward I will be highly considering BPT for their top model for my 2CH rig. The owner is is very heplful and has a desire to provide the correct product for the correct application. He could have upsold me for the HT application and I respect him for that.
Michael ;)
In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
NORTH of 60°
Post edited by janmike on
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited February 2008
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    Hey Mike,

    Nice purchase. I've never heard of BPT, but their products look to be made like tanks and come extremely well reviewed by everyone who gets the chance. Can you give some insight as to why you went with BPT.

    Thanks
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited February 2008
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    I had seen an advertisement on Audiogon for the basic CPC unit and from there made some inquiries with a few friends. Some people in Canada had actually heard of them. I then communication with the owner via e-mail and on the phone. He seemed like a very honest person and when I inquired about higher end models he indicated that I would be better served with the unit in question for my current application; that being HT. I wanted to experiment with one of these before I purchase a much higher end unit for my 2CH rig. The bottom line is the guy impressed me, the reviews were positive and the price was right.

    http://www.b-p-t.com/

    Since then the guy has given me some good advice on future wiring and applications. In my books that is great customer service along with a good product and pricing.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • jm1
    jm1 Posts: 618
    edited February 2008
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    Glad the CPC is working for your application.

    After having a BP-2.5 in my system for the past several years, I can assure you it is worth the price. If you do decide introduce balanced power to your system, just remember to size the transformer to handle the load. This is very important as an undersized transformer will make your system sound thin and anemic.
    All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed, second it is violently opposed and third, it is accepted as self evident.
    Arthur Schopenhauer
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited February 2008
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    jm1 wrote: »
    Glad the CPC is working for your application.

    After having a BP-2.5 in my system for the past several years, I can assure you it is worth the price. If you do decide introduce balanced power to your system, just remember to size the transformer to handle the load. This is very important as an undersized transformer will make your system sound thin and anemic.

    I assume you mean the total draw from all of my components. The intent is to look at balanced power and their SIG offering. Thanks for the pointer.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • jm1
    jm1 Posts: 618
    edited February 2008
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    janmike wrote: »
    I assume you mean the total draw from all of my components. The intent is to look at balanced power and their SIG offering. Thanks for the pointer.

    Yes, you are correct that this would be the total draw. About five years ago, there were some negative comments about balanced power as some decided to try the smaller transformers on their amps or entire systems.

    If you get the Signature unit, please post details of the results. Alot of the extras in that unit were not available at the time I purchased mine. I am deciding if it might be time to upgrade to the current generation.
    All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed, second it is violently opposed and third, it is accepted as self evident.
    Arthur Schopenhauer
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited February 2008
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    Thanks jm1. It might be a little while before I purchase the SIG unit, but I will post results when I do.
    PS - I love your location ID - long/lat - awesome
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited February 2008
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    So, did you get any upgrades with yours or is it the "base" cpc?
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,872
    edited February 2008
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    Interesting as Im getting similar improvements in PQ on my Panny plasma with the Torus Power RM 5 I have on loan.


    Does your unit have the balanced isolation transformer?
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited February 2008
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    No, I just purchased the base unit. This is my first experience with these and I wanted to see what the base unit would do. Besides, this is for my HT system mainly and I did not want to spend too much. Seeing what this has done, yes perhaps I should have looked at some of the upgrades. When I explained my HT application to them (BPT) they seemed to believe that the base unit would be adequate. We will however go over the edge when it comes time for the 2CH unit.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited February 2008
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    GV#27 wrote: »
    Interesting as Im getting similar improvements in PQ on my Panny plasma with the Torus Power RM 5 I have on loan.


    Does your unit have the balanced isolation transformer?

    No it does not.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • bopicasso
    bopicasso Posts: 878
    edited February 2008
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    I was wondering if one of these will help my application. I have a onk 805 running rti8s and a csi3.
    At -20db and up the highs seem kind of crackling. Not perfectly clear. This seems to only happen when listening to music. I am using a Belkin multi plug and some 12 gauge off brand speaker wire.
    Living Room setup: Pioneer Elite VSX-21TXH, Krell KAV 300i, PS Audio DL III DAC, Tyler Acoustics Taylo 7u, Dynaudio Audience 120C+, SVS 25/31PCI, B-P-T Clean Power Center, Ps3, Panny 50" S1 Plasma, Tekline speaker cables, Audio Art interconnects, and Pangea power cables.
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited February 2008
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    crackling my indicate you have problems elsewhere. I would double check all your connections are solid and then make sure your tweeters are in good shape. I've used several power conditioners . . . they do tremendous things . . . but I have never bought one to fix speaker crackling.
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  • bopicasso
    bopicasso Posts: 878
    edited February 2008
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    The speakers are brand new. And I checked it with another set of speakers and got the same result. Im thinking it is the onkyo matched with the rti8.
    Could the wiring be the answer? Should I replace the wires?
    Living Room setup: Pioneer Elite VSX-21TXH, Krell KAV 300i, PS Audio DL III DAC, Tyler Acoustics Taylo 7u, Dynaudio Audience 120C+, SVS 25/31PCI, B-P-T Clean Power Center, Ps3, Panny 50" S1 Plasma, Tekline speaker cables, Audio Art interconnects, and Pangea power cables.
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  • bopicasso
    bopicasso Posts: 878
    edited February 2008
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    I checked my wireing to my speakers and the binding post that were not being used on the speakers were not tightened down. I tightened them and the crackle has dissappeared!!! WOW Im so happy nothing major was wrong. Because everything was brand new!
    Im gonna pick up one of the CPC with a hcf-30 upgrade from BPT. They are a 20 min drive from my house in missouri.
    Cant wait to see and hear the difference.
    Living Room setup: Pioneer Elite VSX-21TXH, Krell KAV 300i, PS Audio DL III DAC, Tyler Acoustics Taylo 7u, Dynaudio Audience 120C+, SVS 25/31PCI, B-P-T Clean Power Center, Ps3, Panny 50" S1 Plasma, Tekline speaker cables, Audio Art interconnects, and Pangea power cables.
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  • bopicasso
    bopicasso Posts: 878
    edited February 2008
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    Just picked up my cpc today. I picked it up from the BPT office because I live close by. The owner has a stereo system that will blow your mind!!!! He made the speakers himself along with everything else but the amp and pre/pro. It was amazing!!!!!
    Living Room setup: Pioneer Elite VSX-21TXH, Krell KAV 300i, PS Audio DL III DAC, Tyler Acoustics Taylo 7u, Dynaudio Audience 120C+, SVS 25/31PCI, B-P-T Clean Power Center, Ps3, Panny 50" S1 Plasma, Tekline speaker cables, Audio Art interconnects, and Pangea power cables.
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited February 2008
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    Congrats. Was it Chris? Interesting to hear what you think.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • bopicasso
    bopicasso Posts: 878
    edited February 2008
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    Yea it was Chris. The guy can build some amazing stuff! The speakers he made dont even look like speakers. I truthfully didnt know what they were when I first seen them.
    And they sound unbelievable. I couldnt tell where the sound was coming from, I was engulfed in it..
    I will hook up the cpc tonight.
    Im looking forward to seeing the difference.
    Living Room setup: Pioneer Elite VSX-21TXH, Krell KAV 300i, PS Audio DL III DAC, Tyler Acoustics Taylo 7u, Dynaudio Audience 120C+, SVS 25/31PCI, B-P-T Clean Power Center, Ps3, Panny 50" S1 Plasma, Tekline speaker cables, Audio Art interconnects, and Pangea power cables.
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  • bopicasso
    bopicasso Posts: 878
    edited February 2008
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    Just hooked it up and tested it out. WOW I can tell a big difference in sound quality and picture quality! No more crackle when I listen to a cd with my dvd player!
    Im very happy with it! Quality product for sure!!!!
    Living Room setup: Pioneer Elite VSX-21TXH, Krell KAV 300i, PS Audio DL III DAC, Tyler Acoustics Taylo 7u, Dynaudio Audience 120C+, SVS 25/31PCI, B-P-T Clean Power Center, Ps3, Panny 50" S1 Plasma, Tekline speaker cables, Audio Art interconnects, and Pangea power cables.
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited February 2008
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    Great. I can imagine what a balanced high-end one would do.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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