AudioCircle

Audio/Video Gear and Systems => Power Conditioning => Topic started by: James Edward on 23 Dec 2023, 11:08 pm

Title: JUST a Quality Powerstrip
Post by: James Edward on 23 Dec 2023, 11:08 pm
I would like a power distribution block/strip for my system. No switch, no surge protection, no led, circuit breaker, etc. I currently use a Wiremold L10320, but it’s been a while and I figure I’d like to ‘upgrade’ to a more pimped out one with heavier gauge wire and better power cord. Cullen, Furutech, are a couple on the radar.

Any boutique brands out there that I’m unaware of, please let me know.

Thanks.
Title: Re: JUST a Quality Powerstrip
Post by: FullRangeMan on 24 Dec 2023, 01:11 am
I would visit the nearest hardware store and buy a dozen outlets,  wiring, an aluminum or plastic box to your liking, a few meters of AWG 10 or 12 hard wiring and after a few hours of fun investment the job is done.
Dont walk, run from audiophile outlets and power strips.

Title: Re: JUST a Quality Powerstrip
Post by: Doublej on 24 Dec 2023, 02:22 am
VH Audio

Cardas Audio Nautilus

Acoustic Revive

Title: Re: JUST a Quality Powerstrip
Post by: JackD on 24 Dec 2023, 02:35 am
https://audioenvy.com/product/power-cord/okta-power-pro/

https://audioenvy.com/product/power-cord/quad/

Also look at Audio Sensibility

https://audiosensibility.com/blog/products-2/power-distribution/#!/Impact-SE-Power-Distribution/p/49910209/category=2595838

With currency differences US price is about 75% plus always a sale coupon to be applied. 
Title: Re: JUST a Quality Powerstrip
Post by: Early B. on 24 Dec 2023, 03:07 am
If you're upgrading and just want a plain powerstrip, then the main upgrade would be the outlets for a slightly improved sound. Look for powerstrips with Furutech outlets based on your budget. Ironically, the Furutech brand of powerstrips are ridiculously overpriced, IMO.
Title: Re: JUST a Quality Powerstrip
Post by: FullRangeMan on 24 Dec 2023, 03:18 am
I had three friends and two acquaintances who were all jewellers, whom three of them are now dead. One of them used to make Rhodium baths for me in power sockets and IC connectors, I will not tell the price because yous wont believe.

Audiophile Rhodium connectors are sold at premium prices.
Title: Re: JUST a Quality Powerstrip
Post by: JackD on 24 Dec 2023, 03:20 am
Since Steven at Audio Sensibility is also a Furutech dealer I'm sure he would be happy to swap out the Denki of Japan outlets on the unit I linked for Furutech branded ones for a price. He carries six different grades of Furutech outlets.  I've owned one of his Statement power distribution blocks with Furutech outlets for several years now.
Title: Re: JUST a Quality Powerstrip
Post by: Theronbo on 24 Dec 2023, 05:38 pm
In the IT field Isobar is considered to build a quality product.

4 socket for $65

Tripp Lite ISOBAR4ULTRA Isobar 4 Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip, 6ft Cord, Right-Angle Plug, Metal, Lifetime Limited Warranty & Dollar 50,000 Insurance White https://a.co/d/aGrUTgy
Title: Re: JUST a Quality Powerstrip
Post by: WGH on 24 Dec 2023, 05:56 pm

Tripp Lite ISOBAR4ULTRA Isobar 4 Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip, 6ft Cord, Right-Angle Plug, Metal, Lifetime Limited Warranty & Dollar 50,000 Insurance White https://a.co/d/aGrUTgy


 :thumb:

I've been using the ISOBAR4ULTRA for years. The 3-levels of outlet isolation really works. Years ago when I had a pin printer it would cause all sorts of havoc with the computer, the ISOBAR4ULTRA isolated the printer and the problems disappeared.
Title: Re: JUST a Quality Powerstrip
Post by: DaveC113 on 24 Dec 2023, 06:07 pm
The Furutech powerstrips are the best deal in audio. Unbelievable quality and performance for the price. I recommend the e-TP609 NCF.

https://www.furutech.com/2017/11/24/15943/
Title: Re: JUST a Quality Powerstrip
Post by: decal on 24 Dec 2023, 06:32 pm
Look thru the Audio Circle Market Place.
Title: Re: JUST a Quality Powerstrip
Post by: James Edward on 26 Dec 2023, 01:58 pm
Well, I went with the Audio Sensibility- the price was where I wanted, and they seem like an upstanding place to do business with. https://audiosensibility.com/blog/products-2/power-distribution/#!/Impact-SE-Power-Distribution-4-plex/p/49910224/category=2595838

All told, price was roughly US $230.00.

Here’s what I plug in: Luxman L-590AXII, Esoteric K-07X, Pro-Ject Debut Carbon SB, Bluesound Node

What I want to achieve: Most of the companies, including Audio Sensibility, tout isolation of outlets, so I’ll be plugging the K-07X and Bluesound into one pair and the Luxman and Pro-Ject into the other. Will it make a difference? Who knows…

Like the L10320, the new power block has no switch, LED, circuit breaker, surge protection, or filtering. But it does have a better, heavier gauge power cord, better outlets, passive EMI/RFI blocking.

If nothing else, It’ll be a do no harm change, and quite possibly an improvement.

Thank you for all the replies- hopefully the piece makes its way from Toronto quickly, and I’ll post my thoughts.
Title: Re: JUST a Quality Powerstrip
Post by: rollo on 26 Dec 2023, 04:35 pm
   Seems like a lot for the money. Yes separating Digital from Analog matters. Give it some time to settle with the Teflon dielectric. Do not rush to judgement.

charles
Title: Re: JUST a Quality Powerstrip
Post by: Speedskater on 27 Dec 2023, 01:01 am
   Seems like a lot for the money. Yes separating Digital from Analog matters. Give it some time to settle with the Teflon dielectric. Do not rush to judgement.
charles
Both audiophile misunderstandings.

a] The best plan is to have all the audio components on the same AC power circuit.
But this is more important with RCA rather than balanced or digital interconnects.

b] At the theoretical level, PVC is a better AC power cord and cable insulation than Teflon.
High tech dielectrics have much better high frequency characteristics than PVC.
This is the opposite of a power conditioner filter.

Title: Re: JUST a Quality Powerstrip
Post by: FullRangeMan on 27 Dec 2023, 02:10 am
After auditioning a few Operas and Symphonies I only feel confident with PVC awg 10 hard wiring, usually safe until 70ºC, rubber is a better electric insulator, but more expensive than PVC.
Title: Re: JUST a Quality Powerstrip
Post by: rollo on 27 Dec 2023, 04:06 pm
Both audiophile misunderstandings.

a] The best plan is to have all the audio components on the same AC power circuit.
But this is more important with RCA rather than balanced or digital interconnects.

b] At the theoretical level, PVC is a better AC power cord and cable insulation than Teflon.
High tech dielectrics have much better high frequency characteristics than PVC.
This is the opposite of a power conditioner filter.

 Are you talking from hands on experience ?  Have you tried it ? No misunderstanding at all. It just sounds better in our experience. More dynamic and open sound stage. BTW each dedicated line is the same length to avoid ground issues.
Title: Re: JUST a Quality Powerstrip
Post by: Speedskater on 27 Dec 2023, 08:22 pm
I'm talking from reading the experts on the subject like:
Keith Armstrong
Jim Brown
Henry Ott (RIP)
Neil Muncy (RIP)
Ralph Morrison
Henry Ott (RIP)
Bill Whitlock

* * * * * * * * * *
The main reason for powering everything from one circuit is:
To keep the length of the Safety Ground/Protective Earth wires from one audio unit to the other components as short as reasonable.
We want all the units at the same chassis potential.
* * * * * * * *
Keeping the dedicated AC power lines the same length is just another audiophile misunderstanding. (but people that should know better have made it)
Title: Re: JUST a Quality Powerstrip
Post by: viggen on 27 Dec 2023, 08:51 pm
The Furutech powerstrips are the best deal in audio. Unbelievable quality and performance for the price. I recommend the e-TP609 NCF.

https://www.furutech.com/2017/11/24/15943/

i bought the etp60 about 20 yrs ago.  a year ago, added Flow-15 for the NCF filtering. 

https://www.furutech.com/2013/02/21/1560/

only thing i compared against are audio magic's ac filters from back in the day and furutech is better.  the Flow-15 made a big difference in my system too.
Title: Re: JUST a Quality Powerstrip
Post by: James Edward on 27 Dec 2023, 09:36 pm
I’m simply plugging the digital components into one duplex and and analog into the other. Same circuit. As I said, I have no idea if this will make a difference, but better outlets and heavier gauge wire, along with Stillpoints ERS material can’t hurt.
Title: Re: JUST a Quality Powerstrip
Post by: Emil on 28 Dec 2023, 02:30 pm
 PS Audio original juice bar?
Pop up once in a while for about 100 bucks or so.
I had one. Well made. Uses PS Audio's powerports

(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=240053)
Title: Re: JUST a Quality Powerstrip
Post by: snaimpally on 3 Jan 2024, 09:18 pm
In the IT field Isobar is considered to build a quality product.

Thanks for the suggestion. I picked up a Tripp Lite IsoBar IBR-12 off of eBay for under $40 shipped. It was advertised as used but looks new. AC surge suppression with EMI/RFI noise filtering. Outlets are arranged in isolated filter banks to limit noise interaction among connected items. All metal construction.
Title: Re: JUST a Quality Powerstrip
Post by: Early B. on 4 Jan 2024, 12:53 am
Thanks for the suggestion. I picked up a Tripp Lite IsoBar IBR-12 off of eBay for under $40 shipped. It was advertised as used but looks new. AC surge suppression with EMI/RFI noise filtering. Outlets are arranged in isolated filter banks to limit noise interaction among connected items. All metal construction.

Isobars aren't designed for audio and may impede sound quality. I used one many years ago and I quickly replaced it. Recently, I grabbed one of these for my subs:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QZ8ZXF7?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1 
     
Title: Re: JUST a Quality Powerstrip
Post by: WGH on 4 Jan 2024, 04:03 am
Isobars aren't designed for audio and may impede sound quality.

Why? I have my Sony Digital turner, a digital clock and the two Acopian power supplies plus music server switching power supply plugged into a Isobar and haven't noticed any sonic benefit or degradation.

As a matter of fact, I have never noticed any sonic benefit or degradation, zilch, nadda, from using any filter or distribution device from the Adcom ACE-515 Power Enhancer, to different variations of the Felix filters to the Isobar. But my electronics have never been zapped by electrical surges either so they must be doing something which is the reason I use them in Tucson, AZ, one of the lightning capitals of the world. During non-lightning days the preamp and amp are plugged directly into the wall.

Audiophiles interested in picking up the WAudio W-3900 Power Conditioner mentioned above will be interested in this YouTube disassembly video
WAudio W-3900 Power Conditioner - A Surprisingly Mediocre Thing
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8g6iif (https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8g6iif)
Title: Re: JUST a Quality Powerstrip
Post by: Speedskater on 4 Jan 2024, 02:14 pm
Isobars aren't designed for audio and may impede sound quality. I used one many years ago and I quickly replaced it.
Oh dear, oh dear.
Tripp Lite makes very high quality products.
Title: Re: JUST a Quality Powerstrip
Post by: Early B. on 4 Jan 2024, 02:46 pm
Why? I have my Sony Digital turner, a digital clock and the two Acopian power supplies plus music server switching power supply plugged into a Isobar and haven't noticed any sonic benefit or degradation.

As a matter of fact, I have never noticed any sonic benefit or degradation, zilch, nadda, from using any filter or distribution device from the Adcom ACE-515 Power Enhancer, to different variations of the Felix filters to the Isobar. ...

Audiophiles interested in picking up the WAudio W-3900 Power Conditioner mentioned above will be interested in this YouTube disassembly video
WAudio W-3900 Power Conditioner - A Surprisingly Mediocre Thing
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8g6iif (https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8g6iif)

I bought the WAudio W-3900 for aesthetics because it sits on my audio rack and I can use a separate power cord. It looks much better than the industrial-style Tripp Lite it replaced. I'm using the "direct" outlets on it for my subs, so the filtering is bypassed. I have it plugged into a Puritan Audio PSM-156 power conditioner.  I mentioned the W-3900 because even though it's cheaply made, it may still be a sonic improvement over a $40 Isobar due to its better outlets and power cord options.
Title: Re: JUST a Quality Powerstrip
Post by: snaimpally on 9 Jan 2024, 01:11 am
Audiophiles interested in picking up the WAudio W-3900 Power Conditioner mentioned above will be interested in this YouTube disassembly video
WAudio W-3900 Power Conditioner - A Surprisingly Mediocre Thing
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8g6iif (https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8g6iif)

I did see that video not long ago. Power conditioning is an area where there are a lot of snake oil salesman.

My local electricity provider doesn't provide very good quality power so all my electronics are plugged into some sort of surge protection. I have a mix of Panamax and Furman (and now TrippLite) proection to prevent a voltage spike from frying my electronics.