[michaelv]

Hi,
  I went through PS Audio website last night and saw the Duet. Based on the description and the video clip, it's an interesting unit and it may be the one i need . However, i would like to hear from your experience about this one.
http://www.psaudio.com/products/duetmoreinfo.asp


Thanks.

[eric the red]

I own one after previously owning their UPC-200. I own it mainly for the surge protection plus my wiring/power is pretty bad so every little bit helps in my house. I haven't done much A-Bing with or without it in the chain as I pretty much bought it, plugged everything in and there it sits happily glowing blue. Bonus is that BMW had some influence on the design so it looks cool. Occam might chime in here as he has heard it in a friend's home and did some informal listening tests on it. PS Audio is selling them for $295.00 new which is what they were selling them for when the unit was first introduced.

[Occam]

Michael,

I've heard the Duet once, at a freind's Brooklyn, multistory, high density condo. It was on a Creek CD player and integrated amp. In that specific context, the change wrought with the Duet (as opposed to directly into the mains outlets), was a substantial change for the better. IMO, it was a very cost effective upgrade for HIS system. Topround (Mike) also purchased a Duet, and has reported a substantial improvement in his digital components, but also feels that it constrained the dynamics of both his Mapletree tube preamp, as well as his VTL85 tube poweramp.
Given the current sale price, and if you can purchase it with a 30day return priveledge, I'd suggest that you evaluate it in your system.

FWIW,
Paul

[yo2tup]

From occam's recommendation, I bought one to try out and have kept it ever since.  It really cleaned up the highs on my system, but I felt it sounded a little bit cloudy and contrain dynamics a little with my amp plugged in to it.  I replaced the power cord from the duet to the wall with a vh audio flavor 4, and the cloudiness disappeared and dynamics came back.  I really think the 10gauge power cord that comes with duet really sucks.  Anyone else experience replacing this powercord?   I eventually replaced the flavor 4 with virtual dynamics master    and haven't looked back since.  no flames please 

[michaelv]

I have VH Audio PC flavor 4 which connects my integrated amp to the UO and DH labs from UO to the wall. All my connectors and wall outlet are Furutech .

I also replaced the receptacle in the UO by Furutech (based on the recommendation from folks in audioaylum.com  Here comes another question: Have you ever tried to look inside the Duet? I assume the receptacle on Duet is different from the one on UO, but I would like to replace the receptacle though.

I see PS Audio is selling it for $295 (on sale price until the end of April).  I guess i'll try out and hope that it will clean the noise. Right now every time i turn on the track light which has dimmer..i can hear hiss and buzz from the speaker...  . Also, i hear buzz from the cdp transformer too.

thanks.

[michaelv]

Another thought about noise reduction:  What do you think of new product  Noise Harvester from PS Audio? I almost get one in addition to the UO i have.  Even thought i read and read in psaudio.com , i still don't know if it works like wonder... Therefore, i hope someone has used it and give me opinion.   

Another cheap solution is using Hammond choke 193L to connect to the wall outlet.

[yo2tup]

i've thought about replacing the outlets too.  I haven't looked inside, but the outlets have a weird exterior shape so I'm not sure how well a normal outlet would fit.  If its possible, I'd do it tho 

[zybar]

I have VH Audio PC flavor 4 which connects my integrated amp to the UO and DH labs from UO to the wall. All my connectors and wall outlet are Furutech .

I also replaced the receptacle in the UO by Furutech (based on the recommendation from folks in audioaylum.com  Here comes another question: Have you ever tried to look inside the Duet? I assume the receptacle on Duet is different from the one on UO, but I would like to replace the receptacle though.

I see PS Audio is selling it for $295 (on sale price until the end of April).  I guess i'll try out and hope that it will clean the noise. Right now every time i turn on the track light which has dimmer..i can hear hiss and buzz from the speaker...  . Also, i hear buzz from the cdp transformer too.

thanks.

I don't think the Duet will get rid of transformer buzz.  This is usually caused by having DC on the line somewhere.  As such, you need something specifically designed to handle that situation.

I have tried the PS Audio Humbuster as well as the CI Audio XDC-2 and while both did basically eliminate the transformer hum or buzz, the CI Audio XDC-2 was clearly superior sounding.  The PS Audio sounded slow, thick, and congested when directly compared to the CI Audio.

George

 

[yo2tup]

George, it looks like those products should be used to prevent components from polluting the lines with DC.  Do you know a good way of finding out which components are polluting the lines? 

[zybar]

George, it looks like those products should be used to prevent components from polluting the lines with DC.  Do you know a good way of finding out which components are polluting the lines? 

Trial and error...

George