[robinje]

I have a single 2-jack wall outlet into which my whole system must be plugged.  I plug my power amp directly into the wall outlet (one of the two available jacks).  Of course, the rest of my system will not fit into the remaining jack!  So I've got a Richard Gray 400Pro, which has 4 jacks and I plug this device into the remaining wall jack.  The remainder of my system gets plugged into the 400Pro.  I honestly can't tell if the 400Pro is doing anything positively or negatively to my system (maybe that's good!).  As far as I know, the 400Pro is simply a 6,000-watt parallel choke with some surge protection and noise reduction features.  Supposedly, it is not "current limiting" and I have my power amp plugged into the wall directly anyway.  I spent a pretty hefty sum on the 400Pro a while back, so I've held on to it over time.  Do you think a device such as what I have is beneficial or detrimental?  Would I be better off selling it and using a simple high-quality "power strip", effectively foregoing all noise reduction and surge protection?  The power conditioning market is flooded with all sorts of parallel and series types of doodads, many of which are outrageously priced!  I just want to keep it simple and have enough outlets to accomodate my system with basic AC surge/spike protection.  Should I just keep what I have or go even simpler?   

[fluke242]

Hi Robinje,

I am getting ready to make a power improvement myself, currently just have a simple surge protector...  I want pure and consistant power.

True power isolation on both the +/- lines is expensive - or so I have been finding.  I then started looking at computer UPS and like the model below so far:

Powerware 9120 1500VA True online, double-conversion (Converts AC-DC-AC)
http://www.powerware.com/UPS/9120_ups.asp?CC=1

They have rack mount options too - but the fan is loud in my opinion.

Curious what other suggestions come-up.

John

[BrianM]

I'm using one of these:



Wiremold L10320 (around $35)
just a basic power strip with high quality outlets for my transport, DAC and preamp, no switches or chokes or surge protection (the wall outlet is a GFCI). For my amp I run an extension cord to a separate AC line. About as simple as it gets, you might try comparing it to your power conditioner and see if you can hear a difference.

[Zheeeem]

I use one of the Monster AV strips mainly because it looks nice and is well made, plus I got a decent price on it.  I like the convenience of having a single switch to disconnect everything from the power when I go out of town.  I did not hear an audible difference between this and a $5 power strip.

A couple months ago I installed a dedicated 20 Amp outlet in my listening room.  I could not hear an audible difference.  Of course, I wasn't really expecting one.  I installed the new outlet mainly because the electrician who intalled the original wiring was a retarded ape.  All the kitchen outlets, utility room outlets, my listening room and a couple rec room outlets were on the same 15 Amp circuit.  So if the refridgerator was running, if almost anything else started up - like the microwave, or dehumidifier, or coffee maker - there was a good chance of blowing the circuit.  I had a (new) electrician come to install a couple of new lines anyhow, and he gave me a good price to add a line for my hifi.

[Minn Mark]

Some time ago I moved from the single wall outliet to a Monster AV strip. In my system I did not hear noticable difference, but note that the Monster strip is plugged into a single wall outlet so the source is the same.  The advantage is that I got more outlets to use.  I am not a believer that these mega-priced power condicitoners have real benefit; if your voltage source is that poor, look into a uninterruptable power supply...

Minn Mark

[robinje]

I'm using one of these:



Wiremold L10320 (around $35)
just a basic power strip with high quality outlets for my transport, DAC and preamp, no switches or chokes or surge protection (the wall outlet is a GFCI). For my amp I run an extension cord to a separate AC line. About as simple as it gets, you might try comparing it to your power conditioner and see if you can hear a difference.

I'll look for something like this.  It will be interesting to see if I can tell a difference between something so inexpensive and my RGPC 400Pro. 

[Zheeeem]

Oh.  Duh.  One point I forgot to make in my post.  Why don't I hear a big difference when I make changes in the wires between my electronics and the power company?  The main reason is that AVA electronics have sufficiently robust power supplies to filter out the rubbish associated with a normal home power source.  All those capacitors are there for a reason.

[satfrat]

Oh.  Duh.  One point I forgot to make in my post.  Why don't I hear a big difference when I make changes in the wires between my electronics and the power company?  The main reason is that AVA electronics have sufficiently robust power supplies to filter out the rubbish associated with a normal home power source.  All those capacitors are there for a reason.

Simple power strips won't improve your sound, how could they? The Strip that BrianM and myself use is good as it adds nothing. There's no circuit breakers in this strip that will only add to the problem. I use this power strip as extension outlets for bpt balanced power conditioner. If you want cleaner power, you can expect to pay for it. i can't say 1 way or another if any type of power conditioner would improve AVA gear as I've never played with them. My BPT did wonders for my Butler tube hybrid amps tho, that I can say. There's only 1 sure way to find out what works and what doesn't and that's trying it out for yourself.

Cheers,
Robin