[gax279]

A long overdue post, but better late than never....

Earlier this year (April), I had the itch to tweak my system, specifically power conditioning and surge protection. I have been using PS Audio products in my system (first a PPP, then and AV-5000) for the last 4 years. I must have picky power in my basement, as the PPP kept tripping its internal fuse and powering on and off. PS Audio was good about exchanging the unit, thus leading to the AV-5000 with a PS Audio power cord. Things were good for about 2 years, until March 2013-the AV-5000 started doing the same thing, Nothing more frustrating than being in the midst of a movie and having the system power off.

I had enough of PS Audio, and wanted to try something new. My search on this site turned up BPT, PI Audio, Running Springs Audio, Shunyata, Audience, and Furman. All my readings for the aforementioned brands were pretty positive. The RSA and Audience had good reviews, but were a little out of my price range. I was leery of buying used from Audiogon, too. I knew Shunyata had a fine reputation, but they didn’t have enough outlets (I wanted 10 outlets).

I was really leaning towards Furman when I came across Balanced Power Technologies. Many good reviews, and the price point was even better than I expected. I really liked dealing directly with Jim Salk for my speakers. I sent the BPT owner Chris Hoff an e-mail, asking for his recommendation (do I need a Clean Power Center {CPC} or CPC Signature Plus)? He responded within 24 hours, and told me to go with a CPC with a series HCF-30 filter for the plasma and blu-ray. I am a believer in power cords, so Chris built a 2.5m PC-9LN to pair with the CPC. I inserted both into my system in late April.

As with this hobby, I was satisfied but still thought my system could use a little more power conditioning help. Back to more paralysis by analysis-I kept reading great reviews about the PI Audio company, and the UberBUSS. I sent the owner Dave Elledge an e-mail, asking for his thoughts (Uber or Majik?). He replied the same day, and based on my gear (listed below), recommended an UberBUSS. He also had positive praise for BPT. As we continued to exchange e-mails (got to know each other), he recommended a 20A IEC. I then asked about a matching power cord, and he suggested a Mongo. After a long series of e-mails, he had created, in Dave’s own words, a “full-boogie UberBUSS (Furutech) with the Mongo power cord.” I placed my order in late April….

Approximately 3 months later (the Furutech parts were on backorder), I received my Uber and Mongo. I inserted them into the system in mid-July. I did not do any critical listening or viewing for about 30 days, as I wanted to give the new components a chance to break in. But my first impressions were very good!

After a month or so, I sat down to listen to my SACD of Beck’s “Sea Change.” What sounded great on my system before sounded EXCELLENT now! The fine details (guitar strum, cymbal) and bass were so much cleaner and sharper. I was very happy. Next was the Criterion Collection blu-ray “3:10 to Yuma (1957).” This black and white western film looked absolutely outstanding on my Samsung plasma. The black levels and detail in the picture were top notch. I also watched “The Tree of Life.” This was a double whammy-excellent picture quality with great audio (LFE is awesome).

I have now reached a point that I think my system is complete. I am so satisfied with the results of the power conditioning upgrades I inserted into my system. I’m even more happy with the results based on the amount of money I spent-it was well worth it. As with anything like this, I only wish I would have found Dave sooner. I feel lucky I was able to get him while I did, I know he is busy. 

My system consists of L/C/R Salk Songtowers with the ribbon tweeter upgrade, Klipsch KS-525 THX for the surrounds, and Klipsch CDT-5800-C II In-Ceiling Speakers for the surround backs. Dual JL Audio F112s handle the LFE. The system is driven by an Integra DHC-80.2 pre/pro with 7 Outlaw Audio M2200 monoblock amps. An OPPO BDP-83 handles the blu-ray, going to a Samsung PN58A760 58" Plasma. I have an AppleTV (2nd generation) and Dish Network also within the system.

Of note is that the system was professionally calibrated (video and audio) by W. Jeff Meier. Some may know him by his handle “UMR” at AVSForum. His services were well worth it (and very reasonable).

Thanks again Dave, PEACE.

Don

[dBe]

A long overdue post, but better late than never....

Earlier this year (April), I had the itch to tweak my system, specifically power conditioning and surge protection. I have been using PS Audio products in my system (first a PPP, then and AV-5000) for the last 4 years. I must have picky power in my basement, as the PPP kept tripping its internal fuse and powering on and off. PS Audio was good about exchanging the unit, thus leading to the AV-5000 with a PS Audio power cord. Things were good for about 2 years, until March 2013-the AV-5000 started doing the same thing, Nothing more frustrating than being in the midst of a movie and having the system power off.

I had enough of PS Audio, and wanted to try something new. My search on this site turned up BPT, PI Audio, Running Springs Audio, Shunyata, Audience, and Furman. All my readings for the aforementioned brands were pretty positive. The RSA and Audience had good reviews, but were a little out of my price range. I was leery of buying used from Audiogon, too. I knew Shunyata had a fine reputation, but they didn’t have enough outlets (I wanted 10 outlets).

I was really leaning towards Furman when I came across Balanced Power Technologies. Many good reviews, and the price point was even better than I expected. I really liked dealing directly with Jim Salk for my speakers. I sent the BPT owner Chris Hoff an e-mail, asking for his recommendation (do I need a Clean Power Center {CPC} or CPC Signature Plus)? He responded within 24 hours, and told me to go with a CPC with a series HCF-30 filter for the plasma and blu-ray. I am a believer in power cords, so Chris built a 2.5m PC-9LN to pair with the CPC. I inserted both into my system in late April.

As with this hobby, I was satisfied but still thought my system could use a little more power conditioning help. Back to more paralysis by analysis-I kept reading great reviews about the PI Audio company, and the UberBUSS. I sent the owner Dave Elledge an e-mail, asking for his thoughts (Uber or Majik?). He replied the same day, and based on my gear (listed below), recommended an UberBUSS. He also had positive praise for BPT. As we continued to exchange e-mails (got to know each other), he recommended a 20A IEC. I then asked about a matching power cord, and he suggested a Mongo. After a long series of e-mails, he had created, in Dave’s own words, a “full-boogie UberBUSS (Furutech) with the Mongo power cord.” I placed my order in late April….

Approximately 3 months later (the Furutech parts were on backorder), I received my Uber and Mongo. I inserted them into the system in mid-July. I did not do any critical listening or viewing for about 30 days, as I wanted to give the new components a chance to break in. But my first impressions were very good!

After a month or so, I sat down to listen to my SACD of Beck’s “Sea Change.” What sounded great on my system before sounded EXCELLENT now! The fine details (guitar strum, cymbal) and bass were so much cleaner and sharper. I was very happy. Next was the Criterion Collection blu-ray “3:10 to Yuma (1957).” This black and white western film looked absolutely outstanding on my Samsung plasma. The black levels and detail in the picture were top notch. I also watched “The Tree of Life.” This was a double whammy-excellent picture quality with great audio (LFE is awesome).

I have now reached a point that I think my system is complete. I am so satisfied with the results of the power conditioning upgrades I inserted into my system. I’m even more happy with the results based on the amount of money I spent-it was well worth it. As with anything like this, I only wish I would have found Dave sooner. I feel lucky I was able to get him while I did, I know he is busy. 

My system consists of L/C/R Salk Songtowers with the ribbon tweeter upgrade, Klipsch KS-525 THX for the surrounds, and Klipsch CDT-5800-C II In-Ceiling Speakers for the surround backs. Dual JL Audio F112s handle the LFE. The system is driven by an Integra DHC-80.2 pre/pro with 7 Outlaw Audio M2200 monoblock amps. An OPPO BDP-83 handles the blu-ray, going to a Samsung PN58A760 58" Plasma. I have an AppleTV (2nd generation) and Dish Network also within the system.

Of note is that the system was professionally calibrated (video and audio) by W. Jeff Meier. Some may know him by his handle “UMR” at AVSForum. His services were well worth it (and very reasonable).

Thanks again Dave, PEACE.

Don

Don, thank you so much for your post and appreciation for what I do.  It took a long time to figure out how to defeat the enemy that is our power grid.  It is constantly changingig and the UberBUSS changes with it.

I love responses like yours.  They are why I work my craft and continue to serve a fluid market.

My best,

Dave