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Hello all in this thread, I am Bob Rapoport and since I was responsible for putting Exact Power on the map (I did their global sales and marketing from 2002-2004) I'm qualified to comment on Greg's question. The EP-15A by Exact Power (no longer made) is unique among power conditioners, its a sine-wave regenerator that specifically focuses on the top 5% of the 60 Hz wave form, not the whole thing like a PS Audio device. It includes voltage regulation too so not only does it rebuild a portion of the sine wave, it assures a steady voltage. It uses conventional filters for EMI and RFI like many popular conditioners, surge protection is standard as well. Exact Power also made a companion device called the SP-15A, a fully balanced isolation transformer that used common mode rejection to eliminate the remaining line noise, buzz, and hum. We sold them as a pair to lots of customers. Some customers with good clean steady power opted just for the SP-15A Balanced Power device because their voltage was steady but a little noisy. Balanced Power is a unique way to crush the residual noise in high end systems by up to - 15 dB, thats why they're used in recording studios and laboratories around the world They are the professionals choice.Now, about conventional power conditioners, not much as changed over the years. Depending on the brand, they more or less use active filtration to reduce the noise, EMI, and RFI that can intrude from the environment. Voltage regulation is only included in the most expensive designs. Its the active filtration that many of us object too, it robs our power amps of their true dynamic range. In other words, the power to run the power conditioner robs the power amp of that current, most people are better off just plugging their power amp into the wall directly.Balanced Power does not use filters so it delivers the power on demand for the amplifier and all the upstream components as well and eliminates all audible noise, buzz, and hum. There are only 3 companies making them right now; EquiTech (the originator of the idea in the mid-90s), BPT (dont hear much about them these days), and Core Power Technologies with their Equi=Core series of balanced power devices. Their model 300 is the subject of a good review by John Gatski at Everythingaudionetwork.com. My company is Essence For Hi Res Audio, I make my own DACs and Amps but also sell several other brands of products I dont manufacture myself, Core Power is one of them.Passive devices are less intrusive but how much they do is still the subject of debate. This category is full of snake-oil and voodoo so consumers need to do their homework before making a purchase. The typical APC, Panamax, Monster type power conditioner is probably not going to yield what some of us call high end performance but they can do the job or protecting against surge, filter some kinds of noise, and provide a bunch of receptacles. They are like having an insurance policy for your system, to protect it more than make it sound better. Fair enough. Balanced Power is a clever idea and the results are easy to hear, absolute utter blackness behind the music, providing improved resolution at lower listening levels. Everything sounds better when the background is silent.IMHO Greg, you can improve your system by adding a balanced power device downstream from your EP-15A to really eliminate the rest of the grundge on the line. We can do a free power audit of your system so you know how much power it consumes first, thats the place to start.Ciao,Bob
Very informative, thanks for taking the time. Now I have even more questions :0 hopefully Bob you will check back - 1) If I'm able to track down the matching ExactPower SP15A, do you think it's worth pursuing? As simple as this is, I never considered this. In fact I didn't know it was an option, I thought I could use one or the other, but not both.2) Regarding Furman: they currently market some of their units as being balanced power - is this not true?, or misleading, etc.? Please explain, I'm not disagreeing with you, I'm just unfamiliar. 3) ExactPower - what ever happened to them, why were they sold etc. etc. - I thought they made a great product. Just curious.Thanks again, Greg
2) Regarding Furman: they currently market some of their units as being balanced power - is this not true?, or misleading, etc.?
SurgeX is an affordable option that works good. I personally can make them at what I consider a SOTA level, but they are expensive; out of most people's budget by a good ways.
What exactly/how much would such a project entail?
Some people say that balanced power transformers rob bass if they aren't close enough to the stereo. I cannot confirm this, but I might have a solution to that problem if it's true.
Not to be a jerk, but I've been doing that for the last couple years and have won multiple awards at RMAF for it. It's not something that is ok to bring up in this part of the forum though...
Not sure why I'm being singled out for asking a question here?...
