Need help with balanced power and voltage regulation (long)

Jim N. · « **on:** 21 May 2006, 04:42 am »

I would greatly appreciate it if those with experience with balanced power units and voltage regulation units would offer their opinions regarding their benefits/value for audio systems.

I live in an apartment in So Cal that has awful 1970 era wiring and the notoriously bad local power. Voltage sags occur several times throughout the day. I have a Tripp Lite LC1800 voltage regulator on my PC and I can hear it clicking back and fourth several times a day. I have begun looking at ways to improve the power quailty and best protect my audio/video system. Balanced power intrigues me but I am unclear of the audio/protection benefits. I have done some research on BPT 2, Blue Circle Music Rings, Smart Devices and others in my 1K budget. I am not sure if balanced power or volatge regulation is the best way to go. I'd like to reap both and audio quality and system protection benefit but the latter is more important to me.

As for background info, my audio system is in my signature along with a DVD carousel, TV, digital cable box. The Stratos goes straight into the wall. The other gear is fed by an Electronic Specialists Surge/Filtration Lab grade unit AC-SFL-36M (58,500 surge protection, 1 pico second, quad bi-filar multiple interference filter) going into a Monster HTS 2500 MKII. Digitial, Video and Analog are isolated from one another. I run three Blue Circle B86 MKII or III Noisehunters parallel to the system. I also use Stillpoints ERS paper and Highwire Powerwraps on parts of the system along with quite a bit of vibration isolation on my 6' tall system rack. My power cables are either Lab grade RAM Electronics (similiar to Kevin Haskins Redcoat and Asylum power cables) or Volex 17604. Speaker cables are Canare star quad with WBT locking bananas.

Any insights, opinions, experience, etc, regarding the benefits/impact of balanced power, voltage regulators or even power regenerators (Panamax 5500, PS Audio stuff) and additional line cleaning perpiherals would be greatly appreciated. I have little electronics background (basically don't mess with something that can kill you) so feel free to "speak down" to me on this

Thanks!

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #1 on:** 21 May 2006, 02:31 pm »

Hey Jim,

I experienced the PS Audio P300 Power Plant and Ultimate Outlet, Highwire Power Wraps, ERS Clothe, $149.00 AVS machine from Best Buy, upgraded power cables....probably more that I've forgottten.

The Balanced Power Technologies BP-2, which I bought for $1500.00 (I think Chris' prices are better today as he mostly ditched a dealer network) and I believed it to be the best overall value. Mine has upgraded Litz cable, ERS, constrained layer damping, cryo-silver wire, Z-cable and hi frequency filter. Recommended extras, by the way. My outlets are standard hospital grade ones he uses. So, it's almost 'Ultra' grade.

The effect was terrifc on preamp, DAC and TT...that said, I probably could have gotten the smaller /cheaper model in the line and accomplished the same thing. Tho Chris states that you can run a 100 watt amp off the BP-2, I found that dynamics collapsed, as did soundstage with three different amps rates about that range.

In fact, the Odyssey Tempest Extreme preamp couldn't be run off of it, either (you have to treat that one like a power amp). But, my PAS-4 Dynaco responds great (fantastically, actually) to it.

My amps run off a Brick Wall unit (and I have a Enacom AC Mains filter in the mix, as well) for my Odyssey mono's.

Many say the efect of adding another toroid in the line before your equipment is deleterious....but I've experienced only betterment on front end. However, a smaller toroid-based balanced power unit, could have easily been used as it only power my preamp, CD, DAC, and TT. Using a smaller balanced power toroid wold seem to have less bad effects, too, as well as being cheaper.

Dodd Audio is producing, or is shortly producing, balanced power units without toroids as he has found the effects of to be problematic.

There are lots of used balanced power makes out there for 50% of original price - you should be abundantly pleased with the picken's among them

Jim N. · « **Reply #2 on:** 21 May 2006, 10:36 pm »

TCG:

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I had looked at the Brickwall unit to protect my Stratos (blown fuses the other week started me on this quest). I know they claim their units are not current limiting and appreciate the feedback from someone running Odyssey amps.

Given that the balanced power would just feed my pre, dac and DVD players the power demand is not huge even though the TAD150 has a bit of an appetite. BPT is offering some of their models reduced by 15% to Agon members that waive the 30 day return. Plus, as you stated, there is quite a range of available used units to choose from on Agon.

Tweek Geek is listing the Dodd non-toroid models starting at $1,490 for an 800 watt unit. It's just a bit more than I can afford right now as I'm adding a second Stratos in July.

I had been curious about the Enacom units. I'd quite pleased with the BC B86 I'm using now but wondered if a blend of different types of filters would be beneficial.

As I've been writing this I've had 3 power dips. Power sucks

!!

If anyone else would care to share their experiences in these areas please do! I would greatly appreciate it as I am sure other AC members would. I can't be the only one in need of this info, can I

PS- This is a great forum. I'd never pose this on question on AA as it would probably kick off a 200 post pissing contest.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #3 on:** 22 May 2006, 03:53 am »

Zero Surge makes the Brickwall product....and is usually cheaper. Tho, the Brickwall unit I have is supposedly non-current limiting (total overkill, according to Brickwall).

There is, of course, the new APC S series AVR/conditioners to consider, as well. My own limited experiment found that AVR (cheapie Best Buy unit) benefitted only my tube TV, and denigrated all else. But, it does not have sinewave output, as the pricier APC units so.

I've never posted on AA...it's just too dang messy over there with lots of posting rules

I just use them for info as their database is huge.

Bob Reynolds · « **Reply #4 on:** 22 May 2006, 04:48 am »

It sounds like you have concerns about protecting your gear from power sags, is that correct?

I don't see how an isolation transformer (balanced or otherwise) will address that issue.

I'd look at voltage regulators. The Monster AVS is an option. Furman probably makes a voltage regulator.

To protect your gear from surges, Zero Surge is a good approach. SurgeX and Brickwall have licensed the technology. SurgeX is a known name in the pro audio industry. I use them with my Bryston 7B-SST monoblocks.

My understanding is that EquiTech are THE guys for balanced isolation transformers. I personally think you get a much bigger bang running balanced interconnects throughout a system.

Good luck,
Bob

Jim N. · « **Reply #5 on:** 26 May 2006, 06:44 am »

Thanks to those who replied and PM'd. I appreciate the help!

Looks like voltage reg / power regeneration is the first step.

woodsyi · « **Reply #6 on:** 26 May 2006, 12:53 pm »

I think John B. is also in your neck of woods and he reviewed this.
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue20/aps1050.htm
I use it and it works great. The only drawback is the fan noise that can be heard from 3 to 4 feet away. Otherwise it is really as John says on the review. John C right in LA is also a dealer. He gave me a good price.

trekker · « **Reply #7 on:** 26 May 2006, 01:18 pm »

Here's a good price on the Monster Voltage regulator: http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/MCAVS2000

Inscrutable · « **Reply #8 on:** 27 May 2006, 10:36 am »

Not to hijack your thread, but I have a 100 amp subpanel upstairs, from which I will be feeding a new listening room and HT (nothing but bare rafters right now). Are there solutions that make sense on this 'wholesale' or whole house level, or is there too much chance of picking up problems like EMI downstream, and I'm better off dealing with more 'local' sites/solutions?