Alan Maher's Power Enhancer

alanmaher · « **Reply #380 on:** 23 Mar 2008, 09:12 pm »

Best wishes and Happy Easter!

jmichael · « **Reply #381 on:** 24 Mar 2008, 10:52 pm »

I took a good part of my 3-day weekend to test the effectiveness of the ERS Paper on my components with regards to the stated negative effects when using the PE series devices. On Friday night, I removed all ERS Paper from the source and the amps. On Saturday, for about 9 hours, I listened to my system. During this time, I had a feeling that something wasn't right and was missing from all my previous listening sessions over the past couple of weeks with the PE's on the circuit. The magical soundstage, midbass and separation of instruments disolved by a large extent. I thought nothing of it and continued to listen while enjoying all kinds of music in 2-channel, 5-channel and sometimes 7-channel mode. On Sunday morning, I decided to re-install the ERS Paper back into the system. From the moment I started playing music, the magic had reappeared, once again. There was that magic back that had disappeared and that I had missed so much. Verdict: My T-amps just love the ERS Paper! I think because they produce quite a bit of digital nastiness. The ERS Paper does not seem to have any detrimental effects whatsoever on the PE's in my system, only enhance their effect. Although, the ERS Paper is installed inside the top cover of the components, the closets a PE module is to it is about a foot or so. The difference is like night & day when using the ERS Paper in my system.

My system sounds so good now with the PE's and all the other tweeks, I'm afraid to add anything else in fear that I might screw up the sound!

alanmaher · « **Reply #382 on:** 24 Mar 2008, 11:36 pm »

We are now offering a Hammond 193L choke option for all PE V models. The cost for the upgrade is $55 to cover the cost of the choke and shipping. The choke will be hard wired to the PE V circuit. The Hammond 193M is also available for $78.

The 193L enhances dynamics and the 193M enhances warmth. Both options sound very good in my system. I seem to prefer the 193M on the a/c plug versions and the 193L on the IEC and PLC power cord versions.

alanmaher · « **Reply #383 on:** 24 Mar 2008, 11:42 pm »

Jeff

ERS is ok down and upstream from the PE, but don't use it on the PE. Have you tried installing ERS inside the circuit breaker door? If not, cover the inside of the door and try removing the paper from the system again and see which set up you prefer. Also try a couple of our Reference One filters when they are released next month. The Reference One grounds all noise to earth. The Ref One sounds great in installations that have chokes installed around the home.

Paul_Bui · « **Reply #384 on:** 25 Mar 2008, 01:23 am »

Quote from: alanmaher on 24 Mar 2008, 11:36 pm

The 193L enhances dynamics and the 193M enhances warmth. Both options sound very good in my system. I seem to prefer the 193M on the a/c plug versions and the 193L on the IEC and PLC power cord versions.

Alan, thanks for another excellent tuning tip. I moved a 193M from a tupe-pre IEC to join a PE II at the main music system outlet using liberator Y-adapter, leaving 2 193L's at the tupe-pre IEC. A PE III and PE are still at the back of the PSA PP Premium. After a few minutes, music started playing with a listenable warmth while still punchy and dynamic. I could turn up the volume w/o listening fatigue.

zmanbands · « **Reply #385 on:** 25 Mar 2008, 01:53 am »

We had about 50 pages on this thtead. Now there are 40 pages???

alanmaher · « **Reply #386 on:** 25 Mar 2008, 03:05 pm »

Paul

Good to hear. Are you still having placement problems? I was thinking of offering a public reference guide for circuit tuning while I'm home and I need one client willing to rip apart his/her system and let me walk them through tuning from the circuit panel to the component. What do you say, are you game?

Steve

Whats new buddy, the missing pages are a misunderstanding. Lets leave it at that. So whats new in your PE part of the world? did I mention the PE just celebrated it's one year anniversary since the A-gon introduction. So we are extending the 10% off sale until the end of April for the PE only. For people on the fence take advantage because I'm only home until the end of April, the next time anyone will hear from me will be mid-July.

BlkNotes · « **Reply #387 on:** 25 Mar 2008, 05:10 pm »

Hello Alan;

Alan in the passed you were mentioning that the ideal wiring for in wall duplex outlet was the "star wiring configuration" using 12 gauge wire. I did not understand your previous explanation on how to do this. Could you re-explain and/or direct me towards an illustration that shows how to do this.

Further what wiring do you use or recommend for in wall, from the panel to the duplex outlets ( gauge & type--model manufuacturer).

Thank-you for your help
Regards;
BN

Paul_Bui · « **Reply #388 on:** 25 Mar 2008, 07:37 pm »

Hi Alan & Jen,

The 2nd batch of PE/PE II's arrived today, just an half an hour earlier than the arrival of additional liberators. A PE has been immediately plugged into the shared outlet with the refrigerator, another PE shared outlet with Hydra powerd cord. For now that wraps up the downstairs.

Going upstairs, I plugged one PE into a shared outlet with a desktop PC power cord, another PE into shared outlet where 2 power strips feeding AC to a router, DSL modem, and various hard drives plug to. That takes care of the computer room.

Onto the master bedroom where main 2CH music, a PE II has been plugged into what I consider the last outlet in the room, replacing a PE which now moved behind the PSA PP Premium. That is, into one of its outlets.

I will hold back any impression until at least a few days pass, but it's nice to hear the pleasing sound from the refrigerator. I'd rather say it's quieter; apparently, it's running more happily now. And so am I.

The filter tuning goes on, and yes I am willing to let you walk me thru the process. Playing hit-and-miss game by myself is fun, but it's certainly more effective and beneficial to have the PE creator to be the hands-on guide.

mercman · « **Reply #389 on:** 25 Mar 2008, 07:56 pm »

Alan,

I have really been enjoying the entire group of PEs on the tuned circuit. The big decision is if I want to sell the PS Audio Power Plants and move to your PEV Pro Custom AC.

You make great stuff Alan. Don't let the detractors wear you down.

Best regards,

Steve

alanmaher · « **Reply #390 on:** 25 Mar 2008, 09:21 pm »

BN

Star wiring is fairly simple...lets say for the hell of it that you have a dedicated line with one duplex installed. A star wire would run two hots and two neutral wires from a single breaker to the duplex. One set of hot and neutral would wire into the bottom receptacle and the other pair would wire into the top. Now all you have to do is connect the earth ground to the duplex and now you have a true star wired circuit. I use this method in some applications and others I use the Ref wiring pending the amount of noise I have to suppress.

Star wire should be a dual 14ga solid wire for hot, neutral, and a single for earth....a total of 5 wires.

alanmaher · « **Reply #391 on:** 25 Mar 2008, 09:24 pm »

Paul

Over the next couple of days check the temps of you fridge and freezer, you should notice that it is colder at the current temp and probably should be lowered...that ends the PFC portion of the lession today

Strip all filters including chokes from all circuits on Thursday and we'll sit down on the weekend and start the tuning segment. It will probably take the house a good 24 hours to settle back before we can start tuning.

jmichael · « **Reply #392 on:** 25 Mar 2008, 09:39 pm »

Alan,

Is it better to have a PE II rather than a PE on the refrigerator and what is the difference between the two for this application?

alanmaher · « **Reply #393 on:** 25 Mar 2008, 10:06 pm »

The quartz inside the II will lower the fridge mechanical noise just a tad more compared to the standard PE, but the PFC ratio is the same for both models.

jmichael · « **Reply #394 on:** 25 Mar 2008, 10:50 pm »

Yeah.....I have this cheap new G.E. fridge that makes all kinds of mechanical noise even with a PE installed.

PS> I'm happy to report that the ERS Paper has made a difference inside the circuit breaker box panel. I used two sheets, overlapping, instead of one because of the size. The sound has improved further, especially on my Sennheiser headphone bedroom system. Now, if I could only figure a way to get a PE module in there.

alanmaher · « **Reply #395 on:** 25 Mar 2008, 10:57 pm »

Jeff

I was planning to cover this on the weekend as part of the tuning exercises, but lets try something different if possible....take a Hammond 193L or M and plug that into the fridge receptacle and see what happens and compare notes. The choke should do a good job of lowering the mechanical noise. I plan on tuning with chokes over the weekend...stay tuned!!!

Don't put the PE inside the box, if you tuned every circuit then you have already placed PE filtering inside the box.

alanmaher · « **Reply #396 on:** 26 Mar 2008, 11:06 am »

Product Update:

PE V Surge Interrupter

Suppressor Specifications:
Surge Spike Current - 58,500 Surge Amps
Pulse Power (Peak) - 30,000,000 Surge Watts
Energy Dissipation (20 micro-seconds) - 600 Surge joules
Response Time - 1 pico-second

Filter Specifications:
Differential Mode
Type Filter - Quad Balanced Pi Filter
Frequency Response - 10 KHz to 250 MHz
Attenuation - 65 db

Common Mode
Type Filter - L-C Filter
Frequency Response - 10 KHz to 250 MHz
Attenuation - 40 db
Ground Isolation - Dual Inductance

Line Harmonic Tuning and PFC - PE technology

Available July 15, 2008

jmichael · « **Reply #397 on:** 26 Mar 2008, 08:25 pm »

.....at the cost of?

jmichael · « **Reply #398 on:** 26 Mar 2008, 08:39 pm »

I've been trying to understand the price points on the PE products.

The PE has 4 wideband filters - Price $80.00
The PE IV (Now Discontinued) has 8 wideband filters - Price $235.00
The PE V has (Model Dependant) 33-51 plus Filters - Price $275.00 to $625.00 Plus (for more additional options)

How are the price points determined for the new PE V?

You think that, with all those extra filters and labor, that the price would be much higher for the PE V.

Although, the quality and costs of the parts could be lower/higher.

I would have to assume that the PE V is a bargain then?

alanmaher · « **Reply #399 on:** 26 Mar 2008, 09:04 pm »

I will have the pricing worked out next month. I don't make the surge unit and I'm in the process of working out the OEM cost with the manufacture.

You would think, huh.....no, the PE has 8 filters in 4 values. The PE V has 102 filters in 53 different values. Yes each unit is a lot of labor to build when you think about it, but no one seems to want to buy them by the hundreds when they cost two and three times the price. Take a good look at the standard PE, that filter should actually sell for about $180 each. At that price it basically covers cost, R&D, labor, sales, and dealer mark up. Instead I cut the dealer out and undercut my price so I can be competitive with the PS Audio's of the world that can make the product 10 times cheaper with a 100 times the profit, I only make $35 off each PE after cost. If you think about it, $35 a filter after all the hours of sales I put in each week, I should have my head examined for undercutting the price.